TiL MEETING WITH DAVID PINKNEY AND JOHN MITCHELL As planned, TiL Board reps met with David Pinkney and John Mitchell on Monday evening.
TiL set the scene by providing a history of the Trust as well as an explanation of the current situation where we felt we had to temporarily stand down from Board related activities. We reminded Pinkney and Mitchell that we are there to represent the supporters and not to represent the football club itself. We then went on to explain that the Trust has taken a more questioning line against the club in recent weeks in response to our members (and the wider supporter base's) concerns relating to Martin King's allegations, worries over a new stadium and more recently the FA inquiry into the club. Mitchell said there was no money transferred from the club, the money used was Jayten share capital monies.
On stadium issues, we said that while we recognise that J12 is a site that is attractive to the club, we expressed reservations regarding planning permission and we urged the club to pressure Luton Borough Council to find possible alternatives.
We expressed the opinion that there needs to be a realistic re-appraisal of factors at J12, with particular regard to a lack of local authority support. We asked whether the club had looked into a 'split' development possibility with J12 being exploited for industry/logistics while the stadium gets built in the Borough of Luton.
Pinkney and Mitchell responded by saying that at present there is little alternative to J12 but the Trust are free to investigate other avenues.
Pinkney confirmed to us that he doesn't actually own the shares in Jayten or the club and that due diligence will take a few more weeks yet.
We asked if any transfer money had gone to Rosemound and J12 scoping studies and we were met with a 'no'.
We felt it was important to point out that the supporters have been promised the world by previous regimes at the club and those regimes have generally delivered nothing. From past experience, the supporters are realistic and questioning and that should not be confused with being negative.
TiL appreciated the chance to talk to reps of the club and expressed the hope that we can constructively work together in the future. |