30/05/07

John Berylson was recently at the club, I set up a meeting to ask a few questions that I felt were relevant to us the fans.

John's first comment to me was "what do the fans want from me"?

As I told him the first time I met him we want honesty, transparency, to be treated with the respect we deserve and to be part of any major decisions taken effecting our club.

We covered a lot of ground and here are the main points.

What would happen if any other major shareholder withdraws their cash/commitment?

JB made it clear he does not like anything he is involved in to fail, therefore where possible he would ensure there was not knock on effect on the team this may involve more investment.

What would happen should the regeneration plans fail or not materialise?

The regen is a great idea and if it comes to fruition it will bring in well needed revenue for the club and local area, John stated that the aim is to make Millwall FC self sufficient by improving the way it works currently, this will be helped now the club has invested in Andy Ambler who will ensure the club is run cost effectively.

The regen is not in any future forecasts for Millwall FC so if it does come off it will bring in additional revenue that has not been factored in already

Do you envisage any forced changes within the board i.e. members?

The current board work really well together and have picked up a lot over the last season, any lessons learnt can only strengthen the board, so I current see no need for change.

What are your thoughts on Willie Donachie?

The more I meet Willie the more I like him, personally and as a manager, Willie is the right person to take us forward and I will abide by any team related decisions he takes. I am sure with Willie in charge and support from the board there are good time ahead.

How do you deal with Millwall's reputation?

The passion I saw and heard during the games I have seen showed me the fans are hungry for success, we need to harness that passion to make the Den a fortress, the passion of the fans can be like a goal start, there is nothing wrong with being passionate about your team and getting behind them. The problems I have read about in the past appear to be just a memory that the tabloids bring up when they have nothing else to report on.

A worst case scenario question, what would you do if we were to get relegated next season?

We wont, I will not allow it to happen, now I am involved this club will succeed, I will do everything in my powers to make sure of that.

Do you foresee further investment in the near future?

Any business I am involved with must have good stable financial management, it is key in all business, with Andy Ambler and Demos Kouvaris looking at the financial side I am sure the club will become on a level keel in the next 6 months, should the team need strengthening to push for promotion

I will ensure funds are available.

What do you think about the Leeds administration "fiasco"?

It really annoyed me that we as a club fought through our financial problems to work within the legal and moral rules of the game, we could have done the same and I could have picked the club up on the cheap, but I had committed to you personally Pete and the board that I would ensure the club would survive. I therefore think Leeds did not act in the spirit of the game, I also made my feelings known to the football league. I would like to thank the fans, MSC and Lions trust for their support in trying to highlight the issue.

What are your views on the FOTB role?

I feel the role is key in bringing harmony between club and fans, we need to be as one, as we all shout for the same team and wants what best, having a Fan Director ensures there is a certain amount of transparency on issues that need discretion at board level, I read all the FOTB reports and feel you are cutting a good balance, I want to ensure that any major rumours that are started about the board/club can be squashed by you putting out reports that give the truth as opposed to speculation.

Would you ever see the FOTB sitting on the Holdings Board?

As you know this has been discussed on the Holdings Board, the board would be 100% behind it if the person were as discreet as you and added value to the board, with the FOTB re-election due this year we would need to evaluate any such decision on a person by person basis.

The MSC are trying to up their game for next season, what do you want from them?

I really want the MSC and yourself to be a check and balance for the fans views and help us drive toward a better club, I want to make sure that no-one out there is spreading unfounded rumours about the club and myself, I want to speak regularly with the MSC to ensure we can build a solid relationship for the future.

As John Berylson has now converted his loan into shares I called him to ask why, this is his reply.

I converted some early because I thought it the right thing to do, as I percieved many fans felt bad about me as I had all this debt but no actual stake in the club. Now I have about 12% and still of course a lot of debt .outstanding, but. I am now in same boat with other stockholders so no one should be unhappy. If I convert all outstanding I will have approx 50% of the club, I have also a number of close friends who have shown interest in investing. By converting I know I have done the best for all involved, the club, stockholders and fans. Mr Lacey is also due to put in the monies he agreed at the AGM, if this happens it can only mean further stability for the club.