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Archived News from August 2006

LEE OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH TO FANS
2nd August 2006 18:22


Board place for fans as new chairman builds bridges
CHAD website, 02 August 2006

NEW Stags chairman Peter Lee can't wait for the imminent season to start.
The former Football Foundation chief executive is highly optimistic over what he has seen on the field pre-season.
And he is relishing getting stuck into sorting out a variety of projects and problems at Field Mill to help the club move forward.
"I am very keen to do what I can to help Mansfield on and off the pitch," he said.
"Obviously most of my expertise is off the pitch and I certainly won't be interfering with Peter Shirtliff and his strategies.
"But I do have extensive experience in matters surrounding football clubs and their part in the local community.
"I also want to look at how best we can take forward the continuing development of the ground."
Mr Lee, who took over the title of charman this summer with former chairman Keith Haslam staying on as chief executive, is also keen to establish a proper board structure at the club.
"It is one of my priorities to restructure the board here," he said. "I have invited the Stags Supporters' Association to come on board with an observer berth and, although I have not yet received a formal response as it has to go through their committee, I was told informally that they are very pleased.
"I know there are bridges to build with supporters as I understand that things have not been too good of late.
"I want to sort out irksome problems that can be solved easily so we can concentrate on bigger problems.
"This club has a lot of potential and what we now need to do is get everyone pulling together to take it forward."
Mr Lee will be conducting much of his Stags business from his home base down south but will be at Field Mill on Fridays and Saturdays.
"I will be instigating board meetings on Fridays and then stay over to take in the game on the Saturdays," he said.
"I am looking forward to the season. I know you can't read too much into pre-season friendlies. But from what I have seen, this team looks quite solid to me and I think they could do very well this season."
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LEE OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH TO FANS
Evening Post, 01 August 2006
MATT HALFPENNY

Mansfield chairman Peter Lee has offered the Stags Supporters Association (SSA) a position on his new board.

The Stags have often been criticised by their fans for failing to be open enough about goings-on at the club.

But Lee -who took over the role from Keith Haslam earlier in the summer - has made it his top priority to improve communication between the club and its fans.

He sees supporter representation on the board as an ideal way of doing that and has already taken steps to implement the new structure.

"My immediate goal will be to build bridges with the supporters. As part of that I have offered the SSA a position on the board," said Lee.

"I think it's an important step and hope it can work well for the benefit of everyone and get the views of the fans heard.

"Providing the SSA take it up and have the right representative we will have a useful and constructive flow of ideas.

"Even if you don't always agree with someone, it is good to hear what they have to say and listen to their thoughts."

Rumours did the rounds among the fans over the summer that Lee had pulled out of joining the club.

But the former chief executive of the Football Foundation insists there has never been a problem.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned everything has gone ahead as expected. I do have other commitments but I am hoping to make Friday and Saturdays Mansfield days.

"I will be doing everything I can to help Mansfield on and off the pitch and hopefully I will have a positive impact."

Lee says he also wants to sort out the club's training ground.

 

Latest | August 2006