SMISA had previously agreed in principle to make a substantial sum, believed to reach into tens of thousands of pounds, to 10000Hours. However they recently asked their members to vote on whether to continue to support the takeover and a number of articles criticising the people involved in the CIC have appeared in the match programme.
They claim they haven't been getting nearly enough information in the last few months and even challenged the CIC team at a recent public meeting, although Saints director Richard Atkinson - who is spearheading the 10000 Hours bid - did refute some of the claims and pointed out he'd already provided some of the details they had been asking for.
Despite that, SMiSA announced today they are pulling out - although it's worth noting no cash ever changed hands. They also urge fans to "fully investigate all aspects of the 10000 Hours project prior to any commitment towards this". To see the full statement go to www.smisa.net
This news will come as a blow to the CIC and not just in financial terms. A supporters association pulling out may make individual fans consider their involvement while there were suggestions previously that some of the 10000 Hours funders wanted the involvement of a group such as SMiSA to show the plan had the backing of fans.
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