Boot out takeover bid says Thomson

We don’t need‘benefactors’– councillor

A councillor this week urged supporters to reject the takeover proposal from the consortium headed by former professional footballer John Neill.

Jim Thomson (pictured below) said once Mr Neill and his backers had control of the club it would be “virtually impossible” for fans to get it back.

Albion’s supporters trust, who own the club, are currently considering the takeover bid from Mr Neill and his backers and a rival offer of `no strings’ loans of up to £200,000 from a group which includes club director John Hunter.

The John Neill consortium, which also includes Stirling businessman Colin Rowley, have set out their proposal in a 56-page document which has been circulated to trust members.

If the trust agree to their proposal, the consortium will loan the club up to £600,000 at an interest rate of one and a half per cent above base rate.

Mr Rowley and Mr Neill will become directors of Albion while Mr Neill will also take over as chair and `golden shares’ would be allotted to those investing in Binos.

Jim Thomson,a Stirling North SNP councillor and lifelong Albion supporter, was secretary of the board of the supporters trust board which resigned in March complaining members were the butt of abuse from some fans of the club. He told the Observer he was backing the offer from Stirling Albion Supporters Association, the group which includes Mr Hunter. And he spoke of being saddened that Mr Neill – “an individual with no connection to Stirling Albion “– had created such division amongst the support. “He has managed to persuade a vociferous minority that he will turn round the fortunes of Albion by injecting £600,000 into the club,” the councillor added. “I really shouldn’t need to remind fans of the fate of the likes of Gretna, Hearts and Dundee who all suffered at the hands of `benefactors.’” “Nor should I need to remind the fans of the predicament Stirling Albion found itself in eight years ago when the club was on the brink of liquidation. “At very short notice, the fans had to raise £400,000 to buy the club. It also had to agree to take on a further £143,000 historical debt. “A total of £83,000 of that money was raised through the £40 donations from Albion fans and many others worldwide. “The rest was loaned by a number of our fans. The supporters became owners of the club. “Eight years later, the club is debt free and in fact has a healthy cash balance in the bank.By any standards that is a huge success, so why on earth would anyone want us to take on further debt?

“Just as the club finds itself in a solid position, along comes a predator offering the world.

“As for their bid, first of all they wanted to buy the club for £1.

“They have since withdrawn that offer but now want to take over the club by another route - a management contract.”

He urged fans to read the legal document or get someone with financial or contractual qualifications to explain the terms of the loan.

“Ignore the rhetoric, ignore the warm words, read and understand the document and then make up your minds,” he added.

Stirling Albion Supporters Associates, he said, were fans of long standing, willing to guarantee interest-free loans repayable when the club was in a financial position reasonably to afford it. Councillor Thomson said: “Now the debt has been paid off, the supporters have the opportunity to achieve our ambition of making Stirling Albion FC the best part time club in Scottish Football.”

●To comment on this story: email john.rowbotham@trinitymirror.com, or write to the Observer at 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK82DW.