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There is hope!
By Adam Summers
Monday 15th January 2007
WEYMOUTH chairman Martyn Harrison is talking to potential
investors in a bid to secure the club's future.
Last night the hotelier told Echosport that several people
have contacted him offering help and that one possible deal
could even result in him relinquishing his backing from the
club.
Harrison said: "I have spoken to quite a few people,
there are ongoing meetings and I am hoping to have some good
news soon on the financial side. Loads of people have been
offering help and it is just whether they come good or not.
"I am talking to somebody about coming in and running
the club which does not involve me and talking to others who
do involve me but time does seem to be slipping by quite quickly
at the moment.
"Football is very emotive and had it just been about
business I would not have done what I did. Now we shall just
have to see what comes out of the next day or two. We are
trying to do all that we can to save money on the wage bill
and we are all trying to do what is best for the club.
"Like I said a lot of people have been offering help
and assistance, and it is good that has been happening."
Former boss Garry Hill and his assistant Kevin Hales, who
were relieved of their duties last week, offered their services
until the end of season to Harrison yesterday. But no arrangement
could be struck.
Speaking this morning, Hill said: "I held talks with
the chairman and Park Engineering's Dave Higson yesterday
and offered mine and Kevin's services but nothing could be
agreed.
"We both had 18 months left on our contracts and a financial
settlement had already been agreed so money was not an issue.
"I am afraid there now does not look like anything else
we can do. We wanted to work with the squad that was left
in an attempt to keep the club in the Conference so it could
then rebuild in the summer but that is not going to happen.
"I have no bitterness against the chairman or anyone
else at the club and wish everyone the best for the future.
"I will now go back and spend time with my family and
perhaps have a bit of a holiday. After that I will then look
at the next decision in terms of my career."
Chief executive Gary Calder's phone has not stopped ringing
since the entire Terras squad was transfer-listed last week
and he admits it has been a very difficult time.
He said: "It has been unbelievable and nobody saw it
coming but I have got 18 months left on my contract and still
got a job to do.
"The players have been speaking with Garry on a regular
basis and he is helping them to get sorted and I have told
them all that I am available 24/7.
"I had one player phone up in the early hours of the
morning but I don't mind that because we have to make sure
they find employment elsewhere."
With the trip to Halifax Town in Nationwide Conference National
only five days away now, Calder has called in some of the
club's reserve-team players to report for training this morning.
Callum RossJennins, Ross Carmichael and Scott Dixon are
among those expected to be there.
Calder said: "I have had to get them in and they will
train with every single member of the squad apart from those
who are still talking with other clubs but despite rumours
we are not holding any trials."
Weymouth skipper Ben Smith is mulling over a couple of offers
from Football League sides. He said: "Both the offers
I have received are more than acceptable. I might also be
going to talk to someone else tomorrow (today) and it is just
a case of deciding which is the best move."
When asked whether an announcement on his future will be made
over the next few days, he added: "I want it sorted by
Wednesday or Thursday because I have not been doing much training."
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