TiL Statement 16 May 2007 The Board of Trust in Luton are as appalled as every Luton Town supporter about the revelations in this morning’s Daily Mail. Former Club Chairman Bill Tomlins admits to 13 cases of illegal payments to agents through the football club’s holding company Jayten Stadium Ltd. Tomlins says these all occurred during our time in the Championship. At our recent meeting with David Pinkney and John Mitchell, Mitchell was adamant there were “only” 3 illegal payments.
It is not clear how the Daily Mail got hold of the story as the FA are not due to make the findings public until the first week in June. It would seem as though someone connected with the club has approached them. Unfortunately we have been unable to get hold of Mitchell, the club’s Chief Executive Officer, this week. TiL contacted the FA earlier this week, and there is ongoing dialogue between TiL, the FA and Supporters Direct. We will be asking the FA why it has taken them so long to act, when they have known of the situation at Luton Town Football Club for over a year.
It seems very improbable that Derek Peter signed the Jayten cheques without knowing what they were being used for. If he didn’t, that could be seen as a case of quite horrendous negligence, and if he did, he must also bear the brunt of any punishment coming the club’s way.
Supporters will also want to know why Bill Tomlins was given a “golden handshake”, regardless of the amount, when he has broken so many FA rules. We can only assume that it is us, the supporters, who have funded this payment.
We also need to know what Jayten’s revenue streams are. How did they manage to fund so many illegal payments? We will be asking this question. And what roles in all of this mess have the other directors – John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot – played? It is hard to believe that they have no knowledge of what has been going on under their noses.
Luton Town supporters are now thoroughly fed up – it has been a disastrous season on and off the pitch. The club have just sent out Season Ticket renewal forms. Many people have said they will not be renewing, they have fallen out of love with the club. It is hard to argue against this standpoint. The time has now come for this entire discredited bunch, who masquerade as club directors, to resign, and leave the club to people who will love and cherish it.
FOR THE LOVE OF LUTON TOWN, RESIGN NOW.
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