Takeover Deal Done - BREAKING NEWS

Last updated : 23 December 2004 By Bigrich.....

After weeks of talks, supporters group RUST (Rotherham United Supporters Trust) have finally annouunced that the RUST led group have finally completed a deal to take Rotherham United over.

A press release from RUST reads:-

Group spokesman David Veal said: “The aim now is to try and avoid relegation and stay in the Championship. We have provided the club with a basis to move forward.”

And the club’s new board have flagged up the help they have received from retiring chairman Ken Booth, has assisted with financing until the end of the season.

The Millers 05 board is made up of a group of prominent ‘professional’ people who already have strong connections with RUST – the club’s supporters’ trust.

They are:

• David Veal – owner of the Hellaby-based Coffee Exchange and Chair of RUST
• Peter Ruchniewicz – Maltby-born partner in the London legal firm of Collins Benson Goldhill
• Trevor Smallwood – a former Millers director and ex-Managing Director of First Buses,who will have an advisory role as an associate director

Joining them are:

• John Harrison – a Chartered Accountant and finance director
• Chris Dobbs – a planning officer and RUST’s representative on the previous board.

Mr Veal said: “We must thank Mr Booth for the role he has played. Over the years he has provided tremendous support for the Millers and this has been in evidence again as we finalised the takeover.

“The takeover provides the club with much needed breathing space and hopefully some room for manoeuvre with the playing squad.

“The plan will only work with the total help and support of all Millers’ fans, In other words, it needs to be a community club owned by the fans, managed by the fans for the benefit of the fans and the community of Rotherham,” said Mr Veal.

President - but no control anymore

Retiring chairman Ken Booth (who will remain as life president) said: “I believe this is the right move for Rotherham United. The club will be in the capable hands of a group of experienced and professional people who undoubtedly have the best interest of the Millers at heart. My best wishes go out to them.”

The new board of directors intend to stage a series of briefings for the fans and the media regarding their way forward for the club early in the New Year.

I'm sure that all RUFC fans will see this as good news just in time for Christmas, however the hard work of addressing the weekly deficit of £25,000 will now start in earnest.