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Monday, September 01, 2014

Big Changes This Week Says Lonsdale


There will be big changes this week at Hereford United according to chairman Andy Lonsdale.

He gave a long interview to BBC Hereford and Worcester earlier this evening after the club was given a further seven days grace in the High Court this morning.

"I'm the chairman of the club and I'm just trying to keep everything together whilst work is going on in the background. My role will change this week," said Lonsdale who said he had been asked by Alpha (Financial Services) to continue as chairman.

"But it's not in place yet.

"There will be new directors appointed, I think they are being appointed this week."

Asked if that meant more investment:

"Yes it does."

At the start of the interview, Lonsdale was asked for his reaction to the adjournment of the case.

"It's what we were hoping for really.

"The investment is there.

"It's all a question of timing. You don't get together sums of money like we are looking for overnight.

"We've only really been given two weeks (since the CVA was rejected) to get everything ready.

"When you move in financial circles it can't be done overnight.

"We're doing everything we possibly can to make sure the club goes forward in a stronger position.

"Hereford football club for us haven't been a black and white transaction.

"We tried to smooth everything out by doing a CVA, we thought that would be the easiest way forward for everybody. That wasn't done.

"So now we've got to regroup, reassess and move forward in a different way."

Lonsdale was asked about the position of Tommy Agombar.

"Tommy is very close, not in a managerial way or an owner way or a director way.

"Don't forget he was the one that actually done the deal for Hereford to go forward.

"He's put an awful lot of money into the club. He's had to sell his debt and his shareholding for a lot less than he paid and we feel sorry for him.

"The club, at the minute, is owned by Alpha Financial services which is Alan McCarthy. He's the actual investor who owns the majority in it.

"Basically Alpha are working very closely with another group to secure the maximum funding that we need. I'm not privy to that information.

"All I've been told is that the money will be made available which I believe."

Given new directors and more investment Lonsdale was asked if the club could survive next Monday's hearing.

"Yes it does."

Finally Lonsdale was asked about the difficulties about two people from London running the club 'remotely'.

"It is very tough.

"All of us are very upbeat about it all, we're not going to walk away.

"And if we did walk away the club would be in a much better position than before we came."