We are delighted to officially announce that the deal to purchase AFC Bournemouth has now been fully completed.
We very much look forward to the challenges ahead, and we can assure you all that whilst we don't underestimate those challenges, we feel that the club now has the right mix of experience at management level to bring the stability that is required. Whilst we may not be everyone's preferred new owners, it is evident that we were the only fully committed group both willing and able to complete in the time frame given by the previous owners. Despite much speculation there were no billionaire owners queuing to buy a League 2 football club in Bournemouth.
There are huge hurdles to overcome in the coming weeks, both financial and operational, and in this respect we would ask that you all get behind the new board and let us demonstrate to you our collective desire to take this club forward. Difficult decisions will be made and your support is going to be of huge importance to allow your club a chance of long term success and financial stability, there are no quick fix solutions available in football and we must therefore look to budget for a sustainable future.
At our first board meeting on Monday 22nd June, the make up of the new look board was ratified. Eddie Mitchell was appointed chairman supported by Jeff Mostyn as vice-chairman; Adam Murry and Neill Blake will take the roles of operational directors working closely with Steve Sly in his role as a Director.
Having spent all day Monday at the club we are pleased to say that an awful lot of boxes have already been ticked, the wage arrears are being paid by bank transfer today, important meetings have been diarised to include HMRC, The Football league and the landlords, to name but a few, the commercial activity at the club both Monday and today has been overwhelming, with a constant queue at the shop for both season tickets and of course the pre -season friendlies.
As a group we are already in negotiations with Eddie Howe, and are close to agreeing terms with Eddie, which will see him at the club for at least the next two seasons. We believe after his success on the pitch last season securing his services is a beneficial part to stabilising the football club.
Finally can we take this opportunity to thank all the supporters for their patience during this transitional period, and a huge thank you to our amazing staff for the loyalty they have shown this club in these difficult times. We look forward now to the friendlies coming up in early July and launching the first of many community support schemes.
Now is the time to demonstrate your support for your football club, let's have big gates at the friendlies, record League 2 season ticket sales, and at long last a renewed optimism, you can make the difference!!