| An open letter to St Albans City Trust Members on financial support from Club President. | ||||
|
|
Dear Fellow Trust Members It has always been my belief that a friendly relationship operates at its peak when one of the parties is in need. I must admit to feeling downhearted when a key friend of SACFC-albeit a critical friend- concludes that it could not help out financially at a time of greatest need. Over my 20 years as President and as a member of the former supporters' club, I have developed a close relationship with many of the principal players and know them to be generous and committed to the well-being of the Club. What I cannot fully appreciate is that collectively, under a new banner, many of those same individuals decide not to contribute to ease the financial burden. Furthermore, I find that the reason for not helping to alleviate the club's current short-term woes is lacking in logic, lacking in understanding, and lacking in supportive friendship. I joined the City Trust in the belief that it has a huge role to play; that it should have a place on the Board: that it will be a valuable critical friend; and, that it was above all committed to the well-being of the football club. I may have got it wrong, but I hope not, and would ask the Trust to have a re-think on this issue of financial support. This was the perfect opportunity for the Trust to make a contribution towards the purchase of a share of the club and a seat on the Board. Alternatively, if a one-off contribution stuck in the throat of some members, an offer of a long term loan might have at least been considered I find the spurious response that the Trust cannot satisfy itself that the donation of £6,000 would contribute to the long term sustainability of the club defies logic. The long term sustainability of the club only becomes an issue if the short term debts and cash crisis cannot be overcome. With new donors on board there is further investment due, but that depends on getting over these difficult days and clearing the relatively small debt (in football terms) that was left following the collapse of the previous owners. The promised matched funding from a new benefactor would have provided a £12,000 kitty to enable debt to be paid and for the club to fund its other responsibilities. At a time when there was no income from home games, exacerbated by the economic climate, a short term solution was needed ....and is still needed Far from being a drop in the ocean, a £12,000 cash injection would assist considerably the financial recovery. I cannot make a guess about the long term finances of the club but I do know that there are new benefactors who want to provide a cash injection. However I can understand their reluctance to contribute further when a body of supporters sits on thousands of pounds donated by other supporters for the well being of a club they love. As Trust member No 11, I disagree with the Trust's reasoning and decision to fail to support the club in the way requested. I ask other Trust members who feel likewise to make their views known. There are some of us who really do not want to take the ultimate step in protest over this Malcolm MacMillan President SACFC |