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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 12:11:18 GMT
Worcester City FC to compete in the Midland Football League Premier Division
The Football Club wishes to advise Supporters and Shareholders that due to the excessive costs attached to retaining National League North (Step 2) status, and despite a battle to the end of the season, a decision was made to resign from the National League. This decision was made collectively by the Board of Directors, with input from the management team, to ensure the future survival of the Football Club.
This season in particular has seen significant playing budgets being available to many other clubs at Step 2, making it an elite tier of non-league football with over-inflated player wages, and impossible for the Club to remain competitive whilst operating within its means.
The identification of a ground that is affordable and deliverable in the City of Worcester has been of the highest priority for the Directors of the Club over the past 3 years and a number of sites reviewed through the Council Working Party. With the continuing delays of the Perdiswell Project, both for Planning, but more importantly confirmation of a Land Transfer from the Council, the Board of Directors concluded that there was no alternative but to resign from the National League in order to give the Club the best possible chance of survival for forthcoming seasons.
The reason for the Club having sought to hold onto its Step 2 status had been to ensure that maximum available grants were available to support the building of a new ground in Worcester. However with the doubtful nature surrounding any Council land transfer at Perdiswell and the need to safeguard remaining funds towards a new ground, the Directors had no option other than to advise the FA and the League in accordance with the rules at the beginning of March of our intention to play at a lower level of football with a more sustainable playing budget. At this point immediate savings were made by moving on a number of the playing squad.
The Club made an application to the FA to cease being a member of the National League and be placed in a lower league for next season. The FA League Management Committee (LMC) has absolute discretion in terms of the Step at which it places a Club. Despite speculation, the Club were required to remain silent until the outcome was known. The LMC has now confirmed it has decided to place the Club at Step 5 of the National League System for season 2017/18, which is the Midland Football League Premier Division.
Playing at a lower level of football will enable the Club to operate a reduced playing budget to ensure that the Club’s remaining funds are protected to help support its return to Worcester at the earliest opportunity. It will also provide locally developed players with more chance of progressing and representing Worcester City Football Club. Regardless of the Step at which we were to be placed the new Management Team was set a playing budget for next season and it is intended to announce player news shortly.
We have sympathy with supporters who will be disappointed with this news, however this action is aimed at being a pragmatic and sensible approach to ensure the Club is given the best possible chance of survival until the goal of bringing the Football Club back to a new home in Worcester has been achieved.
The Board of Directors, Worcester City Football Club
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Post by Croc on May 12, 2017 12:17:25 GMT
I'm getting impressions from that statement that they are trying to blame the Council squarely for the mess the club are in - rather than some self reflection...
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 12:26:45 GMT
They are also trying to blame the Supporters Trust for not delivering Perdiswell earlier, they blame everyone to divert attention to the fact that their business plan continues to fail. When presenting the community plans for the club to the Board, one of the remaining members said "I'll let you have the club if you can guarantee that this will work!" Well firstly we weren't asking for the club, just a change in the constitution to execute a more viable business plan, and as I responded, and always will "The only guarantee is that if you continue to do what you've done in the past, you'll get the same results as you have in the past" and in this case, if its failing, it will continue to fail, and it has.
"We are where we want to be"
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Post by alwaysnextyear on May 12, 2017 12:27:53 GMT
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 14:01:55 GMT
Who wrote this statement? Comments about Land Transfer issues, and the discussions with the City Council are subject to Non Disclosure Agreements. They are confidential discussions, and the football club have broken these signed agreements. The fact that they are also inaccurate should also be mentioned. How can discussions take place around land transfer when there is no planning consent even given for Perdiswell? These statements regarding land transfer are simply a smokescreen.
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Post by Woodenose on May 12, 2017 14:17:09 GMT
Has Hampson been told that we will not get the land transfer? Is he a coward just hiding behind the council? Was he hoping that someone would "gift" WCFC a vast sum of money?
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Post by creaner on May 12, 2017 14:23:02 GMT
Has Hampson been told that we will not get the land transfer? Is he a coward just hiding behind the council? Was he hoping that someone would "gift" WCFC a vast sum of money? Perdiswell planning first then think about CAT. We've not even asked the question yet!
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 14:41:49 GMT
Has Hampson been told that we will not get the land transfer? Is he a coward just hiding behind the council? Was he hoping that someone would "gift" WCFC a vast sum of money? As Rob says, its not even a question that's been asked yet. Its worth remembering that there is no way on earth that the football club , as a limited company, could EVER be provided with land under a CAT. These are the criteria for organizations that can apply for a CAT from Worcester City Council We will only accept requests to include assets on the list from eligible community groups. Eligible groups must have a local connection to the land or property they wish to nominate and be one of the following types of organisations: Parish Council Unincorporated community groups with at least 21 members who are registered to vote within Worcester City. A neighbourhood forum, set up in accordance with section 61F of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 A charity. A community interest company A company limited by guarantee. An industrial and provident society. We will not accept nominations from any other bodies. So, how could that conversation with WCFC Ltd. ever even happen?
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Post by alwaysnextyear on May 12, 2017 14:43:46 GMT
This statement, not that any further proof is required, just goes to show how inept and incompetent the Board are ! Land transfer comments before any planning application is heard ? I genuinely think that the Board has never wanted Perdiswell under any guise, and are just happy to run the club into oblivion. Hampson and Layland are both useless, Wilcox should have more about him but somehow appears not to, whilst Joe Murphy does a great job as football secretary. Presumably now we'll be getting another fawning piece of brown nosing from Lord Faulkner, his Directors Box buddy, about his chum " Anthony ", and the " unfair " criticism he receives. www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/14617165.Lord_Faulkner_defends_under_fire_City_chairman_after__unfair__criticism/
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 15:13:02 GMT
Unfortunately,the Board are now safer in their positions than they ever have been, after all, who would really want to inherit this mess? And this announcement only scratches the surface, the level of secrecy within the club is such that I've never experienced within a small business. Decisions made at Board level without the full consent, or even knowledge, of all Board members. Meetings being held behind the backs of stakeholders, and in direct contradiction to any public statements issued. And all the time, the clubs money being hemorrhaged away, whilst offers of help are not only rejected, but ridiculed. None of this comes as any surprise to some of us, after all, we predicted it, and it was rather easy to predict. But too many decided to bury their heads. I know some fans will be thinking that this drop in leagues will mean the club will walk back up the leagues, but consider this. The Board don't think that the company is viable at any level above Step 5 which is the reason they asked to resign and be placed at this level. In a years time, the finances will be even further stretched, so the company will have even less money if they try and compete in Step 4. If you keep doing the same thing, you'll keep getting the same result! If we continue like this, I just hope we can make it to the end of next season.
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Post by alwaysnextyear on May 12, 2017 15:23:14 GMT
Jem Pitt wrote " The Board don't think that the company is viable at any level above Step 5 which is the reason they asked to resign and be placed at this level. In a years time, the finances will be even further stretched, so the company will have even less money if they try and compete in Step 4. "
I would have thought that as well. However I am listening to BBC H & W and Trevor Owens just said that Hampson will be on the radio sometime between 5 and 6, along with someone from the Supporters Trust.
More interestingly, he also said that Hampson had told him that the Club asked to placed in Step 4 ( Evesham's level ) but we were placed in Step 5 instead !
Not his fault then , can't wait to hear it !
For those techcy minded, can they record the interview for posting on here ?
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 15:28:41 GMT
Um!! Hang on, FA rules, if a club resigns there is a compulsory drop of at least two steps. Considering we are/were at step 3 after being relegated, we couldn't have gone into step 4, and the FA have given us the lowest possible penalty of a drop of two levels, Hampson should consider himself lucky that its not Step 6.
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bj
Squad Member
Posts: 182
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Post by bj on May 12, 2017 15:39:43 GMT
I am still of the opinion that WCFC has been deliberately wound down in order for Worcester Warriers FC to be born. This has been the plan since leaving SGL. A brand new football team under the Warriers banner, including Womans football. Anything to get the artificial pitch fully utilised.
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Post by Woodenose on May 12, 2017 16:25:58 GMT
Just been looking at the attendance figures for our new league,o dear o dear o dear, not many teams getting over 150, we will be lucky to have gates of 350/400.A once great club now fighting for their lives, think we might need a transfusion.
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Post by Woodenose on May 12, 2017 16:41:09 GMT
Apparently our lovely chairman wanted us in a even lower division but were refused, and he appealed against that decision, but was turned down. We are where we are
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Post by alwaysnextyear on May 12, 2017 16:47:13 GMT
Not so, you've misunderstood. Hampson was just on the radio stating that the club wanted to go in a higher level ( step 4 ), said that the club was told it's going into step 5, the club appealed against it, met the League last Monday, appeal dismissed. Hence we're in step 5.
WCFC next on H & W.
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Post by richwidd on May 12, 2017 16:59:14 GMT
Yes, I've just been on the Radio and it was a shame that Anthony Hampson hasn't got the bollocks to go on live and answer questions. And for people who don't like what I have to say (such as Downlthelane) you can get f****d. What more are you going to let this utterly incompetent cretin get away with?
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Post by alwaysnextyear on May 12, 2017 17:02:51 GMT
Limited interview with Hampson as usual. He did say
" I don't think we've sold out " " At steps 2 and 3 we couldn't continue after next season " " I've offered to resign many times " " For the foreseeable future, you're stuck with me "
Rich Widdowson luckily was far more forthcoming, couldn't believe what Hampson had said, and said that since his appointment, Hampson has done nothing, other than get houses built on SGL and on the Froude factory site, and the SMD building on Nunnery Way.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 17:06:37 GMT
Another lie from Mr Hampson. "I keep offering to resign but there aren't many putting their hands up" After the last AGM when I was voted onto the main Board, we had to vote in a new Chairman. At that time, Hampson could have stepped down, but he didnt think anyone else on the Board would stand up. I did! I put myself forward to Chair the Board. That was the perfect opportunity for Hampson to stand aside, an existing board member, prepared to take the Chair. Instead of standing aside, Hampson went to the vote, which unsurprisingly I lost, which is fair enough. The point is though, that to say that there werent hands in the air to take the Chair is simply not true.
That ship has long since sailed now, I wouldnt touch the club with a barge pole, its too toxic. And that'll be the view of anyone who looks at the club now.
So Hampson is right when he says "You're stuck with me"
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 17:15:18 GMT
Anyone else notice that Hampson didnt mention Perdiswell? I mean, you're on local radio, there's a live planning application in place that you really want to be promoting, and he didnt even mention it. He waffled about "some kind of sports facility" but didn't mention it being at Perdiswell. Ask yourselves why!
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Post by richwidd on May 12, 2017 17:24:31 GMT
Another lie from Mr Hampson. "I keep offering to resign but there aren't many putting their hands up" After the last AGM when I was voted onto the main Board, we had to vote in a new Chairman. At that time, Hampson could have stepped down, but he didnt think anyone else on the Board would stand up. I did! I put myself forward to Chair the Board. That was the perfect opportunity for Hampson to stand aside, an existing board member, prepared to take the Chair. Instead of standing aside, Hampson went to the vote, which unsurprisingly I lost, which is fair enough. The point is though, that to say that there werent hands in the air to take the Chair is simply not true. That ship has long since sailed now, I wouldnt touch the club with a barge pole, its too toxic. And that'll be the view of anyone who looks at the club now. So Hampson is right when he says "You're stuck with me" And what an inspiration to his followers, "You're Stuck with me" Just think about that, Our Chairman is saying YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME - What do you have to say about that Birdfeeder, you still come on here. Is that what you are backing? Is that what drives you to be on the Board? You don't own the Club Hampson and you have a Board that owns less than 1.25% of the shares including one who has invested a massive £10, backed by about 15 people who either back you or give their votes to let you vote on their behalf. You couldn't careless about the 95% people who voted for change. BTW What happened to the Solicitor who he proudly produced at the Pre-EGM and EGM ? - The one who had a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of Community Ownership. Incredibly (or not as the case is) Hampo didn't like what he had to say, so just as it happened in 2007, the Board have rejected an impartial and learned view. Back in 2007 it was Boddy and Hallmark who signed us into contracts against the advice of Harrison Clark Solicitors who saw straight through it, as did Barry Ward and Celia Adams who both said don't touch it with a barge pole. Those of who stood up to it are still here, where are all these people who have sold us down the River?
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dcx
Squad Member
Posts: 289
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Post by dcx on May 12, 2017 17:34:17 GMT
What an absolute s*** show. The sooner we are wound up the better.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 17:34:27 GMT
Hampson and all the Board, Layland, Wilcox, Murphy and Pinches will all be held liable for the failure of this business. You can't just blame Anthony Hampson, there are five equal members of the Board, who have overseen the demise of the football club. Suddenly Wilcox wonderful football academy hardly looks an attractive proposition even for local kids "Come and join us, and you MIGHT get to play in the Midland League!" Truth is, why not go to another local club at a higher level? Like Evesham United? Decent set up at their new ground.
It was disappointing that Anthony Hampson couldn't talk live on the radio, but if he had a previous engagement, fair enough. But did Wilcox, Layland, Murphy and Pinches also all have previous engagements? Its an equal Board of five of you. That was a chance to speak up for yourselves, you decided to hide away.
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Post by adycrean on May 12, 2017 19:01:33 GMT
So a slow, painful death becomes an ever so slightly slower, painful death. If income is thin on the ground now - it will be almost invisible going forward given the complete reluctance to drive any wider commercial or sponsorship activity.
This statement is littered with disingenuous and divisive comments. I do wonder what would've happened had Heeley not resigned - that seems to have been the only catalyst for the Board to believe there was a financial problem.
It takes some doing to fritter away as much money as the club has in the last 5 or so years. I am absolutely baffled why the board members themselves cannot stand back and see what they have allowed (or forced) to happen. Has to be either arrogance, incompetence or dishonesty. Or a combination of.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 19:01:49 GMT
Another lie from Mr Hampson. "I keep offering to resign but there aren't many putting their hands up" After the last AGM when I was voted onto the main Board, we had to vote in a new Chairman. At that time, Hampson could have stepped down, but he didnt think anyone else on the Board would stand up. I did! I put myself forward to Chair the Board. That was the perfect opportunity for Hampson to stand aside, an existing board member, prepared to take the Chair. Instead of standing aside, Hampson went to the vote, which unsurprisingly I lost, which is fair enough. The point is though, that to say that there werent hands in the air to take the Chair is simply not true. That ship has long since sailed now, I wouldnt touch the club with a barge pole, its too toxic. And that'll be the view of anyone who looks at the club now. So Hampson is right when he says "You're stuck with me" BTW, before anyone says "Yes but who'd want you as Chairman??" well, I wouldn't have wanted to be Chairman for long, but a) it would have meant that Hampson could sail into the sunset , b) we could have had some sensible discussions with shareholders over moving to community ownership, and hopefully made it happen, at which point, we could have gone out into the community and found a Board of Directors who could seriously represent the fans, and those fans would be the owners, and if the Board did not represent fans, they could be removed by the fans. I personally would have no interest in being Chairman, there are far better candidates, but at least we could have given the business a fighting chance!
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Post by downthelane on May 12, 2017 21:39:26 GMT
Correct me of I'm wrong but weren't Pitt, Crean & Davies also part of that Board?
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Post by Croc on May 12, 2017 21:43:56 GMT
Correct me of I'm wrong but weren't Pitt, Crean & Davies also part of that Board? Oh just go away you utterly classless troll EDIT: Actually I've held my tongue this long whilst dealing with an utterly abhorrent little ringpiece that is yourself - but tonight seems like a good point as you - and your collaborators on the inner board - have reached a high water mark. God help it if I ever find out who you actually are. There will be no violence - but you will get the benefit of advice from colleagues here and myself. I am safe to say - you are no better than the obstructionists or the Proxy Voters than have validated the board so far. So - answer me this - or if you would be so kind to fill us in on the Plan B that your mates on the inner board have up their sleeve - HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FIX THIS? Otherwise - just bloody well vanish and let the adults sort this out.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 22:06:00 GMT
Correct me of I'm wrong but weren't Pitt, Crean & Davies also part of that Board? We were, and we all resigned. Too many decisions taken that we weren't a party to, too many meetings that we weren't invited to. We were Directors of the club, but we weren't part of the Board. When the public meeting was called by the Board, me, Rob and Mike weren't even given seats at the table. We were implicitly accused of leaking information out of the Boardroom, and of breaking Director confidentiality, which as can now be seen is a complete joke. Those leaking information are still sat around the boardroom table, and the leaks are continuing. And the confidentialities are still being broken. None of us three could associate ourselves with those left in the Boardroom. We made the effort to join the Board to form a unity between the Trust and the Board, and we were willing to try to work together. The existing board had no interest in working in unity. And you forgot, Heeley was also part of that Board.
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Post by Brooksiders Return!! on May 12, 2017 22:07:35 GMT
Correct me of I'm wrong but weren't Pitt, Crean & Davies also part of that Board? Oh just go away you utterly classless troll EDIT: Actually I've held my tongue this long whilst dealing with an utterly abhorrent little ringpiece that is yourself - but tonight seems like a good point as you - and your collaborators on the inner board - have reached a high water mark. God help it if I ever find out who you actually are. There will be no violence - but you will get the benefit of advice from colleagues here and myself. I am safe to say - you are no better than the ghouls that - for the greater part - make up the PPP that are dancing to Gareth Jones' tune or the Proxy Voters than have validated the board so far. So - answer me this - or if you would be so kind to fill us in on the Plan B that your mates on the inner board have up their sleeve - HOW ARE YOU GOIG TO FIX THIS? Otherwise - just bloody well vanish and let the adults sort this out. I wouldn't waste air Kris, there's no point in sweating the small stuff.
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Post by rushwickdon on May 13, 2017 8:24:17 GMT
"Despite speculation, the club were required to remain silent until the outcome was known." Except it didn't.......it specifically said that voluntary relegation had NOT been applied for.
Going down to level 5 is not the worst thing ( and note Hampson blames the FA for that) but that "chairman" must go. I don't care if he says no-one is putting their hand up- JUST GO. Things could not be any worse.
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