One Small Step Could Make A Difference Says Vaughan

Nick Vaughan

Nick Vaughan, the founder of the London Bulls, thinks that the maximum shareholding of HUST in 'Hereford FC' should be 51%.

In an open letter to Jon Hale, leader of the business group hoping to obtain the leases to Edgar Street, Vaughan explains why.

First and foremost, I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of HUST board members and yourselves for investing such considerable time and effort over many months, in preparing for an alternative Hereford United in the form of ‘Hereford FC’.

You have offered to donate a significant amount of money which you will never recoup.

You have offered to underwrite costs for the first couple of seasons.

You have built credibility with Herefordshire Council that gives us the opportunity to return the leases to a Phoenix club.

Above all else, you have given supporters a realistic chance that professional football can once again be enjoyed by countless numbers of Herefordfordians.

Thank you.

However, I am writing to ask if you could consider making one further, small step which I believe would result in many other supporters coming forward and donating money or purchasing shares via HUST in the future.

As the proposal stands, HUST is to have a maximum shareholding of no more than 50%. I ask if you would consider increasing this ceiling to 51% for the following reasons:

Supporters would be more enthusiastic to purchase shares via HUST if they felt there was a realistic chance that there could be a fan-owned club in the medium or long term.

If the ceiling remains at 50% and not 51%, and less supporters purchase shares as a result, this would undoubtedly see the possibility of benefactors having to underwrite further costs in the early stages of consolidating the football club. Supporters need a bigger carrot on the stick.

There shouldn't be burden placed on small groups of benfactors over the medium or long term when there is a 1300 strong HUST membership who could be enthused to fundraise.

The success of the new club will be measured as much by the ability of fans to ‘buy into it’, to feel a sense of belonging if you like, as it will by results on the field.

Every effort must be made not to compromise the sea of goodwill that has been so evident between fans in recent weeks. 

People say that experience is something you get just after you needed it. Well, we’ve been through the most awful experience a football supporter can go through this year, but we have come out the other side, and now have the opportunity for a “do over”.

We get a chance to start again from scratch with a football club of which we can all be proud.

Let’s work together to make that happen.

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