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Archived News from October 2007

TAKEOVER MOVES A STEP FORWARD
26th October 2007 14:28


No £5 admission for Macclesfield match
CHAD.co.uk, By Tim Morriss, 26 Oct 2007

INCOMING Stags' owner James Derry has confirmed that his promise of £5 admission to a match will not take place at the Macclesfield game, as he had first hoped.
He had planned that the visit of Macclesfield to Field Mill on 3rd November would mark his first game in charge of the club.

But his consortium's takeover of the Stags is taking longer than he first anticipated and he told Chad on Friday: "The deal to buy the club will not be done in time to carry out the £5 pledge.

"But fans can be assured it will happen once the takeover deal is done, as I have always promised.

"The process of due diligence is moving along and I would like to hope I will be in a position to honour the promise for the Wrexham match later in November.

"But we will have to wait and see. We are not going to rush in and sign anything until we are sure."
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25 Oct 2007
The Evening Post reports that terracing could return to Field Mill. Chairman James Derry and new associate directors John Thorpe and Ian Randall have put together a 'wish list' after listening to the views of fans. Among the ideas is a proposal to flatten the existing Bishop Street Stand, and replace it with a terrace. Thorpe told the Evening Post: "Terracing would be more economically affordable to supporters and it would also give us more capacity options. A few years ago the (Taylor) report recommended that all our stadiums should be all-seater. Now there is the possibility of terracing again, so it is something we can consider." Thorpe hopes a decision on its return could be made by the start of next season.
Derry, Thorpe and Randall will also reduce admission to £5 for the first home game after the buy-out is completed. And as part of their vow to strengthen communication with fans, Derry, Thorpe and Randall will answer questions in an open forum on Monday night at the SSA/TM annual meetings.
Thorpe has revealed the process of due diligence being carried out ahead of the take-over by Derry's consortium should be completed by the middle of next week.
For full story, visit http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk


26 Oct 2007
The Evening Post reports that Derry is keen for Stags to make Field Mill Mansfield's long-term home. He is in the final stages of buying the Stags has already negotiated a ten-year lease on the ground with Keith Haslam – reportedly costing £200,000 a year. Derry told the Evening Post: “We will have an option to buy the ground within the time of the ten-year lease and if we are successful that is something we could do a deal on. We realise that renting is dead money and it would be much better for us to own the site. You can never say never about the possibility of moving, but unless there is a big incentive to build a new ground, why would we want to move? I'm sure the fans would like to see us stay at Field Mill because there is so much history at the ground and it is a central location."
For full story, visit http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk

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Stags takeover takes another step forward
CHAD.co.uk, By Tim Morriss, 23 Oct 2007
THE takeover of Mansfield Town by James Derry's local consortium took a major step forward this week as accountants poured over the figures at the football club.
A process of due diligence is almost complete after the Football League stepped into Keith Haslam's £500,000 sale of the Stags.

And Mr Derry told Chad: "I can reassure fans that Keith (Haslam) is as keen as I am to sort this out as quickly as possible."

Members of his new management team have also stressed to Chad and supporters groups this week that the consortium does have significant financial backing.
However, at this time, they say these members of the group prefer to remain anonymous.

Experienced businessman John Thorpe, drafted in by Mr Derry as part of the future executive team, was at Field Mill on Saturday for the vital 2-0 win over Notts County.

Mr Thorpe — whose involvement in the Stags was first revealed by Chad last week — said: "I look forward to more of Saturday where we experienced a wave of positive emotion and desire before, during and after the game for our boys . . . we were all looking at the 'beginning of the end' a few weeks ago, but I firmly believe we are now close to the 'end of the beginning' for our football club.

Mr Derry's consortium had wanted to form its own company and take over the trading rights of Mansfield Town — leaving Mr Haslam as landlord of Field Mill and still owning the company Mansfield Town.

But it is thought that the Football League would prefer the consortium to take over that business.

A spokesman for the League told Chad: "The League met recently with Mansfield Town officials to discuss a proposed takeover of the club. The League made a number of observations and the club is now considering its options in light of those discussions."

Now the consortium's decision to concentrate on buying the existing company rather than form its own has left a number of major issues to be sorted out:

Separating the ownership of the Field Mill stadium and associated land (including land for a training ground at Skegby) from the football club to Mr Haslam, who would remain as landlord and receive a £200,000 annual rent on a 10-year lease.

Working out what will happen to the minority shareholdings in Mansfield Town FC, including the 3.3% owned by fans group TEAM Mansfield, whose concerns were first raised in Chad last week.

Taking over any existing debts, which is why accountants have begun the due diligence process.

Mr Haslam's own company Stags Ltd owns an 86% shareholding in Mansfield Town FC. Stags Ltd owes Mansfield Town FC almost £600,000, money borrowed to purchase the land at Skegby.

But Mr Thorpe remains convinced the takeover will go ahead.
He said: "We have had to change direction somewhat and will be responsible for known and unknown debts as has been well publicised, to ensure full compliance with League regulations.

"In line with our vision of professional standards and quality, we have headhunted a firm of accountants who received a national quality award recently voted for independently by more than 200 professionals.

"They are close to completing the necessary due diligence work required which will then allow the deal to be completed, according to plan.

"Our commitments to the community and fans will be implemented as soon as the deal has been completed, including first game concessions (£5 match admission), new car park policy for registered disabled and mid-season tickets.

"We are trying to sprint forward, but unfortunately this is a complex transaction which has taken more time than we would have liked, due to the importance of getting things right for our football club."

Mr Derry added: "Having to buy the football club rather than forming our own company has complicated things. We can't rush in to buy and then find liabilities, that would not be in the best interest of the football club and I am sure fans would understand that."



'New Stags' unveil their vision for club
CHAD.co.uk, By Tim Morriss, 23 Oct 2007
THE new regime at Field Mill has already begun work ahead of its expected takeover of Mansfield Town Football Club.
And they shared a little of their vision for the immediate future — with Chad and the Stags fans and business people they want to help turn the club around.

This includes plans for:


Transforming a void area under the West Stand

Turning the Bishop Street Stand into a terraced area for fans

Expanding the commercial activites of the club

Improving communication with fans

Improving the running of the club


Experienced Ravenshead businessman John Thorpe, drafted in by James Derry, whose local consortium hopes to complete its takeover 'as quickly as possible', has already met many Field Mill employees and is looking at the structure of the club.

Lifelong Stags fan Mr Thorpe (45), a former national director with Lloyds TSB and first named as one of the members of the executive management team by Chad, said: "We are not going to over-promise and under-deliver. We have seen that happen at football clubs before.

"We want to make progress through proper strategic planning and follow through . . . so that people can see we do what we say!"

Mr Thorpe, who will become an associate director once the takeover is completed and has been linked to a chief executive's role at Field Mill, added: "Fans have identified issues that need attention and we are starting to take action.

"We are just custodians of the club for the fans, for the future fans, and this is all about improving our service to them."

The new management team is also keen to stress that it is 'very keen to add experienced business people who will add value to the football club'.

Mr Thorpe told Chad: "The club will be run professionally to the highest standards and be open and above board, from boardroom level downwards."

Once the takeover is complete, members of the consortium will also join the board of directors, possibly together with other backers.

One immediate change is the decision to expand the role of commercial manager Tony Lormor. The former Stags striker will now be head of commercial and marketing activities at the Stags.

The plans include:

WEST STAND

Transforming a large void area under the West Stand so that it could be used seven days a week as a functions venue — and perhaps be used as a vice-presidents lounge and also a supporters lounge on matchdays.

The current empty space would be turned into a large lounge with a full industrial kitchen that could host large functions away from matchdays — such as weddings/corporate events — and as a lounge for fans on matchdays, providing hot food, large television screens and other facilities.

A spokesman for the management team said: "The club has a boardroom, an executive lounge . . . this 'new' area could double the number of people we are capable of entertaining on matchdays.

"This area could, perhaps, hold upto 250 people and also be sectioned off into two areas if necessary.

"This is all about listening to what the fans want and expanding our facilities and extending their matchday experience and choices."

BISHOP STREET STAND

Mr Thorpe told Chad: "If you speak to fans, one thing they always mention is the state of this area of the ground. They say it needs flattening.

"Turning it into terracing would give people a more economic choice on admission prices and some people prefer standing at matches anyway.

"That is one of the options we will be discussing with the local authority. We would hope to get something done next year with the stand.

"It is also a problem area as far as the county council's Safety Advisory Group group is concerned and needs addressing."

COMMERCIAL

Tony Lormor, now head of marketing and commercial activities at Field Mill, will get support from more staff.

He is now looking for local business/tradesmen interested in joint ventures to receive reciprocal hospitality for their services.

Already he has interest from some businesses and he is talking to a flooring specialist this week about a deal.

He also envisages many initiatives in the community to try to bring the younger fans back to the Mill, such as recreating a Junior Stag section or developing a Junior Sammy the Stag.

Mr Thorpe added: "We need to get more youngsters into the club, create a whole matchday experience for them, starting in the morning."

In the past week the club has announced sponsorship from Marston's brewery and Circus Casino.

Now the Stags are hoping to secure sponsorship for the away shirts, possibly with a phone company.

RUNNING OF THE CLUB

Mr Thorpe has already spent time at Field Mill meeting members of staff and said: "We have a lot of good quality staff and they need to know what their job is and be given the support to do it. Too many people have left the club, particularly in the past year or so, and we want to stop that happening.

"We will bring a passionate, driving and caring leadership and make Field Mill and Mansfield Town Football Club a great place to work.

"The club must be run properly, like any business, with a strong leadership from the top.

"We want this to be a world class business, that people can see we have strategies in place and we execute our strategies."

COMMUNICATION

Mr Thorpe told Chad: "Fans have identified issues that need attention and we are starting to take action.

"They have let us know that off the pitch we are unprofessional and show a lack of concern to the supporters — our customers. We have started to listen to them and are looking at possible solutions. The link between the club and fans needs to be stronger and we will listen to them.

"We want Field Mill to be a great place to come and support your team — on and off the pitch. It is all about service to fans.

"The relationship towards supporters groups needs a positive change of direction. We know they are are genuinely interested in the welfare of their club and we are lucky to have people like that."


Expanded role for Stags commercial manager
CHAD.co.uk, By Tim Morriss, 23 Oct 2007
STAGS commercial manager Tony Lormor has been handed an expanded role by the incoming management team at Field Mill.
He will now be in charge of commercial and marketing activities at Field Mill.

Tony will get support from more staff as he looks to increase the level of business and community activity at the club.

Already, he has brought in more sponsorship and is now looking for businesses to join the Stags on a reciprocal hospitality deal — with one long-term aim to redevelop a void area under the West Stand.
Tony and the new management team hope to transform the large area under the stand so that it could be used seven days a week as a functions venue — and perhaps be used as a vice-presidents lounge and also a supporters lounge on matchdays.

The current empty space would be turned into a lounge with a full industrial kitchen that could host large functions away from matchdays — such as weddings/corporate events — and as a lounge for fans on matchdays, providing hot food, large television screens and other facilities.

A spokesman for the management team said: "The club has a boardroom, an executive lounge . . . this 'new' area could double the number of people we are capable of entertaining on matchdays.

"This area could, perhaps, hold upto 250 people and also be sectioned off into two areas if necessary.

"This is all about listening to what the fans want and expanding our facilities and extending their matchday experience and choices."

Tony, who will get support from more staff, is now looking for local business/tradesmen interested in joint ventures to receive reciprocal hospitality for their services.

Already he has interest from some businesses and he is talking to a flooring specialist this week about a deal.

He also envisages many initiatives in the community to try to bring the younger fans back to the Mill, such as recreating a Junior Stag section or developing a Junior Sammy the Stag.

John Thorpe, part of the incoming executive management team, added: "We need to get more youngsters into the club, create a whole matchday experience for them, starting in the morning."

The move follows a review of the club by James Derry's new executive team.

Mr Derry told Chad: "We need to increase our commercial activity, that is obvious. If we need to bring in new staff to help Tony, then we will do. There are all sorts of areas to target to increase our revenue."

 

Latest | October 2007