 |
| Stuart Blake |
Mention of Blake's directorship was noted on Bulls Banter.
However the statement has since been changed and Blake's name dropped from the list of directors.
Why this has happened isn't known but it's not the first time Blake has been described as a non-executive director.
Back in the summer, a glossy brochure was sent out detailing the Hereford United debenture scheme.
And whose signature was on the brochure? Stuart J Blake Non-Executive Director.
When the chairman was asked at a shareholders meeting if Blake was a director, David Keyte replied no.
But it happened again when a youth team photo appeared on the OS with Blake named as a director. Later the picture disappeared.
Blake has been involved with Hereford United as a consultant for the last twelve months.
Perhaps the first time supporters and shareholders knew about his appointment was from an article in the Hereford Times.
Blake told the paper that he was working with the club to secure a stadium sponsor.
"We are looking for a company to sponsor the ground for this season and beyond," he said.
"We are getting interest, particularly from Herefordshire companies and the odd one from companies in the West Midlands."
However Blake was also mentioned at the end of an HT article dated October 26th.
The club had decided to launch a Corporate Ticket Scheme and for more details the contact was Stuart Blake not Hereford United.
Fast forward to last spring and reports that Arab investors could be coming to Edgar Street. It's thought this was down to Blake.
However Blake was also mentioned at the end of an HT article dated October 26th.
The club had decided to launch a Corporate Ticket Scheme and for more details the contact was Stuart Blake not Hereford United.
Fast forward to last spring and reports that Arab investors could be coming to Edgar Street. It's thought this was down to Blake.
"There is an overseas investor that we've been working on for about four months," said Chairman David Keyte.
"I thought it would have been through by now - there are some banking system hang-ups or something.
"If it comes off, then I can probably put my cheque book away for about three years."
Nothing more was heard about this.
In May Blake gave a presentation at a shareholders meeting about the proposed share issue and the debenture scheme.
On June 10th details of the debenture scheme were circulated.
1939 Executive Club Benefits
• Assigned seat in prime location in 1939 Executive Club seating section
• Priority Parking
• First opportunity for discounted priority booking in the Starlite Rooms
• Your seat available to you for all Hereford United matches at Edgar Street including FA Cup
• Guaranteed access to the 1939 Executive Club facilities
• VIP entry into the stadium on match days via the members' reception area
• Utilisation/ priority booking for your seat for any secondary matches played at Edgar Street
Additional Exclusive Benefits
• Dedicated 1939 Executive Club Manager
• Guaranteed 'no monthly increase' for 5 years for new members
• Automatic right to trade or sell on membership
• Transferability of membership on match by match basis
• Fast track ticketing service for FA Cup and away games where available
• Complimentary match day programmes
• Nameplate on seat
• Opportunity to meet and socialize with Hereford United players and management
• Exclusive invitation to the Seasons Launch and End of Season Dinner
• Invitation to networking functions and 1939 Club social events
• Automatic membership to the 1939 Executive Club business networking events and priority booking for seminars etc.
• Exclusive 1939 Executive Club members' section on website to include latest news, updates and offers
• Preferential rates on bookings for conferencing and events
• Members Directory in website
Cost for 5 years membership - £4,750
Additional memberships - £4000 each
Guests - £75 per match
Five days later Blake told the Hereford Times that "There has been interest locally, from London and even from overseas.
"We have a target of 70 and there have
already been 20 or 30 expressions of interest."
And at a shareholders meeting Blake said 'the debenture scheme might bring in £350K'. However that now looks unlikely. In fact it's thought no more than a handfull have been sold so far.
Next came questions from shareholders about the details of the proposed share issue which many felt had been poorly drafted.
"The Board are preparing answers to questions and shall be releasing them offically on Tuesday," Blake told BN.
However Tuesday never came. A few days later it was reported on the OS that the board would be writing to shareholders. But that didn't happen.
On Monday July 22nd shareholders failed to support a crucial part of the share issue plans and so it was back to square one.
On September 9th, there was the official launch of the Debenture Scheme and Blake hired former MP Michael Portillo to give a speech at a cost reputed to be between £3,000 and £7,000 depending on the source.
Before the meeting Blake spoke to the Hereford Times.
"Having already received considerable interest in the 1939 Executive
Club, we are delighted to have such a huge profile member of the
international business community (Portillo) to launch our business networking
club," said consultant Stuart Blake.
"We are talking with a number of international business leaders to host future events such as Professor Garry Hunt, Robert Walters and James Caan."
Blake has also been hiring staff for the club. In June an advert appeared for a Football in the Community Manager and details could be obtained from Blake's company not the football club. It later transpired there wasn't a vacancy.
BN understands Blake is not being paid for his work. However, given the club's ongoing financial problems, the question has to be posed whether Blake's involvement has, as yet, brought any real benefit to the club.
BN understands Blake is not being paid for his work. However, given the club's ongoing financial problems, the question has to be posed whether Blake's involvement has, as yet, brought any real benefit to the club.
And why is he sometimes listed as a non-executive director when, as far as is known, he isn't.
UPDATED 9.30pm:
Blake is believed to be currently involved with three companies. One of these 'Define Risk Solutions' is registered at Companies House. It's said to operate from 46 Bridge Street, Hereford.
However BN has been told that Blake no longer works from this address.
Another of his 'companies' is Herefordshire Recruitment Services and the third is CV Plan.
Listed as one of the 'partners' in CV Plan is Hereford United chairman David Keyte.
UPDATED 9.30pm:
Blake is believed to be currently involved with three companies. One of these 'Define Risk Solutions' is registered at Companies House. It's said to operate from 46 Bridge Street, Hereford.
However BN has been told that Blake no longer works from this address.
Another of his 'companies' is Herefordshire Recruitment Services and the third is CV Plan.
Listed as one of the 'partners' in CV Plan is Hereford United chairman David Keyte.