Bulls chairman David Keyte has issued a statement of events after some fans vented anger at the appointment of two former board members as 'Senior Vice Presidents'.
Peter Hill and Mike Roberts were handed the titles, Keyte says, in exchange for waiving their long standing loans to the club. The titles carry no authority or power.
Below is a copy of the full statement:
A few months ago Tim Russon and I met with former United Chairman Peter Hill and Vice-Chairman Mike Roberts.
They stated how pleased they were that we had taken up the reins at the Club and that they wished to support us and the club into the future.
As a consequence both Peter Hill and Mike Roberts agreed to write off their loans to the club (£10,000 each) and in return merely sought some recognition for all the years they had been involved at HUFC as Directors.
I would like to stress this was part of the exercise to rid the Club of any debt. Having dealt with the Richardsons, Peter Hill and Mike Roberts were the only remaining long-term creditors.
Tim and I felt that if we created a new category of Senior Vice-Presidents, that that would suffice.
We aim to be transparent in all our dealings so Tim thought it would be a good idea to include a line in the programme. We are sorry if this has caused upset among some of our supporters.
For our part, as a new Board of Directors, we do not intend to pass judgement on the past 80 years and wish merely to concentrate on the present and the future. The only thing we can truly direct.
Senior Vice Presidents will have no involvement with the day to day running of the club. This role has been created for anyone who wants to show his or her support through financial investment.
From day one it has been our policy to open the doors at Edgar Street to all who want to help, whether it be to put a fresh paint of coat on the stands or raise money and support for the club. Help is welcomed at whatever level.
Finally, although we have enjoyed celebrating the past and have enjoyed welcoming back cup heroes like Ronnie Radford, Ricky George and Colin Addison this season it is also vital to have a viable balance sheet as we plan for the future.
We have that now.
David Keyte
Chairman
7th February 2011