Trust
Agree 50:50 Bid For United With Consortium
Somerset
Park set for a facelift ?
The
Honest Men Trust has been very concerned over a period
of some time by the continuing and latest adverse developments
at Somerset Park. Mr. Donald Cameron, the owner of Ayr
United, had confirmed to the Trust that he was prepared
to consider their offer to take over the Club. The Trust,
an officially registered Society with 300 members, was
set up by supporters almost two years ago to strengthen
the bonds between the Club and the local community. Its
financial assistance to the club has been acknowledged
by the Board. The Honest Men Trust have been exploring
avenues of assisting further and recently met with the
members of the Clyde Trust to discuss their model. The
Trust wrote to Roy Kennedy and his consortium to find
out his plans and offered the concept of a 50:50 bid based
on the Clyde model. After a joint meeting and lengthy
negotiations this week this concept has been agreed in
principle by both parties as a step to put the Club back
to where it belongs and eventually into full Community
ownership.
The
concept is that the Trust and the Roy Kennedy Consortium
will open up a holding company outwith Ayr United, Ayr
2010 Ltd, where all monies raised will be paid from both
parties, these funds would be used towards meeting the
aims of the joint agreed business plan including clearing
the debt, ensuring the ongoing financial stability of
the Club as well as developing a new 6,200 seater stadium
at Somerset Park by 2010. A Board of Directors would still
run Ayr United with a director each from the Trust and
Consortium overseeing matters. As with the Clyde model
the Trust would have a veto on any of the Boards decisions
if required. This means that everyone would be looking
at making decisions only for the benefit of Ayr United
Football Club.
Once
further discussions have taken place and concrete plans
are formalised a meeting will take place with Trust members
and United fans can have their say. The Trust apologises
for the cancellation of this Saturdays proposed meeting
at the Market Inn but confirm that a further meeting will
be held as soon as possible.
Donald
McNeill, Trust spokesman, said,
“In all our discussions with Donald Cameron he has
always stated that he sees the future of Ayr United as
a community club and has encouraged the Trust’s
efforts. We welcomed his support and that of his family.
Over the last week, we had noted bid proposals put forward
by a local business consortium. We are pleased to announce
we have met, negotiated and agreed a 50:50 equal partnership
with the consortium main backers. A new joint company
Ayr 2010 Ltd has been registered and will make a formal
bid to Donald Cameron for the Club.
The
Club’s Centenary will be celebrated in 2010 and
with the fans and business sectors’ support will
attempt to:
>
Clear the club’s debts and ensure its ongoing financial
sustainability
> Construct a new 6000 seater stadium by 2010 - the
Club’s Centenary
> Establish Ayr United among the top 16 of Scottish
Football
> Create a Community Training Academy
> Place the Club in Community ownership,
All
is of course dependent on our joint bid being successful
and subsequent community support. A measure of our agreement
and progress made is our joint commitment to publicly
present our detailed business plans for comment, scrutiny
and we hope to receive everyones support.”
Templeton
& Burgess, both supported by UFY
United
For Youth Update
The
success of the First Foot Ne’erday Hospitality Day
and the fun Quiz Night at the Market Inn last Friday has
allowed a further donation from the Trust to Ayr United’s
Skillseekers Scheme.. Including this recent £1.000,
a total of £3,000 has now been freely donated to
the Club by big hearted fans to support the youth programme.
Further fund-raisers are planned.
Support
Health For Life
With
the Christmas and New Year holidays a receding memory,
the battle to get fit now begins in earnest. And here
is how to do it - The Honest Men Trust - the Ayr United
Community Initiative - has teamed up with James Watt College
at Kilwinning to offer a free programme on healthy living
Health for Life is the fun, easy way to get to get fit
and lead a healthier lifestyle.
It
is a new national award winning exercise and fitness course
using the latest techniques and best practice in diet,
nutrition and exercise . You do not have to attend College
and it will not cost you a penny. You will have your own
personal qualified tutor to advise and help you through
the course. You can study whenever and wherever you choose
– indeed many people complete the programme in 12
weeks. On successful completion you get a nationally recognised
qualification - the Certificate in Exercise Studies.
Both
individuals and groups are welcome on the programme. Why
not team up with your family and friends or encourage
your local organisation to enrol.
Interested? Please visit the website - www.healthforlifeonline.net
or call the Health for Life helpline 01423 817770.
This
programme is supported by Ayr United and NHS Ayrshire
and Arran.
