Photo: James Treadwell and Adrian Shandley
Statement from James Treadwell and Adrian Shandley
We have now made a significant investment in the club as long term supporters and are both looking forward to shaping the future of the club. Firstly, we must look back and formally thank all the outgoing directors for their service to the club.
We are fully aware of the fact that we are taking over at the club after what has been a difficult period, and a disappointing season to say the least. The last month has been exceptionally difficult for the club but now is the time to draw a line under that and look to the future.
We are injecting a six figure sum into the club from our own funds, and due to the support and cooperation of the outgoing directors this money will be going directly into the club.
Purchasing a shareholding in a football club is not generally a good financial decision, in fact it can be quite the opposite. We are investing in Southport FC more on a philanthropic basis primarily as long-term supporters of the team. Our investment in the club will hopefully take the club forward up the football pyramid and project a positive image of both Southport FC and our proud continually developing seaside resort.
Furthermore, transitioning control of a football club, or indeed any business, is not an easy or quick process. Charlie Clapham has clearly indicated, both publicly and privately, his intention to stand down from all positions at Southport Football Club, allowing a new and independent board of directors to take control. He has pledged his cooperation during this transition period.
Our immediate priority must be to appoint the best candidate as manager and we will move quickly to do this once sufficient time has been allowed for applications to arrive.
We look forward to working with the supporters and everybody involved with the club, but we must ask for your patience, support and understanding during the next few weeks and the season ahead.
We acknowledge and endorse the statement released by Trust In Yellow last week. We look forward to meeting with TIY as soon as practicable to discuss key priorities on ground improvement together with establishing the best way for the club board to work with TIY going forward. The voice of the fans is important in shaping the future direction of the club and we’d urge all supporters to join TIY so that they can have their say.
We appreciate the need to engage with all stakeholders. Every penny that is spent on sponsorship, on season tickets, through the turnstiles, in the club shop and in the bar allows us to spend more on the playing squad. Every hour of volunteer time which would otherwise have to be paid allows the same.
Our ideal is to see a football club which has the fans best interests at heart, and a sustainable football club which isn’t over reliant on one individual or sponsor. We welcome interest from other potential investors who have the interests of the club at heart and any approaches will, of course, be considered on their merits. We’d ask any potential investor or sponsor, no matter how large or small, to step forward and contact us via Ken Hilton.
We would ask everybody in the town to remember that this is your club, it will only survive and succeed with your support. We would ask all the local businesses in the town, be they large or small, to get involved with the club and support in any way they can through sponsorship, advertising or providing services.
Please get involved and support your local team as much as you can.
James Treadwell and Adrian Shandley
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