Basingstoke Town announce intentions to become community owned

SOUTHERN Premier side Basingstoke Town are hoping to become the latest Non-League club to turn to community ownership.

Town have been assessing their options following the announcement that chairman and owner Rafi Razzak would be quitting the club at the end of the current season.

The club’s Interim Management Group (IMG) met for the first time last Wednesday and they believe the best way forward is to move into a community ownership model.

The club will launch a campaign in February to encourage support from the people of Basingstoke with full details to be revealed next month.

The IMG have also confirmed that they are reviewing two final options for where the club will play their home matches next season and are expected to make a decision in early February.

Their future at the Camrose ground was plunged into doubt with the club feeling the facility was no longer suitable without changes that may not be economically or practically feasible.

Basingstoke CEO David Knight said: “I am very pleased that we have taken this very positive decision. Community ownership will allow us to determine our own future for the long run, and our campaign starting in February will work hard to reach every part of our community and get as many people as possible involved.

“The campaign will explain how community ownership works and how everyone in Basingstoke, and supporters from further afield, can get involved in the exciting prospect of being one of the future owners of BTFC.

“A fundamental part of the move away from private ownership will be far greater involvement with other community groups creating more opportunities to utilise the club’s facilities, and working together for the benefit of the whole community.”