TRUST AGM - TONIGHT 6.30pm. - GW PUB

[jonny72]

I've never understood what the trust does or achieves, other than providing a few random quotes for the Adver when they need someone with an opinion. Having an AGM and keeping what was discussed a secret doesn't help. Neither does having a manifesto.

The only way the constant boom and bust cycle will be stopped is fan ownership. No one seems to even be discussing that, let alone taking any steps towards achieving it. The trust share ownership scheme doesn't count either, shares in the club are pretty much worthless and have been for some time - you're basically just pissing the money down the drain.

[Nemo]

The Trust (if I make speak on its behalf, which I probably shouldn't) would love fan ownership and does talk about it. Unfortunately the sums of money involved are unrealistic: you'd need to have a money man, even when the Trust had a serious offer for the club it was basically relying on the generosity of Bill Power & Phil Emmel. Perhaps you could run a well-run, well-supported League Two club on an even keel, but football beyond that level is very much a rich man's game.

The Share Ownership scheme is a step towards at least fan representation, which while it isn't ideal, is notably more realistic than ownership in the short to medium term without a significant shift in the football finance playing field.

[Batch]

The Trust is there to represent the fans, but this can only be done effectively if the fans buy into the Trust.

Ideally the Trust would have a voice at board level, and provide checks and balances as well as fan opinion. Some clubs have embraced this, so its not pie in the sky.

I don't think the AGM is secret. Not seen an email of the minutes yet though.

[Arriba]

The only way the constant boom and bust cycle will be stopped is fan ownership. No one seems to even be discussing that, let alone taking any steps towards achieving it. The trust share ownership scheme doesn't count either, shares in the club are pretty much worthless and have been for some time - you're basically just pissing the money down the drain.

I'm with you on this and have expressed that on here previously. This board will shaft the club eventually in one way or another. They may have already done so.

[jonny72]

The Trust (if I make speak on its behalf, which I probably shouldn't) would love fan ownership and does talk about it. Unfortunately the sums of money involved are unrealistic: you'd need to have a money man, even when the Trust had a serious offer for the club it was basically relying on the generosity of Bill Power & Phil Emmel. Perhaps you could run a well-run, well-supported League Two club on an even keel, but football beyond that level is very much a rich man's game.

I disagree.

With a fan owned club I think you'd get a lot more buy in from local business, the council and the community as a whole. Mainly as there wouldn't be someone trying to make a profit from it and there wouldn't be large sums of money being pissed away. For example, with a fan run community type ownership there is a (albeit very small) chance that Nationwide would become heavily involved - it kind of fits in with their beliefs and business model.

On top of that there are plenty of ways in which money could be saved to reduce overheads. For example, some currently paid positions could be filled by fans working for free especially the match day roles.

Add to the cost saving a reduced level of expectation from the fans (as we're not reaching for the stars but at least we own it) and I don't see any reason why you couldn't have fan ownership without an investor and still compete at the level we have historically been at (League One with occasional visits to The Championship).

Besides, without fan ownership it is a matter of when and not if it will all turn to shit again.

[Fred Elliot]

Having an AGM and keeping what was discussed a secret doesn't help. Neither does having a manifesto.

The minutes were always posted on the trust website. Not sure if that is still the case but your illusion that it is some form of secret is so far wide of the mark it's unbelievable.

Which ties in with your second point. Part of the manifesto of the trust is to promote transparency so not to publish minutes etc would contradict the mandate the members give to the board.

You have not really looked into this very well, have you ?

[jonny72]

The minutes were always posted on the trust website. Not sure if that is still the case but your illusion that it is some form of secret is so far wide of the mark it's unbelievable.

Can't see any minutes past or present on their website. Surprised there wasn't more of a discussion on here about what was said, I'd have expected them to put something out by now. Didn't see an agenda either which you'd expect to see in advance of an AGM. Get a general feel it's some kind of secret society, not saying it is just that it's my perception.

Which ties in with your second point. Part of the manifesto of the trust is to promote transparency so not to publish minutes etc would contradict the mandate the members give to the board.

It's the use of the word manifesto I was taking issue with. For me it has negative left wing and activist connotations, which gives me an impression of the people running and involved with the trust. Again, just my perception.

[nochee]

Can't see any minutes past or present on their website. Surprised there wasn't more of a discussion on here about what was said, I'd have expected them to put something out by now. Didn't see an agenda either which you'd expect to see in advance of an AGM. Get a general feel it's some kind of secret society, not saying it is just that it's my perception.

Post 1 from this very thread:
Just a reminder if you can make it, please go to the Trust AGM tonight, even if you aren't a member you can hear their plans for the future and decide if you want to be part of it



Hardly a secret society

[Nemo]

It's the use of the word manifesto I was taking issue with. For me it has negative left wing and activist connotations, which gives me an impression of the people running and involved with the trust. Again, just my perception.

Yes, a manifesto is a very left wing thing

http://www.ukip.org/page/ukip-manifesto

[ghanimah]

Yes, a manifesto is a very left wing thing

http://www.ukip.org/page/ukip-manifesto

Or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamworth_Manifesto

[RWB Robin]

As a first time attendee, and recently-joined member, I can assure you that there is nothing secretive or exclusive about the AGM at least!  I just turned up, as did a number of others, some of whom were not members.  There was no requirement to be so.  The discussion which took place was inevitably dominated by the strange goings-on over the past six or so months at the club.  A lot of passion was expressed, and a very strong desire - as i posted earlier on - to hold the present board to account, and to demand open, transparent communication, including regular, formal meetings with representatives of supporters.  The desire is to ensure that this is done in collaboration with other supporters' organisations, and Townend was mentioned as one forum where serious discussions take place (one of the fora which, despite what may be said publicly, has been regularly read by those in power).  There was a determination - possibly slightly softened by the final outcome of the embargo - to challenge the board on what has been happening in the past weeks, and there was talk of a leaflet at todya's game, but given the timescale that was impractical.  They are determined to seek a place on the board, and to move in the direction - long-term - of a real and explicit part for fans in the running of the club.

I don't think there was anything else that I can report which would elucidate anything any more, apart from reveal what different individuals said.  That is inappropriate.  I suspect many of those present write on here and they can speak for themselves.  We were assured that minutes would be posted on the website in due course.

[Fred Elliot]

Can't see any minutes past or present on their website.

Agreed

It's not like they have got jobs or family or anything.

Are you Maverick per chance ?

Let me cut to the chase here

Why don't you join them and find out for yourself

[yeo]

Not been to a meeting for some time can anyone confirm if the hand shake remains the same? and is it left or right trouser leg that I need to roll up?

[Batch]

Not been to a meeting for some time can anyone confirm if the hand shake remains the same? and is it left or right trouser leg that I need to roll up?

I'll tell you at the real AGM, not the public façade

[Arriba]

I'm definately pro trust, Just don't think they have alot of clout. Their intentions are good so fair play to them