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From the East Fife Mail:
DISSENTING fans will march on Bayview this weekend as they step up their bid to have East Fife chairman Derrick Brown ousted.
Organisers hope 200 fans may join the protest which will see the supporters piped from Mitchell Street to the stadium.
And even adverse weather is unlikely to dampen the proceedings.
Protestor Matthew McLean said: 'We are hoping for a couple of hundred at the march. The game might be in doubt because of the weather but even if it's called off we will press on with the march.'
Matthew hopes to appeal to shareholders and encourage them to ditch their backing for Mr Brown.
He explained: 'We want to show what feeling there is over this. We are trying to appeal to the major shareholders to tell them this is how the fans feel. We want to work with the club but we need Derrick Brown out. As soon as he is removed, the fans will be back.'
The event's high profile could also draw attention to the club as a whole.
Matthew explained: 'We hope maybe this will spark a wee bit of interest in the club again. If people can see we are working towards something, then hopefully others will come back to the club.'
But the atmosphere won't be hostile, according to Matthew, who hopes to attract young and old alike.
He said: 'I hope this isn't going to be an angry protest. Certainly, we are angry at what Derrick Brown has done but we only want to show how much we care for the club. I hope it's an event where people can bring kids along.'
Many supporters have become disillusioned at the way their club is being run and believe Mr Brown is at the heart of the problem. Some feel the club has low ambitions and is making no progress. They also feel the club is not listening to supporters.
Fans have already boycotted the last few home games and staged protests outside the ground. Mr Brown is no stranger to controversy and has been involved in a high profile wrangle with the Supporters' Trust over shares.
In December's annual general meeting shareholders voted against allowing the Trust to purchase more shares in the club - reneging on an agreement to sell a further 1000 shares to the organisation. Around the same time Mr Brown also delivered a strong riposte to Trust criticisms over how the club was run.
Fans have also been frustrated by the club's failure to back former manager Jim Moffat with more cash for players. Despite being debt-free, Mr Brown insists only money from gate receipts will be used to strengthen the squad.
The protest will begin in Mitchell Street and make its way through Leven High Street and along to Bayview, headed by the Methil and District pipe band.
Mr Brown was unavailable for comment as the Mail went to press.
Read the 'March Report' at Down With Brown.
=============== Previously =================
Let The East Fife Supporters Trust Buy Shares!
18-May-2005
Press Release from East Fife Supporters' Trust:
Fife MSP Christine May has joined the growing campaign against the Chairman of East Fife FC over the football club's refusal to sell available shares to the local Supporters' Trust. She intends writing to Chairman Derrick Brown demanding to know the reasons for the refusal. And she will be helping collect signatures for a public petition this Saturday morning in Leven High Street.
The Trust had approached the club with an offer of over £10,000 to buy shares and thus allow greater expenditure on the team after Mr Brown had appealed for greater investment in the club. Their offer, however, was rebuffed on the grounds that the club was not allowed to sell shares to any group of supporters. This claim is vehemently rejected by EFS Trust Chairman Allan Duthie.
'We have taken legal advice on this matter and have been assured that there is absolutely nothing in the EFFC Articles of Association which prevents such a thing. In fact, on the contrary, the rules encourage 'any institution, society or club which may be for the benefit of the (East Fife FC) company"
Members of the public are being given the opportunity to support a petition which has been launched this week. Supporters have independently set up an on-line version which is accessible on their website and the Trust are supporting this through the High Street signature collection on Saturday.
Local fan Liam Anderson said he would certainly be signing the petition and urged all local people to do so.
'This latest rejection by Mr Brown is just another example of the apparent contempt he has for supporters. The Trust is the only way I can realistically have a say in the club I've supported all my life - but only if it's allowed to buy shares'
Support has also come from other Trusts throughout Scotland where many already have been able to invest in significant shareholdings as clubs realise the financial benefits to themselves.
Even Scotland's football millionaire, Brooks Mileson of Gretna FC has sent messages of support to the EFS Trust , bringing this rueful comment from Trust Secretary Kerriann Paterson.
'It's a bit sad that a highly successful businessman like Mr Mileson can see the merits of Supporter Trust involvement in club ownership and yet our own chairman can't. But we're hopeful that common sense and the support of the local community will help change the club's mind.'
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS RELEASE PLEASE CONTACT
ALLAN DUTHIE CHAIRMAN EFST
01592 712149
07962 245388
focussupport@hotmail.com
