Quitting Bees director prepared to put up £500,000

10:06am Saturday 10th December 2005

By Tony Flood

DEPARTING Brentford director Doug White says he is still prepared to underwrite plans for an alternative site for a new ground at a personal cost of £500,000.

White, who will quit the board at its next meeting on December 19 because of abuse from fans, was this week accused in an article on fans' website Beesotted of "a final attempt to sabotage Bees United's takeover of Brentford FC".

But White said: "I am prepared to put up £500,000 to underwrite the costs of promoting any one of the six sites I have advocated for a new stadium in preference to Lionel Road, near Kew Bridge, which would prove too expensive.

"My offer depends on Hounslow Council selecting one of the sites I have put forward and me being in control of the project, but I don't want any personal benefit. If we don't get planning permission my £500,000 would be lost.

White's preferred sites are to the west of Griffin Park, while Lionel Road is nearer rivals QPR, Fulham and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Brentford Independent Association of Supporters have hit back at White's claims in last week's Times that some fans criticise "for the sake of it".

A BIAS statement read: "We have worked hard to develop close links with the club board and employees and have worked in partnership with them on issues such as anti-social behaviour, ticketing and the customer charter. We see no reason why this working relationship should not continue.

"We also have strong links with Bees United and support them totally in their endeavours to take over the club."

But White is sticking by his claims that some fans are being petty and resentful. He said: "I was challenged by a fan outside the boardroom as to whether I had bought a season ticket.

"I had just arranged for another donation of £50,000 into the club was about to lend the club an equivalent sum to pay some contractors.

"The club has been portrayed by Bees United and BIAS as being close to administration and the board incompetent. It serves to demoralise the staff. God knows what Martin Allen and the players think when they hear this."

White believes Bees United should merely be legal guardians of the ground and leave the running of the club to businessmen who are also fans.