Post by Rovers 12th Man on Sept 17, 2015 6:46:14 GMT
Colin Sexstone is ready to ride out the storm that is expected to follow his appointment to the board of Bristol Rovers today.
Sexstone, 67, who spent 18 months as chairman of Bristol City during an 10-year spell on the board at Ashton Gate, has accepted a non-executive directorship at the Memorial Stadium after resigning a similar position at Plymouth Argyle earlier this week.
The vastly-experienced sports administrator, who is expected to be officially presented at the Memorial Stadium today, is being brought on board to lend his experience towards Rovers' continuing bid to build a new stadium on land owned by the University of West England.
"I am fully aware of the fact that there will be some people on both sides of the divide who will decry this move," said Sexstone.
"That is only natural because I served at Ashton Gate for a decade and I don't need anyone to tell me that there is a rivalry there.
"I enjoyed my time at Bristol City and I wish them well for the future, but I am a Bristolian first and foremost and I have fond memories of the days I used to go to watch Rovers at Eastville with my friends when I was at boarding school at the top of Bell Hill in Stapleton
"I live on the north side of the city and have done so for 15 years and I have friends on the board who want to use my expertise – if that is the right word – to help them going forward.
"I have struck up a friendship with Ed Ware and Chris Jelf after they helped me and my family through a very difficult period, so when they asked me if I would be interested I didn't hesitate."
Sexstone will also oversee the process of putting in place plans to maximise revenue streams resulting from the new venue should Rovers eventually realise their dream of constructing their proposed new home away from the Memorial Stadium.
He will also tap in to his wide-ranging business network in an effort to help the on-going search to attract outside investment.
"I have over 20 years of experience in sports administration so you would hope that I have learned something in that time that can be of use to Rovers going forward," Sexstone added.
"I don't have a big swag bag of money to invest but I hope to use my contacts book to open some doors that will help to find some outside investment.
"I have a lot of experience in dealing with potential investment into football clubs and I know a lot of people who are looking around to get involved if they can find the right club.
"There is massive potential at this club, but it needs a new stadium to really capitalise on all the things that are going for it.
"A purpose-built stadium right next to great rail and motorway links would certainly make the club an attractive proposition for outside investors over the long term.
"When we were going through the process of Ashton Vale at Bristol City we enlisted the help of Deloitte to develop a business plan that highlighted the value of building a new stadium for any club.
"It outlined where and how you could maximise the asset and these are all ideas that can be taken forward and developed to help Bristol Rovers use the stadium to generate the income that can help them move up the league structure."
The role is not thought to encompass day-to-day or on-pitch affairs but he will attend weekly board meetings and will be asked for his opinions on a range of issues on a regular basis.
Sexstone, who was born and raised in Bristol, enjoyed a 25-year career in the RAF before joining Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 1996 and enjoying a successful five-year spell as chief executive.
During his tenure, Gloucestershire won five one-day trophies at a time when Sexstone was overseeing the ultimately successful bid to bring the County Ground up to international standard.
He joined Bristol City in 2001 and was at the club as they won promotion from League One to the Championship in 2007 before narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League when they lost the play-off final to Hull City the following season.
Revenues more than doubled during Sexstone's tenure at Ashton Gate as he managed to turn the venue into one that delivered a host of income-boosting non-football events.
Sexstone was also heavily involved in the planning for the club's ultimately unsuccessful Ashton Vale stadium venture and was a key figure in Bristol's selection as a host city for England's 2018 World Cup bid.
www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTOL-ROVERS-Colin-Sexstone-ready-ride-storm/story-27812434-detail/story.html#ixzz3lyZ707Mw
Sexstone, 67, who spent 18 months as chairman of Bristol City during an 10-year spell on the board at Ashton Gate, has accepted a non-executive directorship at the Memorial Stadium after resigning a similar position at Plymouth Argyle earlier this week.
The vastly-experienced sports administrator, who is expected to be officially presented at the Memorial Stadium today, is being brought on board to lend his experience towards Rovers' continuing bid to build a new stadium on land owned by the University of West England.
"I am fully aware of the fact that there will be some people on both sides of the divide who will decry this move," said Sexstone.
"That is only natural because I served at Ashton Gate for a decade and I don't need anyone to tell me that there is a rivalry there.
"I enjoyed my time at Bristol City and I wish them well for the future, but I am a Bristolian first and foremost and I have fond memories of the days I used to go to watch Rovers at Eastville with my friends when I was at boarding school at the top of Bell Hill in Stapleton
"I live on the north side of the city and have done so for 15 years and I have friends on the board who want to use my expertise – if that is the right word – to help them going forward.
"I have struck up a friendship with Ed Ware and Chris Jelf after they helped me and my family through a very difficult period, so when they asked me if I would be interested I didn't hesitate."
Sexstone will also oversee the process of putting in place plans to maximise revenue streams resulting from the new venue should Rovers eventually realise their dream of constructing their proposed new home away from the Memorial Stadium.
He will also tap in to his wide-ranging business network in an effort to help the on-going search to attract outside investment.
"I have over 20 years of experience in sports administration so you would hope that I have learned something in that time that can be of use to Rovers going forward," Sexstone added.
"I don't have a big swag bag of money to invest but I hope to use my contacts book to open some doors that will help to find some outside investment.
"I have a lot of experience in dealing with potential investment into football clubs and I know a lot of people who are looking around to get involved if they can find the right club.
"There is massive potential at this club, but it needs a new stadium to really capitalise on all the things that are going for it.
"A purpose-built stadium right next to great rail and motorway links would certainly make the club an attractive proposition for outside investors over the long term.
"When we were going through the process of Ashton Vale at Bristol City we enlisted the help of Deloitte to develop a business plan that highlighted the value of building a new stadium for any club.
"It outlined where and how you could maximise the asset and these are all ideas that can be taken forward and developed to help Bristol Rovers use the stadium to generate the income that can help them move up the league structure."
The role is not thought to encompass day-to-day or on-pitch affairs but he will attend weekly board meetings and will be asked for his opinions on a range of issues on a regular basis.
Sexstone, who was born and raised in Bristol, enjoyed a 25-year career in the RAF before joining Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 1996 and enjoying a successful five-year spell as chief executive.
During his tenure, Gloucestershire won five one-day trophies at a time when Sexstone was overseeing the ultimately successful bid to bring the County Ground up to international standard.
He joined Bristol City in 2001 and was at the club as they won promotion from League One to the Championship in 2007 before narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League when they lost the play-off final to Hull City the following season.
Revenues more than doubled during Sexstone's tenure at Ashton Gate as he managed to turn the venue into one that delivered a host of income-boosting non-football events.
Sexstone was also heavily involved in the planning for the club's ultimately unsuccessful Ashton Vale stadium venture and was a key figure in Bristol's selection as a host city for England's 2018 World Cup bid.
www.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTOL-ROVERS-Colin-Sexstone-ready-ride-storm/story-27812434-detail/story.html#ixzz3lyZ707Mw