In previous public statements I have declared my desire to achieve change at the highest level within Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc and have indicated a number of areas where significant improvement is required.

To assist this end I have acquired a substantial shareholding and undertaken extensive discussions both within the club and outside it to determine the most appropriate means of achieving such change.

I have spoken to:

  • The Chairman;
  • All board members;
  • Senior members of staff;
  • Junior members of staff;
  • Ex-members of staff;
  • Many people with historic connections with the club;
  • And many people new to the club.
  • I have also sought the views of supporters and monitored closely groundswell opinion.
  • On the playing side, I have inspected all available facilities and spoken to both the coaching staff and those working to maintain and manage those facilities.

This lengthy exercise has enabled me to clarify in my own mind the measures that need to be taken for the long term benefit of the club.

The issue of how such changes are to be achieved has also required careful consideration.

There are many options in this regard and my preference has always been to achieve change in a responsible manner and with minimum disruption to the club.

Hence, I have had many extensive conversations with the Chairman and members of the board to establish the best way forward.

Unfortunately, whilst there has been in principle agreement in respect to a number of matters, it has so far proved impossible to reach any final form of agreement.

It is important to stress that the board has been given every opportunity over recent weeks to address some of the fundamental deficiencies within the club, but have been unable to give any degree of comfort that these changes could be achieved through a process of continued negotiation.

In particular, I refer to the need for a clear separation between the roles of managing director and chairman, and the rejuvenation, in a structured and progressive manner, of the present board of directors.

The season has now finished, and if stability and continuity is to be ensured for the coming season, any significant changes need to be effected well before the return of the first team squad on June 27th.

To have any chance of achieving this, therefore, I am left with no viable alternative other than to requisition an Extraordinary General Meeting of the shareholders of Southampton Leisure Holdings Plc to assist in the implementation of the changes that are so desperately needed.

Unfortunately, there is no right' time for such an action and it is disappointing to say the least that the present board have not, as yet, actively sought to remove the necessity for it.

In this respect, I believe they have not, so far, considered adequately the long term interests of Southampton FC.

Consequently, the shareholders as a whole must now have their say.

It is intended that Ken Dulieu would be appointed as chairman of the company and Jim Hone as its chief executive with Lee Hoos as operations director.

The appointment of these outstanding and experienced individuals will, in my view, ensure:

  • The highest standards of corporate governance;
  • Minimise any disruption to player trading during the transfer window;
  • Ease the required transition between administrations;
  • And, consequently, will provide the best possible chance of a speedy return to the Premiership.

A statement outlining their proposals will be circulated to all shareholders in due course.

However, I can confirm that a fundamental element of the proposed strategy is the retention and full support of the present senior management structure of Southampton FC Ltd, and in particular, George Burley.

Further enhancements to the board will be considered following a successful EGM.

It is time for all shareholders everywhere to use their votes wisely and in a manner befitting the status and reputation of our great club.

Once concluded, there can be no further excuses for divisions within our fan base we must all move forward together, united in support of our team.

These next few weeks will hopefully provide the essential building blocks for our club's rehabilitation.

I am sure that most fans, shareholders and stakeholders are aware of the considerable amount of preparation that a comprehensive proposal of this kind requires and understand the many complexities involved.

I am therefore grateful to them all for their patience in this matter and I, Ken, Patrick, Jim and Lee now look forward to your support at this very historic moment for Southampton FC.

Kind regards to you all ...