Statement from Colin Pick – 13/06/2025
To all concerned,
Following Mark Thorne’s resignation this week and the subsequent fall out, I would like to make the following statement.
Mark was appointed in 2022 as a Director and Chairman to help drive the club forward commercially. We as a board recognised that we needed someone with fresh ideas and drive to push the club forward on and off the pitch. There were naturally differences in opinions at times, but I firmly believe everyone had the best interests of the club at heart. I think everyone is extremely disappointed that Mark has chosen to resign as he has done a fantastic job.
We as a board and committee are all unpaid volunteers, who put significant time, energy, passion and money into running the club. I am very appreciative of all the people that give and have given their time and effort to Yate Town FC, as without them the club would simply not exist.
With regards to the ground itself, this was purchased from Bloor Homes by myself and Peter Milton (Lodge Sports Ground Ltd) in 2020, in order to provide security of tenure for the future of the football club and to enable Yate Town FC to apply for FA improvement grants. To be clear, you need to have long term tenancy agreements in place in order to qualify for these grants, and the club now has a 25 year lease in place, something it has not previously had.
Part of the deal we agreed with Bromford when they received planning permission for the surrounding housing development, was an amount of funding to go towards improving the ground, as part of their community funds commitment. The funds can only be used for certain infrastructure improvements and initially this will include the new stand and boundary fence, entirely financed by Bromford. It is our absolute ambition to provide the best facilities we can to support Darren and the team with future progression.
I completely appreciate that some fans may not see the need for a new stand and would instead prefer us to use the funds to invest in the playing squad. However, unfortunately we were only offered funds specifically for ground improvements. The idea has been to improve the stadium to meet future ground grading requirements for higher level football as we strive to move up the leagues.
Darren Mullings is doing an incredible job, culminating of course with our promotion back to Premier Division South as champions of Division One South last season and the board are fully behind him. I am excited about the recent new and returning signings and very much looking forward to the new season.
However, the negative and derogatory comments and accusations that have been directed at myself over recent days have been very hurtful and stressful. It is therefore with a heavy heart that I will be retiring and stepping down as a Director of Yate Town Football Club with immediate effect, in order to provide the club with the best opportunity to move forward.
To all of the fantastic fans of Yate Town FC, I would like to end by saying that I have always acted with the best interests of the club at heart and have put my life and soul into the club for 25 years. I will always be a supporter of Yate Town FC, and I wish Darren and the team all the very best for the upcoming season.
Kind regards,
Colin Pick