'New chapter' for St Johnstone as Webb takes over

The departing Geoff Brown took control of St Johnstone in 1986

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 to 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."

"Hasn’t been easy on any of us"

Webb has bought Brown's 75% holding after the move was given approval in principle by the Scottish FA in May.

He also has a 10% share in English League One side Cambridge United.

"As I look back on my 38 years as majority shareholder of the club, I do so with a lot of pride," Brown wrote in an open letter to supporters.

"I know that some of the decisions taken over the decades may not have been popular at the time but the one thing I can guarantee is that all decisions taken have always been done with a view to it being in the best interests of the club and in an effort to ensure that the club remained viable, and there for all to support and enjoy.

"It hasn’t been easy on any of us at various points during that time but we have stuck together and I trust that we have made some great memories along the way."

Brown plans to use proceeds of the sale to create a community hub which he believes will be "of great benefit to both the football club and the local community, for generations to come".