I write these notes after Friday night’s game against Hull City. It was a disappointing performance and result against a team that was relegated from the Premier League last term.
As the manager has said in his post-match interviews, the only positive notion to come out of Friday night was the support from our fantastic travelling fans who were right behind the team from the start until the end and you deserved better.
That said, we’ve now got a fortnight to dust ourselves down and get back on track for our game against Middlesbrough at Macron Stadium on Saturday 9 September.
Please rest assured that everybody will be working hard to put things right at the training ground. We have some very important players due to come back from injury and they will provide a tremendous boost to the team and our fortunes.
We are also still hopeful of adding some more players to the squad before the window closes on Thursday.
Following the liquidation of Dean Holdsworth's company, Sports Shield BWFC, last Monday, a great deal has been written in the press and on the social media sites, as well as commented upon on local radio.
Generally speaking, the comments are supportive of what the club and l are trying to achieve, with one or two interesting and anonymous exceptions, and I am very grateful and appreciative of this continued support.
For the record, over the last couple of weeks Paul Aldridge has received several propositions through local councillor Cllr John Walsh and Alan Walsh on behalf of Mr Shabbir Khilji, a local businessman.
Unfortunately, at no time has Mr Khilji been able to provide proof of his funds which would be acceptable to the EFL or myself.
Indeed, having failed to produce any evidence of his funds, and at the eleventh hour last week, another person was introduced as having joined 'the consortium'.
However, it was impossible to try and agree or finalise anything as there was still no evidence of sufficient available funds, despite numerous assurances that it would be provided.
As regards, the figures being bandied around, they can be taken with a pinch of salt, as they included further contingent payments due to Eddie Davies on Championship retention or promotion to the Premier League, which both Dean and l signed up to, but regrettably only Inner Circle would appear to have the obligation to pay these payments following the liquidation of Sports Shield BWFC.
Mr Khilji advised both Paul Aldridge and myself that he had agreed deals with both BluMarble and Dean Holdsworth, but this has not been confirmed by either of them to me, although l am sure discussions took place.
In any event, as we all now know, Sports Shield BWFC was liquidated last Monday, but l believe that discussions are ongoing.
Since Monday, l understand that Mr Khilji has made various assurances to the liquidators and BluMarble about his funding but once again my understanding is that nothing acceptable has been forthcoming so far, apart from various assurances that funds will come from India.
Surprisingly, l understand Mr Khilji even approached another club owner to fund his acquisition, but I am told the security he offered was grossly inadequate for the amount he wanted to borrow.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, all this has achieved is further delays and uncertainty. In any event, even if the Mr Khilji consortium does succeed in providing adequate funding he would still need to pass the EFL OADT, which could delay everything for at least another month.
The same conditions and requirements would apply to any other prospective purchasers/investors.
As it stands, I am told he has now asked the liquidators to give him a further 48 hours to show proof of funds.
Ever since I became involved with the club, I have witnessed first-hand what makes it such a special place: the fans, who show loyal support both home and away in their numbers, the members of staff who work tirelessly around the clock and the rich and proud 140-year plus history of the club.
It is for these very reasons – and to preserve everything our club stands for – that I will only be prepared to hand over the reins to somebody who can genuinely take us onto the next level.
There may be some tough and unpleasant decisions that still need to be made in the future, but as in the past, they will be made with the very best intentions for the future of the club and associated businesses.
All I ask is that we all continue to stand and remain together and continue to show the tremendous support I have witnessed since I came here.
We are together.
Kind regards,
Ken