Ownership

Wycombe are a great example the fans took over they had quite a lot it debt they are nearly debt free now and flourishing.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

You're one of those people who always try to find a reason for not doing something. Every little thing that you can dig up to make it look like "it doesn't apply to us. We can't do it." No wonder we're in the mire with attitudes like that.

maybe thats because i dont want to do it  

The thing is, if hypothetically we were running away with the league but still had issues like the forum, bra gate etc would people still be calling for a change of ownership, I think the majority of the un rest comes from having a poor football season, so that only magnifies the off field incidents.

This always comes back to one thing: what is success?

Given what many of the fan-owned clubs went through - nearly going to the wall thanks to some kamikaze ownership from eccentric rich people - simply existing is success in their eyes.

We all want to play as high as we possibly can in the football league but if we get relegated and Fenty’s still in charge next season I’d fear for our long term existence.

A part of me would be quite happy to be fan owned and playing in League 2 while slowly building for a better (and more secure) future.

But not everyone has the patience for that.

Quoted from pen penfras

Absolutely. I'm not saying it's impossible. But the consensus seems to be that fan ownership will suddenly transform us into a successful club.

The budget wouldn't be larger. Who would underwrite the club's finances? I know we don't lose much at the moment, but day to day running we probably dip into the overdraft which wouldn't be there without somebody to underwrite it. Then you get in the press for not paying players, staff etc and can't be good for morale. If results don't go well, attendances will drop and the situation would be far worse.

The thing that stands out most to me is that the majority of people calling for fan ownership aren't willing to do a single thing towards making it happen, unless you count bleeting on about it on here. If you genuinely want to go in this direction then you need to take the bull by the horns and start putting something in action. It may not prove fruitful, but at least you tried to do what you believe in. It's always much easier to let somebody else do it, but that somebody doesn't appear to be forthcoming.

I take your point about taking the bull by the horns. I find it sad and disappointing that more aren't up for it. Not really viable for someone like me to do due to distance and work commitments.

But no body is saying we would be necessarily  more successful on the pitch. I think that would come over time. i think the club would be run more with the supporters, its lifeblood, in mind, and that would make a more stable, longterm fanbase, greater sense of ownership and patience. I think the support would be more tolerant of things when results weren't going our way.

As for 'bleating' on social media, well its partly about seeing what the appetite is and who can be persuaded. Same as people 'bleating' about any issue they feel strongly about.

Quoted from moosey_club

maybe thats because i dont want to do it  

That's fair enough if you don't, but you seem to look for any little thing to say 'we're different, we couldn't do it here'. It comes across as the negative 'little Grimsby' attitude that keeps people in their place.

For me it isn't a straight choice between what we have now and outright fan ownership through the Trust or another properly constituted body.

There are alternatives provided JF genuinely has had enough and is willing to talk about stepping down with purchase of his shares to be structured.

One thing is for sure as far as I can see and that is continuing as we are now will result in a significant drop in income for next season as there are so many people who will not renew season tickets.

Change in some form or other is vital

Quoted from pen penfras

Absolutely. I'm not saying it's impossible. But the consensus seems to be that fan ownership will suddenly transform us into a successful club.

The budget wouldn't be larger. Who would underwrite the club's finances? I know we don't lose much at the moment, but day to day running we probably dip into the overdraft which wouldn't be there without somebody to underwrite it. Then you get in the press for not paying players, staff etc and can't be good for morale. If results don't go well, attendances will drop and the situation would be far worse.

The thing that stands out most to me is that the majority of people calling for fan ownership aren't willing to do a single thing towards making it happen, unless you count bleeting on about it on here. If you genuinely want to go in this direction then you need to take the bull by the horns and start putting something in action. It may not prove fruitful, but at least you tried to do what you believe in. It's always much easier to let somebody else do it, but that somebody doesn't appear to be forthcoming.

Probably because there is a big obstacle in the way of it happening. Genuinely, there are loads of people who would consider doing something constructive at GTFC if they could make a difference - at the moment, fans get criticised at every turn, how can you expect them to be constructive?

Quoted from KingstonMariner

That's fair enough if you don't, but you seem to look for any little thing to say 'we're different, we couldn't do it here'. It comes across as the negative 'little Grimsby' attitude that keeps people in their place.

yes..i am a pessimistic tw@t regards GTFC   ......

Currently if you take what many would regard as a potential lead in fan ownership ...the trust .... an organisation formed, made up and run by supporters... they appear to be at odds internally with the limited power/control they have to date and dont seem to be clear on their direction...that is why i have doubts about it working for the entire control of the club here.

From my viewpoint, i am an advocate of public ownership, and not just of football clubs. I have always felt this way and it isn't something that i have just come around to thinking because of the struggles of the team. Neither do i think that it would guarantee success any more than what we have now, but it would feel more like our club than it does now and i think more clubs should have more fan involvement.

As for bleating on here and doing nothing about it. I simply don't have the knowledge required, but i have said more than once that i would be willing to put money into any scheme and i would be more than willing to lend what skills i have for free in ground maintenance and things of that nature. My brother would too.

I know JF thinks differently and that fan ownership is a pipe dream in his view, because i asked him. He also thinks fundamentally differently to me and his politics are a polar opposite to mine. He believes business and the free market is the way things should be run, and that is his right. It has to be said that he has kept the club in a mostly healthy financial state and is to be commended for doing so, but the match day experience is poor, and it has been for a long time now. Something needs to give somewhere.