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Portway Update

Portway Update

Richard Smith7 Jul 2015 - 07:00
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Statement from Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club’s Chairman Chris Loughran

At a meeting convened last night (Monday 6th July) by the Trustees of the Debenture Holders (“MEETING OF THE HOLDERS OF SECURED LOAN NOTES 2008 IN RESPECT OF THE BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED In Liquidation”) a number of proposals relating to the future of the Portway site were voted upon.

As a result of that meeting, I am delighted to report that the Debenture Holders have voted to allow the sale of the land on which Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club currently occupies at Portway.

This means that plans can now be set in motion to purchase the land and to place it in beneficial ownership, thereby facilitating the long term development of rugby at Portway.

Supporters of the Bees will no doubt be aware that since 2009 the management team at the club has been working hard behind the scenes to secure the beneficial ownership of the Portway site, without any encumbrances outstanding from the old failed organisation. Last night’s vote therefore represents a very significant milestone in, what has at times been, a long and tortuous journey.

When various legal formalities are concluded, in simple terms we will finally be able to call Portway “our home”. Equally importantly, we will also be able to start planning with an appropriate degree of certainty the future development of the site for the benefit of our rugby club.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Trustees of the Debenture Holders Clive Henderson and John James for the work that they have put in to help secure this outcome, as well as the club’s Legal Director Terry Dickson and his colleagues at Emms, Gilmore, Liberson.

The management team at the club will naturally keep you informed of future developments relating to Portway but I felt it was important to share this very positive “off the field” news with you.

On the subject of “on the field” news, I am also pleased to report that our new Head of Rugby, Ian Matthews, started work on 1st June and is busy shaping his squad for next year. The vast majority of players from last season have already signed new contracts as we look to achieve immediate promotion back to NL2N, following our relegation to National League 3 Midlands at the end of last season.

I have committed to underwriting the club’s current cost structure to achieve this objective and we will be looking to our supporters and commercial partners to be equally supportive in this regard.

Ian will be communicating squad developments and other pre-season news over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out on the website for all the latest news. There is also a Supporters' evening at Portway on Thursday 16th July (start time 8pm) where there will be an opportunity to meet Ian and hear his plans.

Our 2015/16 season fixtures are already published (again on the website) so get match dates - home and away- in your diary!

Enjoy the summer and I look forward to catching up with you all as the new season begins.

COYBS! Chris Loughran

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