Trust News

TRUST MEETING WITH GETHIN JENKINS AND DOUG LEE

Trust Board members Tim Hartley and Mike Roderick met with the club’s Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins and Finance Director Doug Lee this afternoon following the media speculation about the future of the club.
We sought clarity on the debt owed to Langston and were told that the agreement to repay £10 million in instalments is still in place. This agreement requires Cardiff City Football Club to make monthly payments to Langston. We were assured that every such payment has been made and that those payments will continue to be made until any new arrangement for the repayment of the debt is agreed. Talks are envisaged with Langston and other creditors as the club deals with its outstanding debts. All players and staff at the club have been paid this month. There was a slight delay in this month’s payroll as certain international transactions can be problematic. The club will try to ensure that there are no such delays in the future.

Former Chairman Peter Ridsdale has a short term consultancy agreement and is available to the club as and when required. The transfer of Michael Chopra was always subject to a series of staged payments and the club are looking at options to finalise payments with Sunderland.

The club apologises for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the pre-season tour to Malaysia. This was done due to problems with the logistics and the timings and was in no way a reflection of the facilities on offer in Malaysia. Two supporters who had already booked flights to Malaysia have contacted the club and have been invited to meet with the club. Other supporters who are in a similar position are welcome to contact the club but they say they are not in a position to offer any financial assistance.

The tone of the meeting was open and friendly and I would like to think that the Trust now has a genuine dialogue with the club’s officials. TG’s open letter to us helped clear the air. It is important now that we are not distracted and ensure stability and support for the club as we head towards another exciting season.

Tim Hartley
Chairman

STATEMENT FROM ‘TG’ RE: MEDIA SPECULATION

Dear Supporters Trust, Supporters Club and all Cardiff City supporters,

As you will be aware there has been much conjecture in recent days over various issues surrounding the Club.

I wanted to write this short note to reaffirm our commitment and support to the Club and take the opportunity to thank you for your continuing support.

I reiterate the point made in the press statement yesterday, namely, the Club re-affirms its primary aim is to get the organisation back on a sensible and balanced business footing and to work through the challenges of the various debts, cash flow issues and other basic business functions in order to get the Football Club competing at the highest levels both on and off the pitch.

I am sure you will agree this is a sensible and vital first aim.

With regards to the media speculation regarding Sam Hammam, again as stated yesterday the only contact we have had is through the Clubs solicitors and is in regards to addressing the Langston agreement. I would stress that the comments are unhelpful, misfounded, inaccurate and self serving.

As of yet no meeting has been set up and I have had no direct dialogue with Mr Hammam. If there is to be a meeting, I will be accompanied by the Club’s solicitor and it will be to discuss a final settlement and timing of the whole Langston issue.

As for the postponement of the Malaysia trip, the timings and logistics didn’t make it viable for the season and we look to reorganise for next year when dates etc can be confirmed well in advance. I stress the postponement was done with our full agreement.

As stated we remain committed to Cardiff City and hope that our actions over the coming months will prove this.

Thanks for your continued support.

Regards

Tg

TRUST’S CONCERN OVER CITY UNCERTAINTY

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust  today issued a statement following a series of media reports this week on Cardiff City Football Club.

Chairman Tim Hartley wrote to Malaysian investor Dato’ Chan Tien Ghee (TG) and club chief executive, Gethin Jenkins this afternoon asking them to clarify the position, including reports of a possible return of Sam Hammam.

The statement said: “Like all Cardiff City fans, the Supporters’ Trust Board has been concerned about the possible negative implications of the club’s cancelled pre-season tour of Malaysia and the rumoured late payment of players’ wages this week.

“Today’s local media reports concerning the possibility of Sam Hammam becoming more involved again at Cardiff City, and the club’s subsequent denial, have added to the air of speculation.

“The Trust’s sole aim is to see a well-managed and successful Cardiff City, irrespective of the personalities involved. As ever, we will address our concerns through the proper channels at the football club and report back to members what we are told.

“Aside from the Sam Hammam issue, we will try to find out the current status of the agreement with Langston as there now appears to be some doubt as to whether a reduction in the debt owed to them was ever finalised.

“One thing is certain, the fans of Cardiff City need a strong, independent voice at our football club and as a Trust we will continue to do our best to fulfil that function.”

The Trust has a membership of almost 1,000.

Trust Questions to Club

TimHartley (Chair) asked Gethin Jenkins today:

“I wonder if you could help answer a couple of questions which have come in.
 
– Has the pre-season tour of Malaysia been cancelled?  If so, can you let us know why?  Are there any other pre-season activities which we could help publicise for you?
– We have golden boot trophy we ordered to be presented to Peter Whittingham at the end of the season in recognition of his 20 goals in the league.  Could you find a suitable opportunity for us to present this to him please?

With regards the former query – a press release has now been issued:

Cardiff City FC confirm pre-season tour to Malaysia postponed to 2011

Cardiff City Football Club can confirm that the proposed pre-season tour of Malaysia, initially planned for July 2010, will now take place in 2011.

The decision comes following Cardiff City FC’s manager Dave Jones’ recent inspection trip to Kuala Lumpur, where a review of the timings and logistics of the proposed tour resulted in the decision to pursue alternative tour options for this year.   The club will now look at plans for a pre-season tour of Malaysia next year.

Dave Jones commented today, “After a great trip to Malaysia, we can see that the opportunities and benefits to the club would be much bigger if we have the tour next year. For the summer ahead we have decided to revert to our alternative plans, which will more than suffice for our needs.”

Details of the  2010 pre-season tour matches dates, times and venues will be revealed in due course via the official website.

Following positive meetings with the Football Association of Malaysia during the inspection visit, Cardiff City have extended an invitation to the Malaysia National Team to hold their training camp at Cardiff City in preparation for the 6th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to November 27, 2010.   Dates are yet to be confirmed.

With regards the Golden Boot – we are currently making arrangements for the presentation to Peter.

FRED KEENOR FUNDS TOPS £20,000 – AND MORE TO COME

The Fred Keenor Statue Fund has topped the £20,000 mark with a series of fundraising events planned during the remainder of 2010.

The committee has received a number of individual donations from fans for which we are very grateful.

We would also like to thank Eric Harmer, the landlord of the Duke of Clarence pub in Canton, Cardiff, who had his head shaved and donated £100 to the Fred Keenor appeal.

David Craig of the fundraising committee said: “We’re pleased at the donations from fans but we also hope other supporters will follow the lead of Eric and organise their own fundraising events.

“I would also thank Cardiff City Football Club for their fantastic backing for our campaign and, in particular, Wayne Nash, who has been enormously supportive.”

Among the other fundraisers planned are:

  • Production of eight-inch miniature Fred Keenor statues should start in the next week or so, once the design is approved. The statue artist Roger Andrews plans to make eight-10 a day with 300 initially planned.

  • Three-hundred specially produced pin-badges.

  • Cardiff City is giving £1 donation from every ticket bought for the pre-season friendly against Deportivo La Coruna – an 8,000 crowd is expected.

  • A bucket collection will take place before Christmas at a Saturday home game.

  • A memorabilia auction is planned – date to be finalised.

  • Cardiff City has agreed to host a fundraising dinner at the stadium.

  • Actor and TV presenter Jonathan Owen has offered to donate the proceeds from sales of a recording of I’ll Be There to the statue fund.