‘Commercial saviour’ leaves

The Club?s commercial manager Gary Robinson, who only joined Dean Court over the summer, has left the club ?by mutual consent.?

Robinson was heralded as the commercial saviour who would turn our club around when he was appointed in the summer.

Andrew Kaye went so far as to say at the Radio Solent fans forum that Robinson?s arrival would enable the club to be able to afford the rent once we did a sale and leaseback.

Kaye, who was vice-chairman of the club at the time said ?The commercial side is that much more successful. It is growing rapidly. This proves that we can pay the sort of rent that we would have to pay. The last time (in 2003) I don?t think that was the case. We have a new commercial manager Gary Robinson who is just starting to get his feet under the table. He has come up with some brilliant ideas and we have not seen the full fruition of his efforts but I?m sure we will do over the coming few months.?

Yet a few months down the line and the commercial department and its head Robinson came under intense public criticism at the club?s fans? forum and then the Mutual?s special meeting, both events called to discuss the stadium sale.

Questions must now be asked as to who appointed Robinson in the first place and why. Did the whole board have a say in the appointment or was it one person?s decision? How much money did they waste on wages? Is Robinson getting a pay-off to walk from the club?