Trust Update

Quoted from barralad

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?.....I0UsNVcDvr3S78FXUWhl

Further to statements earlier in the week and subsequent questions we would like to give an update on recent events.

As previously stated none of the Trust board, except for the two board representatives, knew anything about the proposal from Alex May. Once we became aware, we acted quickly and decisively and formally opposed any involvement. This was subsequently reflected in the vote at the GTFC board meeting which thankfully was unanimous. Our two board representatives did have prior knowledge following his recent introduction which highlights the issue of confidentiality and the invidious position it can create for them. This is something we are reflecting on and will be discussing with the Club. Neither Dave nor Jon believe this investment would have happened but given if it had they would have had no option but to resign their positions.

Mr May has not put any money into the club at all. Any speculation around this seems to have come from mis understanding of reports from Company’s House which show the up to date total shares issued. This is updated each time the Club registers new share purchases and any recent movement is due to the shares purchased by fans.

Regarding our stance on change of ownership we are already on record as saying that this would be desirable to the right purchaser which is why we took the initiative last week to approach Mr Shutes to see if we could help facilitate discussions. It is important to emphasise this was done on Wednesday 9th December prior to the disclosure about Mr May and there is no connection between the two.

We are pleased that Mr Shutes agreed to a meeting which was very constructive and subsequently there has also been a good meeting with chairman Philip Day. Whilst understanding everyone’s thirst for knowledge, especially the media, both parties have said that they will not be issuing details of discussions and this needs to be respected. They need to be given the space to get this to a conclusion one way or another. We will be helping with that in any way we can.

We have been contacted by a group of fans keen to collaborate and ensure we are reflecting wider views, we are very happy to do that and will be responding positively to that request.  It is often very difficult to represent all views, at all times we try to take a balanced view and take into account the fact that social media doesn’t always reflect general opinion. Currently we are very clear that it certainly does.

Our view is that we need to give potential takeover discussions every chance to succeed and, in the meantime, consult with fans about alternatives should the negotiations not be successful. We would anticipate any action resulting from those discussions would be put to a vote. As is evident from his recent statement we also need to give the manager space to fully concentrate on the playing side of things.

Finally, it is impossible for us to reply to every single tweet or comment on a message board and so we have decided that we will set up a questions and answers page that we will regularly update and issue links to. The best way to contact us is enquiries@marinerstrust.co.uk.

Quoted from Bigdog

Further to statements earlier in the week and subsequent questions we would like to give an update on recent events.

As previously stated none of the Trust board, except for the two board representatives, knew anything about the proposal from Alex May. Once we became aware, we acted quickly and decisively and formally opposed any involvement. This was subsequently reflected in the vote at the GTFC board meeting which thankfully was unanimous. Our two board representatives did have prior knowledge following his recent introduction which highlights the issue of confidentiality and the invidious position it can create for them. This is something we are reflecting on and will be discussing with the Club. Neither Dave nor Jon believe this investment would have happened but given if it had they would have had no option but to resign their positions.

Mr May has not put any money into the club at all. Any speculation around this seems to have come from mis understanding of reports from Company’s House which show the up to date total shares issued. This is updated each time the Club registers new share purchases and any recent movement is due to the shares purchased by fans.

Regarding our stance on change of ownership we are already on record as saying that this would be desirable to the right purchaser which is why we took the initiative last week to approach Mr Shutes to see if we could help facilitate discussions. It is important to emphasise this was done on Wednesday 9th December prior to the disclosure about Mr May and there is no connection between the two.

We are pleased that Mr Shutes agreed to a meeting which was very constructive and subsequently there has also been a good meeting with chairman Philip Day. Whilst understanding everyone’s thirst for knowledge, especially the media, both parties have said that they will not be issuing details of discussions and this needs to be respected. They need to be given the space to get this to a conclusion one way or another. We will be helping with that in any way we can.

We have been contacted by a group of fans keen to collaborate and ensure we are reflecting wider views, we are very happy to do that and will be responding positively to that request.  It is often very difficult to represent all views, at all times we try to take a balanced view and take into account the fact that social media doesn’t always reflect general opinion. Currently we are very clear that it certainly does.

Our view is that we need to give potential takeover discussions every chance to succeed and, in the meantime, consult with fans about alternatives should the negotiations not be successful. We would anticipate any action resulting from those discussions would be put to a vote. As is evident from his recent statement we also need to give the manager space to fully concentrate on the playing side of things.

Finally, it is impossible for us to reply to every single tweet or comment on a message board and so we have decided that we will set up a questions and answers page that we will regularly update and issue links to. The best way to contact us is enquiries@marinerstrust.co.uk.

I think that is their most important statement yet. They certainly acknowledge that the vast majority of the fanbase want change, not just a change but a takeover.

Indeed it is right to give the talks every chance to come to a suitable conclusion, but I am sure everybody will be watching like a hawk and there is no point in Mr Fenty thinking things will ever be the same again.

"Our two board representatives did have prior knowledge following his recent introduction"

I find that a bit vague, did they know about this man's history or just that he wanted to buy £1 million pounds of shares?

It’s an honest statement and addresses and recognises many things but could they clarify the level of knowledge of Mr May?

How much did they know? If they’ve known for a while then perhaps they’re as guilty, if unintentionally as everyone else on the board?

Quoted from arryarryarry

"Our two board representatives did have prior knowledge following his recent introduction"

I find that a bit vague, did they know about this man's history or just that he wanted to buy £1 million pounds of shares?

It mentions the confidentiality statement and that if it had been passed, they would have been forced to resign which I think tells you something.

Whether they searched his name online, we don't know. If they did, they would have still been bound by the confidentiality agreement. I would like to think that if one of them did discover something, they let the other one know and raised their objection with the other directors.

Quoted from aldi_01

It’s an honest statement and addresses and recognises many things but could they clarify the level of knowledge of Mr May?

How much did they know? If they’ve known for a while then perhaps they’re as guilty, if unintentionally as everyone else on the board?

They quite possibly did know about his background but the statement goes on to say that they would have had to resign if he had been allowed to invest. It sounds to me that they played this with a straight bat - maintaining the confidentiality they were bound by but representing the views of both the Trust and the wider fan base by resigning if necessary.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

It mentions the confidentiality statement and that if it had been passed, they would have been forced to resign which I think tells you something.

Whether they searched his name online, we don't know. If they did, they would have still been bound by the confidentiality agreement. I would like to think that if one of them did discover something, they let the other one know and raised their objection with the other directors.

But nothing definitive.

Considering the latest revelations about this criminal I would have hoped that if they knew about him they should have resigned there and then as should the other directors.

Quoted from arryarryarry

But nothing definitive.

Considering the latest revelations about this criminal I would have hoped that if they knew about him they should have resigned there and then as should the other directors.

Or hatch a plan to expose it all.

Quoted from ginnywings

Or hatch a plan to expose it all.

Well hopefully when this matter is resolved and those who were complicit in accepting this criminal into the boardroom are long gone from the club, they will be free to speak.

Did anyone pick up the fact the meeting was with Mr Day, no mention of any other board members, me thinks Fenty has been told to stay out of this and let others make the decisions.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Did anyone pick up the fact the meeting was with Mr Day, no mention of any other board members, me thinks Fenty has been told to stay out of this and let others make the decisions.

Given that Day is allegedly the chairman, surely he should be the one they converse with, not just some other old fellas who make up the numbers.

Decent enough statement , anyone looking for shadows in that must have an agenda against the trust. The board representatives may well have known of Mays history , the link to Dodd , Project Blundell Park or whatever that company was called was splashed all over here ages ago.
They kept their professional confidence and acted accordingly , knowing that whatever May was proposing would have to go to vote of approval to the board , they are on , and waited their turn to voice opposition.

Obviously somebody blew the whistle in the meantime.....not their fault....i am sure   .......

What is interesting is that the statement revealed that it was a unanimous decision to vote against Mays investment  ..... wow......... Fenty , Day et all must have just been tyre kicking with May then for all this time.... and all those meetings , while discussing his plans for the £1m training facility ....they were just wasting his time all along.  

What interests me is the “group of supporters” who have contacted them. It must be a significant number for them to get a mention. Maybe this is a catalyst for a new style trust that more fans can get behind.

Quoted from arryarryarry

But nothing definitive.

Considering the latest revelations about this criminal I would have hoped that if they knew about him they should have resigned there and then as should the other directors.

wonder how mr findlater came by his information???

Quoted from Henryscat

What interests me is the “group of supporters” who have contacted them. It must be a significant number for them to get a mention. Maybe this is a catalyst for a new style trust that more fans can get behind.

I can explain this. There has been various conversations about what action fans can take to provoke change at the club across all platforms. Over the course of this week a group of about 30 (including myself and a number of other posters from here and a few from Twitter) came together to focus on a course of action. Using polls on here and social media it became evident it is not a vocal minority who want change of ownership but an overwhelming majority. 90%+ of people from a sample of over 1000 want a complete takeover according to a poll by On This GTFC Day on Twitter.

Using these figures we decided that the best course of action was to question the Trust on their standing with regards a possible takeover of the club. As you can read from their statement they responded positively to our letter and we look forward to working with them, the rest of the Town fan base and any third parties going forward.

Quoted from LH

I can explain this. There has been various conversations about what action fans can take to provoke change at the club across all platforms. Over the course of this week a group of about 30 (including myself and a number of other posters from here and a few from Twitter) came together to focus on a course of action. Using polls on here and social media it became evident it is not a vocal minority who want change of ownership but an overwhelming majority. 90%+ of people from a sample of over 1000 want a complete takeover according to a poll by On This GTFC Day on Twitter.

Using these figures we decided that the best course of action was to question the Trust on their standing with regards a possible takeover of the club. As you can read from their statement they responded positively to our letter and we look forward to working with them, the rest of the Town fan base and any third parties going forward.

Are you just a collection of fans, or have you formed some kind of group? Will you be part of the Trust or a separate body?

Quoted from ginnywings

Are you just a collection of fans, or have you formed some kind of group? Will you be part of the Trust or a separate body?

As things stand we are a collection of fans rather than an organised group. The letter itself was signed off as our status as a Trust member and it ranged from lapsed members like myself to ex-Trust board members.  I can’t speak for everyone in the group but I only know four or five of them. One of the issues picked up on in the big conversation before we focused on questioning the Trust was a mistrust of the Trust. The feeling is very much that if we stand on the same side as the Trust then we can work with them. We’re still waiting for a full response but again - it was a positive reaction.  

Quoted from ginnywings

Are you just a collection of fans, or have you formed some kind of group? Will you be part of the Trust or a separate body?

Probably a seperate body, but as the Trust needs all the support they can get at the moment, they will probably be called the Mariners Truss.

Quoted from LH

As things stand we are a collection of fans rather than an organised group. The letter itself was signed off as our status as a Trust member and it ranged from lapsed members like myself to ex-Trust board members.  I can’t speak for everyone in the group but I only know four or five of them. One of the issues picked up on in the big conversation before we focused on questioning the Trust was a mistrust of the Trust. The feeling is very much that if we stand on the same side as the Trust then we can work with them. We’re still waiting for a full response but again - it was a positive reaction.  

Thanks for the explanation.

Quoted from forza ivano

wonder how mr findlater came by his information???

My understanding is that another news organsation were aware of May's involvement some weeks ago.

Quoted from LH

As things stand we are a collection of fans rather than an organised group. The letter itself was signed off as our status as a Trust member and it ranged from lapsed members like myself to ex-Trust board members.  I can’t speak for everyone in the group but I only know four or five of them. One of the issues picked up on in the big conversation before we focused on questioning the Trust was a mistrust of the Trust. The feeling is very much that if we stand on the same side as the Trust then we can work with them. We’re still waiting for a full response but again - it was a positive reaction.  

The other advantage by working through the Trust is that if there ever is a concerted fundraising, it is a ready made body, set up with appropriate governance rules.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

The other advantage by working through the Trust is that if there ever is a concerted fundraising, it is a ready made body, set up with appropriate governance rules.

Agree personally and there’s an element of too many cooks if we have multiple groups working in different directions. It’s time to stand together and aim to achieve what the overwhelming majority of Town fans want.

Personally so far I think there is a mandate from various polls across various platforms that there is an appetite for change in the boardroom. I haven't seen a poll get less than 83% wanting Fenty Out/change in the boardroom so far. One that had over 1000 people in it, a decent and representative proportion of the fanbase, was over 90% wanting change in the boardroom.

I'm both a trust member and a member of this collection of fans that contacted the Trust regarding their stance and indicating a willingness to help if necessary. I think generally there is a slight mistrust of the Trust after the shares fiasco and I think some fans think they may be a little under Fenty's thumb. This statement goes some way to easing those concerns and I really hope the Trust can be the vehicle for change and getting the fans' collective voices across. I'm not advocating fan ownership per se, I think the vision for the town and club put forward by Shutes, Stockwood and Pettit is really exciting and they seem to have the relevant knowledge, experience and contacts to make it a reality. But in my opinion the trust has a vital role to play in this and if, as this statement would suggest, they're also looking to change things in the boardroom for the good of the club then as fans we need to support them at this time and in return get our voices heard.

To be honest I think the Trust board have been waiting for signs of what the fans really want for years.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

To be honest I think the Trust board have been waiting for signs of what the fans really want for years.

Yes perhaps that's true. I think it's now fairly obvious but anyone that does want to bring change about should be vocal about it in any way they see fit. Be it on here, on social media or even maybe an email to the trust themselves. If you're not a member of the trust already, maybe now is the time to join and on joining let them know that you fully support and seek change in the boardroom. Fenty and his cronies will be waiting this out hoping that the outrage subsides and the calls for change become less regular and from fewer people. We must not let that happen.

As always #FentyOut