Despite confirming to both HUST and BBC Hereford and Worcester that he would attend tonight's Members Meeting, Andy Lonsdale has withdrawn from attending calling the meeting a "Kangaroo Court".
This from HUST:
Unfortunately Andy Lonsdale has chosen to withdraw from tonight’s meeting, but the meeting will still go ahead at the clubhouse of Pegasus Juniors, beginning at 7.30pm.
The following is the email chain since Monday’s Court adjournment:
Mr Watson
Firstly, thank you for the invitation to address your members only regarding the financial issues at the club, However you forget the following
You state you are concerned regarding the financial stability of the club, aren’t all supporters
There is no obligation for me to solely address your members regarding the club affairs.
I have had numerous emails comments on social media and letters to both my home and business trying to intimidate me and victimise my family and members of staff. This is outrageous
I might also add the social media attacks have also been made against Alan McCArthy and indeed within minutes the proposed investment from Newell Properties was withdrawn once the deal had been discussed in open court.
Would you tell me why all this is happening I don’t believe its because you want your club back, You had the opportunity in May but decided against it, yes mistakes have been made but we have cleared a lot of debt from the club with our own money and not looked for advertising or sponsorship, We tried to re schedule the debt through a CVA which was rejected, seen people put in spurious claims for money that was loans and transferred to equity only to deny this and say they want their money back when we have signed documents requesting the transaction of loans to equity.
I personally do not believe this is about the club, you talk about a phoenix club and your plans do not include paying any of the creditors.
Maybe you should have channelled your efforts into negotiating with the club to find an amicable way for the changeover instead of boycotting ?
Surely this is about the football, we are where we are and this cannot be changed all we can do is progress through the leagues as quickly as possible
Finally I will not be attending your meeting or kangaroo court to discuss the finances of the club. If you wish to discuss the future of football at Hereford United this can be discussed at the Starlite Rooms at a date to be arranged
Regards
Andy Lonsdale
On 17 December 2014 at 15:20, HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk> wrote:
Dear Mr Lonsdale,Enclosed is the Meeting Agenda for tomorrow night.Yours SincerelyMartin WatsonVice Chairman.
From: HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk>
To: Andy Lonsdale <andy@herefordunited.co.uk>
Sent: Tuesday, 16 December 2014, 20:15
Subject: Re: HUST Meeting ThursdayDear Mr Lonsdale,For the last few years, financial issues have blighted the club and hampered the football side leading it to drop three divisions in a very short space of time. It is fundamental to any on-field success that the club is financially balanced off it. Without the money, there is no football. We are all acutely aware of that.For that reason we are seeking a clear explanation of the future of the club in financial terms so that we can believe that the club has a sustainable future that will not require the supporters to embark on such dramatic fundraising frenzies as have been seen in recent seasons. Supporters are happy to raise funds to help the club, as they have done for its entire history, however some of the actions that the supporters have had to undertake in recent seasons have been above and beyond the call of duty.A lot of our members have questioned your motives, and your intentions for the club – as you have repeatedly acknowledged. We are, in effect, asking you to allay these fears – for you to demonstrate that you are a safe pair of hands for the club to be placed in so that it can exist for future generations of our families.I am sure you will be glad to be able to demonstrate this to our members, and then steer the club – united – to a bright future all round.Yours SincerelyMartin WatsonVice Chairman.
From: Andy Lonsdale <andy@herefordunited.co.uk>
To: HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk>
Sent: Tuesday, 16 December 2014, 15:19
Subject: Re: HUST Meeting ThursdayMartin,I thought the meeting was regarding the way forward for the club.that means both on the pitch and offI don’t understand why you want to discuss the financial issues as long as the bills are paid according to you that ends the boycottOn 16 December 2014 at 12:32, HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk> wrote:Dear Mr Lonsdale,I have put your request to the Board and they are in agreement that the financial issues are at the heart of discussions regarding the current boycott. We are unable to follow the logic of having four people from the football side of the club discuss these financial issues. We will happily extend the invite to a fellow Director, or the club accountant or other qualified professional, to assist you in detailing the way you will be meeting the terms of the boycott and therefore ending it by default.Discussion of footballing matters would follow the ending of the boycott – possibly as early as Saturday night in the Starlite Rooms following the Hitchin match presuming funds are cleared in time to see the end of the boycott.Yours SincerelyMartin WatsonVice Chairman.
From: Andy Lonsdale <andy@herefordunited.co.uk>
To: HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, 15 December 2014, 16:58
Subject: Re: HUST Meeting ThursdayMartinSimon Pullen – Football Co-ordinator / DevelopmentAiden Whelan – Football AdministratorRegardsAndy LonsdaleOn 15 December 2014 at 16:22, HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk> wrote:Dear Mr Lonsdale,Whilst we are aware that Mr Taylor and Mr Phelps are the first team Manager and Assistant Manager, could you please clarify the roles of Mr Pullen and Mr Whelan?Yours SincerelyMartin WatsonVice Chairman.
From: Andy Lonsdale <andy@herefordunited.co.uk>
To: HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, 15 December 2014, 15:57
Subject: Re: HUST Meeting ThursdayMartin,The people I am going to bring to the meeting are pivotal to the future of the club, which I believe is what you and other members wish to discuss.With regards to membership this is personal choice.RegardsAndy LonsdaleOn 15 December 2014 at 15:45, HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk> wrote:Dear Mr Lonsdale,Thank you for the reply.In terms of the people you wish to bring, they would require to be members to attend the Members Meeting. You would not be required to become a member, as an invited guest, but I would suggest it would be good publicity for you if you were to join.Yours SincerelyMartin WatsonVice Chairman.
From: Andy Lonsdale <andy@herefordunited.co.uk>
To: HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, 15 December 2014, 13:47
Subject: Re: HUST Meeting ThursdayThank YouI shall be bringing the following people with meMr John TaylorMr Neil PhelpsMr Simon PullenMr Aiden Whelan.Please advise weather you require us to become members prior to the meetingRegardsAndy LonsdaleOn 15 December 2014 at 12:13, HUST Liaison <liaison@hufctrust.co.uk>wrote:Dear Mr Lonsdale,I am pleased to confirm that Thursday’s Members Meeting will be still going ahead as planned, and we are expecting your attendance as agreed.I will forward the meeting agenda as soon as it is available.Yours SincerelyMartin WatsonVice Chairman.