Nine hundred letters have started to fall through the letter boxes of season ticket holders in the Davie Cooper stand. The letter outlines the club’s position and asks for support for the proposal. The text is below.
As you know, we are playing Celtic on 22 May at
From a financial, security and segregation standpoint, one of the best options is to allocate the Davie Cooper stand to the Celtic away support. The purpose of this letter is to canvas your opinion and your votes on this subject.
Firstly, let me say that that our season ticket holders are the rock bed of Motherwell's support and we do not take any decision to inconvenience them lightly. Since John bought the club in 1997, there have only been three instances where we have asked season ticket holders to move. Due to the unique nature of this match, we are actively considering this plan.
I have to tell you that no decision has been made and will not be made, irrespective of all other considerations, unless a significant majority of the 900 Davie Cooper season ticket holders approve the plan outlined in this letter.
The advantage of giving over the Davie Cooper to the Celtic support is that there will be a very significant financial benefit to the club and let me say now that any money we receive, which will obviously be above budget, will be immediately added to Terry & Maurice's player bud bet for the next playing season. This is a clear financial benefit and, as we are on a tight budget, could help us considerably next year with the possible addition of an extra player.
We have noticed in previous years that because of the number of children. involved, many of the season ticket holders in the Davie Cooper do not attend the Old Firm matches and therefore it is an ideal section of the ground to additionally hand over to '.he Celtic support.
This plan also has considerable security benefits as the vast majority of Celtic supporters are contained at both ends of the ground rather than, despite stringent measures, being peppered throughout the Motherwell supporters' areas.
I am therefore asking if you would be prepared to give up your seat in the Davie Cooper for the match on 22 May. You will be allocated a seat in the East Stand for this game.
In addition, as tangible evidence of the club's goodwill for your co-operation, we will give you two free tickets for any non Old Firm game of your choice in the 2005/06 season.
Let me reiterate that, despite the considerable financial benefit to the club of this initiative, it will only be undertaken if a significant majority of the Davie Cooper season ticket holders vote for this proposition. However, I would ask you to help the club to enhance our playing budget for next year by supporting us in this instance.
Attached to this letter is a voting slip which must be returned by post or in person to the club no later than 1700hrs on Tuesday 10 May 2005.
Regards.
STEWART ROBERTSON