AFC TELFORD may have staved off the immediate threat of administration but it’s come at a cost with the Bucks set to announce they have become the first ever supporter-run club to abandon Trust ownership.
An upcoming SGM is set to confirm the current ownership model will cease to exist as the National League North club attempt to allow external investors to put much-needed money into the club.
In a blow to fan power, it means for the first time supporters will lose control of a club they owned.
Investment
Telford need to come up with £25,000 by then end of October then another £25,000 a month later to avoid serious problems.
Non-League football is awash with clubs who are run by their fans – including Wrexham, Lewes, Dorchester Town, Aylesbury United, Hyde United, Bamber Bridge and Hendon.
But Telford, who reformed in 2004 after the original club closed due to massive financial issues, say they cannot continue to operate on supporter-run basis as they are at risk from going under for a second time.
The NLP understands investment will be made as soon as the transition is ratified as the club struggle to compete without a backer in a demanding division.
“Our primary objective has always been to try and deliver the best club we possibly can and to ensure football remains alive in Telford,” read a board statement.
“Fulfilling this objective has become increasingly difficult over the last 12 months, more so in the last few months with the loss of key personnel and a reduced number of directors to share the load.
“The club is now in a position where cash flow is extremely difficult. Income has fallen, particularly from gate receipts, and key costs have risen.
“We have tried to provide the upmost support to ensure the team on the field is successful, but there is at least one income stream that was budgeted to support this which has as yet failed to materialise.
“We have urged the Trust Board to put in place a process to enable urgent changes to the ownership model of the club which would allow external investment.
Debate
“It would not be right for us to comment at this stage on the limitations of the model that we currently operate which we believe are currently hindering the business. We respect the Trustees – they are, fans who have always tried to do their very best to keep a club going that the fans can be proud of.
“The format that this change takes will of course be subject to debate but we have urged that this happens. Delay in allowing the change could prove fatal to the business.”
The statement went on: “Let’s be clear: The club is not in a terminal state; however, we need to pull together now.”
The AFC Telford United Supporter’s Trust seem certain to relinquish control. Chairman Steve Bowyer said: “This decision hasn’t been taken lightly. This won’t be the end of the Trust’s involvement in the support of the club.”
