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| Relegation has hit Exeter very, very hard and there is a strong possibility that liquidation will claim the Devon club long before they take their place in the Conference next season.
And who is to blame for this? A certain Mr Mike Lewis, one of the most reviled men in our club’s history. This column drew attention to Lewis’s antics back in February this year (Click Here For Article) but it is fair to say that things have got considerably worse since then:- 1) Six directors resigned, leaving Lewis and his “partner in crime” John Russell in total control. 2) The club faces being evicted from its own clubhouse due to non-payment of rent – ironically enough, the Chairman of the company serving the eviction notice, Old Tiverton Road Ltd., is Ivor Doble – who is still the majority shareholder in Exeter City FC! 3) A damning FA report has been published, which points out that the club is illegally trading, as it is technically insolvent. It also makes reference to a number of financial irregularities, such as inaccurate attendance figures and dubious banking arrangements (John Russell’s wife, Gillian, is now head cashier). 4) RELEGATION FROM THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE. The loss of league status is, perhaps, the least of Exeter’s problems right now. It is rumoured that Lewis, along with Mr and Mrs Russell (Chairman and head cashier) have jetted off to Malaga, along with the gate receipts for Saturday’s 9,036 attendance. I stress that this is only a rumour, as supplied by one of my contacts in Exeter, but should it prove to be correct it would have devastating financial implications for the cash-stricken club. As a result of their relegation, the Devon club will receive £100,000 in the form of a “parachute” payment from the Football League. Naturally, there are fears that this money will be “cashiered” by Mrs Russell should the terrible twosome still be in charge by the time the cheque is sent. This is where we come in. The Exeter fans are desperate to get rid of Lewis as quickly as possible and they are turning to the Jack Army for advice and information. The scars inflicted on our club by Lewis’s reign still run deep and we must do everything we can to help bring this man to justice. We have all spent the weekend celebrating, and rightly so. Our proud club retained its League status at the expense of Exeter City – but at 2-1 down I bet each and every one of you felt the same way as Exeter fans are feeling right now – DEVASTATED. Lewis takes a massive share of the blame for this, and now that the relegation rivalry is over I feel we owe it to our fellow fans, and to ourselves, to rid football of this dangerous parasite. If you would like to help, you can do so in the following ways:- 1) Post messages on the Exeter message board (www.ecfc.co.uk), providing practical advice and suggestions aimed at the removal of Lewis. 2) Log on to the website of Exeter’s local MP (www.benbradshaw.co.uk) and leave a message for him, asking him to launch an investigation into Mike Lewis via the Department of Trade and Industry. 3) If you have information of a more sensitive nature that you wish to pass on to the Exeter Supporters Trust, in confidence, email me with the details (nigel.davies13@ntlworld.com). There are a few Swans fans that have already posted messages over the last few months about Lewis and his “dodgy dealings”. I can tell you that many Exeter supporters are eternally grateful for the support provided by the Jack Army, even during the relegation fight. But we must continue to show our support because…IT COULD SO EASILY BE SWANSEA CITY IN EXTER’S POSITION!! May I take this opportunity to thank the players for their efforts on Saturday…guys, you left the best ’til last. And, of course, a big thank you to the 10,000 strong Jack Army, who were absolutely magnificent. Thanks to the efforts of so many people we now have a well run family club, safe and secure in the Nationwide Football League with real hope for the future. Exeter doesn’t have those luxuries – let’s help them out and finally bring Mike Lewis to justice in the process!! |
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