It's nearly three weeks since news came through of the FA tribunal's award in your favour.

Where were you when you heard it and can you describe your reaction?

I heard it from solicitors on the Friday (September 19th) before the announcement on Monday. I was back in the UK for my grandson Charles' fourth birthday. It was like an extra birthday present. I suppose my reaction wasn't one of celebration, more like relief. At long last the innocent party had been heard, the complexities of the case had been fully understood and recognised. I felt justified for all the hard work and the determination to pursue it. We shouldn't have been relegated.

West Ham have explored an appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but they evidently needed Sheffield United's agreement to go ahead. Your response to that?

Obviously we weren't interested in going ahead. The arbitration was conducted under Football Association rules and we could have had no finer body to do it. It's beyond me as to why anybody would think we would support an appeal. The award is non-appealable, so I can't see any argument whatsoever.

What are your expectations on the settlement figure? Having claimed just over £30m, do you think it will be met in full?

The expectation is for an award that produces genuine compensatory damages. The hearing to set these was deferred last week with our approval. But that shouldn't delay an agreement which we expect around Spring-time. We're producing our final figures and it will be a sum of substance.

Is there a fixed time for West Ham to settle with you - and will they be allowed to settle in stages?

This situation is new to me as it is to all the authorities. If West Ham want to talk to Sheffield United about negotiating on how the damages are met, everything is open.

There is a belief that you will press the Premier League again based on the verdict. What form might this take?

All I'm saying is: What are the Premier League going to do about this? It's even clearer that West Ham contrived to break the rules. What actions are the Premier League going to take? It might not help Sheffield United but it might help football.

How do you react to suggestions that players might sue West Ham for loss of earnings? I know that Neil Warnock is also discussing this issue with the League Managers Association?

It doesn't altogether surprise me. It's not our case, though - we can't claim for money we haven't spent. But it seems to me there's some validity for a claim from people who have suffered financial loss for West Ham's actions. It seems logical. I have sympathy for so many people who have been affected by this sporting injustice. We had to get rid of quite a few people at Bramall Lane. We also had to re-stimulate the atmosphere. I'd love a letter of apology from the Premier League - they're fully aware Sheffield United shouldn't have been relegated.

It could also be said that your supporters have suffered. Do you plan a spin-off for them?

At the moment the UK is in a major recession and I mean major. I reckon the next five years will be tough.

We intend to make Sheffield United sound as a pound financially and I accept that within that comes hardship for supporters. We're looking to give price concessions, to do what we can to recognise the marvellous support we have.

How much difference will this potential windfall make to the club at a time of economic crisis?

It allows us to address our strategy for the next few years. We'll make sure we clear bank debt issues - and make sure we have cash in the bank. When we have the settlement, we'll be looking to run the club ambitiously but also cautiously in this climate.

We've already got a top class budget for the Championship, allowing that we have sold players the manager decided to let go. The team is beginning to perform and we are on course for what we've planned.

Finally, there is some criticism of Sheffield United from people who fear the floodgates have been opened to a tide of litigation in football. How do you react to that?

Anybody who is a reasonable, fair-minded person will realise that you can't criticise Sheffield United one iota. We're an innocent party who suffered for the actions of one club and one club only. Anything else is a silly statement for anyone to make.


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