Dear Supporters,
Firstly, let me be clear: no individual—whether a manager, player, volunteer, or director—is bigger than the club. As a custodian of this football club, I take that responsibility seriously and want to address recent discussions with openness and respect.
Following Ian Ridley’s public statement, which he is fully entitled to make, I feel it’s appropriate to provide some context and clarity from the board’s perspective.
Ian initially approached me last October to discuss the possibility of rejoining the club in a formal capacity. Given his experience and long-standing connection to the club, I welcomed the conversation. We met with Simon Etherigton and Ryan Park, and Ian shared his views on a range of matters. While we didn’t agree on everything, I respected his passion and perspective. At that time, he proposed bringing Steve Claridge back as manager and funding his wages. However, the board felt it was not the right moment to make a managerial change.
In March, we reconvened for a more in-depth discussion with the full board about what a potential return for Ian might look like. No commitments were made at that stage.
Around the same time, we were approached—via a business broker—by a party expressing interest in acquiring a majority shareholding in the club. While no formal offer has been made, the nature of these discussions meant we had to consider the potential for significant structural change. Ian himself acknowledged that it would be prudent to wait for clarity on this front before making any board appointments, especially as any change in ownership would naturally involve a review of all board roles, including my own. Discussions and due diligence are still happening in the background but there is no rush by either party to reach a conclusion to a potential proposal being put forward for a majority share sell.
As a board, we’ve always been open to exploring all forms of investment—whether continuing as a community-owned club or transitioning to a single benefactor model. Any such change would need to be the right fit for the club’s long-term future.
It’s important to stress that the process of reviewing and restructuring the board began independently of any discussions with Ian. We had already identified the need to strengthen our leadership with new skills, fresh perspectives, and a clearer strategic direction. This is not a reaction to recent events, but part of a broader plan to ensure the club is better equipped for the future.
More recently, we re-engaged with Ian to explore how he might support the club. His experience and skill set are undeniable, and I continue to believe he has much to offer. However, after careful consideration, the board concluded that a return at this time would create operational challenges and potentially disrupt key areas of the club which right now we are not equipped to address.
It should also be noted that while Ian’s appointment would have brought much-needed investment, we also stood to lose significant existing financial support. While this was not the sole factor in our decision-making, it was an important consideration that we could not ignore at this time.
This decision was not a reflection of Ian’s abilities or intentions, but rather a matter of timing and stability. We are committed to progress—but not at the expense of creating new problems we are not currently resourced or prepared to manage right now. Stability must come first, especially at this critical stage of pre-season planning. We must build on solid foundations, not risk undermining the progress we are trying to make.
This situation has highlighted areas where we must improve, and we are committed to doing so. Change is underway, and while it may not be immediate or universally agreed upon, it is being approached with care and purpose. Ryan’s recent appointment is a great example of the kind of forward-thinking, energetic leadership we’re looking to bring in and I know he is also wanting to drive change.
As for Ian, he remains welcome at the club, and I will continue to stay in contact with him. Who knows what the future holds—but for now, the board has made a decision based on what we believe is in the best interest of the club at this moment in time.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We’ll keep you updated as we move through the summer and into the new season.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Maitland
