What's the story behind this then? Seems a bit harsh.
'No longer wanted': Jamie Waltham shocked by Hull United exit
JAMIE Waltham admits he was "shocked" to be told he was no longer wanted by Hull United AFC – the club he helped to form – but he still hopes they can keep their Football League dream on track.
Waltham, who will forever be known as the man who paid fans £2 to watch his side play and handed out free lifetime season passes, appointed Hull City legend Ian Ashbee to the role of chairman in the summer after relinquishing the responsibility himself.
The 34-year-old then chose to assist the ambitious Northern Counties East League side in a volunteer role and did not seek a place on its committee, which handles the administration.
But despite owning the Dene Park ground in Dunswell where the club play, and being responsible for guaranteeing all of its playing expenses, Waltham has now been told his services are not required.
Waltham has subsequently taken the decision to withdraw his funding from the club, managed by Curtis Woodhouse, and says he will now go back to being one of the club's fans.
Waltham told the Mail: "To say I was shocked when I was informed that I am technically not part of the club any more, because I am not on the committee, is an understatement.
"To learn that a meeting had been held without my knowledge where my request to be put back on the committee had been rejected was both interesting and disappointing.
"I'd previously been termed 'the owner' and didn't realise I had been removed from the committee when Ian Ashbee was made chairman, vice chairman John Duffil handled the transaction.
"Following my initial reaction of being a bit upset, I soon calmed down and have since spoken to John and Ian about trying to arrange a lease so the club at least have a ground to continue playing their home games.
"I'm still a huge Hull United fan and always will be. It's in my heart now and there are some great people at the club volunteering their time. I just hope it sticks as closely as possible to the principles of why it was created."
Waltham had sought to be re-elected to the committee so he could put forward plans to turn the Citizens into a Community Interest Club, where £10 shares would be sold to supporters who could then have voting rights and say on all issues.
Now that idea is off the table. He also believes his unique model of not charging fans to attend games could soon be under threat too as The Citizens look to create income streams which can further their progress.
He explained: "I have spoken at length to Ian since being informed I was no longer part of the club and the subject of charging people on the gate is obviously something he thinks needs to happen.
"My problem is that I've now handed out around 15,000 passes telling people it's free and will be for all the time they have a pass. I also have another 35,000 yet to be distributed.
"If I'm honest, I would have found it difficult to remain at the club if free football was not one of our fundamental principles anyway.
"It was one of the main components why I set the club up in the first place. We had a vision to be different and we wanted to change the football landscape.
"So, with the club making decisions I don't agree with without me, and me being told I am technically no longer part of it, I feel the only thing I can now do is grant them the lease they want and wish them all the best for the future."
http://m.hulldailymail.co.uk/longer...-Hull-United/story-27890094-detail/story.html
'No longer wanted': Jamie Waltham shocked by Hull United exit
JAMIE Waltham admits he was "shocked" to be told he was no longer wanted by Hull United AFC – the club he helped to form – but he still hopes they can keep their Football League dream on track.
Waltham, who will forever be known as the man who paid fans £2 to watch his side play and handed out free lifetime season passes, appointed Hull City legend Ian Ashbee to the role of chairman in the summer after relinquishing the responsibility himself.
The 34-year-old then chose to assist the ambitious Northern Counties East League side in a volunteer role and did not seek a place on its committee, which handles the administration.
But despite owning the Dene Park ground in Dunswell where the club play, and being responsible for guaranteeing all of its playing expenses, Waltham has now been told his services are not required.
Waltham has subsequently taken the decision to withdraw his funding from the club, managed by Curtis Woodhouse, and says he will now go back to being one of the club's fans.
Waltham told the Mail: "To say I was shocked when I was informed that I am technically not part of the club any more, because I am not on the committee, is an understatement.
"To learn that a meeting had been held without my knowledge where my request to be put back on the committee had been rejected was both interesting and disappointing.
"I'd previously been termed 'the owner' and didn't realise I had been removed from the committee when Ian Ashbee was made chairman, vice chairman John Duffil handled the transaction.
"Following my initial reaction of being a bit upset, I soon calmed down and have since spoken to John and Ian about trying to arrange a lease so the club at least have a ground to continue playing their home games.
"I'm still a huge Hull United fan and always will be. It's in my heart now and there are some great people at the club volunteering their time. I just hope it sticks as closely as possible to the principles of why it was created."
Waltham had sought to be re-elected to the committee so he could put forward plans to turn the Citizens into a Community Interest Club, where £10 shares would be sold to supporters who could then have voting rights and say on all issues.
Now that idea is off the table. He also believes his unique model of not charging fans to attend games could soon be under threat too as The Citizens look to create income streams which can further their progress.
He explained: "I have spoken at length to Ian since being informed I was no longer part of the club and the subject of charging people on the gate is obviously something he thinks needs to happen.
"My problem is that I've now handed out around 15,000 passes telling people it's free and will be for all the time they have a pass. I also have another 35,000 yet to be distributed.
"If I'm honest, I would have found it difficult to remain at the club if free football was not one of our fundamental principles anyway.
"It was one of the main components why I set the club up in the first place. We had a vision to be different and we wanted to change the football landscape.
"So, with the club making decisions I don't agree with without me, and me being told I am technically no longer part of it, I feel the only thing I can now do is grant them the lease they want and wish them all the best for the future."
http://m.hulldailymail.co.uk/longer...-Hull-United/story-27890094-detail/story.html
