15 December 2004
THE
Middlesex businessman interested in buying Wrexham FC says his plans will
protect the club’s beloved Racecourse stadium for 125 years.
Paul Buttivant says he will set up a private trust to allow the community to
play a role in the long-term future of the club.
And he says he will relocate his family to the area so he can take a hands-on
role in the day-to-day running of the club.
“We are not property developers who want to make a quick profit and run back to
the south of England,” Mr Buttivant told the Leader.
“My plans involve taking the club forward and securing the ground, while my
partner’s plans would be to re-develop the Kop end of the site.
“The development would probably include the car park. The Kop stand itself would
be a different matter.”
Mr Buttivant, who runs business consultancy firm Dubarry Holdings in Uxbridge,
outlined his vision for the future of the debt-ridden club.
Mr Buttivant, who is backed by a small PLC firm which is already involved in
sport, said: “Although there are details I can’t go into about these plans, I
want to be as transparent as I can because it is important for the fans to know
what is going on.
“We were scheduled to meet the club owner, Alex Hamilton, this week but we had
to postpone that. We have contacted him again to reassert that we are seriously
interested. Hopefully we can meet very soon.
“The concept for our bid is unique and will ensure the football club becomes a
viable business; this is a long-term strategy.
“Part of the strategy will see us put together a private community trust
involving representatives from the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust, Wrexham Council
and community leaders. That trust will own the ground and the training ground
and will hire the ground back to the club at a 125-year peppercorn rent.
“That way the ground will be safeguarded. The running of the club will be done
by me and my management team. I am willing to make a major commitment to this
and so is my business associate; in fact his commitment will be massive.
“He is based in Canada, but will relocate to the Wrexham area. I will relocate
my family so I can work day to day in Wrexham.
“This is not an arm’s-length thing; we want to make a positive commitment and
will be very hands on. I see this is as a regular day job. Running the club will
be our sole activity with the trust controlling the ground.
“I will be honest and say my backers are not interested in football, but they
are willing to provide the financial backing to allow me to safeguard the
stadium and set up the private trust.
“This is a serious bid and will involve the fans. If the supporters’ trust want
to buy into the deal, I would encourage them.”
*** Another bidder for the club Surry-based businessman Andy Smith this morning
confirmed he was still negotiating the sale of the club and ground.
Although no final agreement had yet been reached, Mr Smith was hoping the deal
could be wrapped up quickly. He said: “The solicitors are still talking about
the deal now. You can´t just complete a project of this size in a few days.
“We are still working the whole thing through at the moment with Alex Hamilton´s
people.
“Things are moving along positively though at the moment and we would hope to
tie things up soon.”
Mr Buttivant’s consortium is one of at least three interested in buying the
club. As well as Mr Smith’s group, the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust say they have
been talking to another group who are keen to buy the club.