NEWPORT County AFC supporters will need to raise £225,000 to take full control of the club.

That figure was outlined tonight as a packed Riverfront Theatre reconvened to hear the requirements ahead of a hoped-for supporter revolution, with every fan faction represented on a night of unity.

The Exiles will now begin the process of seeking investment, in terms of Trust members buying Community Shares or making donations as the takeover process moves to the next phase.

Eleven representatives from the Trust presented the meeting and introduced themselves, while every supporter group was also represented.

Promising an era with far more transparency, the Trust underlined County’s list of creditors and what they are owed and pledged to provide supporters with weekly updates throughout September while the share offer progresses.

In terms of the debt, County owe more than £180,000, despite the fact that their three major shareholders, Les Scadding, Matt Southall and Howard Greenhaf, have all pledged to gift their shares to the Trust.

In terms of the debt, County owe:

- £300,000 in directors’ loans to Les Scadding, to be repaid at £3000 per month from October; 

- £67,000 to Howard Greenhaf, who will be paid £9000 in September, October and November before the outstanding balance is paid at £2000 per month;

- £36,000 to Peterborough United, to be paid at £2000 per month for goalkeeper Joe Day;

- £10,000 to Phil Burgess, to be paid at £1000 per month;

- Rodney Parade, arrears being cleared at £7500 per home match for seven matches;

- Bank overdraft, £50,000.

The Trust indicated to the Argus that Mr Scadding has invested around £1.7 million in the club since joining the board. He is now understandably keen to see this process proceed as quickly as possible.

Trust membership has swelled to 1200 in the space of a month, but the Trust are hopeful of an eventual membership number to compare with the likes of Exeter City, who have more than 3000 members.

A thorough question and answer session was also held, where the Trust did their best to answer any fan enquiries, including how they reached the figure and how the club have been managed in the past.

They refused to apportion blame and stressed that going forward they will be publishing the full details of their financial report and urged supporters to move on from playing a blame game.

The Trust admitted that ideally they’d like to raise a sum that exceeds £225,000 in order to have as much working capital as possible, but are wary of the socio-economic situation in Newport and don’t want to overburden fans.

- For full details, visit http://www.ncafctrust.org/