Martyn Deaner Press Release In Full

[GarySTFC]

“Following the completion of a contract with Slough Borough Council for the development of a feasibility study for a stadium and regeneration scheme for the Britwell & Northborough area, we were surprised to see press statements by the new administration which abrogate the contact in a number of areas. In particular that of “Good Faith” wherein we are advised by the local press that “the feasibility study is no longer required in its present form.”

 

We have taken onboard the press comments and appreciate that the council wish to go in a different direction.

 

As such we have written to the Council’s Chief Executive and appointed solicitors to act in our best interests.

 

As for our support for the Club, we have now, for six years, been misled by the Council as clearly evidenced by their:

 

1) failure to complete that promise made when we were first asked to save the club in 1998, when the then leader of the council made an absolute promise that if we took on the burden he would personally see that an alternative site was provided in one year.

 

2) Having begged and cajoled for three years, the option of the site adjacent to Wexham Park on the Slough Borough side of the boundary could be made available, where we spent in excess of £80,000 to develop a project which halfway through was stopped having read in a local paper that the site had been assigned for a Sikh school

 

3) Following the debacle of the expenditure of the site development adjacent to Wexham Park, we were convinced by the Council that the regeneration of Britwell & Northborough could be an IDEAL solution to two problems as the sports complex would attract sports grants and the regeneration could be in parallel with the development of the area at Britwell.

 

A feasibility study was started two months ago. We are now advised, again by the local press, that the feasibility study is no longer required in its present form i.e. NO Sports Complex! NO Grants!. This is an 180 degree turn by the Council and therefore default under the Contract.

 

We have been privileged to be associated with the Slough Town Football Club, in particular it’s supporters. However, we have decided that having been grossly misled for six years, we cannot underwrite the club whereby the Town Council will act in such a manner.

 

As such, we have decided to cease all future plans and have informed the Council and the Slough Town Football Club Trust that we cannot work in such an environment having seen for six years of abuse of our good faith.

 

We will endeavour to handover the club to the Council which was provided for in the original documents when we first became involved. We have written to the council to outline that this must be done in the next ten days as the season is fast approaching.

 

Further via he Supporters Trusts we will keep the supporters informed and we will of course, wish the club well in the next season under the ownership of Slough Borough Council.”

 

[Guest]

Quote:

We will endeavour to handover the club to the Council which was provided for in the original documents when we first became involved. We have written to the council to outline that this must be done in the next ten days as the season is fast approaching.

I'm sure Stokes and his dimwitted cronies will find it remarkably easy to forget all about that caveat in the original contract and suddenly the Club's entire will be in the balance once again.

Still, it would be a close-season if Slough didn't have at least one major crisis.

[Guest]

Quote:

...the Club's entire will be...

entire future I meant. Sorry.

[Barry Scott]

as bender would say: "We're boned"

[Guest]

One year you'll have a close-season when you don't threaten to fold...

 

 

[BFR]

And we look forward to that Royalist, so long as it doesn't mean we have folded. Can we count on your support in making a presence outside the town hall on the 20th?

[Guest]

That depends if it clashes with Relocation, Relocation, Relocation...

[Guest]

Question - With Martyn Deaner handing the club over to the council, where does this leave us in regards to the ground rent for the next 2 years as discussed and promissed at the May? 2003 meeting at WP?

 

Also - Is it not now time for the Trust to step in an pick up the reigns, as this was what it was set up for surley?

[BFR]

Regarding the rent, I remember last season the Windsor chairman asked for the money upfront and in advance (I think this was paid up in May 2003) and as I've not seen or heard any grumbles from Mr Simpson in the close season I would imagine the money has been paid already. I'll stand corrected if I am wrong.

 

As for the Trust and picking up the reigns, I find it interesting that this is mentioned straight after talk about the ground rent. The accounts published at the AGM showed that we do not have enough in the kitty to cover the rent for next season, let alone finance a playing squad. 'Picking up the reigns' is not something the Trust can do in the short term, as Deaner has not as yet walked away from the club and if he carries out his threat in the press release the control of the club is handed over to the council - therefore, while feeling may be strong about the way the council is perceived to be conducting itself over the future of the club, we can't burn too many bridges as our fate may ultimately rest in the hands of the elected.

 

Until that pans out, it is crucial as Chris has said, to write letters to councillors and submit questions for the public meeting before to reach the Council offices by the 13th July. We must make our presence felt outside the town hall on the 20th and have our voices heard.

[GarySTFC]

Gotta laugh really Royalist. This attitude may well come back to haunt you in the future...

[PJ-STFC]

BFR suggested that this was a 'threat' from Martyn Deaner...

 

...that is not how I read the Release. To me it looks like 'all is done and dusted': Martyn has finally had enough (and reading through the Release, who can blame him?) and that is that.

 

Is there still scope for us continuing with MD? For example, if the remainder of the Council distanced itself from Cllr Stokes' remarks, and offered a willingness to negotiate?

 

PJ <img src="/images/graemlins/chat.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

The question about ground rent and STST picking up the reigns were not meant to be linked, but if Martyn has paid for the next 2 years rent it would "buy" the Trust time to establish its finances to then manage the club in the future.

 

This would not get us a ground of our own but even if the council was willing to find some land, how long would it take to build and establish a new ground?

 

Windsor is not a perfect solution, but it keeps the club alive.

[BFR]

I guess it comes down to interpretation PJ - I read 'we will endeavour to' as not being the same as we will or we are about to. The press release was clearly designed to provoke some sort of response from the council - until that response is made (or isn't made in the ten days) then we'll wait to see what Martyn's true intentions are.

 

Responding to Staines Rebel - If Deaner pays up for two more years at Windsor then it would be a start, but the club as it is now would have to change drastically. With all the will in the world, a Trust with 150 members is not best placed to finance a football club at this level. Whether it is us in charge or another Deaner, for the club to have a future there needs to be a regular source of income - which rules out Wexham Park when bar takings etc go out of the club and into the pocket of the Thornes.

[Martin]

PJ taken from the Press statement:

 

Quote:

Gary-STFC said:

We will endeavour to handover the club to the Council which was provided for in the original documents when we first became involved.

 

It is vital we all get letters to the council done. Tell your friends, tell the people in your street. Everyone in the borough who is a football fan should want to help our club survive.

[Guest]

Where does this actually leave the club?

Quote:

As such, we have decided to cease all future plans and have informed the Council and the Slough Town Football Club Trust that we cannot work in such an environment having seen for six years of abuse of our good faith.

Does this mean the fesability study has stopped?

 

Who now takes over the funding of the club e.g players wages, if the council is taking over in my eyes this doesnt look promising.

 

Will an attempt be made to find a new backer for the club?

 

Has contact been made with deaner to see whether he will stay for the new season due to the clubs promotion last season?

 

Does anyone know Eddie's view on the whole situation?

 

[BFR]

Given that the new council has barely met, other than to have personal squabbles in the chamber the other night, I doubt that there has been a directive from the council to halt the feasibility study, YET. But with Mr Stokes making the statement he did after seizing power in the local elections, he made it pretty clear where he stood with regards to the Britwell re-development and would appear that the study will be stopped ASAP. However, until the new council have the opportunity to examine contracts that have been signed and look at the current state of play then the study is ongoing until offically announced otherwise.

 

I don't know Eddie's view on this, but I'm sure he would agree it is his job to coach and build a decent playing staff, rather than worry about what is happening off the field. Clearly this is a very shadow hanging over the club, but until Deaner's position is cleared up and/or the money stops coming through to the management and squad, then they should be preparing for the new season as Slough Town FC.

[Guest]

Thanks for all those previous postings ...Slough Fan all very good questions and hope we can answer some soon...

 

Of course we will play our part to helping the club survive in one way or another, funding will be a very big issue and if we can get recognised by the community that they want us and are prepared to help we could do something i am sure, but we need each and every one of you (football fans) even those who live in Slough but don't support the mighty Rebels to join us hand in hand to the council to show how much we are a part of this town ....

 

Football is as important as life ! said by the great Bill Shankly....

 

lets prove him right....

 

This is be coming a bigger issue than just a slagging match between the out going and in coming council...

 

We are in the middle ....will someone realise we are also representatives of this Town too...as well as tax payers...

 

Just look at The St George's flags flying around this town , when England play ! Football Crazy !

we are ....we need those to support the Rebels flag too.....Now today...tell everyone to be at the Town Hall on the 20th and 29th July...for

our friendly match...wear what colours you want to...but be there.....

 

cheers Chris

 

STST

 

<img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

In poor taste, apologies. My wife makes me watch the programme.

 

Seriously, I admire the way you guys put up with this year on year, you really do have the patience of saints.

 

I also know that if your rent money and bar takings etc were to be removed from the Windsor pot (a much more realistic prospect after these developments) then you don't have to be a genius to work out you wouldn't be the only ones struggling.

 

But that is only a side issue. I do wish you all well as I hope any geniune fans does. If you're not already doing it, it may be an idea to go onto other forums and try and drum up support from other clubs (preferably in next season's Ryman Premier)?

 

If you can get one or two to write and say what a splendid bunch of hosts/travelling fans and what a shame it would be and so on it may just help.

 

All the best in your meeting and fingers crossed for a couple of good derby games in 2004/05...

[BFR]

Cheers Royalist, I'm sure we'll be drumming up support with other clubs before the meeting on the 20th. The more people we have turning up to offer visual support the better

[Guest]

Real thanks for those comments...Royalist..

 

Please be free to spread the word....we need your support too.....

 

if you can post on the others web site great...

 

Slough Town Hall 20th and 29th July ....at approx 6pm until 8pm....meet in front of the building on the main bath road.....

 

cheers Chris STST....

 

BTW ...we will still need to ground share...and we have been very happy at Stag Meadow...ok its not our home , but we have been very greatful...

 

cheers Chris STST <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />