Like many other football clubs Worcester City usually lose money most seasons and without extra investment from time to time face the prospect of financial uncertainty.
However the club says there is someone prepared to put money in as long as he owns 51% of the club. But all this depends on the Supporters Trust giving up part of their shareholding. Currently they are the major shareholder.
The club has released a detailed statement:
The Board of Directors are concerned about the financial viability of the club. WCFC has over the years lost money year on year. This has affected budgets and performances on the pitch, none more so than last season when standards were nowhere near high enough. However we are excited that a proposal has been put forward by club director Simon Lancaster to significantly invest into the football club to help secure its immediate, medium and long term future. This proposal has the unanimous support of the football club board. The proposal will now be voted on by members of the supporters Trust.
As with any major investment, it is important that this comes from the right people. Simon was born and has lived in Worcester all of his life. He grew up following the City down at St Georges Lane. Aged 23 he started a business in Worcester, which he still owns and runs alongside their charity. He manages one of his son’s football teams in the Worcester City youth section. He also joined our main board last October. It is because of these combined interests in WCFC and business that we all believe he is the best person to help the club survive, and then indeed thrive.
The Exciting Future Plans
• Investment into the club on an ongoing basis to put our finances in a positive position, and financially viable to enable us to move forward.
• This investment would be accompanied with a new energetic, exciting, business based approach and structure to help drive this club forward.
• Immediately invest appropriately into the playing budget to help deliver on field success.
• Incorporate a ‘one club mentality’ bringing together the entire WCFC family from first team, reserves, women and down through the youth and girls teams.
• Turn our youth section into a thriving academy.
• Develop the commercial side and profitability of WCFC, with reach into the local business community.
All this would involve Simon becoming the majority 51% shareholder of the club, but it is important to understand that it would involve working in complete unison with the supporters trust. With significant protections/back stops written into an agreement with them to help protect the club moving forward:
• The Supporters Trust would get a veto on any change in future ownership from out of Simon’s family.
• The Trust would retain reporting oversight.
• The Trust have a seat on the board, so permanent fan representation.
We believe it to be the perfect balance. Freed from the burden of being the major shareholder, the supporters trust would be able to continue to concentrate on the following crucial functions:
• Focusing on our community development and outreach across all of Worcester.
• Overseeing the match day volunteers which are crucial to our match day experience and without which we could not operate as well as we do.
• Providing oversite and ‘back stop’ security as above.
Commenting on the proposal Simon Lancaster said:
‘I would be honoured and humbled if the supporters trust were to support this proposal. I would like to pay tribute to Steve and all of my brilliant colleagues on the main board for their unwavering support, and for all of the excellent work they do for the club in often difficult circumstances. I would also like to thank the supporters trust, they are a group of amazing people who saved the club from oblivion, brought it home to Worcester and made it possible for the right investor to come in. These achievements should always be celebrated as a key part in our clubs history. Whatever happens they are also crucial to the club moving forward. I would love to work with them as a partnership, the board, and indeed with everybody connected with WCFC to rebuild a club of which our city can be proud and that our amazing fans deserve. Then we can all start enjoying it again! We all love this football club, it is time to reverse the downward spiral, vote for this proposal and get aggressively on the front foot driving this club forward!’
Commenting on the proposal club Chairman Steve Goode said:
‘On behalf of the Worcester City board of directors, we are fully behind this opportunity to prolong the future of this great club.
Whilst we always endeavour to lead the club in the best possible way off the pitch, opportunities for investment and fresh ideas are extremely welcomed and after what has been a prolonged period of uncertainty, this would give us a fantastic platform to progress.’
Commenting on the proposal director and main club sponsor Martin Pinches said:
'My understanding of the current financial situation of Worcester City FC is that without major changes to budgets there will be insufficient funds for the club to fulfil its obligations during the forthcoming season.
Therefore as the long-standing main sponsor I
would urge the Supporters Club Trust Members to accept this proposal as,
in our opinion, it is critical to the long term survival of Worcester
City Football Club. But if this proposal gets approved we can all look
forward with positivity.'