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| Ken Kinnersley With Richard Tomkins |
"I really don't see the need for it at this time," said Kinnersley.
"I think it's more symbolic than anything of substance because ultimately I don't think it will change anything. I'm just a bit surprised that HUST are doing it at this time as opposed to waiting until they have secured their share entitlement.
"As I mentioned previously the proposal has to be seen in the context of the difficulty HUST had selecting suitable people at the last round and an additional post to fill would only make it more difficult.
"Also we understand the HUST Board plan to rotate their nominees over a three year cycle so Director A will be replaced after twelve months then Director B after two years then Director C at the three year point. Thereafter it seems they will be three year appointments at least that is what I understand but I may be corrected."
Can they not be re-elected?
"They possibly could but I don't know all the details of HUST policy and governance."
May be no continuity?
"That is my principal concern, in particular the role that Andrew Graham has with the community. It is a really important role for this club and it would be a mistake to under-estimate the value of effective community engagement."
If Andrew Graham had to step down, could he be co-opted onto the HFC board?
"I don't think it would solve the problem because the roles are too important for the post holders not to have board voting rights."
Do you think seven directors are enough given the volume of work?
"I believe the balance is now about right. The one director who I believe maybe over-worked is Paul Quarrell because in addition to running his own business, Paul is Chair of the Academy, working with our Head Coach Steve Saunders and all the excellent coaches we have working with the youth teams. He is also responsible for the Stadium and Health and Safety. So he is very much involved in everything and well qualified for the responsibilities he holds.
"George (Webb) is a fantastic commercial director. Every year for the past three years working with the finance director, who this last year has been Peter Churchus, to produce a very sensible, very conservative income and expenditure budget which has been spot-on with outgoings below income each year.
"George drives the football club forward on a commercial basis and he's very involved in setting tickets prices and generating revenue. His value should not be under-estimated because it is his judgement and initiatives that contributes greatly to our income.
"And FD Peter Churchus provides a steadying influence and provides the Board with regularly updated and valuable financial information as well as undertaking the responsibilities of Company Secretary."
Of the original seven directors of Hereford FC, just one remains on the board. Why do you think this is?
"The work never stops. I would say I work from eight in the morning to nine at night most of it via e-mail. There is always something that demands attention be that preparing papers on proposals or initiatives, compiling the board agenda or reviewing the minutes. Drafting replies to correspondence, liaison with Herefordshire Council, responding to enquiries, addressing FA enquiries in relation to crowd issues. It just never stops.
"And, of course we are constantly trying to push forward, trying to find new initiatives and improve the way we are doing things.
"For example we were involved in a lot of work over many weeks when we started the process of identifying a replacement for Events Partner James Smith. It took a lot of time and effort because of the detail.
"It's not just about making the decision, it's also essential to get the detail correct and as we know the devil is in the detail.
“Another example is the joint venture with Pegasus, many rounds of discussions culminating in a joint Heads of Terms that runs to six pages, and I'm please to say they were signed last Wednesday. However, the work on that has only just started there is a lot to address, plan and implement."
Do you have to get outside advice on that sort of thing?
"It does depend on what it is. Anything to do with leases then we would always use a property advisor in conjunction with a lawyer but for the joint-venture with Pegasus we haven't taken legal advice to this point as nothing is yet irretrievable.
“We've done our utmost to ensure we have protection if place to safeguard the interest of both sides. As I said we've drawn up Heads of Terms which both boards have approved, it sets out exactly who does what and an outline of how it will be controlled and operated. There will, however, come a point at which we review the planned final agreement with lawyers.
"No, not really. I think the importance of HUST goes back to the early days when the plans for the formation of HFC was made public and the firm belief was that planned club would only be supported if HFC were able to secure the lease to the Edgar Street stadium.
"I believe that HUST stated publicly that they had neither the finance, time or expertise to run the club thus it seems there was only the HFC option.
"This stadium was key, at least that's what I believe. I wasn't involved at the time, but it was necessary to convince the supporters that this was a new football club and that what had happened to Hereford United would not be repeated. Clearly, there would have been a need to convince Herefordshire Council that the new club could be financially viable thus the support of HUST was important. It would be reasonable to assume that is why the initial launch as outlined by Jon Hale at the Welsh Club included provision for 50% of the shares in issue to be ring fenced for HUST to purchase and from day one HUST had three nominees on the HFC board.
"I see that as a well-intentioned safeguard offered to the fans to garner support so they could be reassured that their interests as supporters and that of the business were protected. That way genuine supporters need have no fear because there would be a level of protection. What I didn't anticipate at that time was the subsequent fall off in HUST membership numbers."
Looking to the future say the club wanted to increase the share capital, to help fund a new Meadow End for example, would HUST have to increase their investment as well?
"It would be a very expensive exercise (to increase the share capital) and there would be a lot of wasted money because the legal fees alone would be in excess of £20,000."
But surely if you wanted to raise the share capital to £1M from where it is now, just under £600,000, £20,000 in fees isn't that much?
"Yes if you put it in those terms but of course HUST would have to agree because it would affect their shareholding."
Perhaps more benefactors would be another way?
"It could be if we did another share issue."
You brought a fifth benefactor in.
"Yes with HUST's agreement. They had to amend their holding and of course the time scale for the purchase of their shares was also adjusted accordingly."
Is there an alternative option?
"Yes, the Football Foundation award grants for stadium improvements and Martin tells me that the financial ceiling has recently been increased, however, I don't know all the terms so that may involve more time and effort."
Back to the forthcoming AGM, has Mark Bevan finished the accounts?
"The accounts have been audited but we've not had the auditors report to my knowledge. I believe we've made a small profit in the last twelve months"