THE community club bidding to take on the running of Basingstoke Town has announced 'one hell of a new signing' off the pitch.

Kevin White, who runs Fortem Financial Management, has come onto the board of Basingstoke Town Community Club to help it with the transition of taking over the club, provisionally due to take place this summer.

Mr White, who was born and bred in Basingstoke, has a background in the financial advice sector, providing advice on mortgages, investment planning, pensions and tax.

The new board member said: "My major motivation is to be able to get involved with our local football club and help with the work they are going to be doing in the community. Terry Brown is immensely passionate and to work alongside him and the rest of the team is something I am really looking forward to."

Terry Brown, community club chairman, said: “Kevin’s enthusiasm is highly contagious. The efforts he’s already displayed in this short time with us has been monumental. We’re so pleased he’s become part of our club in an official capacity.

"What’s truly impressive is the results he’s already achieving; he’s incredibly well-connected and what is more pleasing is that he is incredibly well-liked.

"We’ve no doubt he will be an integral part in achieving success going forward. He might not be a 30 plus goal a season striker, but it remains one hell of a signing”

The community club is seeking to secure from the FA a transfer of ownership from long-time owner Rafi Razzak.

To do this, the community club, which is democratically run by supporters and has been working to assume ownership and a new home in Winklebury for two years, will need to prove financial sustainability.

The transfer of ownership is vital as only once the community club is in charge will Basingstoke Town be allowed to move to the Hampshire FA’s Winklebury Football Complex.

Anyone interested in supporting the community owned club or finding out more should contact club secretary Steve Williams on stewill@hotmail.co.uk or 01256 770434 /07966921584.