A decade later and finally the truth comes out

[Pinter777]

So currently diving into the murky history, having read the mortuary tribunal regrading O’Brien and dinard saga, turns out Kevin phelan and Aidan phelan are of no relation…oddi thought….the complete history book by Tony bluff is a great readz

[BobG]

I love the mortuary bit Pinter!! A cracking bit of spellcheckitis!

BobG

[RobTheRover]

VSC Board Statement

The VSC Board welcomes the news of the verdict of fraud case heard at Leeds Crown Court following the reporting restriction in place until 19th September 2025. 

This case involved key figures in the failed takeover of Doncaster Rovers by Sequentia Capital in 2013.

We would further like to pass on our thanks to Judge Belcher, Tim Hannam KC and his team for the prosecution, and the jury members for reaching their decision.

Those involved in the failed takeover and now awaiting sentencing for fraud on January 8th 2026 are Kevin Phelan, Daniel Giles and Adrian Bashforth.

The takeover attempt did enormous damage to the Doncaster Rovers fanbase, which has taken many years to heal.  Public support for the Sequentia Capital takeover was expressed by many supporters despite no real information available on who was behind the bid or where the proposed funding was coming from.  Support was also given from representatives of Doncaster Rovers Supporters Club, and former club Chairman John Ryan, fronting these bids, even enlisted Louis Tomlinson to promote and help raise funds.  Tomlinson later said in a statement that he was “misled”.   

The VSC did what a Supporter’s Trust was meant to do.  We sought to scrutinise the potential new owners, particularly with regard for the good governance of the Football Club and ensuring that its future would be secure for the benefit of future generations of supporters.  The fact that we couldn’t complete this due to a lack of information and those behind Sequentia Capital being unwilling to provide it only raised further concern.

In the face of mounting pressure and speculation the VSC stood firm and worked diligently behind the scenes with various individuals and groups to help ensure that these takeovers did not succeed without full transparency.  Some of these people worked at the FA, the EFL, Supporters Direct, and the FSF.  We also received help from many Rovers fans and individuals who kept their identity secret and yet provided valuable information, and Conor Ryan, an investigative journalist then working at The Irish Examiner newspaper.  We would like to place on record our thanks to all those who supported the VSC.

Now, in the light of this verdict and at a time with Doncaster Rovers in settled and stable ownership whilst other clubs are facing an uncertain future due to ownership issues, with the recent well publicised concerns for Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday supporters as examples, the actions of the VSC regarding the takeover attempt can finally be viewed as correct and justified by all.

It has taken a long time to get to this point, but the truth about the people behind the ownership bid is now a matter of public record.

In the months to come we will detail more information on how the takeover bids came about and the dangers they held for the club and it’s proud supporters. We will also reach out to the club and individuals involved at the time and ask the questions that need to be asked, and ensure that we are prepared for the future. 

Football clubs are the cornerstone of communities, and by ensuring good ownership and holding it to account we can help ensure Doncaster Rovers supporters have a well-run club to enjoy for many more years to come.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Excellent statement.

And thank you to everyone involved in making sure these crooks didn't get their hands on OUR club.

[Filo]

Great statement

Some of the more sinister events ought to be revealed, there’s loads that people don’t know

[sf9944]

Agree great statement.

Well done and a big THANK YOU to all involved in the work to uncover what was really going on back then. We owe you a debt.

It was easy at the time to get carried away by the hype. I admit I was one who did to some extent. But it was obviously just window dressing for people with dodgy motives and others with blind ambition.

I’d like to understand more and I look forward to hearing more. It’s important as preventing we don’t end up in a similar position ever again.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Great statement

Some of the more sinister events ought to be revealed, there’s loads that people don’t know

Agree. I don't think we'll get full closure until such time as we know more about what motivated those key individuals to tread where they shouldn't.

As Rob says in the statement though, they key thing is learning and helping the next generation to be prepared and be vigilant.

[silent majority]

Great statement

Some of the more sinister events ought to be revealed, there’s loads that people don’t know

That’s very true Filo, but we’ve waited years for the Police investigation to conclude so that we can give out the details that we’ve held onto. This should have been heard in court last year but kept getting moved until it was heard this year. It was a difficult case and involved about 14 individuals and many millions yet just 3 individuals have been named.

[Pancho Regan]

I'd like to add my sincere thanks to Martin, Rob and the others at the VSC for standing firm in the face of the vitriol and abuse they suffered at the time of this whole shabby episode.
As supporters of DRFC we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for refusing to give way and for protecting our club against what would have been a disaster.

Not for the first time, I say "thank heavens for the VSC".

[i_ateallthepies]

I'd like to add my sincere thanks to Martin, Rob and the others at the VSC for standing firm in the face of the vitriol and abuse they suffered at the time of this whole shabby episode.
As supporters of DRFC we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for refusing to give way and for protecting our club against what would have been a disaster.

Not for the first time, I say "thank heavens for the VSC".

Perfectly said. I echo every word of this.

[Al4475]

At last a bit of vindication for what we as a VSC Board at that time went through. Heaven knows how Martin and Rob have kept going through the years in their VSC roles.

Simply knowing the ins and outs from then turned me away from DRFC and footy in general.

It's not a case of we tild you so, but the JR Messiah Bli keys had to come off.

He knew full well what he was involved with right from the off - not a desperate man doing desperate things - far from it. He knew the potential ramifications and that was clear at a VSC meeting before the 2013 season- he stood there in the meeting and almost screamed, 'let me tell you why Doncaster Rovers need Sequentia Capital' then when very quiet when asked some pertinent questions regarding Sequentia. he was fully immersed, involved and will be implicated i am sure when all the other stuff comes out fully.

Gav, Terry, Dick (Rip), Liam Scully, Andrew etc etc etc have all spent various parts of the last 10+ years clearing the shit up. Notwithstanding Martin and R9b.

I am sure that when Martin and co are okayed to give the full story over the next few weeks/months - everyone else will at last see what we were unfortunately privvy to.

[VivaRovers]

Whilst yes the truth has come out please don’t jump at those who were calling you guys out back then. They weren’t privy to the facts and only had what was being shared in the public domain to go on.

Respectfully disagree mate. People such as SM were telling us that this was bad for the club and the vsc were the fans reps on the board.
They were holding people to account but a lot of folk held JR as the Messiah and blindly followed him.

Thank God for the vsc and those who were very hands on at the time.

I think some additional context is needed here...

Only two and a bit years prior the VSC (not the same people, but the same organisation) had been championing Willie McKay's experiment and dismissing and belittling many of those who dared to question it or call it our rather than get blithely behind it, less they upset John Ryan.

With that in mind, you can understand why some fans, especially without the benefit of the full facts at their disposal, may have been wary of going along with the VSC on this issue.

I'm not excusing any abuse that VSC committee members may have received by any means (that's undeniably not right), but I think, as Fal says, it's unfair (and unhelpful) to start calling out fans who might have had a different view to the VSC at the time.

I'm not in that group – the fanzine was also calling out the Louis Tomlinson centred deal and backed the VSC for doing so, and I duly also copped my own share of abuse for doing so – but in hindsight I can understand why many found it hard to fully get behind the VSC's efforts at the time.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Viva

I'm sure you remember it WASN'T just that some folk ",found it hard to fully get behind the VSC's efforts at the time".

The level of abuse and vitriol on here towards the VSC at the time and since was worse than anything I've ever seen. That spread out into other social media, and onto the terraces where "f**k the VSC" tags and chants became commonplace.

In a sensible, grown up world, there's some serious apologising to be done by a few people over that. I won't hold my breath.

[RobTheRover]

Whilst yes the truth has come out please don’t jump at those who were calling you guys out back then. They weren’t privy to the facts and only had what was being shared in the public domain to go on.

Respectfully disagree mate. People such as SM were telling us that this was bad for the club and the vsc were the fans reps on the board.
They were holding people to account but a lot of folk held JR as the Messiah and blindly followed him.

Thank God for the vsc and those who were very hands on at the time.

I think some additional context is needed here...

Only two and a bit years prior the VSC (not the same people, but the same organisation) had been championing Willie McKay's experiment and dismissing and belittling many of those who dared to question it or call it our rather than get blithely behind it, less they upset John Ryan.

With that in mind, you can understand why some fans, especially without the benefit of the full facts at their disposal, may have been wary of going along with the VSC on this issue.

I'm not excusing any abuse that VSC committee members may have received by any means (that's undeniably not right), but I think, as Fal says, it's unfair (and unhelpful) to start calling out fans who might have had a different view to the VSC at the time.

I'm not in that group – the fanzine was also calling out the Louis Tomlinson centred deal and backed the VSC for doing so, and I duly also copped my own share of abuse for doing so – but in hindsight I can understand why many found it hard to fully get behind the VSC's efforts at the time.

I remember writing that piece with you, Glenn. Grateful of your support at a time when it felt like there wasn't much around.

[RobTheRover]

Viva

I'm sure you remember it WASN'T just that some folk ",found it hard to fully get behind the VSC's efforts at the time".

The level of abuse and vitriol on here towards the VSC at the time and since was worse than anything I've ever seen. That spread out into other social media, and onto the terraces where "f**k the VSC" tags and chants became commonplace.

In a sensible, grown up world, there's some serious apologising to be done by a few people over that. I won't hold my breath.

We got that some fans were blinded by JR's confidence in the deal. We got that some fans wanted more success.

We also had to stand by what the Trust is there for and why Andy Liney et al established it. We wanted it to be true and transparent as much as anyone. The fact it wasn't and those involved couldn't or wouldn't answer our questions just meant we had to keep challenging.

[silent majority]

Viva.

I think you’re being unfair here, although I agree with some elements of what you say.

Let’s not forget it was the VSC that raised numerous funds which they handed over to JR in his early years getting DRFC off the ground. It was also the VSC, in the shape of Andy Liney, who negotiated the move to the Keepmoat. JR might have been the public figure yet it was Andy who attended the meetings and sat with the planners at DMBC.

It was that short period after Andy left that the VSC lost its way. Andy handed the reigns to someone who quite clearly had no grasp of what a supporters trust was about. I called it the John Ryan fan club as all the work and effort went into supporting him. I got a call from Supporters Direct asking if I could have a closer look at what was going on, and I’ve been involved ever since! It was during that period that the tie up with Willie McKay was instigated and it took a while to get the VSC back on track.

So yes I agree that at that time they were doing the wrong thing but prior, and subsequent to that period, theyhave acted as you would expect.

I would also suggest that people wait until we’ve published the details of that period before casting judgement. There’s an awful lot to be told!!

[DearneValleyRover]

Great statement

Some of the more sinister events ought to be revealed, there’s loads that people don’t know

There are still things that we can’t say unfortunately

[DonnyBazR0ver]

So currently diving into the murky history, having read the mortuary tribunal regrading O’Brien and dinard saga, turns out Kevin phelan and Aidan phelan are of no relation…oddi thought….the complete history book by Tony bluff is a great readz

Have you read the court transcripts? I did at the time spending lots of hours going through them.  I don't wish to do that again.

Also looks like this latest court verdict has rekindled the whole affair across the pond.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19niwSkiRp/

[jmt23]

It will be good to read it all, hopefully it can be allowed, but given what is being said so far it may also be tinged with sadness and no doubt anger.

[drfcsteve]

Viva.

I think you’re being unfair here, although I agree with some elements of what you say.

Let’s not forget it was the VSC that raised numerous funds which they handed over to JR in his early years getting DRFC off the ground. It was also the VSC, in the shape of Andy Liney, who negotiated the move to the Keepmoat. JR might have been the public figure yet it was Andy who attended the meetings and sat with the planners at DMBC.

It was that short period after Andy left that the VSC lost its way. Andy handed the reigns to someone who quite clearly had no grasp of what a supporters trust was about. I called it the John Ryan fan club as all the work and effort went into supporting him. I got a call from Supporters Direct asking if I could have a closer look at what was going on, and I’ve been involved ever since! It was during that period that the tie up with Willie McKay was instigated and it took a while to get the VSC back on track.

So yes I agree that at that time they were doing the wrong thing but prior, and subsequent to that period, theyhave acted as you would expect.

I would also suggest that people wait until we’ve published the details of that period before casting judgement. There’s an awful lot to be told!!

This is really good context for anyone that felt frustrated around the “experiment” period, thanks so much for sharing.

[TonySoprano]

I feel that if the vsc were more transparent at the time as to why they were fighting it, then some of the animosity could have been alleviated.

Still now were told there are things they still cant talk about.

JR is still the best chairman and owner we've ever had, unless some of the snide insinuations against him on here are backed with proof and evidence, then that will never change.

[vaya]

are backed with proof and evidence.

Not entirely sure you've grasped how the legal process works there.

[bobjimwilly]

I feel that if the vsc were more transparent at the time as to why they were fighting it, then some of the animosity could have been alleviated.

I’ll have to disagree there TS. At the time, there were posts on this very forum explaining why we didn’t trust the deal—hence the meetings where JR was invited to discuss it. We also held both public and private discussions with those who disagreed with us, explaining why we felt we had to oppose it. And we made a point of reminding everyone, almost daily, of the Trust’s responsibility to be so thorough.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Anyone who looked at the Sequentia Capital website and thought "this looks like a kosher company" really shouldn't be preparing their own food. That alone should have set off 140dB alarm bells.

[TonySoprano]

are backed with proof and evidence.

Not entirely sure you've grasped how the legal process works there.

It's settled now, let's hear it all.
Or is there some other reason for still keeping quiet?

[TonySoprano]

I feel that if the vsc were more transparent at the time as to why they were fighting it, then some of the animosity could have been alleviated.

I’ll have to disagree there TS. At the time, there were posts on this very forum explaining why we didn’t trust the deal—hence the meetings where JR was invited to discuss it. We also held both public and private discussions with those who disagreed with us, explaining why we felt we had to oppose it. And we made a point of reminding everyone, almost daily, of the Trust’s responsibility to be so thorough.

Would you care to link the to the said posts.
Because as I remember it, nothing was explained, and still isn't. 

[vaya]

are backed with proof and evidence.

Not entirely sure you've grasped how the legal process works there.

It's settled now, let's hear it all.
Or is there some other reason for still keeping quiet?

So are you confident in predicting nothing further will be come out then?

[RobTheRover]

It's still an active court case until the sentencing hearing. Nothing more will be shared until after conclusion.

[BobG]

Tony. Why must you always believe there is a conspiracy? Have you read the rules by which the VSC operates? Have you no understanding of the legal processes in this country? Have you no faith in anybody at all telling the truth? Have you no memory?

What you imply is downright shameful.

BobG

[BobG]

On the subject of best ever Rovers chairman, there are possibilities beyond JR. Charlie Wilson and Terry Bramall immediately spring to mind for example. Who was chairman during the halcyon days of the mid 1950's too?

BobG