Fans say good riddance to outgoing owner with statement issued on Blyth Spartans’ future

Fans say good riddance to outgoing owner Irfan Liaquat with a statement issued on the future of 7th tier club Blyth Spartans.

David Stockdale leaves his role as manager just 48 days after being appointed, and as of the 1st of November, the club will be owned by ‘Blyth Spartans CIC 2024’, led by local Blyth businessman Martin Trinder.

Irfan Liaquat/ Winners Worldwide’s reign comes to end after just 195 days in charge. This is what he had to say…

Gutted to have been SACKED.
Not what I wanted or worked for.
It’s been a great time me and worked with some great people. Hopefully I can try somewhere else.
I wish @Blyth_Spartans all the best but more so the staff and players I had while there. Truly great people💚 https://t.co/LAirJJsbFz

— David Stockdale (@stockogk1313) October 31, 2024

𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬

As announced in Winners Worldwide’s earlier statement David Stockdale has left his position as 1st team manager.
We would like to place on record our thanks to Stocky for all his efforts since arriving in August. pic.twitter.com/bN3MGBFkOK

— Blyth Spartans (@Blyth_Spartans) October 31, 2024

STATEMENT:

Dear Fans, Sponsors, and respected community members

I am writing to confirm I have today signed the sales purchase agreement handing Blyth Spartans AFC over to a newly formed CIC (Community Interest Company) held under “Blyth Spartans CIC 2024” led by local Blyth businessman Martin Trinder.

As I write this statement, I am filled with a mix of emotions. It has been an incredible journey leading this football club, and I am immensely proud and grateful for the unwavering support you have shown me over the past 6 months.

I took on an enormous challenge 2 days before the Club got relegated last season, and given the circumstances and financial position we inherited, I am extremely proud of some of my team’s achievements in the very short space of time we had.

Together, we have celebrated victories, faced challenges, and built on a community that will play a vital part in the club’s future. After careful consideration, I decided to sell the club. This choice was not made lightly as we worked extremely hard to ensure success and sustainability was at the forefront which of course takes time, but I believe now was the right step for both the club and myself to part ways.

As soon as I put the Club up for sale, my “Winners Worldwide” Group was contacted by investors and Global Sports brands from as far as Southeast Asia, UAE, and the US offering some very attractive proposals.

When I arrived at Blyth Spartans, I said I would always do what is best for the community, and what is best for the football Club. Hence, my decision to hand the club over to the newly formed CIC was a very simple one.

The CIC and its members at the helm are a collective that do not need any colourful introductions. You have a mixture of proven business knowledge, community driven individuals, fan engagement, and financial stability which will all play a big part to ensure the ongoing success and stability of the football club.

These are all local Blyth people behind the takeover which was a big factor in my decision. There is power in unity, and there is power in numbers… Simple!

I want to assure you that this decision comes from a place of love for the club and its future. I will always cherish the memories we have created together, and I hope to see you continue to support the team with passion and dedication. Thank you for being such an integral part of this journey. I look forward to witnessing the club’s future successes.

I am confident that this transition will bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to your beloved Blyth Spartans.

I would like to send my extend thanks to Steve Howard, David Stockdale, Craig Ridley, and Jessica Heads, who will all be leaving the club at the same time. I would like to wish them all well in their future endeavours.

The official handover is scheduled for Friday the 1st of November

COME ON SPARTANS!!!

With heartfelt gratitude, Irfan Liaquat

ADDITIONAL CLUB STATEMENT

Blyth Spartans AFC are delighted to announce that we are now a community owned football club.

A new not-for-profit community interest company (CIC) has taken over the majority ownership of Blyth Spartans thereby securing the future of the club for the benefit of the Spartans fans, the community in Blyth and the wider Northumberland Area.

Blyth Spartans 2024 CIC has been established by a group of local businessmen, all of whom are longstanding club sponsors, together with the Spartans fan group, Green Army, and with the support of the Football Supporters Association

All members of the CIC have a long association with the club and the town, and a demonstrable long-term commitment to both. With the club sponsors involved committed to financial support of the football club, the CIC will be asset-locked, meaning that none of the members can profit from their involvement and the club’s future is protected.

Martin Trinder, a club sponsor, one of the local businessmen involved in the CIC, and interim club chairman, said:  

“The famous Blyth Spartans club is a hugely important asset for its fans and the whole community, and as supporters ourselves we want to secure its future as part of the community. This is a case of existing sponsors with a proven track record of commitment to the club stepping up and taking responsibility for building its future”.

Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, added:  

“Community ownership of a football club through a CIC, with the involvement of fans and the local community, is the best guarantee of a permanent future for a club. Even club owners, like players and managers, come and go, but the fans and the community are with a club for life. Having grown up in Blyth myself, I know just how important the Spartans are, and I am delighted a new era of community and supporter ownership of the club has begun.”

We extend our thanks to outgoing chairman Irfan Liaquat for his constructive assistance in transferring ownership of the club to the community.

We can also announce that former Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade will take charge of the team for this weekend’s away fixture at Ilkeston Town, pending the appointment of a new management team.

In addition, the club’s excellent volunteer team led by Colin Blackett, who ensure that Croft Park can host games, have also agreed to return to their roles with immediate effect.

The club will make further announcements on future plans next week.

Howay Blyth!

Worrying times as league issue statement with Blyth Spartans’ next two games postponed

Blyth Spartans up for sale, 180 days after take over as chairman criticises boycotts and protests

As mentioned, fans say good riddance to the outgoing owner with a statement issued on Blyth Spartans’ future…

@MKsTweeting: Bought for £1, sold for….?

@Jayden_JR7: he is extremely proud of the achievements we’ve made 🫣 from 10th to relegation then rock bottom of the league below 🤩

@hedley69: But not paid the players or officials

@VictoriaFoyle1 (Replying to @stockogk1313): So sorry to hear this. I’m sure they’ll be more opportunities around the corner. Keep the faith. WAWAW 💙 🦉

@Fred4003607 (Replying to @stockogk1313): Thanks for all your effort David, your were the only glimer of hope over the last few months, good luck and smash the next opportunity you get at management.

@Ted246_ (Replying to @stockogk1313): Who’s sacked you, Irfan or Martin? Cant say I’m amused by that mind. All the best with your future endeavours though, Stocko.

@thatmarkgodfrey: I have to say, this statement is one the greatest works of fiction and hubris I’ve ever come across. And that would be your only achievement of note from your disastrous tenure.

@AnneReeve52919: What a load of twaddle. Goodbye, good riddance and thank God that waste of space is gone. Blyth Spartans can be great again and I look forward to seeing football again. Don’t care if it’s rubbish as long as that person is gone

@filing_iron: Good news Blyth; hope he didn’t get a penny. Sounds like he’s genuinely taking the piss in that statement too, full of sarcasm

@ajs336842: Christ, there’s so much crap in there that one would be forgiven for thinking that it came from the desk of Josef Goebbels.

@BarryPaton: Good luck @martintrinder

@TimHickman1994: I pray this is the fresh start Blyth need and they can get back to being competitive on the field again, an absolute farce from start to finish.

@NorthYorksOwls (Replying to @stockogk1313): All the best in what you do next……….. come across as a proper decent bloke and that gets you far in life. PS…….. heard the Magic Mike tour is after a cowboy act so send em ya CV.!!

@FootyFan90UK (Replying to @stockogk1313): From the outside looking in, this seems incredibly harsh and like you were never given a fair crack of the whip. Good luck, hope to see you back in the game soon.

@MattHurren1 (Replying to @stockogk1313): Bloody hell. Results didn’t always work out, but you were put in an almost impossible position and gave nothing but 100% every step of the way. Thank you for your honesty, desire and hard work in an awful situation. Best of luck.

@CatoLiam (Replying to @stockogk1313): Absolutely gutted to see @stockogk1313 go !! I thought if anyone could save this club from relegation it was him. He got what the fans wanted and knew what was going on above him was out of his hands. Thanks for trying to help stockdale 👍🏻👍🏻 Shame it’s ended this way

@twit_twooh (Replying to @stockogk1313): We will remember your commitment, honesty and transparency during a time we didn’t see those qualities from other parts. Really sorry to see you sacked like this, you deserved more of a chance. Good luck for the future… You’ve got the spirit and wherewithal to succeed.