Rolls writes-off loans and reveals
Terras will go full-time
By Adam Summers
Tuesday 10th January 2012
GEORGE Rolls has sensationally written off loans in the region
of £75,000 in Weymouth FC and announced the club plans
to go full-time next season.
The revelations came at last night’s general meeting
at the Bob Lucas Stadium where the Cambridge-based businessman
also told fans he will be returning to the role of club chairman
as soon as all the relevant paperwork has been completed.
Rolls, whose wife Amanda owns the majority shareholding in
the club, said: “After speaking to my wife we have agreed
to write off the loans we put into the club both in 2009-10
and 2010-11, which total around £75,000.
“We believe if people can do good things for the club
like Paul Cocks, Shaun Hennessy, Simon Ethering-ton and the
Wessex Fantasy Foot-ball, who are currently helping donate
a combined total of £2,000 a month towards the playing
budget, then we feel it is only right we do the same.
“So, as of now, the club does not owe me any money except
for the bit that I have put in this season due to cash-flow
issues but that is negligible.
“Also, as we stand today, we are going to have a full-time
football team as of next season.
“At present our budget due to expenses is more than
if we were full-time anyway.
“We have done the figures and it is something first-team
manager Brendon King wants to do. We also believe it will
give us more of a chance of getting up the league.”
On the subject of returning to the role of chairman, Rolls
added: “I will be taking on that responsibility again
very shortly as soon as all the paperwork is completed and
although my wife will be stepping aside she will remain on
the board.
“After two-and-a-half years of hard work this place
is really starting to feel like a second home now and having
spoken to my wife just this morning we anticipate being here
a long time.
“Since the Rolls family took over we have helped provide
the stability that people wanted and the club really is in
fantastic shape, which is also down to the many volunteers
who all of a sudden are back here helping out again.
“People say there is no community spirit here but that
is just rubbish and I think everyone is starting to believe
again.
“I believe football clubs, like many things, go around
in cycles and I really do believe we are on the first step
to something big now.
“If things can carry on the way they are with the community
getting behind the club and the crowds keep pouring in then
I am confident it will not be long before Brendon gets the
team back playing at Conference South level again.”
Several other announcements were also made at the meeting
including:
* The club are in talks with the council about the possibility
of renting out the stadium for use during the Olympics.
* Due to the Games’ sailing events being held in Weymouth
and Portland, the Terras will not play any home fixtures during
the first two weeks of next season. All pre-season friendlies
may also be played away.
* The board are once again considering taking legal action
against ex-chairman Malcolm Curtis regarding the sale of the
land surrounding the stadium.
* The police investigation into the break-in at the ground
on New Year’s Eve is still continuing.
* Anyone who wishes to purchase shares or join the board
are urged to get in contact.
* The club has failed its floodlight certificate but have
asked for dispensation until the end of the season when the
problems will be fixed.
* A season-ticket initiative will be launched next season
where fans will only have to pay £99 if a target of
1,000 sales is met.
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