Why not have frank talks in Albion bar?
Dear Editor I read with interest Ian Doyle’s letter in the Observer (July 25, 2018) and his opinions of and advice to myself and others who wrote to the Observer in support of the consortium’s bid to invest in Stirling Albion.
I have to inform him that I and like-minded colleagues at ‘Time For Change’ investigated, researched and questioned all the issues raised relating to the offer and were looking forward to a trust vote on it. Had it been accepted, the offer would have been sent for further legal examination.
During this period the consortium were always available to answer questions, willing to pay for legal advice on any points raised and upfront about their intentions.
They were constantly the victims of abuse and insinuation from some, so much so they had to issue a legal warning after certain accusations were made about them.
However, the opportunity to vote on it was snatched from us as a result of the actions of Mr Doyle and those with similar views and the so called ‘associates’ whose submission of an alternative offer was followed by the consortium’s decision to withdraw theirs.
Since then we have heard absolutely nothing from the associates, fronted by Albion director John Hunter, and they seem to be enshrined in secrecy. Apart from Mr Hunter, no-one knows who they are. And they have also not detailed what they are offering so it can be scrutinised legally.
Mr Doyle may have dealt with governments, TV companies and sporting superstars etc but I would lay a large bet on the fact he would never have accepted any contract without knowing any details, which is exactly what he is expecting us to do.
His personal attacks on the two gentlemen involved in the consortium and his hints of a conspiracy between them and others at the club are both puerile and below the standards of a man with his experience and so-called business acumen.
He also recommends us having a properly constituted trust board. Well Mr Doyle, the board is now properly constituted after your pal Ken Lewandowski and his friends’ highly orchestrated stunt where they all resigned en masse leaving, and I will quote the Observer’s headline on the issue “Chaos”.
Those who walked out cited bullying and intimidation as the reason for their decision to quit. As one of the people involved in the campaign to be rid of them I can categorically state that there was no intimidation from us.
We trust members were, in my view, treated with contempt and not told about that was happening within the club and trust. Information and communication was non-existent.
Mr Lewandowski appeared to be parachuted in as chairman of the trust with the express intention of replacing the club’s chairman and operations director Stuart Brown. The idea that Ken Lewandowski or his supporters should be involved in any way with the running of the club is anathema to me personally and indeed a large number of club supporters and trust members, hence the petition calling for his removal before his resignation.
Mr Doyle suggests we meet for a coffee and he will advise us what the offer from the consortium entailed, I think not. If he wants to advise us of what the offer entails he should make himself available in the supporters’ bar after the next home game where he could perhaps explain his viewpoint to people who would be more than happy to have a frank discussion with him on the subject.
Finally, Mr Doyle advises us to go to Companies House and examine John Neill’s business record. I have done just that and find him to be connected to six companies in total, all still solvent and trading. I have also checked Mr Doyle’s business record and would advise others to do the same. All I would say is people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Gary Hanson Time for Change