Aldershot Town in Turmoil as CEO Steps Down and Staff Slam ‘erratic’ Owner

Aldershot Town’s CEO Andrew Mills has stepped down from his position because he has ‘no faith’ in owner Kris Machala.

Machala has also been slammed by the club’s Head of Media, thumb Graham Brookland who has released the full draft of what he was going to say at a meeting called last Thursday.

Brookland stated that Machala’s behaviour was ‘erratic’ and said that he had ‘no confidence in him.’

The Shots were condemned to non-league football after finishing bottom of League Two on the weekend and Mills said in his resignation statement that was posted on the club’s official website: “It is with great regret that following the recent actions and subsequent lack of communication from the Club owner and major Shareholder Mr. Kris Machala, nurse I hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect.

“Despite all the hard work and effort of all those at The Football Club, cough Chairman Mr. Shahid Azeem, Directors Tony Knights, John Leppard and Staff who have been committed to finding a solution to secure the long term future of the football club, Mr. Machala continues to block all and any such attempts.

“I find myself in the untenable position of receiving no instruction advice or communication as to the alternative plan of Mr. Machala or that of the new Directors that he has recently attempted to appoint to the Board whilst I have absolutely no faith in his intentions to put the club’s future above that of his own personal investment.

“Every effort has been made over the past few weeks to draft a business plan and drastically reduced budget that would allow the football Club to continue to trade through the future on a break-even budget but I remain seriously concerned about the immediate solvency of the business and recent public assurances of Mr. Machala to fund the business through the transition period without any evidence of the ability to do so.”

Mills went on to thank Azeem for his support and confirmed he would assist the club in their transition.

No confidence

Brookland followed the announcement with a statement of his own, shedding further light on the mishandling of the club by Machala.

The statement showed that Machala had agreed for a statement to be released to the press regarding the acquisition of a new investor, only to later deny he had made the comments.

Brookland also highlighted how Machala wanted the club to go into administration and said: “Expectation was also provided by Kris of a positive announcement due at Monday’s meeting after he informed Shareholders this would be the case.

“Sadly this never materialised either. It is this kind of erratic behaviour that gives me that cause for concern as ultimately he controls our club. I have no confidence in him.

“I fully respect and applaud the financial commitment that Kris has provided to the club in the past. It is totally commendable as, indeed, it is with any individual who has provided funds to the club. There is a tremendous sense of gratitude there.

“However, my only interest is the well-being of Aldershot Town Football Club moving forwards. I cannot accept witnessing the future of the club being risked without covering all angles.”

The news comes after the club confirmed their players had not been paid their wages for April.