The Consortium

[Maverick]

I know that there is currently much optimism about the new consortium ...... but as a cautious (and many times disappointed) STFC fan, I still have so many questions mulling around my head.

For example, why are we all being asked to join up and spend money with an organisation (The Trust), that is presumably spending money (legal fees?) from its membership, without them being able to tell people the full nature of what it is being spent on?

I really hope that this all goes the way that benefits the club, but nevertheless, as the Trust or Mike Wilks or both decided to go public on this last week, would it not be really helpful and improve credibility, if they now told us the whole picture?

I know that the reply will be that some bits have to remain confidential, but then by going public in the first place, they have in effect opened up the proverbial pandora's box.

Anything that is not answered now runs the risk of being viewed with suspicion, just as everyone views "non-answers" by the current Board as suspicious.

I am certainly not anti-Trust or Consortium so please do not take this as a "bashing" post ... but I do question the modus operandi.

[rockincockinrobin]

I can understand what you are saying maverick and i do agree in a way with what you're saying!

I would like to know the following things and i'm sure many others we want to know the same:-

1.Are the consortium looking to completley purchase the club? or just a stake in the club?

2.What are the plans of the consortium regarding the stadium/development?

3.Would there be money for new players?

4.Would any of the idiots on the current board be kept on i.e carson/gray/starnes etc?

5.Are there any other backers behind the consortium apart from Power and Emmell?

It would be nice for a change to have some money to spend on new players, Sturrock deserves some decent backing!!

I hope every single idiot on the board is sacked in disgrace when the consortium take over!

This nonsense in the WDP doesn't make sense, Mr.Smarmes saying do the consortium want to buy the football side of the club or buy the whole development potential? how can they include that when nothing's happening regarding the development of the ground???

I am all for the trust, i'm certainly not anti trust or anti consortium, we all want this current board out!!!

[mattboyslim]

The trust is not necessarily using our money to pay for the consortium as I see it.  They are using their money, as 600+ memebers at even a tenner each doesn't buy a lawyer for too long.  The trust and consortium as I recall did distance themselves from each other for a time, and I guess the consortium are paying associated fees.  The trust are merely in dialogue and in support of said consortium and are trying to get involved by signing up as many fans as possible.  The open fans meeting in September effectively gave license to the consortium to go forward after a largely unanimous series of votes.

[Maverick]

Add to those the questions I asked on the adver site too! -

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/Forum_New/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31932

[Batch]

There are lots of question Maverick, I'm sure we'll know after the STFC board has been advised.

I am guessing that "development potential" may mean the holding company hold the right to develop the county ground and the football club does not - or rather it says in a contract that if development status is approved it shall be granted to the holding company.  Don't know if this is true or legally possible mind but I'd be surprised if the current board haven't protected their investment somehow.

Don't know how there is "development potential" either mind. If you don't have a clear approval what have you got?

Does anyone want to buy a lottery win potential from me - £2 each, 5 for £10?

A club with no money and no assets (other than player contracts) and masssive liabilities cant be worth much if anything.

[Piemonte]

As I understand it the trust are currently working on a "manefesto" I'd presume most of these questions can be answered by this when it is realeased. (I'm sure I read Fred Elliot saying it would be a few days, but dont quote me on that.)

[Maverick]

But that is my point Batch - by making ANY potential deal public, has already led to all sorts of speculation.  For example it begs the question, have Swindon Borough Council been spoken to recently about their attitude to both the Current Board's  and any proposed Investors potential plans for development?

[janaage]

This is the problem with the internet age, everyone wants information 24/7.  These things take time and I'm prepared to wait for the fans consortium to bring things together properly instead of disclosing information willy nilly.

[Batch]

I've no problem with them going public.  You could argue the converse, that the consortium should have stayed quiet. If the club weren't budging on meeting the  consortium something had to be done.

The board say they want to see a proposal, etc, etc. I don't think they currently have any intention of relinquishing control. And quite frankly I don't believe a word the club says anymore than I would a man down the pub these days. Sad, but if they chose to release a plithera of non accurate statements and contradictions then that's what happens. Fan power can make this deal happen, or at least the consortium case heard.

[RobertT]

But that is my point Batch - by making ANY potential deal public, has already led to all sorts of speculation.  For example it begs the question, have Swindon Borough Council been spoken to recently about their attitude to both the Current Board's  and any proposed Investors potential plans for development?

The current Board have NO proposals for development.  The only proposal was an outline idea submitted over a year ago and rejected by the Council.

I think the Consortium and Trust top bods are working on a document to answer the other stuff Mav, so hopefully you won't have to wait to long.

[Maverick]

Rob - is that DEFINITELY no plans (even outline thoughts for the future) based on "from the horse's mouth" or speculation based on track record?

Perhaps the Consortium should have had the document together before they decided to go public?

[janaage]

I think it's good the FC went public, gives the fans renewed optimism.  So we now have to wait for the finer detail, who cares.  What is important is the FC is not just a pipeline dream.

[RobertT]

The last time they were asked the answer was no.  This was because the Trust has spent a lot of time producing some proposals (over 50 pages of supporting work) and the club decided they were quite good.  The clubs proposal (available from the Council by the way, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act) were very basic and suggested the development of the entire site with housing other than the ground (so all the cricket pitch, athletics etc).  it was supported with about 1 page of financials, all very basic and headline stuff.  The Council rejected this and have not had anything further from the club - they can confirm this.  Speak to Justin Tomlinson and I think he'll back up that version of events as well.

One of the few things I know some of the detail on as I was involved in the Trusts proposals (before becomming a member) and things like this were discussed with the board.

[Maverick]

So does this mean that the present Board could also make use of the plans you worked on with the Trust Rob?

[RobertT]

So does this mean that the present Board could also make use of the plans you worked on with the Trust Rob?

Not to make money out of a land deal.  it is not designed for personal profit, so would not provide a cash pay off that could be included in the sale of the club.  It also would be a community based project so the club would not own the land after the deal.