SHAUN Hearn will not be handing his majority shareholding to the Dorchester Town Supporters Trust for the time being but admits that community ownership is ultimately the way forward.

The Magpies’ chairman announced in December he was prepared to relinquish control at the Avenue Stadium, providing the Trust could devise a suitable plan to take the club forward.

The latter submitted their proposal to the county town businessman on March 7 but after much consideration, Hearn has deemed the terms unacceptable at present.

By the same token, the Dorchester supremo conceded that the Trust’s ultimate aim, of turning the Magpies into a community-owned club, is the ideal model for the future.

He told Echosport: “It’s been made clear that I approached the Trust about taking on the majority shareholding. At present the proposal is not acceptable for me so it’s hit a bit of a brick wall.

“Having said that, the important thing is that among all the stuff that has been highlighted in discussions, we all agree that we need to work together to take the club forward.

“It’s going to be slowly, slowly rather than rushing into anything and me handing the club over. We will hopefully continue to have discussions and maybe in one, two, or even five years’ time it can gradually become a community-owned club.

“I would be happy to give up my majority shareholding but everything needs to be right. As long as we keep talking we can achieve it.

“I now know a little bit more about community ownership and in time it’s the way forward but if I was to hand over my shareholding right now I don’t think it would be in the club’s best interests.

“If it was done over a longer period of time we would have a better chance of it succeeding.”

Hearn, who has also called for more support in his bid to keep the club competing at Blue Square Bet South level, added: “There are no big benefactors anymore who can fund the football club on their own. The way forward is that the club has to find its level.

“As a club we have come a long way but we need to restructure it a bit.

“We have some really good people involved on the Trust board and their bid committee and there is no animosity. Everyone wants to make the club stronger and make sure the long-term future is guaranteed.

“I still want to remain involved but I desperately need people to help me.

“I have always wanted the football club, the Supporters’ Club, the Trust and Dorchester Town Youth together as one and I believe we can achieve that.

“If we can then I’m sure we can make it a success and keep the club in the league we have become accustomed to.

“People don’t necessarily have to put their hands in their pockets to help out, they can help put plans into place and make sure roles and responsibilities are taken.

“The lads have proved they are capable of competing at this level, we need to make sure we can compete at this level off the pitch.”

Last month Hearn described the club as far from healthy and although the financial struggles continue, the chairman believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Hearn said: “It’s pretty dire at the moment. Players expect to be paid, and rightly so, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult. It’s a difficult time of year though financially.

“But when we start next season we will go into it financially stronger than we have been since I’ve been in charge. There are a lot of things in the pipeline that will ensure we have decent working capital for next season.

“We are at a stage where the club can be successful, but we need the support.

“There is an open invitation to everyone who supports the club to join us and help make it happen.”

Asked about the club’s current debt, Hearn replied: “It’s manageable but we are still putting out fires.

“We have a fantastic stadium but that comes at a price as it’s an expensive stadium to run.

“The playing budget is lower than it has been for many years but the overheads are still there and they are not going to go away.

“We have still got to pay the tax man, maintain the stadium and pay the staff.

“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to buy shares in the football club as that’s the best way we can become a community-owned club.

“If people do, the shareholding grows and it makes for an easier transition.

“We also want people to join the Supporters’ Club as it costs £5 to join and we will be running a draw for those members where they can win a lifetime season-ticket.”

In order to improve affairs off the field, the Hearn Group managing director is hoping to devote more time to the county town outfit.

He added: “Next season I will have a bit more time to spend on the football club and we will run a tighter ship.

“It’s very difficult to treat it like a normal business as sometimes it’s more of a hobby.

“People though, have got to appreciate that we all have other jobs and businesses to run but I’m hoping to be able to delegate more time to the cause.”