Chairman's 'done his stint' says Boothroyd

3:40pm Sunday 13th July 2008

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Aidy Boothroyd has “mixed” feelings about Graham Simpson’s decision to seek to sell his shares in Watford and step down from the Vicarage Road helm.

The Hornets chairman and major shareholder of Watford Leisure Plc, Lord Michael Ashcroft, announced last week that they were to willing to sell their combined 54 per cent stake in the club’s parent company to attract new investment and “drive this club to the next level”.

“From a professional point of view I am very disappointed,” said the Hornets’ boss of Simpson’s decision. “I think that Graham is a terrific guy to work for, he is straight down the line and he’s the one that gave me my big chance.

“But from a personal point of view I think it’s the right decision. If you ask any Watford fan out there if they would put three-quarters of their life savings into the football club they would say ‘absolutely no way’,” added Boothroyd, who pointed out that during the chairman’s tenure Watford had been promoted to the Premiership, reached three cup semi-finals and had another play-off campaign, but that Simpson had “done his stint.”

But with the club now officially up for sale, it does raise the possibility of a new owner or owners wishing to install their own football management team. Boothroyd though, was pragmatic when asked about this.

“All I can do is to continue to do this job to the best of my abilities and to take this club further forward from where I found it,” he responded. “I think that anyone that comes in, it will be under the right circumstances. I don’t think Graham will cut and run because he’s a Watford fan and will have the club’s best interests at heart and want it to be the right person.

“But I have two years left on my contract and I intend to honour that unless I am told differently.”

However, there has been concern expressed by the Watford Supporters Trust at the decision of the two main shareholders on the Hornets board, particularly in the short to medium-term while a buyer is sought.

“The news that Graham Simpson and Lord Ashcroft were actively seeking a purchaser for their shares in Watford Leisure plc was received with some concern by the board of WST, as the ownership of the football club is clearly of paramount concern to members of the Trust,” a statement read. “We will be following all developments closely and will continue to keep in regular contact with Mr Simpson during this process.

“Our hope is that he is able to fulfil his expressed desire to find a buyer who has both the best interests of the club at heart and the financial resources to be able to take the club forward.

“In the interim, we share the concerns of many of our members that questions regarding the ownership and the lack of further investment will translate to a lack of progress for the club both on and off the field.”