Update

[Margate Football Club]

We are only too aware that Supporters have waited anxiously for any news regarding our Stadium re-development. The Club had been advised by the Council Officers that our project proposal/Heads of Terms agreement were due to receive a final decision of Cabinet on Thursday 14 October 2004.

 

In good faith the Directors passed this information on to the supporters.

 

Council Officers then informed the Club that they had received last minute additional queries from Council Members and that the Officers were unable to prepare the reports in time for the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

 

The Chief Executive of the Council contacted all parties involved in the development requesting an urgent meeting, this meeting was held on Tuesday 12 October at the Council offices. The Council confirmed, in principal, approval to all 125-year leases required by the Developer for commercial development. However, the Council only offered the Club a licence to operate their facilities, which would require renewal at regular intervals. This would not offer the Football Club the security of tenure it requires to meet its obligations to the Football Association, The Football Foundation and The Football Conference league. The sole purpose of a licence is to remove all security of tenure.

 

The proposed development has been entirely based on the intention of the Council to provide a 125-year lease on the whole demise. The Club had quite reasonably relied on the Councils confirmed intention throughout all negotiations to enter into this lease with Margate Football Club Ltd. The complete restructure of the Clubs business and affairs to return to full Conference league and beyond had been negotiated purely on the basis of security of tenure provided from the 125 year lease.

 

The Directors have been left in shock as at no time throughout the last nine months of negotiations have the Council ever intimated, suggested or discussed any vehicle that would not provide the security of tenure required by the Club. Had this matter ever been raised for discussion in the past the investors that have kept the Club alive through its most difficult period would never had made those funds available.

 

The Club has since been verbally advised that the Council is re-considering this issue and the Club is expecting to receive a letter of offer about this today. As far as the Club is aware all other conditions in the Heads of Terms are agreed and if the Club and Council can agree what the Club understands to be the only outstanding issue a special meeting of the Councils Cabinet will be summoned to deliver its decision.

 

Subsequent to the above our matter is not on the agenda for the Cabinet meeting this evening. As soon as any further information is received we will inform you immediately.

 

Up the Gate!

14 Oct 2004 by Media

[ooh!!bodyform]

thanx for that but for those that are not as bright as some!lol any english although it is spelt out clearly for which i am grateful could someone put it into some sort of planet thanet language

[Guest]

In short, sneeky Ezekeil cons margate out of shiney new stadium again, when will he ever come to his senses? and when will anyone do anything about making sure people like him never make it this far in margate again, personally i think we should throw him out of Thanet, mess up some other town

[ooh!!bodyform]

surely thats not final??

so is it still possible to get go ahead or are these delays going to make the funders think twice??

[Guest]

Sandy Eziekel is answerable to local people a good manr are MARGATE FOOTBALL CLUB supporters.A full public open enquiry should be held and he should be made to answer the questions put to him. An enquiry is required to look into this complete farce along with what the club may or may not have done wrong.If it is proved then wrongdoings have happened as I am sure they have. Then those responsible must be held responsible, carry the can and face the consequences!!!!!!!!!

[MargateFan]

Dismayed and saddened by this news, but cannot say I am truly surprised, as spoilers and delaying tactics have seemed to me to be the modus operandi of this Council. Must try to hope that our ability to bounce back, as we have shown over this whole scheme, will prevail against those who so obviously want us to, and try to make us, fail.

Up the GATE, continue to fight, all things that are worth something are hard won.

[Guest]

The council, are a bunch of crooks. How the hell are they getting away with it.Thanet Wanderers are getting all there plans straight through. Anything to do with the owner of a certain pub chain? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/flame.gif" alt="" />

[Cookie]

This will come as no shock to many of you when I say I agree with "furious" 1oo%.As I have said previously they are crooked and dishonest and the Ombudsman should intervene to sort them out.This should have been done ages ago and maybe, just maybe they would have been made accountable before now and our home games at this time would be played at OUR home of hartsdown park. We must continue the fight and continue with the pressure upon the council until they really do come to their senses.They must NOT be allowed to get their way on this!

Soon we will see a swimming pool or road or whatever going through the ground before we can do anything about it. That must NOT be allowed to occur.This needs sorting otherwise it will just go on and on and on until their plans are pushed through without us knowing,and with it being too late to do anything about it! Think its time we ALL stepped up a gear. The club AND the supporters. Watch this space!!!

p.s. Bollox to anyone who tells me to shut up about this!!!!

[ooh!!bodyform]

i know it was mentioned before but how about a march!!!thru the town from hdp to council offices and get media involved

[Guest]

Before you get carried away, let's see what the council's side of the story is first. And if people still feel aggrieved, then I would suggest any protest should be cleared with the club first. Wading in with our size tens may just make a delicate situation worse.

[ooh!!bodyform]

thats fine it was just a suggestion didn't say i was gonna do it tomorrow without seeking advise from authorities needed including mfc

 

are you Mr S Eziekel

 

 

 

or a gravesend fan!