BEST holds Eagles public meeting

 Source: Bedford Today

 The man who runs one of Britain’s biggest supporter-led football clubs addressed a public meeting in Bedford on Thursday night.

Andy Walsh, general manager of FC United of Manchester - set up in protest at the takeover of Manchester United - spoke in support of plans by the Bedford Eagles Supporters Trust (The BEST) to build a consortium to buy a controlling stake in Bedford Town FC.

The BEST state 40 people attended the meeting at the Howard Rooms - including Bedford MP Richard Fuller and Bedford Borough Council chief executive Phil Simkins.

Mr Walsh spoke about the large membership and money that has been raised by fans to start a new club.

BEST spokesman Tim Caswell said: “He said that the plan for BEST to raise £50,000 from fans in Bedford as part of a consortium to bid for a stake on Bedford Town FC and convert it into a Community Interest Company by 2015 was modest.

“He urged fans to aim for the sky saying ‘reach out and set that target higher. We raised 3.5 million from 2000 fans against a target of half a million’.”

Bedford Town is currently owned by David Howell who has refused to officially recognise The BEST, stating it lacks credibility.

The BEST AGM voted in favour of the strategy, “The Best way forward - a future for the Eagles” with none against.

Terry Pavey Executive Chairman of BEST said, “Launching this project tonight has taken a lot of hard work by a few dedicated people. Now we need to reach out and continue that hard work to make this vision come true.

“I will be taking a team from BEST to Manchester to learn more about the innovative ways we can involve many more people. Then we will make further announcements about buying shares, loan schemes, tax efficiency and a business model that protects the fans investment and gives us working capital to sustain the new community club.”