Swansea City Supporters’ Trust notes the recent filings at Companies House, which states that Julian Winter and Sam Porter have been appointed as Directors of Swansea City AFC Ltd and Swansea City Football 2002 Ltd and the resignation of Steve Kaplan as a director from both companies. This is in addition to the previous appointment of Gareth Davies to Swansea City AFC Ltd and Jake Silverstein to both companies.

With regards to the respective appointments, the Swans Trust has no issues with the appointment of Julian Winter and Gareth Davies. As Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer respectively, it is entirely appropriate that both are directors of the club, particularly in the current climate and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them.

As we have previously communicated, the Trust views it as inappropriate that Jake Silverstein, who has not invested in our club, but has simply loaned money in the form of a convertible loan, has been appointed as a director. The Trust has had no discussions with Jake Silverstein and has no visibility in terms of what his interests in our football club are. As the fans’ representatives within the ownership of our club, this is not the best start in seeking to convince the fans you are here to act as a suitable custodian of our club.

On the issue of the resignation of Steve Kaplan, despite our requests, we have been provided with no information as to why he has resigned, or whether this represents a change in the ownership structure of Swansea Football LLC. As a company filed in Delaware, we have no visibility on the ownership structure of that company. The appointment of Sam Porter, a long-time legal representative of the majority owners, would seem to suggest there is no change in that ownership structure and that Steve Kaplan, despite this change, very much remains the key decision maker amongst the majority owners. Without any reason being communicated or any visibility, we cannot say anything more.

It is important to our fans that they know a) who is responsible for making decisions in our football club and b) what are the intentions of those who own our club. Recent changes make both parts of that statement less clear, and we would urge the respective parties to remember that they are custodians of our club and the need to provide clarity to the Trust and our fans.

Swansea City Supporters Trust

6th October 2020

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