LEYTON ORIENT fans should swap the stands for the boardroom in a swoop for Barry Hearn’s shares to create an Oriental republic.
That’s what a senior figure at Brentford FC recommends, as a group of Orient fans mull over whether to launch a takeover bid for their beloved club.
Mark Chapman sits on the board of Bees Utd.
It is a group of fans and benefactors called a Fans Trust which owns a majority share of the League Two club.
Bees Utd sets the agenda at Griffin Park and the system looks like it could reap rewards soon.
After a tough spell, Brentford look set for promotion into League One this season.
Mr Chapman said that real fan power could be just what Orient needs.
“I would absolutely recommend it. You are in control of your club” he said. “If Orient fans want their destiny in their own hands, that’s the way to go.”
Leyton Orient Fans Trust (LOFT) is considering just how viable a takeover bid is, according to secretary Jonathan Kaye.
He explained the reasons for the move which would put the club’s fans at the heart of the club.
“We are very wary of the ground sale [to Hearn’s firm, Matchroom Sport.] Trusts are always concerned if ownership of the ground moves from a club to its owner. Separating a club from ownership or a long term lease of its ground has proved to have very bad consequences at other clubs” he said.
Hearn’s firm, Matchroom Sport (MS) recently purchased Orient’s ground for £6m. It cleared the club’s debt and put £2.6m in its coffers.
But it means the club will start to pay £180,00 annual rent to MS once a five year rent freeze expires.
Mr Kaye said: “We're very concerned that in only five years the club could need to find £180,000 just to carry on playing football at Brisbane Road.
“Before, the club had certainty of lease for 999 years, at £1 a year. What this deal seems to have done is given Orient some short term breathing space, but with the long term prospect of having to pay commercial rent. It’s a huge issue. ”
A new owner will have to cover the club’s annual losses too. £143,330 last year.
Bees director Mr Chapman warned that a fans bid must be backed up by the brains to deal with a pile of money issues.
“Football is like any other business. The person who says it isn’t is a fool. If LOFT take over they have to make to make hard decisions about whether they want to break even. If they do it means either having a smaller squad or paying lower wages.
“Football in the lower leagues is unsustainable because of player wages. As it is, if you run at break even, you will probably drop down a division.”
The Bees rely on donations and benefactors to run Brentford FC. LOFT must decide whether enough people care about their club to pay for it.
It is tough, says Mr Chapman, but well worth it.
“It’s been a long slog and we are now reaping the rewards” he said “If it works for Barcelona and Real Madrid, why not here too?”
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