Official: £1 buys shame-faced Council secrecy in Stadium Management scandal

An astonishing admission by the Dearne Valley Leisure Trust has revealed that for the payment of £1 into the partnership between it and the Doncaster Council, the whole Keepmoat stadium management operating arrangements are to be shrouded in secrecy, and theoretically put beyond the reach of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. DVLT Letter: link

Under pressure from StadiumWatch the Dearne Valley Leisure Trust has revealed that it contributed just £1 to the capital of the LLP which manages the £32m complex.

More: SW 200702 PR006: link 19/02/2007 PDF Version

StadiumWatch prompt Charity Commission probe into Doncaster Stadium Management Partnership

The Dearne Valley Leisure Trust (DVLT), a partner, with Doncaster Council, in the organisation that runs the new Keepmoat Stadium Complex, is to be investigated by the Charity Commission due to "irregularities" in the charity's latest accounts. Charity Commission Letter: link

In particular the Commission is to review the secret partnership agreement the DVLT has with the Council by which the financing and management structure of the Doncaster Lakeside Sports Complex LLP is organised.

More: SW 200702 PR005: link 14/02/2007 PDF Version

What a load of rubbish!

StadiumWatch, the independent user group monitoring the council run Lakeside Stadium facility is calling on the Borough's Number One Public Servant, Mayor Winter to issue fixed penalty notices on the SMC, the Stadium Management Company that he himself set up to run the complex.

While Winter talks of fining residents for allowing their bins to over-flow with rubbish, the SMC have been spouting rubbish by the lorry load.

More: SW 200702 PR004: link 10/02/2007 PDF Version

You Don't Know What You're doing!

"You don't know what you're doing" is a familiar refrain heard at every football ground in the country, and aimed at the man in the middle, the man in black, the referee.

At the Keepmoat Stadium at the new Doncaster Lakeside Complex, it is a refrain directed at the men in grey, grey suits that is. The Stadium Management Committee, otherwise known as the SMC, (otherwise referred to by disaffected Doncaster Rovers fans, as "Screw More Cash"), hand-picked by Doncaster's Mayor, Martin Winter, and ineffectually led by Andrew Nicholl CEO, have systematically blundered from one debacle to another and have alienated thousands of Rovers fans in less than two months of being in charge of the KMS, as the stadium is known.

More: SW 200702 PR003: link 05/02/2007 PDF Version

StadiumWatch call for Audit Investigation into SMC Ticket Records:

StadiumWatch is very concerned about the continuing irregularities in the recording of attendances and ticketing arrangements at the Keepmoat Stadium. Fans at last Saturday's local derby game where Rovers entertained Scunthorpe United have reported further instances of "double selling" of seat tickets, which raises the obvious question of how the related ticket monies are being recorded.

"I really do wonder what on earth the SMC are playing at over this. I have written to Mr Gilliat, the SMC Finance Director, to report falling public confidence in the integrity of the ticket selling and recording process, and challenged him to call in an independent auditor to examine the records, and issue a full report for public consumption", Nigel Wroe, StadiumWatch spokesman.

More: SW 200701 PR002: link 23/01/2007 PDF Version

Fans group in call for affirmative action over SMC stadium fiasco:

Doncaster Rovers fans thought that the 30-year long and arduous road to their new "Keepmoat Stadium" was behind them and that they could look forward to simply enjoying their new surroundings as they aim for "Destination Championship".

However, news is emerging of the growing fury felt by Rovers fans who feel that they are being ill-used by the Stadium Management Committee who now run the new Keepmoat Stadium.

More: SW 200701 PR001: link 17/01/2007

Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are those of StadiumWatch and in no way are represented to be associated with or by Doncaster Rovers FC, their officers or employees.

Notes:

1. The £32m Keepmoat Stadium Complex hosted Doncaster Rovers first fixture on January 1st 2007 when Rovers ran out 3-0 winners over Yorkshire rivals, Huddersfield Town, in front of a near 15,000 attendance.
2. Nigel Wroe is a life-long Rovers fan and season ticket holder who regularly travels from Hampshire to follow Doncaster Rovers. He formed Rovers premier unofficial site www.yaurs.com 9 years ago in the dark days of the Conference.  Contact: nigel.wroe@stadiumwatch.co.uk
3. The SMC are the face of the Lakeside Sports Complex LLP, which is owned by the DMBC (Doncaster Council) and the Dearne Valley Leisure Trust. The DMBC pay public monies to the trust (in the region of £200,000 p.a.) which is also a charity, and have appointed Malcolm Jevons (Councillor) as the DMBC's nominee.
4. The DVLT work from premises provided for free by the DMBC and acknowledge in their accounts that they rely on the DMBC to continue in existence.
5. It is not clear why the DVLT are involved at all in the LLP. StadiumWatch is seeking information and explanations from the Mayor.

Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are those of StadiumWatch and in no way are represented to be associated with or by the Doncaster Sporting Clubs, their officers or employees.

SOLID ARe We NO SmC