The Hawks - Dare To Dream

Josh: Cheers man, we really did, and hopefully we can do likewise this season ;).

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Supporters of Havant & Waterlooville will have been shocked today, after news broke out that long time chairman and a man at the heart at the club, Derek Pope is looking to sell up and move aside.

Pope announced on Monday, that he was looking for potential buyers of the Vanarama Conference Premier club, and was confident that there will be plenty of interest. Havant have recently been promoted, have a good squad and a hungry, young manager too, so are an attractive prospect but Pope remained adamant that he would take his time to consider his options, and ensure that he sells to the ‘right person’.

The 66 year old has still been described as a man with great passion for The Hawks though, and has been a driving force behind the scenes at the club, but he himself has told local press that he is ‘too old’ to run the club anymore and would prefer to just be a fan again.

Speaking to The Portsmouth News, Pope said; ”I’ve loved every minute of being chairman at this club, it’s been a wonderful experience. But I genuinely believe that the current side put together by Lee is a very strong one, and can easily lead us into the Football League so with myself getting on now, I just don’t feel like I can handle running the club any longer.”

He added; ”The support will still be there from me, I want to be a fan again, but from the other side of things I don’t think I can keep up with the demands of being chairman of a club in this league or higher. It has nothing to do with money, or the passion being losy, I am just doing what I believe is for the good of Havant and Waterlooville F.C. and that is selling to a younger chairman.”

Manager Lee Bradbury paid tribute to the man, also admitting that he will be sad to see him go, after the good relationship between the pair. The PR team at the club have lined up a tribute themselves too, and will present Pope with an award for his ‘amazing work’ before the first game of the Vanarama Conference Premier season, which is approaching.

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Last Update: Hawks release 5 players, 14 sign new deal
Next Update: Havant & Waterlooville takeover complete

Perhaps someone rich could buy you up?

Interesting... Hopefully whoever comes in will give you a lot of money to work with

It would be great if the new man or woman brings in a whole load of cash to help you build up the club. Fingers crossed for you.

Hope some billionaire Russian, Middle Eastern, Chinese tycoon takes you over!

Neal: That would be nice...

Josh: Yeah, a budget boost would be great for bringing in players, for the new season!

James237: Agreed, that would be great. Thanks :).

Zap: Haha, as long as they have a nice amount of money, I don't care ;).

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English businessman Adi Aymes has seized control of Havant & Waterlooville F.C. after buying out the club from Derek Pope, for £150k.

Previous owner Pope, 66 years old, announced 3 weeks ago that he was looking to sell The Hawks and step aside, feeling that his age meant he couldn’t handle the demands of running the club anymore. Described as a man with great passion for Havant, he told press he just wanted to be a fan again, but guaranteed that he would make the sale with caution so that it was the ‘right person’ that was his successor.

Negotiations haven’t taken long to come to a conclusion, however, and a swift transition has been made with Adi Aymes now officially the chairman of Havant & W. In stark comparison to Pope, Aymes is still a young man at just 29 years old and is not only a businessman, but a very successful one at that, making his money in the medical industry.

Any fans that were hoping for a billionaire foreign owner will have been disappointed, but speaking at his first press conference , Aymes said that he had the funds at his disposal, if need be;

”I am delighted to have took on the role of chairman at Havant & Waterlooville, but I must thank Derek Pope for giving me the opportunity to take control and deciding to sell to me. I have a great enthusiasm for football, and have been a keen supporter of the game since a young boy. Growing up in the area, I have always kept any eye out for the club, and now this opportunity has arisen I am overwhelmed to be in this position. I am not going to bring hundreds of millions of pounds to the table, and buy success, but there is funds available if needed.”

He went on to state, ”I am aware of the excellent season Havant had last season, and Lee Bradbury has done an excellent job here, so I can’t wait to get working with him and give him my full backing. In terms of the facilities, there is currently things to be discussed and looked into, so improvements could be on the way but the short term aim is to help Lee assemble a squad for the upcoming Vanarama Conference Premier season.”

One fan who was in attendance at the press conference, was impressed with the manner that the new chairman spoke in, and thought he said ‘all the right things’.

The supporter said, ”The guy spoke really well, said a lot of positive things, and that’s encouraging. I do hope now that there is some real financial stability here, and that in the future we can continue to grow and develop under this new ownership.”

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Last Update: Havant chairman looking to sell
Next Update: Three new faces at West Leigh Park

New owner, perfect for a club like Havant to 'Dare to Dream' (That was such an awful comment!). Nice update and I look forward to seeing who you'll bring in more over into the future

P-KIDDY: Thanks man

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Havant & Waterlooville have completed their first three signings of the summer with Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, Therry Racon and Daniel Pappoe, all completing moves to the Vanarama Conference Premier side, on free transfers.

Manager Lee Bradbury had already targeted improving his squad, as The Hawks prepare for life in a higher division, and these three new additions will be a massive boost as he begins his recruitment drive for the summer.

With the departures freeing up some wages, funds from the new owner, and reward money from last year, there is certainly room in the budget for the boss to bring in new players and the three incomings show that this club can certainly attract good players.

Jaimez-Ruiz, 31 years old, is a Venezuelan goalkeeper with previous experience of playing league football after turning out for Aldershot Town. Ryan Young left the club in the summer, leaving a gap for a new man in between the sticks, and Jaimez-Ruiz is likely to steal the first team spot too with his ability edging that of last year’s first choice Scott Bevan.

Therry Racon is an even more accomplished player, having played across the Football League with Charlton, Millwall and Brighton. Operating as a central midfielder, the 31 year old Frenchman will be viewed as the replacement to Brian Stock. Racon is without a doubt one of the better players in the division now, with his class on the ball, and being able to the defensive side of things as well.

Finally, former Chelsea central defender Daniel Pappoe has joined the club, and at 21 years old has plenty of room to grow. Regardless, he is an accomplished player for the league and could prove to be crucial to The Hawks in the future, having all the attributes to command the backline.

Jaimez-Ruiz and Pappoe have both agreed to 2 year deals, while Racon has put pen to paper to a 1 year contract.

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Last Update: Havant & Waterlooville takeover complete
Next Update: Hawks swoop to land trio

Pappoe, former Chelsea boy! Not bad

Ah so unfortunately the takeover didn't allow you to buy Lionel Messi then? Nevermind! Either way, I am sure you will go from strength to strength!

Who, who, and who? I hope they aren't shite

I have heard of Terry Racon and he will do well for you awesome update as usual