Kilmarnock FC Supporters Group make offer to purchase their club

Date: 11th February 2014

The Killie (Community) Working Party, established with support from Supporters Direct Scotland, has announced its intention to make an offer to purchase Kilmarnock FC’s Chairman’s entire shareholding.

Gary Torbett, on behalf of The Killie (Community) Working Party, said: “We would like to acknowledge the work being undertaken by the Chairman of Kilmarnock Football Club to make the club debt free and would positively encourage him to make every effort to come to an agreement with the club bankers and other significant lenders to reduce the debt to zero. The Killie (Community) Working Party would like to make an offer to purchase the Chairman’s entire shareholding if this can be achieved.

“This offer would be contingent on a fair valuation of the company and the completion of a satisfactory due diligence process. This purchase would be undertaken by a new Community Interest Company (CIC) with a democratically elected board.”

Paul Goodwin, Head of Supporters Direct Scotland said, “I met with Michael Johnston, on behalf of The Killie (Community) Working Party, on Friday [7th February] and conveyed the outline of the supporters’ offer. I reiterated SDS’ willingness to assist in progressing this offer to a satisfactory conclusion for both parties.”

Gary Torbett added: “We see this move as a genuine step forward as we prepare to get our club back. Unfortunately there remains concern amongst supporters with the long term position of the club and we firmly believe that fan and community ownership is where that lies rather than relying on a single majority shareholder who won’t be around for ever. The only constants at any club are the fans and the community it is based in.

“We will shortly launch our formal efforts to raise the money to take the club into community ownership and we hope that the business community – both private and public – as well as community groups and supporters will get behind us.”

Kilmarnock fans have a history of successful fundraising and community involvement. Over £100,000 has been directly raised for the Club’s youth development programme and a number of initiatives driven by The Killie Trust have seen financial awards to a many community based projects in recent years.

The Killie (Community) Working Party is made up, in no particular order, of:

– The Killie Trust

– The Kilmarnock FC Supporters Association

– Minority shareholders in Kilmarnock FC

– The Business Club

– Young Kilmarnock

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