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Five months on from taking the chair of The Lions Trust and I have to say that it’s been an exciting and dramatic period in Millwall history. Especially with the recent arrival of the new Chairman John G Berylson and the major shareholder Graham Ferguson Lacey (albeit somewhat unexpectedly in his case).
The prospects for the future of the club look brighter than they have for some years now – both on and off the field. The financial support offered by the US investors has given the club new and much needed stability. I am also very hopeful that the appointment of the new Financial Director Andy Ambler will turn around the administration of the club. I have read nothing but positive things about him on the internet, so let’s hope that we really have turned a corner now.
The press campaign mounted by The Trust to support the US team I think took a few by surprise. We made more noise and impact than many thought possible. The prospect of the club going into administration was however very real. I am pleased to say that The Lions Trust’s support has been acknowledged at the highest levels at the club.
But we have to become MORE than merely another fan group or protest vehicle. The Lions Trust has a unique role in that it aspires to represent both Millwall fans AND Millwall shareholders.
We need to do that by:
- Raising funds to build our own shareholding.
- Continuing to reach out so far as we can to the 43,000 small shareholders to obtain their proxy votes.
- Building our membership (which links with both of the above two points of course)
In short, The Lions Trust needs to matter at Millwall in a way that it hasn’t before. And the only way to do that in the long-term, is to build the financial and membership base to make it matter. Membership is therefore crucial to building a strong Trust - as indeed are other methods of raising money. Expect more on that over the months ahead.
The lesson of the recent Millwall Referendum was that all of the fan groups – the MSC, the Trust and the Fan On The Board – need to work together for the benefit of Millwall FC. When we do, we can form a very effective voice. The MSC and the Trust need not be seen as ‘separate’ bodies. We are in fact two sides of the same Millwall coin.
We all need to communicate with and reflect the opinions of the fanbase. So next season Lions fans can expect more:
* E-newsletters (for those who have joined our e-membership group)
* Paper newsletters (for the non internet crowd)
*Questionnaires (we need to know what you are thinking)
* Co-operation with the MSC and FOTB.
Thanks to everyone for their support over 2006/07 - here’s to better times ahead.
Nick Hart
Chair – The Lions Trust
Monday, 16 April 2007
Trust registration number: 29562 R |