Marlon has been offered a contract

Last updated : 28 November 2002 By Tony Scholes

Marlon - deal on table
Before he signed for a third month we were led to believe that he had been offered a longer deal and this was confirmed by Chairman Barry Kilby at last night’s Foundation Forum. The Chairman told the meeting that Marlon had been offered a deal until the end of the 2004/05 season and he very much hoped he would sign it.

In a disappointing and very poorly attended forum he did say that any other new signings were unlikely with the best scenario likely to be a loan signing. Sam Ellis, deputising for the unwell Stan Ternent, said they would have to be patient regarding squad strengthening although admitted that patience was not one of Stan’s greatest strengths.

Needless to say finances were the top subject in the short, rushed forum and Barry Kilby said that the club had put together a four year plan where the club would used both director and commercial loans during the first two years and pay them back over the following two. So there is no doubt the next four years will be difficult. He said that he had personally loaned the club £1.2 million and the other directors were loaning a further £1 million.

Turf Moor is not for sale, that was the answer to one concerned supporter, although they did admit that the possibility had been investigated. "It is not an option", said Kilby much to the relief of those present.

He did tell the meeting that the money raised from the Spurs game has only pulled back the losses from the projected attendances at league games with the average gate this season more than 2,000 per game less than last season.

Chief Executive Andrew Watson was on form with some typically evasive answers, none more so than the question of the team kits. He was asked why they were so expensive and why so many changes (three new kits again this season). In saying that the price hadn’t gone up in the last three years he completely chose to miss the point that many clubs are now actually reducing the price of kit but he chose not to even answer the question put forward about the ridiculously high number of new kits.

Those present were invited to stay and watch the Youth Game but by half time most had gone and just hand fulls were left to support the young Clarets from behind the glass.