South London Press

Future's at stake

Millwall could be in administration within days if club chairman John Berylson loses a crucial vote at a shareholder meeting on July 2.
The Den supremo has invested more than £10million in the club in the two years since he joined, starving off losses of more than £5million a year.
But all that could be at risk if he does not get the backing he needs to fight off biggest shareholder Graham Lacey.
The developer, who has refused to become a director, has put forward motions demanding shareholders be consulted about major board decisions.
"I have lost confidence in the board," he said in a letter to shareholders.
And there are fears the ballot is now being seen as a vote of confidence in Berylson.
Millwall Supporters Club chairman Bob Asprey said: "We need to back the chairman 100 per cent.
It has to be a possibility that he might resign if he doesn't win. If he did, the only way of us going into administration is another big investor. And that's when your mind goes blank.
Without a football team at The Den, the covenants which ban development on the land don't make a lot of sense.
A developer could then step in and take advantage of the huge value of the plot.
Mr Lacey's letter to shareholders has so few references to football, fans can be forgiven for thinking he is not interested in the playing side.
Whereas Mr Berylson's plans are clear and well documented, so we should back his vision."
Berylson's board has also received unexpected backing from Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock.
He said: "The current chairman and management team, in particular deputy executive chairman Heather Rabbatts, are people we have confidence in."
Lewisham Town Hall officers have been in talks with the club over redevelopment around The Den for more than two years.
Bullock's influence is crucial because Lewisham council own the freehold of the ground, so no development can take place without his office's approval.
Bullock added: "The board needs to be able to get on and do the job. I have great confidence in the people currently running the club in terms of how they are approaching the regeneration.
As a football fan I always get very nervous when shareholders, who one assumes have some feel for the club, seem to be doing things which are not really taking any account of that.
Anything which is a difficulty for the club is something we are concerned about.
The fans I have spoken to want to be reassured the regeneration does not put the stadium at risk.
Once reassured about that, they are keen on redevelopment. It can only be for the good of the club.
The council and myself are working very closely with the club on the regeneration, which is potentially very exciting for the area.
We want to see regeneration and jobs in the area. The club is a great asset to Lewisham."