Clubs targeted for fan takeover

Two West Midlands football clubs are being targeted for a takeover by fans which would see the teams run by a consortium of supporters.

Both Kidderminster Harriers and Stafford Rangers have been included in a shortlist of 10 clubs fans would like to buy through the www.thepeoplesclub.com website.

The site has been set up by Simon Lassam and Carl Christensen, both from Oxfordshire, with the aim of persuading 40,000 fans to shell out £39 each to raise £1 million needed to take over a football club.

It is not unique as only two weeks ago Ebbsfleet United, in Kent, was taken over by rival fans website www.myfootballclub.

But bosses from both Harriers and Rangers have declared the scheme a no-goer saying the £1 million which the site hopes to raise would not meet the costs of running a club.

However, the website organisers say they are undeterred.

Mr Lassam said: "In seven weeks, we have already had 600 people sign up, and are on schedule to raise £1 million before the end of this season.

"£1 million might only buy you a box at Stamford Bridge for a season, but it goes a long way in the lower leagues.

"We are both football fans and believe ownership belongs in the hands of true supporters. Being part of a fans consortium is not fantasy football – it is reality football."

"Our members will not only own the club, they will be fully involved and have an equal say in making decisions both on and off the pitch.

"Members would have the ability to vote on important matters such as buying new players, investment in the ground or developing the youth team.

"At a time when football is increasingly driven by commercialism, this is a chance for the fans to take control."

He said they hoped to find a club with long-term potential to reach the Premiership and one with little or no debt and which enjoyed a sizable catchment area.

But Barry Norgrove, chairman of the business consortium which owns the Harriers, said: "I have put £1.5 million into the club during the past three years and am still putting money in.

"I have £1.4 million worth of shares and we are not interested in anything like this.

"They tried it at York and it didn't work and I can't see it working elsewhere. Running a club is a difficult job and even with £1 million it will go nowhere. The money wouldn't even cover the expenses."