Linnets bid farewell to Cleeve as new era begins

When you’re writing a column such as this with an ever changing, fast moving situation, as we’ve seen at Lynn Football Club over the past couple of weeks, the worry you have is that the content you’ve written a couple of days ahead of publication will be ‘old news’ by the time it’s published.Over the previous weekend, it appeared that Stephen Cleeve had relinquished control of the Linnets to Turn Sports Investments (TSI), who would be taking control of the club in conjunction with the Blue & Gold supporters trust with almost immediate effect.Suddenly, last Tuesday, news broke that Mr Cleeve had found new investment for next season, which would see him continuing to run the club, along with assistance from TSI.Whilst supporters were still digesting that news yet another club statement emerged saying that Cleeve had reached agreement for a full takeover of the Linnets by TSI and the Supporters Trust with him stepping away from all operational matters but with the former chairman being, according to the statement, ‘granted the opportunity to pursue a creative commercial initiative designed to support the club’s financial recovery and help address legacy liabilities, including the outstanding DCMS loan’.Hopefully you’ve been able to follow all of that, with the upshot being, subject to official ratification, Lynn FC will shortly have new owners in the shape of TSI (Jo Phua) who will be assisted by the Blue & Gold Supporters Trust, bringing to an end Stephen Cleeve’s nine-year tenure as owner and Chairman at The Walks.TSI then wasted little time in announcing the appointment of Suffolk-based James Rowe as the club’s new head coach, replacing Adam Lakeland, who was relieved of his duties the previous week, completing another whirlwind week for anyone and everyone connected, or simply interested, in events at King’s Lynn Town Football Club.Stephen Cleeve’s departure from the chairman’s hotseat brings to a close a colourful, and sometimes controversial, nine-year period in the club’s history. As many of you will know, I worked with Stephen for five seasons, firstly as a volunteer as the club’s head of media before taking on the ever-challenging role of commercial manager, before leaving the club completely in June 2021. It was, as they say, ‘interesting motoring’ at times between us as I’d say we’re rather like chalk and cheese in the way of character and how I’d prefer to handle things as opposed to Steve.We had a few crossed words and disagreements, especially whilst being employed full time during the Covid era, when times were particularly tough.One thing, though, that bonded us to a degree was our joint passion for the football club, which I know we both maintain to this day, and his commitment and drive should never be questioned. I was lucky enough to share some good days at the club under Steve’s tenure, the play-off win at Warrington and promotion to the full National League, to name but two, and also the less than nice ones, especially again during Covid.He never saw his ultimate dream of full league football at Lynn come true, and unfortunately, by chasing some of those dreams, the football club now finds itself in another precarious financial predicament. In due course, details of Stephen’s ‘creative commercial initiative’ at The Walks will be revealed, but I know it will be a strange feeling for him when August comes around and his usual seat in the director’s box is filled by someone else.His manner and style divided so many down the years, but, in the words of Frank Sinatra, he did things ‘My Way’. Thank you Steve.With the TSI having had involvement with Lynn football club now for over a year, they will already have a very good handle on how the club works and who does what, which is beneficial with the clock already ticking towards season 25/26.As mentioned earlier, they acted very early in appointing James Rowe as their new man to guide the club forward in the wake of the departures of Adam Lakeland and Sam Walker.The club will also continue in a full-time capacity, a surprise to some certainly, as it strives to go one better than the season just completed.I was impressed with the manager’s first chat with our local media, indicating there will be changes to the squad he has inherited, which you would expect. With its situation, the club will again need to be very clever in the loan market, as Lakeland was, especially whilst working with a tight budget.I read so much positive stuff about the club’s academy set up. Maybe next season could be the one when we see a breakthrough from one of these youngsters into the first team squad?Rowe is a highly regarded coach and it will be interesting to see how he uses the young talent he has available to him.With on-pitch affairs seemingly well covered, it will be off-pitch matters that will take, I’m sure, much of TSI’s attention over the next few months. Bal Srai is the face of TSI at the Walks, already engaging with fans last season, as well as lengthy negotiations to secure help for the club from the Blue & Gold Trust.Bal is a knowledgeable guy, has plenty of backroom football experience and should be the perfect fit for the club.There is so much engagement that needs to take place with a whole range of people to firstly steady the ship and then sail it on into calmer waters.The group’s initial press release last week reads well, with words such as stability, transparency and sustainability all being received well by supporters I’ve spoken with since. There will be difficult and unpopular decisions that will have to be made over the coming weeks and months to ensure that the situations we have seen far too frequently in recent years are a thing of the past.For too long, the club has at times been akin to a TV soap, full of unbelievable stories and counterclaims.The main action now must be that which occurs every fortnight out on the pitch.More importantly, now it is time for supporters to do their bit and support the club to the hilt as it enters another new chapter of its history. I’ve heard so many times in recent years of people not attending games, not wanting to sponsor or become involved because of the previous owner. That excuse no longer exists.The time has arrived for a firm line to be drawn and to move forward in a united way.The club has yet again, it seems, been saved from a sticky ending by another knight in shining armour.If there is a next time, we may not be so lucky, so let’s all support what we have.This column returns in the last week of June.