A question for the fans

Quoted from 139914

I’m talking to the fans who continue to provide support to the club through buying tickets and merchandise.  I must speak as an outsider amongst many who simply refuse to pay disproportionate prices for non-entertainment arising out of Fentys continued mistakes.

He won’t sell the club, it’s worth nothing but he thinks it is.  Face facts, there is no buyer and nobody will invest while he remains.  If we want a club we have to accept that we may have to go backwards.  If you want change then you have to be prepared to make sacrifices.  It’s fairly obvious that Fenty takes the supporters for granted, time to force his hand.  Debt doesn’t kill business but cashflow does, stop spending your cash on Fentys mistakes.  Every season ticket sale, every burger, every shirt, every pint, every home match ticket is simply endorsing his failure.  

So the question is (thanks Ginny), are you prepared to act to save your club?

Enough is enough, vote with your feet and wallets!!

If Mr. Fenty hasn't sussed by now that we want him out then its a bit daft.

I understand the stuff on other social media is far worse than here, and I am guessing he must be copping quite a bit of stick from the upper Smiths.

I think the ball is in his court now to do the right thing. It is not the fans fault we are in a mess so they should be left to get on with supporting the team, but not the regime.  

Quoted from Civvy at last

But what sort of representation does the Trust have at the moment Barra?  

From where I sit it is meaningless. As proved by bra-gate and the checkatwat trophy. Surely the trust would have more sway if it didn’t sit on the board. If JF  is stupid/arrogant enough to take the running of the bars off the Trust  he would further alienate the fans even more.  The trust does a fantastic job with one arm tied behind its back. IMHO it would only improve without being shackled by the politics of being on a board which will inevitably vote the way JF wants anyway.  I won’t join the trust under the current organisation. But I would in different circumstances.

Hmm, I find it hard to be critical of the trust beyond your reference above to board membership, they are after all fans who give time freely  I was originally an annual member but had an opposing view over the Mike Parker shares situation.

A little thought to get the fingers of the Red Cross brigade twitching.  Amongst the trust members and POTENTIAL members, there must be accountants, hr managers, business development managers, recruitment consultants and all of the other necessary tools to run an effective lobby group.  How many trust members are there and does a ‘lifetime membership’ for a nominal fee really show intent to generate sustainable income?

Toying with numbers, perhaps there are sufficient members/potential members who are prepared to donate sufficient funds as individuals which would accumulate a total value that could actually make an impact.  Say for example an average £330 from 3,000 people.  Supported by a clear remit that the £1m generated would be invested in the club in exchange for the removal of the benign loans.  

There is a considerable amount of expertise  both in the public and private sector amongst the fans.

Quoted from friskneymariner

There is a considerable amount of expertise  both in the public and private sector amongst the fans.

Fenty knows that but he's hanging on for grim death. Fortunately for him he's already got the money in this season from the season ticket holders. Next season, however, is a different kettle of fish when people don't renew. He'll be up up excrement creek without the proverbial paddle (leverage) His days are numbered and he knows it.

Quoted from barralad

Thanks mate (the highlighted bit). I got into a torrent of abuse on FB for pointing out that boycotting the Bars actually seriously (possibly terminally?) compromises our attempts to maintain some sort of representation at club level for the fans. Whilst we are on that subject as you say J.F. will not be remotely inconvenienced by a boycott of the food outlets seeing as that is franchised out.

It’s basic economics that less people attending games will mean less people in the bars and therefore the Trust’s income suffers. A drop in numbers was evident yesterday - we arrived at 1430 and managed go get a round in inside five mins. Under the current agreement the Trust have to stump up cash to have a board place. Hopefully that can change soon but while it is in effect the money needs to be found from somewhere so not spending money in the bars seems a daft idea.

I think the people you had the facebook disagreement with would be happy enough if the Trust weren’t on the board because you’re just yes men or Fenty puppets or something being involved.

As a new lifetime member, I would like the issue of Board membership to be debated with all it's pros and cons. Without knowing how many members the Trust has it is difficult to form a view.
If we had, say, 1500 or more members it strengthens the case for Board membership but if it falls significantly short of that then we simply well intentioned lackeys of the club.
The survey will shed more light one hopes. Meanwhile, we should encourage increased membership, a clearer mission statement and support for our elected reps.
Things can get better. Listening to the Notts. County chairman on the radio was revealing. He has a clear vision of increasing the size and involvement of the fan base.  Our Trust can lead the way, especially in the local community. If the club is moribund, the fans have to take the initiative in an independent and positive way.

I have only one thing to say on the current situation and it's that WHATEVER is happening, people WANTING the team to lose are not real supporters of the football club!

Who’s said they want the team to lose?  I think it’s more a case of nobody being able to see where the next win is coming from.  Doesn’t that worry you?

Quoted from 139914

Hmm, I find it hard to be critical of the trust beyond your reference above to board membership, they are after all fans who give time freely  I was originally an annual member but had an opposing view over the Mike Parker shares situation.

A little thought to get the fingers of the Red Cross brigade twitching.  Amongst the trust members and POTENTIAL members, there must be accountants, hr managers, business development managers, recruitment consultants and all of the other necessary tools to run an effective lobby group.  How many trust members are there and does a ‘lifetime membership’ for a nominal fee really show intent to generate sustainable income?

Toying with numbers, perhaps there are sufficient members/potential members who are prepared to donate sufficient funds as individuals which would accumulate a total value that could actually make an impact.  Say for example an average £330 from 3,000 people.  Supported by a clear remit that the £1m generated would be invested in the club in exchange for the removal of the benign loans.  

I'd say you were right on the make up of the membership. It most likely has specialist skills amongst the membership far in excess of any company with the turnover of GTFC. How do you get them to step forward?

Ditto the fund you talk about.

I believe an unequivocal commitment to taking over (and not to repay any of the 'benign' loans in the process) would help achieve that sense of ownership that would encourage people to make the sacrifice. I see little evidence of the will to do that though.

Quoted from Croxton

As a new lifetime member, I would like the issue of Board membership to be debated with all it's pros and cons. Without knowing how many members the Trust has it is difficult to form a view.
If we had, say, 1500 or more members it strengthens the case for Board membership but if it falls significantly short of that then we simply well intentioned lackeys of the club.
The survey will shed more light one hopes. Meanwhile, we should encourage increased membership, a clearer mission statement and support for our elected reps.
Things can get better. Listening to the Notts. County chairman on the radio was revealing. He has a clear vision of increasing the size and involvement of the fan base.  Our Trust can lead the way, especially in the local community. If the club is moribund, the fans have to take the initiative in an independent and positive way.

Ironically Notts County's supporters trust did own the club but were dumb enough to sell out to that dodgy consortium on the promise of the 'investment' to get them to the premier league. All they got was Sven for a few months and the odd season in the third tier. If we ever go down that step we must introduce a rule that prevents the trust from ever doing that. We've already been duped into giving Fenty the shares he demanded.