Apology made after 'intemperate language' used in fund row
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
WICK Academy supporter Dan Mackay has apologised for his “intemperate language” after hitting out at what he called “a self-appointed elite” and accusing them of “towering conceit”.
Mr Mackay made the apology to former Academy chairman and local businessman Colin Stewart, the spokesman for a group of people who would like to see the £140,000 in the Wick Academy Development Fund (WADF) go to local community groups in line with the fund’s constitution.
However, Mr Mackay thinks all the money should bdeceite given to the football club and launched an online petition to the judicial factor – appointed by the Court of Session in Edinburgh to manage the affairs of the fund – to give fans a chance to air their views.
It attracted 113 signatures in its first week, but he has now decided to close it down “to minimise any administrative fees” which might be incurred by the fund to the judicial factor Eileen Blackburn’s office.
Mr Mackay, who has been campaigning since 2014 to see the money returned to Academy, says people still have the option to email their views to Ms Blackburn at WickAcademyDevelop mentFund@frenchduncan.co.uk
“All we can do now is wait and see how things work out. It is all in the hands of the judicial factor,” he said.
However, Mr Mackay, who also criticised Mr Stewart in a letter to the Groat last week, regrets some of the language he used to describe those with whom he disagrees.
“I accept that, at times, the views expressed in the public domain have been robust and I would like to apologise to Colin Stewart for some of my intemperate language.
“It is well-known that Mr Stewart, a former chairman, provided years of good and faithful service to Wick Academy.
“Clearly, we hold diametrically opposite positions on how the WADF monies should be distributed. But I accept that Mr Stewart and his group have a valid viewpoint. I regret any upset that my comments have caused Mr Stewart and would offer him a sincere apology.”
In response, Mr Stewart said: “I have spoken to Dan privately and do not wish to say any more on that subject.
“I will say that any involvement I had ended when the judicial factor was appointed to take over the fund in January and it is now down to due legal process.”
The appointment of the judicial factor was made after an investigation by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator following concerns raised by John Mowatt, vice-chairman of the fund, which was registered as a charity in 2002.
He and other local people are unhappy that more than £140,000 has been in a bank account for nearly 12 years and they feel the money should be used to help local sports, leisure and recreational organisations in accordance with the fund’s constitution.
However, Mr Mackay described the WADF constitution as “a red herring” and is adamant the fans thought they were supporting the development of the club when they purchased fundraising lottery tickets over many years.
He says the money should go to Academy, but believes there could be a win-win situation for the community.
“If Academy get the money back I am sure the club would have the good grace to redistribute some of it to community groups – but that would be a judgment call for Wick Academy,” he said.
