Theyre back.....

And if the old owners have walked away without paying the local community suppliers they remain a disgrace having claimed DCMS money

But we don't know yet

Do we

So cut the crap


And contribute something useful or crawl back into your hole

We do, and as far as I'm aware they have. So kindly leave this thread to our celebration, please?

New owner has revealed on the supporters Facebook page that the team will be playing its home games at the pavilions

As posted on the Raiders supporters group on FB, this is apparently a statement from Ross McKenzie. Sheds alot more light on the situation and that this is indeed a new basketball franchise being formed...


Basketball Statement: Dear all, since this mornings news surrounding the future of the BBL franchise was released given a period of significant uncertainty, I have fielded many calls and private messages asking about my role/involvement going forward. I wanted make some clarifications and distinctions and hopefully paint a picture for any of those interested. I am not part of the new BBL franchise. I am currently a Director of Plymouth Raiders 1983 Ltd and as such, part owner of the organisation that currently holds the Intellectual Property and naming rights of the "Plymouth Raiders", alongside our Turkish majority partners and Richard Mollard. Given the on-court success of this past season, unfortunately there has been and remains some conflict internally, some of which I'm privy, some of which I'm not. For my part, I've spent much of the past 12 months away from both CourierForce and Raiders battling a serious condition and multiple surgeries which brought me back to work fully in April. I returned to a business that faced serious challenges surrounding it's future playing venue and a breakdown in negotiations between the parties involved, both on the club's side and the Pavilions, almost irrevocably. The venue challenges have been largely ignored over the past several months despite repeated warnings about the imminent threat posed in a post Covid landscape. I spent 3 years working closely with James and Sarah and the Pavilions team from 2017 - early 2020 to ensure our continued presence there with success and their support. My relationship with them remains very good. In the weeks that followed the failed negotiations between the majority shareholders and the Pavilions, without warning or explanation, one of the club's key Turkish Directors resigned, in what would become a clear signal of their future involvement. Despite personal efforts attempting to bring people together throughout the final two weeks of June - PCC, Pavilions, all sides, it must be assumed decisions had already been taken at club level by the majority shareholders. A Board meeting was then called by a Co Director to vote on the Raiders withdrawal from the BBL. I would not and could not, in any conscience vote for this measure. I was out voted. The motion carried. Having been involved with Raiders for 30 years and watched the club navigate the transition from NBL 1 to BBL 15 years ago, it was a continued source of pride for the City and all associated. The club issued a statement to withdraw from the BBL. This sparked a series of events constitutionally where Plymouth Raiders 1983 Ltd was stripped of it's BBL status. The BBL franchise and naming rights to enable the use of the name "Plymouth Raiders" remain two separate entities. The BBL approached me earlier this month and asked whether I would consider going forward to submit a proposal to carry the club forward. Having being asked to reflect on it, the obvious challenges are complex and require the full support of Plymouth City Council to help overcome the playing venue problems for the long term. I am satisfied that the role I have played twice in 2017 and 2020 to help keep the Raiders moving forward has now ended. I continue to harbour very deep personal disappointment about how the current stewardship of the Raiders have not fulfilled the promises and commitments made. For now, there will remain a period where the current iteration of the Plymouth Raiders is resolved one way or another but I want to thank all of our staff, fans, volunteers, cheer squad, sponsors and all stakeholders including Marjon and City College Plymouth who I have been extremely lucky to have been able to work with, building fantastic business relationships and importantly friendships which will endure long into the future. I have worked with some exceptional people during this time. Having spent 4 years navigating the club with various partners in difficult circumstances, not least across continents, I am happy to say that my role with the BBL in the City is complete. As per today's news, that challenge along with the highs, the lows and the occasional sleepness nights now rest elsewhere. As a fan of basketball in Plymouth, I wish them much success.

Delighted for the Plymouth fans, really hope they can now move forward. I'd guess the budget won't be the same as last season but I'm sure they will still enjoy the basketball even if they aren't quite as competitive.

Wow. Nice save but it seems this Ross guy really put the work in and for random guy to come in at last minute seems very risky given there is still a pandemic going on and no visibility or fans indoors and ticket sales. And it’s a new franchise? Why don’t the BBL own the names and trademarks and licence them to team owners. Seems sensible, and better than starting a new brand.

I remember people on this board touting how great the Turkish billionaire was and now he’s slagged off? Hope the new guy works out but given the BBL history of window dressing, I think he won’t be around long once the new bills stack up and revenue becomes elusive. But wish him luck though!

Might not be the official name now but they will always be known as Raiders. I’m just happy to still have a club in Plymouth and the BBL.

I’m not sure on the budget but still looking forward to the player announcements.

Its great that Ross has come out and finally given a bit of transparency.. but i dont think its the full story.

The BBL franchises cost a lot of money. Ive seen £100,000 and £150,000 mentioned on here in the past. With the current owners having bought the club and rights to the franchise from previous owner, and then the Turks investing, I cant see the BBL withdrawing the franchise because of some petty arguing/in fighting between the directors.

Its great the Mr Heslop has got the franchise rights, and has saved the club

However, is this likely to be challenged legally by the current owners, or has there has been serious mismanagement of the club that has resulted in the franchise being stripped from them (including DCMS funding?).

I cant see any of the current/previous directors backing down and taking a big loss.

I looked at them on companies house yesterday. And yes, theyre very impressive. I dont imagine theyre going to want to endanger that financially secure position by blowing large wedges at the basketball team though.

Seems the pavilions need better PR they've stepped in and saved the basketball team leave it at that we know they've helped out in the past..... All they are doing is highlighting is the need for a new venue. The pavilions is a dump it's run down and has a tiny capacity. No big acts want to come down here. Plymouth needs a bigger venue period. Now is the time to act on it!