In a letter to fellow shareholders, Michael Wilkins, Mark Gunton, James Anderson, Dave Pinckney and Andrew Morrison proposed an alternative plan to recapitalise Alliance, saying retaining full ownership by farmer shareholders was critical. Those farmers pushing the alternative proposal accepted the co-operative needed to be recapitalised and believed their proposal could be successful. In their letter, the group said they understood farmers were worried the banks would take control of Alliance if the offer was not accepted. "They have not had a credible alternative offer to consider until now. "Banks have been strong partners throughout [Alliance’s] history and with a renewed commitment from farmers, there is no reason this cannot continue," they said.