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| The Glovers Trust |
UPDATED (25/5/21): Councillor John Clark has replied to the letter. His reply is on the Glovers Trust website here.
More to follow.
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The Glovers Trust, which is the supporters trust for fans of Yeovil Town Football Club (YTFC), issued a statement yesterday evening (24th May 2021) criticising the involvement of South Somerset District Council (SSDC) in the future of the club and making it clear that they do not support the involvement of SSDC.
The Trust released the Statement below to their members, including a reference to the letter to SSDC - attached below the Statement. They say that the deal proposed by SSDC does not benefit the Council, the people of Somerset or the club.
It follows a vote of members that "overwhelmingly" supported looking for bidders for the club.
The Statement confirms that talks are continuing about the future of YTFC, and that the Trust is working on a plan.
Somerset Independents Leader Andrew Pope says:
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| Andrew Pope Campaigner for Fan Ownership |
"I have been a campaigner for supporter control and ownership for many years, having had my boyhood club Enfield FC destroyed by a dodgy owner and councillors on Enfield Borough Council.
Neither of these appear to be true with Yeovil now, but they could become true, if the supporters don't have control and a proper say. Giving control to councillors would be a very bad idea, especially as the council may not even exist in a couple of years' time, due to the re-organisation of Somerset's councils being forced on residents.
Future owners need to be vetted. Future councillors may have a different approach.
Although still a member of the supporter owned Enfield Town FC that came out of the ashes of Enfield FC, I have joined the Glovers Trust to offer my support and advice, so that supporters can get some control and if possible, ownership, of YTFC.
I have helped other clubs and fans over the years, because I believe that fans are the true custodians of their football clubs - not players, not temporary owners and definitely not politicians, as the bitter experiences of Enfield FC, Wimbledon FC, Totton FC, Portsmouth FC and countless other clubs, have shown.
The total failure of the Saints Supporters Trust to safeguard Southampton FC, shows that supporters trusts are not a panacea. It was Markus Liebherr who saved Saints, not the supporters trust. Neither are share ownership schemes any good as a form of protection, unless they come with formal power and control. I urge the Glovers Trust to push for true fan power.
The active fans of Yeovil deserve to be listened and their concerns acted upon, as it is they who will suffer if the club struggles or goes out of business. And it is the people of Somerset who will suffer if SSDC gets it wrong."
Somerset Independents was formed to stand up for Somerset residents. We will do what we can to support fan control and ownership of sports clubs in Somerset, and to protect the public purse.
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Dear Trust Member,
Please find our statement upon expiry of Asset of Community Value moratorium period below.
As an interested party in the two Assets of Community Value (ACV) on Huish Park and the surrounding land, the Glovers Trust Board exercised its right, by majority vote to delay the sale of Huish Park to South Somerset District Council (SSDC).
The Glovers Trust Board recognised that the proposed sale of Huish Park and the surrounding land to SSDC was a pivotal moment in the history of Yeovil Town Football Club (YTFC). The activation of the ACV’s has allowed the Board time and space to fully investigate the proposal from SSDC and to give consideration to the partnering with other interested parties, with a view to making a bid to purchase.
Members of the Glovers Trust overwhelmingly supported our actions following the release of our findings on the 1st March 2021.
As early as December 2020 potential investors and consortia reached out to the Glovers Trust Board to declare an interest in the club and the land based on significant supporter involvement. This supporter involvement was at the heart of every proposal the Glovers Trust Board entertained.
Over the six-month period several groups have made contact with the Glovers Trust Board and we are aware parties have reached out to intermediaries at the club.
The statutory period of six months moratorium expires on 26th May 2021. We believe that the intervening period has been invaluable and hopefully pivotal to the future of YTFC. Without the delay, the proposed deal between owners of Huish Park and SSDC would have been rushed through by January 2021, long before any reasonable scrutiny could have been conducted. The delay has also given others the chance to reflect on the scheme and for the cultivation of a belief that a better route can be found to secure the long-term security of our club.
The provisional plans shared with us by the SSDC may bring a limited short term financial boost, however there is no legal framework to guarantee that YTFC benefits from the scheme over the longer term. We believe that under this proposal the future of YTFC is in jeopardy.
We also note the public war of words between SSDC and Marcus Fysh MP regarding the decisions that have been made regarding the Yeovil Refresh scheme and scrutiny on decision-making and finances involved with it. Surely we do not need our football club to get caught up in similar political criticism.
We acknowledge that from Wednesday 26th, the owners are free to continue with the proposal from SSDC or to affect a sale to whomsoever they choose. The Glovers Trust Board’s stance remains unaltered with regard to the SSDC proposal in that we retain major concerns. This proposal was championed as ‘the only option’ but this has been proved to have been only one of the options available. The Glovers Trust Board hold serious reservations as to whether the monetary figures involved add up. Will a tenant YTFC ever be in a financial position to own Huish Park again?
We will continue to object to the SSDC proposal as strongly as possible and in pursuit of this aim we have sent letters to the lead Councillor, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer elect. A copy of this letter is attached to this statement.
We will strive to work with those who seek a strong and vibrant future for YTFC based on community values and involvement.
The Glovers Trust Board
Letter to South Somerset District Council
YEOVIL TOWN SUPPORTERS SOCIETY LIMITED (Glovers Trust)
22.5.21
Councillor John Clark,Chief Executive Alex Parmley
South Somerset District Council
The Council Offices
Brympton Way
Yeovil BA20 2HT
Dear Councillor Clark, Mr Parmley
Purchase of Yeovil Town FC
You will be aware that South Somerset District Council at its meeting of December 2020 agreed to purchase Yeovil Town Football Club Ground. The decision meant that the community group who had placed two Assets of Community Value(The Glover’s Trust) on the assets were able to activate a six-month moratorium to consider the purchase of the assets. This six-month period ends on 26th May, and whilst the Glover’s Trust is not in a position to purchase the Club, the moratorium period has provided us with the opportunity to look at the detail of the proposed purchase, and as a result we write formally to ask South Somerset District Council to review the decision.
It is our view that considerations have changed substantially since December and some of the imperatives that prompted the decision have changed.
The report presented to Members in December 2020 made reference to the parlous state of the Club’s finances; with the report stating the Chairman of the Club reported that the club will “run out of money by Christmas 20” Here we are in May 2021 with the Club still operating,so clearly it has been able to make alternative financial arrangements. I’m sure you are aware part of this includes a loan from Sport England who now become a creditor. It is likely therefore that funds generated from the sale of the club will go to pay off debts and covenants that currently prevent development.
The protection offered to SSDC is via the commercial value of the club’s land asset,and a commercial rent on lease back to the Club. Whilst we are not privy to the financial calculations, a straight housing led development of the site is far from straightforward.
Should the two “top pitches” be put forward for development and not be re-provided elsewhere Sport England will object to a planning application. Any loss of the pitches would also be contrary to South Somerset’s own Local Plan which seeks to preserve existing sports pitches.
Secondly any plan to develop on the existing car park will mean the only car parking then available on site being a small number of spaces around the “core” which are currently used for VIP’s players and visitors. The loss of the car park will on busy match days mean that the streets including the nearby residential streets will be used by spectators attending the games. Without a clear and robust alternative car parking strategy, or a public transport strategy, it is likely that this will be an area of considerable concern to local residents, businesses and SSDC’s own Planning Department.
Members will know that sites that have been classified as Assets of Community Value are a Material Consideration if a planning application is put forward for the development of that asset. This requires the applicant to ensure there is no loss of community benefit from a development on the site, or to re-provide in equal measure.
There is also a covenant on the site in favour of the former landowner that will only be lifted on receipt of a negotiated fee.
The process towards achieving planning permission for the site is therefore one that could be long and in parts far from straight forward. We are not aware that the analysis of the capital return to SSDC has taken these complexities into consideration when making the decision to purchase, or consideration given to the number of planning objections that may be received.
Whilst a “core” of the Club has been preserved other aspect of the sale are of concern to us.
The report to Council highlights the Social and Economic importance of the club to the Town and its hinterland. However,the sale and leaseback will see the asset move away from the club and prevent it from determining future use.
It is disingenuous of the Council to claim that it is helping save the club when it is giving with one hand and taking with the other. They club may have a short-term fix,but its long-term effects will be damaging.
Clubs like Yeovil Town need to generate revenue, and the land asset is the club’s treasure that given the right strategy could be sweated to provide an income in addition to match days and sponsorship. Selling and developing for short term gain will harm the Club’s long-term future. Added to this is the lease agreement whereby the club pays a rental on its ground, and the future is looking even more gloomy. With a rental figure 7% of the purchase price,we estimate that the club will pay an annual rental of £140,000. By way of comparison Exeter City pay £40,000 per annum to their City Council for the rent of that ground.
The purchase also states that the Club will benefit from the capital receipts from any sale of parcels of land. We can see no legal framework in place to guarantee long term benefits in this arrangement with the likely benefit to be a reduction in rental.
With the Club confined to the “core” its ability to grow and develop is severely limited, and along with it the contribution that the club can make to the wider economy and community. Add to this the burden of an annual rental then an already marginal Club could be pushed over the edge.
Nor do we believe this deal is a good one for the people of South Somerset. There may be some short-term gain via new housing and capital receipts,but the prize is bigger than that. As custodians of the community,it is surely SSDC’s duty to create sustainable communities. This site offers the opportunity not just to create something for Yeovil Town FC but for the wider locality, providing a focus for the growing community and linking the work areas to the housing, it just takes a bit of vision and a determination to see beyond short term financial gains.
As a supporter’s group we have been working with Architects and Master planners and have begun to construct a vision for the site, one that would make the site a destination through the working week as well as weekends, and that would be based around health and well being as well as commercial and housing developments. We believe it is possible to do all of these things.
Whilst the deal with South Somerset District Council may provide both the Club and SSDC with a capital receipt once the site has been developed out there will be little long-term benefit to the area or the Local Authority,whilst the football club will be saddled with a repayment lease on its own ground and few means of generating income.
We believe there is a better more sustainable solution and as the Local Authority we would implore you to take a longer-term view of the site, and work with us to develop this.
As an Authority you have articulated the importance of the Club to the town and the surrounding area. It is after all the largest cultural institution in the area.As custodians of the public good we urge you to reconsider the decision to purchase the club and its asset, as we firmly believe that the current deal is not in the interest of the club or the local community that you serve.
Yours sincerely,Brendon Owen
Chair Glover’s Trust Board.
CC Clare Pestell
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