Thompson looking for Clean Sweep

21 January 2000

He may no longer be Chairman, but Tony Hale seems determined to hang on to power in some form despite the rest of the Board making it quite clear that they felt it was time for him to move on. Comments made by Hale since his resignation have made it clear that he is not going to give Paul Thompson an easy ride, and he claims to have been receiving support from some shareholders who do not feel that Thompson is the right man to take the Club forward. The Club have now stated that they will be planning another EGM to remove him from the Board and have issued the following statement:

"The club is disappointed that despite comments made by Mr A B Hale following his resignation as Chairman, he has refused to resign as a director of the Company notwithstanding the fact that he has been asked to do so by all other members of the Board of West Bromwich Albion Plc."

"This is particularly disappointing and suprising in view of the many times that Mr Hale has stressed the importance of a united Board."

"The Company feels that it now has no alternative except to call an Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the following Ordinary Resolution:"

"  1. That Mr A B Hale be removed as a Director of the Company."

"Further details of the date, time, and place for the proposed Extraordinary General Meeting will be circulated as soon as convenient."

"The Company also wishes to announce that Mr Hale has been removed from the Boards of Directors of it's two associated companies, West Bromwich Albion Football Club Limited and W.B.A. Supporters' Sports and Social Clubs Limited."

Albion Director Barry Hurst added "It all seems rather hypocritical of Tony Hale. Not so long ago he was demanding the resignation of Board members who didn't agree with him and talking about the importance of a united Board. Now he's refusing to do just what he was asking those other members to do at the time - and resign".

Assuming that the remaining Board members all use their shareholdings to vote in favour of the resolution, the removal of Hale from the Board should be a mere formality - their combined shareholdings make up around 40% of the total. Hopefully, though, Hale will get the message from today's announcement and stand aside gracefully to save us from yet another acrimonious evening in the Gala Baths...

Previous Stories:

  07 January 2000:  Baggies Band the target of unwelcome abuse

  05 January 2000:  Owen leaves the Board

  24 December 1999:  Paul Thompson appointed Chairman

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