Rebels reject City trade-off

6:05pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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THE rebel group intent on taking control of Worcester City Football Club have rejected the chance to compromise with the current board.

Paul Curtis, a member of the Shareholders Action Group, met with City chairman Dave Boddy and the club’s financial controller Keith Stokes-Smith in a bid to reach an agreement between the two parties.

The Action Group allege that Boddy offered to step down as chairman.

Current directors Tony Partridge, Laurie Brown, John Prescott and Dr Michael Sorensen would also stand down and Stokes-Smith, a director at St George’s Lane in 2002, would take over as chairman.

The proposal also stipulated that Boddy would remain as a director along with Celia Adams, Simon Williams and a yet unnamed appointment.

There would be no place on any new board for members of the rebel group or from any fans’ groups such as the Worcester City Supporters’ Trust.

However, the offer was turned down and the rebels now intend to press ahead with plans to submit a third demand for an extraordinary general meeting, possibly by the end of the week.

Two separate bids have already been rebuffed as not having the required 10 per cent backing of shareholders.

Derek Jones, a member of the rebel group, said: “We didn’t consider the offer to be any form of compromise as there was no place for us or representatives of the supporters’ trust or supporters’ club. It wasn’t a compromise.”

City chairman Boddy said: “I can confirm that a meeting took place with Paul Curtis and Keith Stokes-Smith.

“There have been various meetings in recent weeks between club directors and the group of shareholders, all of which have been instigated by the football club, in an attempt to try and bring a compromised solution in the best interests of Worcester City Football Club.

“I am disappointed that, once again, the group should choose to do their business in public, which is not benefitting the football club.

“We as a board of directors have been trying to reach a compromise for the benefit of the club, but it appears that individuals in their group are more interested in personal positions than the best interests of the football club.

“While we are still prepared to talk to the group about a possible solution, we will continue in our efforts to strengthen the current board and are hopeful of making a further appointment in the near future.”

The existing board has been reduced to seven following the retirement of Brian Lancaster as a director.