The dream is over
By Ian McDonald

Wednesday 10th January 2007

BUSINESSMAN Martyn Harrison bought into Weymouth Football Club after first taking over the Riviera Hotel at Bowleaze in July 1999 with his Hollybush Hotels group.

He later added the Prince Regent, the Russell Hotel, the Kings Acre and the Atlanta on Weymouth seafront to his Hollybush empire, spending thousands of pounds on refurbishing the sites.

In May 2004 the lifelong Queen's Park Rangers fan pumped more than £300,000 into Weymouth FC to help secure the club's long-term future.

The move cleared £250,000 debts at the Wessex Stadium and secured West London businessman Mr Harrison's position as the club's new chief executive.

But his arrival on the board later prompted former chair-man Ian Ridley to walk out on the Terras in September 2004.

Mr Ridley had called Mr Harrison's introduction a `historic day' for Weymouth Football Club, but barely four months later he was on his way following rumours of a major bust-up between the pair.

Mr Harrison sacked manager Steve Claridge - who Mr Ridley had brought in - within a month of the former chairman's departure.

The move came despite Mr Harrison's assurances when he took over that Claridge's role with the Terras was safe despite Mr Ridley's resignation.

Former Leicester City striker Claridge later said he was `gutted' to leave Weymouth after 15 months in charge, claiming there had been a personality clash with Mr Harrison.

The fallout from Mr Ridley's exit continued in November 2004 when he and Mr Harrison clashed in an
extraordinary slanging match on the Internet.

The hotel supremo also marked that month by placing the Prince Regent and the Russell Hotel on the market for a total of £6million - three years after he bought them.

But in March 2005 he turned down an offer for the properties and decided not to sell, claiming he did not need the money.

He then sacked Weymouth FC manager Steve Johnson, brother of Bristol City boss Gary Johnson, who had spent just four months in the Terras hotseat.

Mr Harrison has voiced criticisms when attendances at the Wessex Stadium fell short of the high gates expected for big games in the Nationwide Conference and other competitions.