2009 - Not out of the woods yet

Sunday, 07 June 09, 02:15 AM · Comments (0)

It has been another quiet week on the Weymouth front, with most of my focus being on the Peterborough round of the Tour Series cycling.

But it is back to the Terras for a few minutes before getting the bike out for some early morning training (so I can get back before the rain!!).

Goalkeeper Ryan Harrison has joined the club from Oxford City and has experience at this level. I think people 'assumed' that Jason Matthews would be following Andy Harris back through the Wessex Stadium in door, and I have seen some utterings about the experience and quality of the side being assembled.

All I can say is that some people have very short memories, very short. If they want better quality players to come to the club then they should be out there buying shares and season tickets. Putting their money where theirs mouths are... But I suspect it will remain easier to snipe about the clubs board on the internet, whomever they may be.

On the subject of finances I make no apologies for reproducing the Terras Trust's latest statement on the situation at Weymouth FC. Scary stuff still eh?

Published 07/06/2009

Members of the Trust Board met with Ian Ridley this week to obtain an urgent update on the Club's position and to exchange views. Our Board representative, Connor Kinsella, has also been very active over recent weeks in keeping up to date with developments at the Club.

Much of what has been discussed in these meetings is very commercially sensitive but it is clear that the club remains in deep financial trouble and that pressure from some of the Club’s creditors is a major and increasingly serious concern. Although some welcome income has been received from share sales and season tickets, income from these sources is now understood to be at a virtual standstill. The Club also faces increased financial pressure due to the lack of revenue in this close season period. Our understanding from the meeting with Ian Ridley is that the current Board are working tirelessly to keep the Club afloat, however there is absolutely no room for complacency and the Trust's view is that Club's position remains critical.

On the football side the Trust believes that things are looking much brighter with the new managerial team of Hale and Tilson in place and starting to bring in keen young players the forward planning for next season seems to be well underway. We hope these "green shoots" of progress in building a new team will be able to grow on.

The Trust will continue to monitor the position closely and exert whatever positive influences we can. We will continue to let our members know as much information as we are able. We hope that you will in turn support us in our efforts to help the Club find a way through its financial predicament.

John West
Acting Chair Terras Trust