New owner Adam Webb says he wants to improve St Johnstone’s playing budget and training facilities – but warns change is necessary off the field for the club to grow.
The American lawyer Webb has completed his takeover, ending almost four decades of Geoff Brown’s ownership at McDiarmid Park.
Brown has been the majority shareholder since 1986 and says he is leaving with the Perth club in a “stable financial position”. He also assured fans that Webb is a man of “high integrity” who has the “best interests of the club at heart”.
And in an open letter , externalto supporters, Webb pledged to enhance training facilities and increase spending on the squad as he starts “a new chapter” for St Johnstone.
“In the coming years, our goal will be to gradually and sustainably increase the player budget,” he wrote.
“We will also improve the training facilities, changing rooms, gym, physio areas and technology. These enhancements will aid recruitment and performance.
“Our ambition is to finish in the top six, compete in Europe and do well in cup competitions year-after-year. This is possible, but it will take time.”
But Webb warned the club would need to adapt in order to reach the levels needed to sustain its Premiership status – though he vowed this would be done in consultation with fans.
“In order to survive at this level, we have to grow the club,” he continued.
“We need to attract new fans, we need existing fans to become more engaged and we need more commercial sponsors in order to increase our playing budget and remain competitive in the Premiership.
“So we have to make changes to improve all aspects of the club in the coming years.”
