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MP promises to fight Stags name change to Harchester United



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Published Date: 28 March 2008
Email Tim Morriss

MANSFIELD MP Alan Meale says he would campaign against any move to change the name of Mansfield Town FC.
He added his voice to the growing protests against would-be owner John Batchelor's plan to rebrand the Stags after the fictional football team Harchester United, which features in the Sky TV soap opera Dream Team.

  • Fans group anger at Batchelor


Mr Meale told Chad: "I know of him and he is full of madcap ideas, but I haven't yet been given the privilege to see if any have worked yet.

"This is a typical Batchelor approach . . . He wants to get into bed with Mansfield Town Football Club, but he does not want to marry it."

Mr Meale added that he would not support such a name change and would campaign actively against it.

He told Chad: "I would use every endeavour to stop a name change. I would not agree to anyone coming in and closing Mansfield Town or changing its name.

"I will play no part in redundancies or closure of the club at all. We need a club that is able to pay its staff and work in the community.

"My vision for Mansfield Town is to be a thriving club at the heart of the community.

"14 years ago when the new owners took over we safeguarded the jobs and increased the staff from 102 to 164. We don't want a return to the uncertainty of that time, we need a healthy club."

When asked about Mr Batchelor's plans to buy the club, the MP said: "Keith (Haslam) does not want to stay, he has appointed people for 14 months to run the club and keep it going while trying to sell.

"There have been people trying to do a deal for several months and they have had more than ample time to complete a deal. This is not a time for negotiations.

"I understand that a deal and terms have been agreed on several occasions, but it has not been completed and it is on the buyers side where the difficulties have occured.

"I don't know what more he (Keith Haslam) can do. Everyone wants him to leave, he wants to leave and he has been trying to sell.

"I brought James (Derry) to the club and I still hope that he can do a deal.

"The risk is that if a deal cannot be done then others may step in.

"It is purely a commercial decision for the owner who he sells to. My concern would be to ensure the future of its staff . . . but I would not agree to anyone coming in with the intention of closing down the club.

"I would play no part in redundancies and closure. I would actively campaign against that."


The full article contains 491 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 March 2008 6:49 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Mansfield
 
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1

Ayup meduck,

28/03/2008 19:14:39
Well, Well, Alan finally comments, looks like the entire town is wrong and non of this debacle is Keiths fault at all.

Good luck in your next election Alan, you've obviously got your finger on the townsfolks pulse.

2

Adamr999,

28/03/2008 19:59:10
Took your time...
3

Derby Stag,

Despair 28/03/2008 20:19:50
Keith Haslams best mate where were you in recent months when we needed you!! If there is any justice judgement day will come for all of you - Haslam , Booth, Meale, Batchelor - has the world gone mad and are they all in Mansfield!!!!!
4

mansfieldmad,

Mansfield 28/03/2008 23:16:12
Im sorry Mr Meale, to little to late.
When fans needed you to support their bid to rid this club of Haslam you chose to plant your colours squarely behind Haslam, a man who single handedly took over a million pounds out of the club for his own benefit and contrary to company law a man who breached his duties as a director to act in the best interests of the company, a man who misused grant monies from various bodies , who misled, bluffed and downright lied to supporters thoughout 15 years of his time at our club.
You are just as culpable as anyone over Curles sacking in a vain bid to protect your friend you presided over part of that "sham" as described by a high court judge. To cap it all you and Haslam have been evasive about the Stags Community Trust and steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the damage done by the Trust to the clubs reputation.
Then when things get a bit hot at the ground you disappear quicker than a magicians assistant only to reappear when you see a publicity making opportunity,
If you really cared about the employees of Mansfield Town you would have helped rid this club of Haslam years ago.

Same rubbish you have been spouting for over a decade.

5

Amber Rob,

28/03/2008 23:26:10
Meale picks on the one issue that has grabbed the media's attention and then goes on to defend his best mate, the one who is responsible for this fiasco. I hope and pray Meale pays the ultimate price for his devotion to Haslam, in fact, when he is deselected he should be rounded out of town like the vermin he is.
6

goalpost,

mansfield 29/03/2008 09:26:30
Well said all of you! Vermin always crawl out of the woodwork when prodded. If these so called town gentry where true they would put their money where their mouth is. I have been labour all my life...Never again! You voters,,,are you awake yet? Shouldn't someone investigate what is going on at the football club?
7

serbian hitman,

29/03/2008 10:18:38
Why dont you lot get intouch with the DTI they have looked at him and his Bint b 4 so why not again. She's worse than him as she is so obviously thick as 2 short planks
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