Consortium Unveiled
Friday, 25th Jan 2002 00:00

Swansea's New Owners Face The Press

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The other members in attendance were North Bank Season Ticket Holder David Morgan, Chairman of the Supporter's Trust, Leigh Dineen as well as former financial director of Swansea, Martin Burgess.

Steve Penny read a statement which confirmed the news that the Mel Nurse consortium had bought the shareholding of Tony Petty late last night in Cardiff and that both Petty and Shuttleworth had resigned their positions at the club and were consigned to the history books of Swansea City. There was no announcement made of how much Petty had been paid for his shareholding only that it was 'considerably less' than the offer he had received from Mel Griffin, which we know to be £50,000.

The new consortium then faced the questions which ranged from the amount available for team strengthening, through whether anyone would be likely to leave to what role Mike Lewis may or may not hold at the club under the new regime.

The consortium stated that they have not had a chance to look through the books as yet and were not able to answer some of the questions on this basis. Reference was made to the debts to the Inland Revenue and the VAT and also the fact that one of the largest creditors would be in charge of tomorrow's opposition in John Hollins. Hollins did take some of the blame for the contracts that had been handed out to players under old regimes and this I feel is a very fair point.

Mike Lewis was referred to as someone who had resigned from the club last October and despite being pressed on whether he still had a role at the club, this was the only answer given. In fairness, you can read between the lines on this statement and take the answer as a firm no without that word ever being mentioned.

Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas were given praise by Martin Burgess and the press were told that their jobs were safe as a result of the work they have already done.

Mel Nurse stated that his feelings for the football club were clear in the fact that he had already spent £250,000 to getting where they were today which included the associated costs in buying the debt from Ninth Floor as well as the club shop and the car park.

The club at present only has one director in David Morgan but further appointments can be expected within the next week or so once the consortium have had further chances to meet following last night's purchase. We were told that there will be a representative of the Supporter's Trust on the board and this is something that has been secured at all times in the future of the football club - a move that should be welcomed by the fans.

Further plans for the future of the football club will be revealed in the days and weeks to come once the members of the consortium have a real chance to look at the way that the club is being run.

Mel Nurse almost referred to Neil McClure as being 'passed away' when questions were asked about previous regimes which bought a smile from the media gathered in the room.

Steve Penny led the members of the consortium away at the end of the meeting, no doubt to discuss how the club is going to move forward from here. All members of the consortium were unanimous in their statement that they could only be custodians of the club if someone with local interest came along to buy it off them but stressed that they were there for as long as they would be needed and if that took many years then they would be.

The club is not out of danger we were told but now it has a chance of survival and they were clear in the message that the fans now need to get behind them and support the team and get back through the turnstiles. Only then will we have a better chance of survival.

One final point to note, the clubs 'saviour' in Paul Abbandanato and the Wales on Sunday was nowhere to be seen within the room - must be resting in Cardiff safe in the knowledge that he saved the club and led us to where we are today.

New Swansea director David Morgan will be guesting on Swansea Sound's Swansea Till I Die programme tonight at 6pm along with yours truly as the fans ring in with their questions.

Conference Pictures / Statement In Full / Nurse Takes Charge / Roger Talks Of Joy At Takeover