Terras set for capital gain?
By Adam Summers

Tuesday 16th June 2009

POTENTIAL new investors could be ready to back cash-strapped Weymouth’s fight for survival, according to defiant chairman Ian Ridley.

The football columnist was hit by a torrent of personal abuse last week but despite heavy speculation over the last few days claiming he is ready to step down he has responded with news of a possible lifeline for the Terras.

He said: “Yesterday morning I held talks with potential investors in London and I will be coming down this afternoon for a board meeting to present the results of that meeting, so I am carrying on as normal.

“Our priority is to get investment in and work with our creditors while giving first-team manager Matty Hale the scope to put together a team that will make us competitive in Conference South.

“We are working very hard on that but Rome was not built in a day. I know that is an old cliché but resolving the situation at the Wessex Stadium will take time.

“To be honest I think the majority of the fans are fine. They appreciate what we are doing in terms of trying to sort the club out and I still have very little doubt that the current board, along with the trust, can achieve that.

“I am confident that not only can we put together a sustainable budget and a competitive side led by a very talented manager but we can also attract sponsorship and encourage people to come and enjoy their football at the Wessex.

“However, what is increasingly draining and tiring is people with separate agendas wanting this club to fail and wanting some of the personalities within the club to fail.

“I don’t why that is but you can easily become side-tracked by that if you are not careful.

“Now, I am not going to pretend to be happy with some of the things I have discovered at the club but things do change by the week.

“Last week was very difficult but this week I am feeling more confident, and I am looking forward to presenting various things to the board this afternoon. I will be able to say more after that.”

As for speculation surrounding his future as chairman, Ridley added: “I have to look at my position continuously. And if these factions do not think I can take the club forward and that I am getting in the way of that then for the benefit of the club I will personally stand down.”