DEEP BREATH: Takeover Annoucement Next Week?

[fatbury]

Mex on the Board i say!

[Reg Smeeton]

I know you're only putting this into the debate Gazzza, but the mere mention of Tory Boy Tomlinson, shows the potential perils of electing a fan to the Board from a relatively small base of voters.

   That episode nearly put me off the Trust, as it ws obvious that Tory Boy has no real interest in the club other than as a means to progress his political career.

   Before the change of articles of association in the mid 80's, most directors were just fans.   A classic example being Dick Mattick, respected local teacher and lifelong fan, who wrote books etc,  he had no money, but you knew he was honest and conscientous

[Batch]

I believe the Trust reps most recently said they'd welcome an open nominations and vote from all fans. Not that they have a say in things mind

Quite how that would be policed is another matter. I mean you have to close the door to hijacking from the Oxford scum don't you.

[RobertT]

A fan on the Board can work if done correctly, and by that I mean not just a token appointment.  To work, the fan must have full Director status, and as such needs to be someone willing to accept the responsibilities that entails as well.

Ideally they need to be voted via a method of voting that ensures true coverage of the accepted fan base and through a proper audited vote at that.

You'd then be looking at trying to get maybe two people with the correct background, most likely people who have held Director roles or similar themselves (and yes, there are probably plenty, you don't need to be on the dole to be a fan).  Some of the people who could apply would probably have better experience than anyone currently on our Board for example.  I know 1 or two who certainly have control of purse strings in companies far exceeding our clubs turnover.

I think it's Charlton where they have a fan on the Board.  Not done them any harm over the years and a club that seems to have a strong sense of what they stand for in the local community.

The problem has always been the idea flouted by those at the club that it would be some activist who would be after the role and try an use it to simply tell tales on them.  That is certainly not how it should be done.  I think it would be better if it was touted as an "Experienced Executive level Supporter on the Board"

[Barry Scott]

Agree with Hertha here. I can think of no reason (that benefits the Club, not us poor supporters) for a fan to be on the board. I actually feel if the board is open and honest there's no need for any fan to be a token part of the STFC staff. I say staff because as someone said, they won't and imo, shouldn't be part of the board.

There's 2 reasons for this.

1/ No interest financially whatsoever.
2/ Emotional attachment to the club that is:
       a/ Likely to be grossly beyond their personal finances.
       b/ Likely to be beyond the comprehension of 90% of the board.

The above reasons are like those people feel in poker. I love poker, but hate losing money more. Because of this i am unable to play with a clear head when i risk losing too much. Therefore i play with my emotions, I make silly decisions, and fuck the financial issues off, rather than make the corrrect decision for the game by ignoring my emotions.

Business people are like good poker players, they understand the risk and make decisions with a clear head. Fans are like bad poker players to much emotional attachment. Comprende?

So as i've tried to explain in my massively long-winded digressive manner, a fan on the club's board is near unworkable. Unless of course, said fan is willing to put his own finances on the line (in a big way) and helps himself to some of the emotional pain the financial side brings and not just the emotional side a fan feels from supporting the club.

This again raises issues as the fan is then no longer viewed as a fan, but as a board member with money at stake. See from that we can conclude it's all about emotion and that concludes today's lesson in missing the fucking point.

[ahounsell]

  That episode nearly put me off the Trust, as it ws obvious that Tory Boy has no real interest in the club other than as a means to progress his political career.

I think you are being a touch unfair on Justin, but you make a valid point about the relatively small voter base at the time (which also effects the potential pool for people to put themselves forward as candidates for what is a difficult and very public position).

Looking back we (The Trust board) were guilty of pushing the issue of a fan on the board to soon. In our defence though, that was the clubs first AGM for some time and there was a fear at the time that if we didnt try then, we would maybe have a long wait for another chance.

[ahounsell]

So as i've tried to explain in my massively long-winded digressive manner, a fan on the club's board is near unworkable.

Tell that to the 30 odd league clubs who already have supporter representation at boardroom level in some form.

It is a mistake to assume that a board member has to put a large amount of their own money into the club. How many of the current board, or previous boards have done that anyway?

The key thing is, can an elected fans rep improve the decisions taken by the club by better informing the decision making process from a fans point of view, and can they also greatly improve the clubs PR by the fact that everyone knows they are only there because they are voted in, and can just as easily be voted back out.

I think the answer to both questions is yes, as has been shown at plenty of other clubs.Charlton being probably the leaders, but others such as Lincoln have shown the benefits since.

[yeo]

  That episode nearly put me off the Trust, as it ws obvious that Tory Boy has no real interest in the club other than as a means to progress his political career.

I think you are being a touch unfair on Justin, but you make a valid point about the relatively small voter base at the time (which also effects the potential pool for people to put themselves forward as candidates for what is a difficult and very public position).

Looking back we (The Trust board) were guilty of pushing the issue of a fan on the board to soon. In our defence though, that was the clubs first AGM for some time and there was a fear at the time that if we didnt try then, we would maybe have a long wait for another chance.

The whole Justin Tomlinson link really put me off the Trust for a long time and I wasnt the only one.It makes me cringe to this day to see his name on the Trust forum.

[Mexicano Rojo]

i think yeovil and i are the dream ticket.

[Gerald Phillips]

He very rarely goes on the Trust site these days . Is there a problem with him Im not aware of . I dont think actually Swinfdon T can help you progress anything . Justin has probably done better in his own right and the link with Town fc hasnt helped him any . Hes always seemed a nice guy , you shouldnt judge him on his politics on a football site .

[yeo]

Ive resized your avatar for you Gerald

[Bushey Boy]

Id like to see Mex on the board however only if he puts money in.  I wouldnt want to see a general fan on teh board as such as I think it would go to their head.

If you want to get involved in your club you have to dig deep

[Mexicano Rojo]

fucked if im putting any money in.


i withdraw the dream ticket of mex and yeovil

[Bushey Boy]

You remember us saying about you me and yeovil on the board, id tell that Davis where to go and ban Fred Elliot.  Dont even get me started on Sam and Sonic

[Mexicano Rojo]

and we could tie that spacey up to the goalposts and pelt him with stones