Aylesbury United confirm move to community ownership

The club has confirmed a major ownership change which will see it become community owned, as efforts continue to bring the Ducks back to the town

In a statement, the consortium behind a new Community Interest Company confirmed it has purchased a 49 per cent shareholding in Aylesbury United FC Ltd from former chairman Graham Read.

The deal means the club is now majority owned by the 21CD Supporters Trust and the new CIC, which said the agreement “formally establishes the club as a community owned football club”.

The consortium said one of its long-term aims remains relocating the club back to Aylesbury.

It also thanked Mr Read for “his dedication and leadership over the past 20+ years” and for his work in trying to secure a return to the town.

The group said a new operating structure will be announced in the coming weeks, including supporter-led committees which will help shape the future direction of the club.

It added that recent months had seen increased attendances, new sponsorship and improved performances on the pitch, with further plans to be announced including pathways for local players.

An open meeting for supporters is expected to take place at the end of May.

In a separate statement, outgoing chairman Graham Read (picture below with Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith) confirmed his tenure officially ended on April 30.

Mr Read said he was leaving the role with “very fond memories, trials, tribulations and heartaches” after more than 20 years involved with the club.

He said efforts to secure a return to Aylesbury had included exploring multiple potential sites and added there are still ongoing discussions regarding possible future locations, including Woodlands and Stoke Mandeville Sports Stadium.

Mr Read said the Woodlands development could potentially provide a new home for the club within three to four years.

He added that he remained positive one of the proposals could eventually allow the club to return to Aylesbury.

The announcement follows recent calls for action to help the club secure a permanent home ground in the town.

As previously reported by Bucks Radio, Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith recently presented a petition in the House of Commons calling for support to help bring the club back to Aylesbury after two decades away from the town.

The petition highlighted concerns about the club’s lack of facilities and warned that some young players are being turned away because of limited capacity.

Mr Read said he believed the club would “continue to flourish under new ownership” and described the future model as “a community club run by the fans”.

He also reflected on the club’s growth since 2004, saying the number of teams playing under the Aylesbury United badge had increased from three to more than 50.

You can read his full statement here (external site)