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Fletcher: No-one asked club to comment on trust
Fans' Representative on the Luton Town board, Yvonne Fletcher has released a statement in reaction to the earlier statement released by the club expressing 'its attitude to the formation of a supporters' trust' "I would like to clarify a number of issues raised by the story "Luton Town and the Supporters Trust'"
"No-one has asked 'the club 'to express its attitude to the formation of a supporters' trust'. The embryonic trust is an independent organisation over which the club has no authority. If supporters want to form a trust they can do so with or without the agreement of the club.
"Trust In Luton have arranged the supporters' meeting on Saturday with a specific purpose. The outline aims of the trust have been publicised and are on their website. No-one else has the right to set the agenda for this meeting.
"As soon as the Trust has received a mandate from the supporters for the formation of the Trust, it will establish the trust as a democratic, membership organisation that is transparent and accountable. The membership of the Trust will decide on its policies and any actions that are felt necessary given the current situation at Luton Town FC.
"There are no Football League regulations that say a club cannot be financially restructured twice. No club would wish to find itself in this situation but no-one can say that liquidation would be the result if this happened.
"I look forward to seeing all Luton Town supporters and everyone who cares about the future of our club tomorrow at Kenilworth Road. Supporters will be able to submit questions in writing at the meeting. The Trust and I will be happy to answer these questions in person at the meeting.
Her reaction was to this earlier statement, "Luton Town and the Supporters Trust", released by 'the club' via LutonTown.co.uk.
"The Club has been asked to express its attitude to the formation of a Supporters' Trust and discussed the subject with Yvonne Fletcher earlier this week as supporters' representative. In principle, the Club would welcome a strong supporters' organisation that lives up to its name and supports the Club.
"Supporters should be aware of the following:
"As Yvonne Fletcher clearly stated in her unofficial release posted on an unofficial website, the Club is in very serious financial difficulty, which is a historic situation that the new owners of the Club are trying to overcome. The scale and scope of the debt that the old board allowed to be created are very high but any suggestions or contributions from supporters organisations are welcome. Yvonne Fletcher, as a member of the Board of the Club, is obviously aware of the reasons for the current problem and can explain these to supporters.
"The Club is hopeful that the present problems can be overcome with the goodwill and support of everyone concerned. The new owners have taken over the Club with the express desire to facilitate the building of the new ground and the supporting revenues within the Club. There is no developer creaming off the profits and the revenue streams from the car parking, for example, will go to the Club.
"Luton could and should be facing an exciting future which stems from the unique opportunities to realise the new ground. But the existing situation has to be dealt with. A climate cannot be created that restricts and / or prohibits investment.
"The Club would ask all its supporters to get behind the Club and form a supporters organisation for that purpose. The Club looks forward to receiving wholehearted support to carry the Club forward.
"Outlined below is some information that supporters might care to discuss at their meeting tomorrow:
"1) The Club has contracted with 19 players for next season. The salaries of those 19 players will automatically mean that the Club's budget is one of the three highest in the division before any new players are added to the squad.
"2) The Club is in the process of acquiring a new manager by democratic process. How can supporters asking for a democratic process refuse to participate in this?
"3) The Club's income deficit is being aggravated by demands from so-called "supporters" not to buy Season Tickets. How does this help the Club?
"4) Luton Town Football Club went into Administration three years ago. It cannot do so again. Failure is not an option as it will cause the Club to be liquidated. Liquidation means the Club will go out of existence. The last club to be liquidated was Maidstone. Luton needs every single pound it can raise if it is to pay off its debts and survive. Luton cannot do a Wimbledon.
"5) There are a large number of commercial sponsors sitting on the fence at the present time, who would normally have put money into the Club. The Club cannot survive without this money, which will not be forthcoming to the Club in a negative atmosphere.
"6) There are a number of substantial investors who are investing in the Club and form the purchasing consortium. They are willing to clear the existing debts of the Club if the current situation can be made positive. The Club would welcome suggestions from supporters as to how this can be achieved.
"7) The financial loses at the Club are some £400,000-£500,000 per month. Any organisation or trust wanting to be concerned with the running of the Club should bear in mind that £5-6 million would be required." |
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