President of Hythe Town FC & Chairman of GSE Property Group to discuss new Community Stadium at private meeting at Hythe Imperial tomorrow.

Tomorrow at 10am a gathering of those who sit on Hythe Town Football Club (HTFC) will take place at The Imperial Hotel in Hythe (Kent) behind closed doors. Those who will attend are sworn to secrecy about a potential new “community stadium”for HTFC.

At this meeting will be the club President – Paul Markland (below left), and the Chairman of the GSE Property Group Darrell Healey along with others, according to a variety of well placed sources.

On 11 March 2021, Paul Markland ceased being the person with significant control of HTFC, according to Companies House. He remains as the club’s president. During his time at the club, the accounts shows a £40,000 loan to the club. This according to well placed sources was made between Mr Markland and the club.

Two thirds of the ground at HTFC is owned by Folkestone & Hythe District Council. They lease it to HTFC at a peppercorn rent. The Council have owned this since the 29/04/74, according to Land Registry documents. What is of interest on the title deed is the following statement:

By a Deed dated 28 March 2002 made between (1) Paul Markland and others and Shepway District Council (now FHDC)

The deed says no more than that. So if you are a club member attending the meeting at 10am tomorrow,  it might be wise to ask Mr Markland to expand on the deed he signed with the then SDC.

Mr Healey & his wife own The Hythe Imperial. It was purchased by GSE Cheriton Parc Limited for £8,649,999 on 09 November 2007, according to the Land Registry. The Company is owned by GSE Cheriton Parc (Holdings) Limited and the persons of significant control of this company is as we said, Mr Healey and his wife, according to Companies House.

Hythe Imperial and land – Google My Maps

Site for potential development for Community Stadium

Mr Healey knows HTFC well as the GSE Group agreed a two-year sponsorship deal in July 2013. Mr Markland was a director of the club between Oct 1988 and May 2013

As we understand an offer for a new “Community Stadium” for HTFC will be discussed, at the meeting. We also understand, from a variety of well placed sources, the proposed community stadium will not be at its current location at Reachfields.

HTFC fans who we’ve spoken to, expressed their concerns and surprise that Mr Markland had signed a deed with our Council, as long ago as 2002. They believe such a meeting should be open, so as to allow them, the fans, to express their concerns and worries about the future of Hythe Town Football Club.

Fans described Mr Markland as “slippery“, and others who know Mr Healey from the construction world, described him as “ruthless”.

In 2010 it was disclosed Mr Healey held an offshore company in the Isle of Man according to a legal case over a yacht he was to purchase. He lost his case, and then attempted to sue Shoosmiths Solicitors in 2014, and lost this case as well. Also in 2014, there was a HMRC case regarding income tax and residency in which it was disclosed he lived in Monaco during 2006/07, his case was dismissed.

Do either of them have the best interests of Hythe Town Football Club at heart?

We’ll leave you to ponder that.

There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and living in tax havens. The inclusion of a person or entity in this blog post is not intended to suggest or imply that they have engaged in illegal or improper conduct. 

The Shepway Vox Team

Dissent is NOT a Crime