Ex-chairman Baker transfers club shares to the Robins Trust

THE Robins Trust has reached agreement with former Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker for the transfer of more than 150,000 shares in the club.

The agreement, approved unanimously by the elected Robins Trust board, sees the Trust’s holding increased to in excess of 350,000 shares.

The Trust have also committed to making a further investment in Cheltenham Town AFC Ltd in order to secure funding for improved cycling provision for supporters at the Completely-suzuki Stadium.

The Trust will move ahead of Mr Baker on the list of the major shareholders, with close to 16% of the total issued share capital, with Mr Baker, club chairman from 1998 to 2017 retaining a 10% shareholding.

Trust chairman James Young said: “We would like to thank Paul Baker for putting his faith in the Trust.

“He will forever be one of the most important figures in our club’s history, so it was an honour when he approached the Trust and we are proud to accept.

“The Trust board were unanimous that this was in the best interests of the Trust and is a significant step forward for our aims.”

Mr Baker added: “I was delighted to support the formation of the Robins Trust while I was chairman back in 2005.

“I felt the time was right to reduce my shareholding and I hope this will encourage the Trust to raise their profile at the club, increase their membership and increase their investment in the club. The football business is challenging and investment and support is vital.”

The Trust has invested more than £300,000 in Cheltenham Town since 2005, and the need for improved cycling provision was a recommendation from the Trust’s end-of-season survey.

That survey saw 64% of respondents rate the current provision as either poor or very poor. That led to in-depth research as nearly four in five (79%) said that improved provision would make them consider cycling to games.

Fan Elected Director Dave Beesley said: “It was important that the Trust worked to provide this improvement for supporters. It also maintains our commitment to continue investing in the club. Something we can only do because of the support from our members.

“Every pound we raise is invested in the Trust achieving its aims of increasing supporter representation and engagement and ensuring that our club retains its place at the heart of the community.”

The Trust has seen membership grow by more than 30% in the last 12 months since launching a new online membership portal.

Membership starts at just £10 per year, but fans are able to make recurring monthly investments.

The Trust have also joined the Cheltenham Lottery, with weekly prizes on offer, up to a special one-off jackpot of £25,000, players also have a chance to boost Trust coffers and support good causes in and around Cheltenham.

For more information visit: cheltenhamlottery.co.uk/support/robinstrust, and to join the Robins Trust, visit robinstrust.org/join