CHIEFS at Bromsgrove Sporting have confirmed they will be hosting a supporters forum to give fans the answers they require following the removal of a founder member from the club’s board of directors.
The outcry for a conference came after Rob McLaren – who was one of the founding fathers of Sporting which formed in 2009 following the demise of Bromsgrove Rovers – was voted out of the club following a secret ballot among shareholders at last Wednesday’s annual general meeting.
A total of 220-204 votes based on shares went against the 58-year-old from retaining his position.
The rest of the shareholders, including the Bromsgrove Sporting Supporters Society, abstained from the vote.
Following his removal, Mr McLaren released a statement on Saturday which claimed there had been no official comment from the club to himself and fans with the reasons why he had been voted out.
The managing director of Bromsgrove-based business 2KM alleged that the relationship between the board and manager Paul Smith was ‘fractured’ and showed ‘no signs of improving’.
Mr McLaren also claimed his attempts to bring in a third party who had a ‘vast non-league knowledge’ and knew how to ‘make money in the long term’ failed and ‘engineered’ his removal from the board.
He also called for more transparency between board members as well as between club chiefs and the fans.
Bewildered supporters hit out on social media, stating that the club should host a fans forum in a bid to give them the answers ‘they deserve’.
Liam Hunt commented on Facebook group ShedEnders: “Moving forward, a supporters forum would allow for this openness, transparency and honesty.
“I think many fans feel let down by the situation regarding this ongoing issue, plenty of questions are still unanswered.”
Ian Milroy also said on ShedEnders: “A fans forum would be a great idea to put all these and other thoughts across.”
Victor Aguera added: “The quicker and sooner that is arranged the better for all.
“All together, open, transparent and forward without blame. In Sporting we need to trust!”
Manager Mr Smith also confirmed he was ‘more than happy’ and ‘eager’ to attend the debate.
Chairman Mike Burke confirmed yesterday (Monday) that a fan forum would be held to bring all rumours and allegations to a stop.
“The club will be announcing a date for a forum shortly and it will take place prior to Christmas as promised at the last forum held on February 23,” he said.
