[expatriate]

I have received a fair number of private emails in addition to the questions and queries being pondered in this forum. Since some of the private questions are not only similar to each other (as well as being similar to questions posed on teh forum), but also from people in this forum, I thought it would save time (as well continuing the practice of transparency) if I replied in this manner.

1. I do not know who Mr Whalley was referring to when he said there was another buyer of his shares. On the basis of everything that I am aware of, I do not think there is another buyer. I have no factual evidence to explain why Mr Whalley made those claims.

2. I do not know the status of Mr O'Neil's offer to buy Mr Whalley's shares.

3. I remain prepared and willing (and able) to invest £200,000 into the club. I stress, here, that I am not interested in buying anyone's shares, but in putting money into the club where it is needed.

4. Yesterday evening (by which I mean Monday April 20th) I sent a follow up letter to the club and all the directors. I reminded them that I had not yet recieved any reply to my earlier correspondence. I also repeated my offer to invest cash into the club. In addition, I have asked the club to clarify its financial position with respect to its major creditors. Specifically I have asked, as a shareholder, for information on exactly how much money is also needed by the club to pay for essential capital expenditure (for example the seating).

5. I am very much aware of the delay in the filing of the accounts. This is a serious matter, and symptomatic of the various issues that the board of directors seem to be facing. I have no real sense of the reasons for the delay, nor of the remedial action that has to be taken in order to ensure that the club does not face any problems.

6. I wish I had the expertise to "own and run" the club. But I dont. I am painfully aware that in clubs such as ASFC, the Chairman needs to be very much a hands on executive. However, whilst I have no ability or ambition to run the club, I do understand and accept that if the situation demands, then I may need to take up a more significant equity position but work with someone else who could be the equivalent of Mr. Whalley (assuming he is no longer involved). The problem with this line of thought is that it becomes entirely speculative, with too many "ifs" and "buts" to have any sensible bearing. I therefore hope you will all understand if I cant say more. Its not that I dont want to say more, its just that the questions become so hypothetical that they can easily be misunderstood - which is not in anyone's interests.

I close with two points. Firstly that Mr Whalley is still the Chairman and majority shareholder. All decisions at the club have been his, and remain his until we hear otherwise. Related to this point, I wish Mr O Neil the best of luck in buying Mr Whalley's shares, and have no interest or opinion on that transaction.

Secondly, my interests are focused on the club, and exclusively so. I share the disquiet that many of you feel about the events of the past few months.

As always, any opinions expressed here are only mine, and mine alone. If I am wrong, or have offended someone, please accept my apology. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to clarify any point or take issue with anything I say.

Ilyas