Chairman Hits Back....

Last updated : 14 December 2005 By Editor
In an article in this weeks Mansfield CHAD newspaper, Keith Haslam spoke about the media attention to his loans :

"This outstanding loan was reported to the AGM. We've not hidden at all that money is outstanding and it is being addressed.
"It is a breach, I'm not denying that it was wrong to do that but I was not in a position immediately to repay that.
"At the AGM I informed the shareholders I was looking to address the situation by the restructuring of the football club.
"Now we are able to go ahead with that.
"I don't think Mansfield Town would have conducted itself in any different way if these funds had been in the club. That money belongs to the shareholders and will be repaid in full."

"I would never deceive anybody. It is in public record. I know it happens elsewhere but I'm not saying it is right, it is wrong to do.
"The club will also be recompensed for the tax paid."
I really don't understand the purpose to TEAM Mansfield now.
"I have listened to them quite a lot these last few weeks, saying what they can and can't do.
"But they have moved away from the original idea that they were formed to work with and support the club.
"They have now moved into a hostile body that has no aim to work with the football club.
"Despite their press comments, I am still willing to meet them, provided they have the funds to purchase sufficient shares to have a meaninful input into the club's operation.
"If they are unwilling or unable to participate, I am willing to buy back their shares so they suffer no loss."

"I will then, if agreed with any new investor, consider placing those shares into a Trust for the benefit of Stags Supporters Associaition members.
"If a board is in place then it may be appropriate to ask them to nominate someone to come forward and join it."
"As far as I am concerned my shares are not for sale," he said.
"However, TEAM Mansfield have never come to me and made me an offer.
"Obviously everything has its price and I would listen if a serious offer was made.
"They say they don't know what they would be getting for their money. But surely if they are making the offer they should say what they wanted and how much they felt it was worth.
"As far as I know, no other supporters trust has bought a football club anyway."

"They generally work with them and only step in in a case of insolvency and administration.
"So I ask again - what is the purpose of TEAM Mansfield? We have not seen a single penny off them since they started while the SSA continue to support us for which I am grateful."
He added: "I have heard comments that TEAM Mansfield could move the club forward.
"Now I am not blowing my own trumpet but when I took over 12 years ago no one else wanted to take over.
"It was open to everyone in Mansfield before I took over. And there were several groups and consortiums - we all know them.
"But no one could see how to take Mansfield Town foward. The club was losing £400,000 a year and had bleak prospects."

"Now we have a magnificent £7m stadium, we acquired the land to build it, and we are healthy financially.
"Other clubs come here and tell me they see it as a miraculous turn-around in the direction of the club."
He added: "When do we get to see TEAM Mansfield's accounts and what funds they have available?
"They should tell the supporters their structure. They have joint chairmen that live about 150-miles plus away so I am not sure how many games they have watched this season.
"Do they have a board and who is on it? I don't know the answers - they are a bit cloak and dagger. So it shows there is no relationship between them and the football club."

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full article in this weeks CHAD newspaper or at www.mansfieldtoday.co.uk