Scottish 1st/2nd/3rd division - 3rd December

[milners]

Hello

Bought the P&J and here is the typed article in full (watch out for spelling errors!!!) - should be online by 11:am, but its interesting about Elgin getting rid of their debts:

Its an Elgin City Black-out by Andrew Dickson

Kenny Black's bid to take control of Elgin City was last night hijacked as the club's shirt sponsor becomes the major share-hold instead.

At a dramatic extraordinary general meeting at Borough Briggs, it was revealed the Robertson Group has bought previously not purchased shares at a cost of £259,668.

Black and his wife, Cindi, hoped the meeting would ensure they obtained 57% of the 234,170 share which they know about to enable them to seize power.

They was unaware, however that there are 1 million shares in the club, meaning more than three-quarters of them were still available to buy.

The Robertson Group submitted a bid for 286,208 shares on Wednesday to the clubs board, comprised of John Meichan, Norman Gree, Ronnie Thomson and former Lossiemouth manager Graham Tatters, who became a director this week without a public announcement.

Tatters also chaired last night's meeting and he is now claiming responsibility as the clubs chairman.

The Robertson Group's offer which involved an upfront cash payment, was accepted yesterday and the money was lodged with the clubs banks before the close of business at 5pm.

This meant Black's bid, which had looked likely to go through before the meeting, was rendered irrelevant by the time it began, as there was enough opposition to deny him the number of waivers he needed.

Robertson's investment - made up mainly of money from the company and partly from its owner, Billy Robertson - means the club has its debts, believed to be almost £200,000, cleared and now has £100,000 in the bank.

Robertson has also declared, however, that it was to reduce its investment at the club's next annual meeting when it wishes to take its shareholding down to 24%. It currently stands at 55%.

Meichan, who had been acting at Elgin's chairman before Tatters's arrival, confirmed Roberston is the new majority shareholder. He also insisted that the bid had not been accepted to deny the Blacks control of the Third Division club.

He said: "We are happy to report that an offer was accepted by the directors today to purchase 286,208 shares in Elgin City.

"These were acquired by the Robertson Group Ltd at a cost of £259,668 and the money was lodged in the bank this afternoon. This enables members to retain their shareholding, retain the ground and move forward with no debt. How many clubs can say that?

"Our duty, as directors, is to do what we believe is in the best interests of the club and its members. We, as a board, decided the best option was to go for an offer of cash in the bank now rather than wait.

"The club was given an opportunity to remove its debt in one fell swoop today and this has not been done to deny Kenny Black control of Elgin City."

The clubs former secretary John Milton, who resigned along with four other directors in October, disagrees with Meichan. He expressed his disgust.

He said: The Roberston Group's investment ensured it had more than enough shares to block any support for Kenny and Cindi Black's offer.

"Nothing illegal has happened but I find the whole situation to be morally bankrupt. I have supported Kenny from the outset and the whole thing is disgraceful."

Black who did not attend last night's meeting, will now leave his post as the club's assistant manager and head of youth development.

Black admitted he would had done the some thing as the Roberson Group if he had known it was a viable option.

He said "I was not aware the shares were available, otherwise I would have done theat myself several weeks ago. We had been led to believe the shares had been frozen during this process but it appears that was not the case.

"Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. If this is how certain individuals work, perhaps I am better off away from it all.

"I am sad for (manager) David Roberson and the Skillseekers, as what we have been trying to build up over the last few months has all been for nothing.

"I have never seen business conducted in such a manner but this is life. Things like this makes people stronger and I hope I can learn from this experience."

[milners]

One more article about Robertson:

Manager Robbo faces City Sack

Elgin City manager David Robertson faces the sack before his team's third Division match against Arbroath tomorrow, the Press and Journal can reveal.

The former Aberdeen and Rangers player, an avid supporter of Kenny Black's failed bid to take over the Moray club, has been in charge at Borough Briggs since March 2003.

At the club's extraordinary general meeting last night, how-ever, shareholders were told a new management team would be in place by the time City face the Red Lichties.

Former Lossiemouth manager Graham Tatters, who has been named as Elgin's new chairman after joining the board this week, would not confirm plans to relieve Robertson of this duties.

Tatters said "We have not discussed anything at all regarding the manager and nothing has been said about anyone's position. All we where concerned about tonight was getting the main issue in hand delt with. No other business was discussed expect the seven resolutions which were on the agenda."

Boss Robertson was more forthcoming and he admitted being confused as he attempts to prepare for a game he might not even be at.

He said "I do not have a clue about my position and, until such time as I am told otherwise, I will remain in charge of Elgin City. I am devastated that Kenny's bid has not gone through as he is a close friend of mine and it was me who brought him to the club in the first place.

"I feel responsible for what's has happened to him and I have a horrible feeling in my stomach about what is going to happen next.

"I was not at the meeting, but several people who were have said that John Meichan, one of the directors, announced that a new management team will be in place by Saturday.

"Nothing to that effect has been said to me and I will carry on as normal until someone contacts me"

[kompressaur]

thanks for that Milners. Im just of for a wee snooze mate (try to) but i'll try to take it all in more fulley then as im crap with business talk etc. Bottom line is it wont be helping Elgin's cause. I dunno how this is gonna affect the Elgin team but i'll have a think about it as i snooze. Im on Arbroath pretty heavy no matter what impact it could have truth be told.

Your typing was perfect Milners. Mines aint these days as im lying on the sofa and having to lie on an arm as i type

[milners]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

thanks for that Milners. Im just of for a wee snooze mate (try to) but i'll try to take it all in more fulley then as im crap with business talk etc. Bottom line is it wont be helping Elgin's cause. I dunno how this is gonna affect the Elgin team but i'll have a think about it as i snooze. Im on Arbroath pretty heavy no matter what impact it could have truth be told.

Your typing was perfect Milners. Mines aint these days as im lying on the sofa and having to lie on an arm as i type

Was thinking of going max on Arbroath which i've on went once on this season, but now after that news i think i'm going medium on it. Did take bet on stan james evens price though.

Nearly £7,000 matched on Arbroath on betfair

[Mr Chips]

Whats the best coupon prices for the Smokies anyone? are Lads going 6/5?

[kompressaur]

i posted your early news Milners on Pie and Bovril Forum
http://www.pieandbovril.co.uk/forum/...hp?t28278.html

and they seem to agree with you that things looks bleak for Elgin.

Manager and Assistant will have resigned
Skillerseekers program will probably be scrapped
Only 3 directors left
No commercial manager
No coaching staff for Under-19/17/15/13's and probably will be scrapped.

at the end of October the wages were paid 8 days late and the players were worried about not being paid this month as the take over matter was undecided.

I'm glad you pee'd the bed this morning Milners

[kompressaur]

i'll be up town later Mr C. The best they were going was evens from what i saw. If you saw 6/5 early door for them then could be. Im for the ht/ft too. Bah this take over talk etc has added an extra dimension to it all. I just wanted Arbroath to go there just like any other saturday. They'll prob let all the school kids in for free or something too

[Mr Chips]

Evens on betfair, I'll take that I think

[edinlichtie]

Hullo folks, first post here, although i've been listening intently for a number of weeks and bagging myself a few quid on you guys NBA/NFL tips!

I'm an Arbroath fan, and have been to near enough all the games this season. Since the new manager came in, the team has had renewed confidence, and are starting to play a hell of a lot better (as the results show!)

4 most recent games
- beat local rivals montrose 2-1 after being 1-0 down with 15 mins to play
- anhialated berwick 4-0, ending their 14 game unbeaten run
- beat a strong St Johnstone side 2-1 in the forfarshire cup
- demolished east stirling 7-2

One negative, these 4 games were all at home, and our away form hasn't been all that great this season. BUT, we are playing Elgin, possibly the worst team in the league, and they are in all sorts of bother just now. (manager/assistant resigned, players threatening to strike etc etc)

All in all, as a thanks for all your tips, i will repay you by saying stake your house on arbroath winning on saturday! I've already pumped my entire betfair balance on us at EVENS

[Mr Chips]

I am with you on this one mate, maybe not my house, but the value of my shed and contents! Welcome.....

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by edinlichtie

Hullo folks, first post here, although i've been listening intently for a number of weeks and bagging myself a few quid on you guys NBA/NFL tips!

I'm an Arbroath fan, and have been to near enough all the games this season. Since the new manager came in, the team has had renewed confidence, and are starting to play a hell of a lot better (as the results show!)

4 most recent games
- beat local rivals montrose 2-1 after being 1-0 down with 15 mins to play
- anhialated berwick 4-0, ending their 14 game unbeaten run
- beat a strong St Johnstone side 2-1 in the forfarshire cup
- demolished east stirling 7-2

One negative, these 4 games were all at home, and our away form hasn't been all that great this season. BUT, we are playing Elgin, possibly the worst team in the league, and they are in all sorts of bother just now. (manager/assistant resigned, players threatening to strike etc etc)

All in all, as a thanks for all your tips, i will repay you by saying stake your house on arbroath winning on saturday! I've already pumped my entire betfair balance on us at EVENS

Welcome to TDP mate Nice to read your thoughts too - quite a few big gambles on Arbroath this weekend it seems.

[edinlichtie]

Originally Posted by Beanie

Welcome to TDP mate Nice to read your thoughts too - quite a few big gambles on Arbroath this weekend it seems.

quite a few big bets, yeah!

and truthfully, never been so confident in a result in a long long time!

i'll be at the match, and if the team play with the confidence and skill they have over the previous month, an away win is a definate

[MickeyPaul]

Welcome, edinlichtie. I wasn't sure you sounded all that confident till the last couple of lines of your 1st post. Now that's confidence. Good luck to Arbroath.

[Beanie]

Got matched at 2.08 on Betfair on Arbroath. Not too shabby a price really considering all Elgin's turmoil

[Frodo]

Black & Robertson resign

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/4492430.stm