Terras fans in turmoil after investor's illness (From Dorset Echo)

Terras fans in turmoil after investor's illness

8:51am Wednesday 11th March 2009 in Search By Martin Lea

SUPPORTERS worried about Weymouth Football Club’s future were in shock after new investor Stephen Beer suffered a suspected stroke 30 minutes before a press conference.

Mr Beer, who is pumping £300,000 into the club in a bid to safeguard its future, was taken by ambulance to Dorset County Hospital after complaining of feeling unwell.

It was left to club director Mark Golsby and fixtures secretary Pete Saxby to announce the news to supporters and media at the Wessex Stadium yesterday as Terras’ chief executive Gary Calder and financial director Ian Winsor accompanied Mr Beer’s wife Lynn to the hospital.

South Western Ambulance said Mr Beer, 39, presented himself to the Weymouth Minor Injuries Unit and was taken to hospital in Dorchester for further investigation.

Later he was said to be in a stable condition on a general ward.

After visiting the hospital, Mr Calder said: “Stephen had a slight stroke and has lost the use of his left hand side. His speech was returning when I left. The issue at the moment is his health. Nothing else matters.”

Mr Golsby said the press conference had been called to confirm Mr Beer’s investment – due to be transferred into club accounts today.

He also expected an appeal to be made for business people to join the board.

“It’s all come as a bit of a shock,” said Mr Golsby.

Mr Saxby added: “It’s devastating news for Mr Beer’s wife. They’re both lovely people and our thoughts are with them. We were going to announce the investment Stephen Beer had made in the club which will go a long way to wiping off the debt.

“One of the most important things is that we must take things forward.

“Discussions have been held with people in the past few days with a view to them joining the board.”

Businessman Stuart Barnes questioned why a consortium, of which he is a member, was not able to discuss their plans with the board of directors at a meeting.

He said: “We were rejected without even having an interview. We now have a bloke in hospital with Gary Calder up there although I don’t know why. If Father Christmas turned up I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Speaking after the press conference, fan and businessman Shaun Hennessy said he hoped Mr Beer recovered quickly but questioned why both Mr Calder and Mr Winsor had gone to the hospital.

He added: “This development is another twist in the never-ending tale of the club. It’s stumped us all.”

Terras’ Trust member Matt Barton said: “It seems we lurch from one crisis to another. I wish Stephen Beer a speedy recovery. I hope his money will be invested and we can move on.”

Former director Dave Higson said: “I’m still gobsmacked. I hope Stephen Beer recovers fully and his health is okay. But I would’ve expected the chief executive to be here.”

Mr Golsby said: “Gary and Ian were concerned about Stephen, and Lynn would’ve been on her own which is why they went to the hospital.”