New Yeovil Town interim chairman Stuart Robins has said finding new investment for the club is his “highest priority” having taken over the reins of the club.
The club director has stepped in following the decision of owner Martin Hellier to step down as chairman.
On Wednesday, Robins told BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah that the Hellier Group would continue to support the club financially until a buyer was found and said he had been “given assurances that will continue.”
The interview in full is as follows:
JK: Stuart, how do you feel about having the title of interim chairman of Yeovil Town Football Club?
SR: I feel totally privileged, it is an incredible honour to have that title at the football club I have supported since I was a little lad, so it is an incredible honour.
JK: It has not been the easiest time to be involved in the club in recent weeks, what has it been like to be involved in those discussions?
SR: It has been challenging and we have seen how the supporters have reacted to recent incidents. I think Martin (Hellier) has made the right decision for himself, for his family and for the football club. I totally support his decision. When he phoned me, I thought it was my duty to step up and do what I can for the club for now and hopefully in the future.
JK: When I have spoken with fans, some of them thought what had gone on had been detrimental to the reputation of the club, would you agree it had got to that level?
SR: It had got very difficult, but we are in a position now where we can move forward and hopefully get Huish Park packed again and hopefully supporters enjoying good days out here.
JK: The club’s recently-published financial accounts detailed nearly £3m of debt, should fans be worried about that and where does the club sit in terms of its financial well-being?
SR: I do not think we are a lot different from a lot of clubs at this level and above. It is not great reading, but my major task is to bring in new investment which will hopefully bring bigger and even better times to Yeovil Town. We are being supported by the Hellier Group and I have been given assurances that will continue.
JK: So Martin Hellier has confirmed to you he will invest in the club until a new owner can be found?
SR: Yes, the Hellier Group will continue to support the club and I am working closely with officials and they are incredibly supportive.
JK: But financial support from external sources is key for the coming months?
SR: It is critical we get new investment in, absolutely critical.
JK: One thing which has made headlines is the banning orders issued to supporters, will they be looked at, are any being rescinded?
SR: I have been in post as interim chairman for a day and there was lots to do yesterday, especially to make sure the staff understood we are in a good position and the Hellier Group are going to continue to support the football club. The issue of bans is right at the top of the agenda and we will be addressing that very soon.
JK: Do you think any bans will be rescinded before the end of the season?
SR: I think there will be some announcements made quite soon.
JK: Do you have any timeline as to when interested parties in the club could be in the club?
SR: I have been in this business long enough not to give any commitment on that, but what I can assure everyone is that it is my highest priority and I am working diligently to get this done as soon as I can.
JK: Are you confident Yeovil Town will be stronger going forward from this point?
SR: We will come out of this stronger and financially more viable.
JK: Where do you think Yeovil Town should be sitting in the football pyramid?
SR: I have always thought since we got in to the League that we should be a League club and my vision is that we would be at least at least a League One club with hopefully the odd visit to the Championship. We have done it before, I know it is a different era, but I do not see any reason why we could not do it again.
JK: Do you feel like there is still work to be done to rebuild the relationship with a section of supporters who think the last few weeks have damaged the club’s reputation?
SR: There always is (fans who feel that). I have been through it myself as a supporter and I want everyone to be really proud to be part of the club that I and everybody loves.
Not bad at all. Well spoken.
To get where we was 10 years ago was an absolute pleasure for Garry Johnson to have done a grand job, but unfortunately we didn’t have the right players, so for us to go further afield we need the right players, so I hope we can make this happen.
With the right manager of course and the right owner👍
The anticipated rhetoric, without any substance. Time will tell, but take off the rose tinted spec’s, and ask yourself, who is going to invest in a business that loses so much money when it’s just enjoyed a league championship winning season with average home crowds of 3,916. The place is toxic and requires root and branch changes.