FAN OWNERSHIP POLL

[DRS]

The main problem is the enormous apathy of the vast majority of fans. Even when the club was on the brink of insolvency only about 1,000 fans could be mustered to join the Trust. In good times you're probably looking at 250 tops.

You see the evidence of this all the time on here and elsewhere with comments on how the Trust should do this or that but invariably the posters refer to the Trust as "them" i.e. they want someone else to actually put the time in and have no intention of doing anything themselves, not even joining as a member.

Unless this changes, and I dont see any prospect of that happening, the most the Trust could achieve would be a small shareholding and maybe an elected rep on the club board. Even that is a long way off though.

The only scenario where fan ownership would be likely would be an AFC Wimbledon / Chester type situation where the club reforms at the bottom of the league pyramid.

This is not a dig but my reasons for not joining yet are simply I do not know what the trust is aiming to do? What is the difference between the trust and the supporters club? why do we need two separate supporters groups? genuine questions 

[Reg Smeeton]

 Further....Rikki Hunt, who we know has an iffy reputation, did in fact try to encourage grassroots democracy, by selling a pound share to fans, so that they could start a shareholding. Also he was true to his word as a couple of mates took him up on it.

[Ardiles]

This is not a dig but my reasons for not joining yet are simply I do not know what the trust is aiming to do? What is the difference between the trust and the supporters club? why do we need two separate supporters groups? genuine questions 

My take on this from a few weeks back in another thread.

The two bodies are there to do different things.  As the name suggests, the Supporters' Club is there to support - raise funds, organise away trips, sell raffle tickets and provide a voice for supporters.  The Trust's remit is all together different.  They are there to challenge and scrutinise the incumbent owners of the Club, ensuring (or seeking to ensure) that decisions are being taken in the best interests of the Club and its supporters.

The meeting last night would have been a more natural territory for the Trust - and you would expect the Trust representatives to be more guarded I suppose.  But both bodies have their purpose.  Ultimately, they both want the Club to succeed...and we're better off for having them both.

[DRS]

Thanks Ardiles. Be interesting to see how many are a member of both

[MichaelPook]

The main problem is the enormous apathy of the vast majority of fans. Even when the club was on the brink of insolvency only about 1,000 fans could be mustered to join the Trust. In good times you're probably looking at 250 tops.

You see the evidence of this all the time on here and elsewhere with comments on how the Trust should do this or that but invariably the posters refer to the Trust as "them" i.e. they want someone else to actually put the time in and have no intention of doing anything themselves, not even joining as a member.

Unless this changes, and I dont see any prospect of that happening, the most the Trust could achieve would be a small shareholding and maybe an elected rep on the club board. Even that is a long way off though.

The only scenario where fan ownership would be likely would be an AFC Wimbledon / Chester type situation where the club reforms at the bottom of the league pyramid.

If the fans truly want ownership of the club then they would need to set up an AFC Swindon and form a breakaway team as per FC United of Manchester. I dont feel that right now there would be enough interest but its an option which although would be a difficult one is always available to us as fans should things go badly.

[thepeoplesgame]

This is not a dig but my reasons for not joining yet are simply I do not know what the trust is aiming to do?  

To establish - or re-establish, in deference to Reg - fan representation at board level at Swindon Town Football Club.

[Fred Elliot]

If the fans truly want ownership of the club then they would need to set up an AFC Swindon and form a breakaway team as per FC United of Manchester. I dont feel that right now there would be enough interest but its an option which although would be a difficult one is always available to us as fans should things go badly.

What the flying fuck are you on about Fatters ?

[Paolo69]

If the fans truly want ownership of the club then they would need to set up an AFC Swindon and form a breakaway team as per FC United of Manchester. I dont feel that right now there would be enough interest but its an option which although would be a difficult one is always available to us as fans should things go badly.

Ummmm. The fans wouldn't own the club though they'd only own AFC Swindon, just like AFC United of Manc fans don't own any part of Man United. Doing anything along those lines will only ever be a last resort.

[Dirty Harry]

Isn't there already a sunday football team called AFC Swindon ?

[PetsWinPrizes]

If the fans truly want ownership of the club then they would need to set up an AFC Swindon and form a breakaway team as per FC United of Manchester. I dont feel that right now there would be enough interest but its an option which although would be a difficult one is always available to us as fans should things go badly.

Wycombe, Exeter, Swansea and Pompey would suggest otherwise.

[Dr Pierre Chang]

If the fans truly want ownership of the club then they would need to set up an AFC Swindon and form a breakaway team as per FC United of Manchester. I dont feel that right now there would be enough interest but its an option which although would be a difficult one is always available to us as fans should things go badly.

[url width=350 height=188]http://replygif.net/i/242.gif[/url]

[Bedford Red]

Thanks Ardiles. Be interesting to see how many are a member of both

I am.

Although i joined the trust as a lifetime member (saved me renewing every year) years and years ago. I should take more interest but like a lot of people i don't.

Been in the supporters club for a lot longer, mainly because i do the pounds for points thing every season, it's cost me a lot the last couple of seasons. However i prefer that to the 10-11 season where i didn't pay out much but got depressed instead...

[iffy]

You see the evidence of this all the time on here and elsewhere with comments on how the Trust should do this or that but invariably the posters refer to the Trust as "them" i.e. they want someone else to actually put the time in and have no intention of doing anything themselves, not even joining as a member.

Great point. There are lots of armchair quarterbacks* happy to say what others should be doing, without any intention to do something themselves.

(*wrong sport)

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

You see the evidence of this all the time on here and elsewhere with comments on how the Trust should do this or that but invariably the posters refer to the Trust as "them" i.e. they want someone else to actually put the time in and have no intention of doing anything themselves, not even joining as a member.

Unless this changes, and I dont see any prospect of that happening, the most the Trust could achieve would be a small shareholding and maybe an elected rep on the club board. Even that is a long way off though.

If the Trust sent out a clear message that they wish to come on board with a controlling interest in the club I'd join....until then I'm like a lot who are confused as to what they actually do.

[Samdy Gray]

Took me 2 seconds on the Trust website:

The Society’s objects are, either itself or through a subsidiary company or society trading for the benefit of the community and acting under its control:
i. to strengthen the bonds between the Club and the community which it serves and to represent the interests of the community in the running of the Club;
ii. to benefit present and future members of the community served by the Club by promoting encouraging and furthering the game of football as a recreational facility, sporting activity and focus for community involvement;
iii. to further the development of the game of football nationally and internationally and the upholding of its rules;
iv. to encourage the Club to take proper account of the interests of its supporters and of the community it serves in its decisions;
v. to encourage and promote the principle of supporter representation on the board of any company owning or controlling the Club and ultimately to be the vehicle for democratic elections to the board;
vi. to promote, develop and respect the rights of members of the community served by the Club and people dealing with the Society as set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, having regard in particular to the need to provide information to members and conduct the affairs of the Society in accessible and appropriate ways:

Although the Trust perhaps haven't been as vocal as they could be, maybe people should do a little research for themselves before demanding that they should be spoon fed information.