President Ertuğrul Doğan: “We made serious moves, we turned back from the edge of the cliff”

Trabzonspor Club President Ertuğrul Doğan stated that they have made very serious moves in economic terms, saying, “We turned back from the edge of the abyss, let me be clear. We have made payments close to 9 billion, and it is almost going over 10 billion. Nevertheless, at least we have come out of the Banks Association. We have freed ourselves from an annual interest burden of 700-800 million, but it is not over yet.”

Trabzonspor Club President Ertuğrul Doğan, along with Board members and former footballer Ali Kemal Denizci, visited Ortahisar Mayor Ahmet Kaya in his office.

Expressing his pleasure from the visit, Mayor Kaya said, “It is a great honor for us to host you in our municipality. Welcome, you have come with joy. It would not be sufficient to explain the importance of Trabzonspor for our city and for us with any sentences formed with 29 letters. We have such a love for Trabzonspor. It is not just ours, but we all, our city have this love for Trabzonspor.”

Mayor Kaya noted that President Doğan and his team are serving selflessly at the head of a very important institution, emphasizing that as Ortahisar Municipality, they are with Trabzonspor with all their means during this process and will continue to be so, saying, “You are serving selflessly at the head of a very valuable institution, and you represent our Trabzonspor very well. Knowing that you volunteered to take on the task during a difficult period, we truly recognize that you have put not just your hands but your whole body under the stone during a very troubled period. You have taken on a huge responsibility on behalf of our city and Trabzonspor. We have been and will continue to be by your side with all our strength and effort in this important responsibility you have taken on. The whole city is with you, let me say that. We need a little time, but I sincerely believe that this team will do great things. In that sense, as Ortahisar Municipality, we are with our Trabzonspor and you with all our personnel and strength until the end.”

Thanking Mayor Kaya for his hospitality and support statement, Trabzonspor Club President Ertuğrul Doğan said, “We know how much of a Trabzonspor fan you are. We know how wholeheartedly you are involved in this work beyond your presidency.”

Stating, “We have taken office during a very troubled period,” President Doğan added, “We have made very serious moves in economic terms. We turned back from the edge of the abyss, let me be clear. We have made payments close to 9 billion, and it is almost going over 10 billion. Nevertheless, at least we have come out of the Banks Association. We have freed ourselves from an annual interest burden of 700-800 million, but it is not over yet. We have a debt that has been ongoing from previous years, and it has come to very significant amounts; it now stands around 2.2 billion. Additionally, Trabzonspor has a debt of around 900 million to 1 billion lira to the market. These will be resolved. Just like in previous periods, we have our projects ready that we will implement in short periods next year. In other words, the infrastructure for completely eliminating the debt within the next year is also ready. Let me say this clearly and plainly.”

“We need the support of the entire community”

Expressing that they need the support of the entire city and Trabzonspor community in the work to be done in the upcoming period, President Doğan continued his speech:
“Aside from these moves, I will ask for the support of the entire city on one issue. In Istanbul, there are three very important places, and here there is one; although it is not our main job, there are places where we need to carry out some operations due to obligations. We are currently continuing the infrastructure work for these in Istanbul. After the congress, hopefully, let’s create a public opinion with you, all our mayors, and our chamber and stock exchange presidents throughout Trabzon.”

President Doğan stated that important supports have been given to Istanbul teams for years, but Trabzonspor has not benefited from these supports, pointing out that the gap has widened over the years, saying:
“For many years, this type of support has been given to all Istanbul teams, but the reality is that Trabzonspor has never benefited from these in any way. The last land we acquired was during Faruk Bey’s term, during the period when our President was the Mayor of Istanbul, 29 years ago. Aside from that, nothing has been given to Trabzonspor, nothing has been taken, nor could it be taken. I am not saying this to point fingers at the past; everyone was undoubtedly well-intentioned, everyone wanted to do something, and I have no doubt about that, but somehow our club could not benefit from these, and the gap widened. Now the community needs to see this reality and act as one fist. The gap needs to be closed as soon as possible. This is not something that can only be done by me or the Board; it is something that the lovers of Trabzonspor and the Trabzonspor community can solve together. I will ask for everyone’s support on this.”

In response to Doğan’s plea for support, Mayor Kaya stated, “Rest assured. Ekrem President is there; he is also very sensitive about Trabzonspor and will give his utmost support. I can easily say this on his behalf.”

Doğan presented a flower to Mayor Kaya while wishing him success in his duties, and Mayor Kaya gifted President Doğan with a silver filigree as a memento of the visit.