New beginnings - 25% Truth, 80% Bollocks

[Mooneyraker]

Subscriber income of £1.5k a year, that's pretty piss poor.

In the interests of offering solutions and not just problems I have said that I think a straightforward subscriber/membership tier would be wise to capture those who might otherwise be put off by the byzantine nature of the Voting Shares etc.

[Nemo]

Subscriber income of £1.5k a year, that's pretty piss poor.

I think that *might* be the £1-5 per person membership and not any additional money offered to the Red Army Fund?

The net income is £77,181, which is quite a lot more!

The most recent accounts are pre-CG purchase I think?

[RobertT]

I could be wrong here, but isn't the balance of the 19.69 share accounted for in the JV vehicle instead?, or maybe it's counted in the Donations line?

[Nemo]

I could be wrong here, but isn't the balance of the 19.69 share accounted for in the JV vehicle instead?, or maybe it's counted in the Donations line?

Don't these accounts pre-date that whole offer? They're to year end Aug 22, CG purchase doesn't complete until March 23.

I think this is the old school tiered membership?

[RobertT]

Could be, thought it started a couple of years ago, but maybe not.  There was a significant uptick in donations in the 21/22 accounts either way.

[STFC_Manc]

Subscriber income of £1.5k a year, that's pretty piss poor.

It is pretty close to the member number? Then you have a donation amount of c£75k, which would give c£50 donation per person?

[joeydubya]

Have you voted on the annual County Ground business plan?

Have you had the chance to provide feedback through regular surveys?

My main frustration with the speculative survey was it was far too vague. Asking if I thought a hotel would be a good idea... yes, if it's with an established chain like the Doubletree at Milton Keynes, but an independent venture could be ridiculous and risky...

See also the fanzone... and asking if I thought people would go there to eat during the week when there was no game, obviously not! No room for nuance, it's just consent manufacturing on behalf of the club it feels.

[adje]

We have a new "shirt sleeve" sponsor

[Bennett]

Published 7th November 2023
https://truststfc.com/2023/11/07/truststfc-update-november-2023/

"At the Advisory Board meeting on 15th September, the owner committed to allow a member of the Trust board to inspect the financial records of the Club. Despite multiple attempts and reminders, this has not yet taken place. This was raised again with the CEO and the owner on Monday morning and arrangements are now being made for Scott Curtis, the Trust’s treasurer, to undertake the inspection within the next couple of weeks1. Further details on the contents of the review will be provided in due course.

Until Scott has undertaken this review and confirmed the current financial status, we have asked that the debt/financial page be removed from the Advisory Board minutes."

The lack of update is now creating further murmuring. As I see it:
- This could be by design, it puts more pressure on the club
- The trust are unable to hold the club to do what they say
- The club are not willing to allow access

The last option opens a further can of worms. I really hope an update is coming

[Bob's Orange]

Maybe Scott from the Trust has had to sign an NDA and only he will ever know what the books look like

I know the Trust did provide an update about a week ago, but it's probably time to say something/provide some sort of update at least. Silence isn't golden at the moment.

[Nemo]

I think that article linked from the 7th was the last update, wasn't it? Since then we've had three "Dan the Fan" columns, an ESG update, an update on the museum and stadium tours and an update on the regulator... Oh and the one on the 15th about the Wrexham hotel palaver - even that was two weeks ago.

On Twitter, the Trust account seems to almost exclusively try to sell tickets to the womens teams games now, which whilst commendable, is not really what they're for.

[Bennett]

Maybe Scott from the Trust has had to sign an NDA and only he will ever know what the books look like

I know the Trust did provide an update about a week ago, but it's probably time to say something/provide some sort of update at least. Silence isn't golden at the moment.

I'd assume an NDA would be a prerequisite to a third party reviewing the books be they trust volunteers or an interested purchasing party (we're not for sale but our books can be made open in those circumstances).

Having pondered more - I think it's likely the club are being stubborn.
Presumably Clem is only human and his commitment to the books being shared was an error.

[Bob's Orange]

I'd assume an NDA would be a prerequisite to a third party reviewing the books be they trust volunteers or an interested purchasing party (we're not for sale but our books can be made open in those circumstances).

Having pondered more - I think it's likely the club are being stubborn.
Presumably Clem is only human and his commitment to the books being shared was an error.

Again, this is pure conjecture and I know Clem has said the club is not for sale, but perhaps there are interested parties that are currently looking at the books with a view to a takeover, and this is why it's radio silence as takeovers are generally done very quietly behind the scenes until the T's have been crossed and the I's dotted?

Or, it's exactly what you are saying and the club are being stubborn. But if that was the case, why are the Trust then not vocalising it to the fanbase?

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

I'd assume an NDA would be a prerequisite to a third party reviewing the books be they trust volunteers or an interested purchasing party (we're not for sale but our books can be made open in those circumstances).

Having pondered more - I think it's likely the club are being stubborn.
Presumably Clem is only human and his commitment to the books being shared was an error.

He pushed the wrong button on companies house again.



On the subject of NDAs though. One delay could be a potential buyer is currently looking over them and doesn't want anyone else looking at them until they've decided if they'll offer and how much.

Or that might be giving Clem and the club more credit than they've demonstrated they deserve.

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

Again, this is pure conjecture and I know Clem has said the club is not for sale, but perhaps there are interested parties that are currently looking at the books with a view to a takeover, and this is why it's radio silence as takeovers are generally done very quietly behind the scenes until the T's have been crossed and the I's dotted?

Or, it's exactly what you are saying and the club are being stubborn. But if that was the case, why are the Trust then not vocalising it to the fanbase?

Ah hadn't read this, but had the exact same thought.

I'm not sure the club would communicate this to be honest. I would want them spending all their time sussing the new buyers out if it was the case.