New Berwick owners remain bullish

New Berwick Rangers chairman Brian Porteous has predicted a brighter future after a takeover of the cash-strapped Third Division club.

Share transfers have been completed to hand control to a consortium led by Berwick Rangers Supporters Trust.

And Porteous told his club website: "After a period of consolidation, we can now move forward.

"And we can press ahead with the many plans we have in place for all aspects of improving on and off the park."

The change follows about two months of negotiations to change the company and board structure.

Chairman Robert Wilson and directors Craig Forsyth and Robert Darling stepped down by having their shares purchased by a consortium of other company directors, the supporters club and supporters trust.

Long-serving director Tom Davidson has also stepped down.

It means that the ownership has now changed hands and is irreversible Berwick Rangers Supporters Trust chairman John Bell

"Subject to formal ratification, the new seven-man board will consist of existing directors Brian Porteous, who takes over as chairman, Moray McLaren, vice-chair, John Hush, Callum Porteous, Bill Parkin and John Robertson, who moves up from associate director," said a club statement.

John Bell, supporters trust chairman, retains his place on the board.

General manager and team manager Jimmy Crease remains as an associate director and is joined by supporters club committee member Len Eyre.

Bell told Berwick's website: "I'm delighted to report that the transfer of shares was concluded.

"It means that the ownership has now changed hands and is irreversible."

The takeover deal was agreed in November, but Bell explained that it had taken time to conclude "as this was a business transaction involving several parties and should have been treated with a degree of sensitivity".

Bell thought there was "an exciting future" ahead for his football club.

The announcement of the deal had coincided with the departure of Allan McGonigal after just six months in charge at Shielfield.

He cited the exit of certain directors as a reason and complained of a lack of funds to improve the team.

McGonigal, who resigned after the loss of five straight games, felt he had been made a scapegoat for a poor start to the season.

Coach Crease took charge as caretaker and was appointed manager on a full-time basis a month later.

Berwick presently sit second bottom of the Third Division but are 12 points clear of Elgin City.