East Fife Mail http://fifeonline.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1014&ArticleID=1561280

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON CHAIRMAN

CAMPAIGNERS aiming to topple East Fife chairman Derrick Brown have declared the show must go on.
An open meeting organised by the protest group last Wednesday agreed the dissent against the club should continue into the new term, unless Mr Brown resigns or is removed.

All interested groups are awaiting further progress with talks due over the coming weeks on the East Fife Supporters' Trust share bid, and also the stake in the club sought by the Sid Collumbine consortium.
The day before the protestors' group discussion, a meeting was held involving supporters, management and directors.

This, according to several participants, showed the chasm between the directors and the supporters was as wide as ever, apart from some encouraging words by team boss Dave Baikie about the hopeful on-field strength of East Fife next season.

Last Tuesday, an offer was made by the board for the Trust to buy 1100 shares and Trust chairman Allan Duthie said members would have to decide how this fitted in with their bigger offer.

He and fellow member Stewart Paterson were granted a meeting with the board on Monday this week, but Mr Duthie said it was wrong that protest group members Dave Marshall and Matthew McLean were not extended the same courtesy.

"That is a problem East Fife needs to address," said Mr Duthie. "The Trust cannot really speak for the protest group, so all that could be discussed were Trust issues."

Former club director Dave Marshall described the board's conduct at last Tuesday's meeting as "totally inept, visionless, passionless and leaderless", adding the club appeared to blame fans for everything and reject any responsibility for the current situation.

Supporter Matthew McLean added: "The last thing we want is to continue protesting but, judging by the lack of progress made at the meeting, this seems inevitable.

"The team seems to be in good hands with Dave Baikie but we don't want yet another year of wasted potential due to poor quality boardroom behaviour. It's vital that Derrick Brown is out before the season starts."

Councillor Andrew Rodger, present last Tuesday as a mediator, said he personally felt Mr Brown had to step down for the good of the club after supporters made it clear he would not be welcomed in any role, should any new-look board be created.

"I felt major concessions were made by the board but there was an entrenched view that Derrick was not acceptable," he said.

"I think to save any more grief, Derrick should step down. The entrenchment is far too deep so, for the sake of the club, and his family and his health, it is the best thing he can do."

Cllr Rodger added: "We need to give Dave Baikie the best start he can get.

"The worst start he can get is the for the club still to be in turmoil at the start of the new season and more bad publicity about protests.

"We always have to remember too _ East Fife is one of the few clubs in Scotland which is not in debt.

"The plastic pitch will cost money but if the right business plan is put forward, I see it as a spend-to-save exercise, and a good investment. Not one to put us in debt."

Mr Brown was unavailable for comment as the Mail went to press.

14 June 2006

He's never available for comment unless it's on his terms, with his latest rant.
They should know that by now.

Whats the odds on Derrick posting a massive rant on his blog...sorry the official website before the weekend?

evens...it will say the following....
I resign.