Oops at Swindon re Takeover Disclosure

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Swindon Advertiser - It's a sorry state

SWINDON Town’s Supporters Trust last night apologised “unreservedly” to the club’s board and fans after it was confirmed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) was in the hands of lawyers representing the consortium trying to take over at the County Ground.

TrustSTFC withdrew an earlier statement which had called on supporters to step up their protests at the Town hierarchy’s apparent ‘stalling’ of the bid, after learning that the documents likely to move the takeover to the next level had in fact been received by the legal team representing the fans’ group.

The Trust had accused the board of dragging their heels over the NDA, which would allow takeover negotiations to enter the confidential next phase and lead to the opening the club’s books for perusal by the consortium representatives.

Earlier, they had urged active protests after games, starting after the home match against Mansfield on April 21, a boycott of the club’s matchday programme and pledged to investigate the option of withholding season ticket money for next season.

Town branded the Trust’s statement as “inaccurate,” producing dates and times to back up their argument and demanded an apology to both the board and the fans.

And the Trust were forced to backtrack after subsequent enquiries confirmed the club’s insistence that an NDA had indeed been sent to Davis & Co, the lawyers representing consortium partners Bill Power and Phil Emmell.

A statement revealed: “This (yesterday) afternoon we released a statement which stated that STFC had not sent a Non-Disclosure Agreement to the Fans’ Consortium lawyers as promised two weeks ago.

“This statement was made in good faith and was checked today (yesterday).

“However, it transpires that due to a breakdown in communications, the statement was not accurate and the Non-Disclosure Agreement had in fact been received on Tuesday (April) 10.”

The statement added: “We warmly welcome the submission of the NDA which represents a significant step forward in the negotiations between the club and the consortium and apologise unreservedly to the board of STFC and the fans for this error and for any inconvenience caused by it.

“Accordingly we have withdrawn the statement released this (yesterday) afternoon.

“The NDA is being examined by the fans’ consortium lawyers and discussions will be ongoing between them and the club’s legal representatives.

“TrustSTFC will be making no further comment until this process is complete.” Swindon

SWINDON TRUST -Trust welcomes NDA

This afternoon we released a statement which stated that STFC had not sent a Non-Disclosure Agreement to the Fans' Consortium lawyers as promised two weeks ago. This statement was made in good faith and was checked today. However, it transpires that due to a breakdown in communications, the statement was not accurate and the Non-Disclosure Agreement had in fact been received on Tuesday 10th.

We warmly welcome the submission of the NDA which represents a significant step forward in the negotiations between the Club and the Consortium and apologise unreservedly to the board of STFC and the fans for this error and for any inconvenience caused by it. Accordingly we have withdrawn the statement released this afternoon. The NDA is being examined by the Fans' Consortium lawyers and discussions will be ongoing between them and the Club's legal representatives, TrustSTFC will be making no further comment until this process is complete. Swindon Trust

SWINDON OFFICIAL SITE Board Accept Apology

The Swindon Town Board accepts the apologies from the Board of TrustSTFC and acknowledge that this was due to a communication breakdown between themselves and their lawyer.

We hope that the Board of TrustSTFC and all of our fans will be unified with the Board of STFC in supporting Paul Sturrock and the team's final drive for promotion to League One. Swindon

Swindon Official - Club Update
6.15pm, Thursday 12th April 2007

Despite the claim by TrustSTFC Secretary Andy Tuck in response to the Club Statement, the Board of STFC confirm the following.

On Tuesday 10th April at 10.27hrs Clarke Willmott sent via email an NDA agreement to the Consortium's Lawyers Davis & Co. This was acknowledged by Davis & Co. at 11.26hrs the same day.

The County Ground

Today at 09.46hrs Clarke Willmott received a further email from Christan Evans of Davis & Co. which stated that they were awaiting their clients (The Consortium) instructions.

The Board of STFC therefore respectfully suggest that the Consortium contact their Lawyers for confirmation immediately.

5.05pm, Thursday 12th April 2007

The Directors of Swindon Town FC are deeply concerned by the recent allegation made on the TrustSTFC website.

TrustSTFC have wrongly stated on their website that the Board have not responded to the proposed takeover by the Fans' Consortium.

The Board respectfully suggest that the Trust Directors contact their Consortium partners, Bill Power and Phil Emmell and or their lawyers Davis & Co who acknowledged the receipt of the Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) on Tuesday 10th. April and have today, Thursday 12th April, confirmed to the club's lawyers Clarke Willmott & Co. that they still await their client's (The Consortium) instructions before they can respond.

The Board are therefore disappointed that the Trust have made this inaccurate announcement which is misleading the fan base and only serves as a distraction to the primary task in hand - gaining promotion to League One.

An apology from TrustSTFC to the fans and to the Board would be appreciated. Swindon

FIFA 07