BeaveMcPherson backs supporters' trust

12:00pm Friday 18th January 2008

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Hampton & Richmond director Steve McPherson has backed plans to introduce a supporters' trust as the club seek to strengthen their financial footing.

McPherson spoke after Monday's meeting at the Beveree, where supporters voted unanimously in favour of establishing a Trust.

McPherson said: "Like any club, the supporters are Hampton's backbone and they deserve to get involved.

"If the supporters think a trust is a good idea, that is good enough for me."

The plans for a boardroom overhaul started when former chairman Graham Wood announced he intended to offload a chunk of his shares.

Wood, now chairman at Gateshead, holds 6,975 shares at the club but, in order to fit in with FA regulations, needs to reduce that amount.

And Wood told a packed clubhouse he was willing to sell 6,625 shares back to a supporters' trust for £1.

Wood said: "I bought the shares for £250,000 and hoped the club would become self-sustainable.

"But shares are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them and, at present, £1 is probably about right.

"I am more than willing to sell them to a supporters' trust. They are the lifeblood of the club and it is vital their voice is heard."

The supporters' group now has to produce a proposal for the board of directors.

Although no timescale has been set, all parties hope something will be in place for the start of next season.

If the scheme goes ahead, the trust will own 26 per cent of the club's shares and will press for a seat on the board.

McPherson added: "There is a lot of work to be done before this can get the go-ahead.

"But I am more than willing to work alongside anybody who is trying to keep improving this football club.

"The ultimate aim is the success of the football club in the long run and this could be just the start."