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Post by eyeswideopen on Jan 23, 2018 12:15:38 GMT
I think you have a point. I am not privy to know whether MM is doing a good job or a bad job but what I do know is that he seems to be running the ship single handed. WTF does Tony Allen do. We need to bin Tony Allen off and get someone who can help with business enquries, sponsorships etc. Clearly one man can’t do it all by himself Which one man are you referring to?
TA who you want rid of? or MM?
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Post by Al on Jan 23, 2018 12:16:23 GMT
Which is what the Working Groups should be setup to achieve.
But then the question is, if the Working Groups take off (which I hope they do), then what are we paying Maguire to do?
That's the $1m question. I also hope it takes off but we are still reliant on volunteers. Getting sponsorships is about engaging with businesses, gaining their trust, selling what the club has to offer, all this takes time and that's what many volunteers don't have as well as the experience. My hope is that one day we have a paid board of people with the experience of running successful football clubs and CFC are a sustainable club who can compete in whatever league that we may be in. Agreed regards the engagement with local businesses and building relationships etx that's why you'd have a Commercial Manager doing all that. You wouldn't pay a CEOs wage to do that job either
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Post by bing on Jan 23, 2018 12:20:45 GMT
From my perspective, I have always found MM fine to work with and have placed various sponsorship deals with the club through him and will be taking up a 100 club package. I read recently, I think when Swansway announced their stadium sponsorship, that it was MM's influence that pushed the deal through.
I suggest people see that value he has brought into the club before making him a scapegoat. As someone else alluded to, if he's the 'face of the club' he will be spreading himself very thinly, so needs help from working groups so that he can concentrate his time on bringing money into the club.
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 23, 2018 12:43:54 GMT
We need to bin Tony Allen off and get someone who can help with business enquries, sponsorships etc. Clearly one man can’t do it all by himself Which one man are you referring to?
TA who you want rid of? or MM?
MM. Too many stories of having no reply to emails which suggests to me too much workload and reliance is put on MM.
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Post by degsey on Jan 23, 2018 12:46:58 GMT
re gary roberts possible sponsorship its no surprise the blacon lads involved have not had a reply to their email as with most things MM is involved in he either ignores contact altogether or promises something will happen but never does as i posted at the time i wrote 3 emails to him about possible refund of travel for postponed game at eastleigh he didnt even give me the courtesy of a reply(i know from deva chat happened to others too) so much for a reply to emails within 24 hours i would not mind if the answer was no but no reply at all is not acceptable as for fund raising he told me(in the beginning when he did reply to emails) that in the pipeline was "chester fc events " as you guessed nothing more was heard of it i see the ex players association plan "an evening with" a good idea which i (amongst others) suggested to MM ages ago he should be looking at this type of fund raising event not leave it to ex players (well done guys) while he picks up his fat salary which is adding to the cash balance issues for sure
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Post by Dodge on Jan 23, 2018 12:47:49 GMT
That's the $1m question. I also hope it takes off but we are still reliant on volunteers. Getting sponsorships is about engaging with businesses, gaining their trust, selling what the club has to offer, all this takes time and that's what many volunteers don't have as well as the experience. My hope is that one day we have a paid board of people with the experience of running successful football clubs and CFC are a sustainable club who can compete in whatever league that we may be in. Agreed regards the engagement with local businesses and building relationships etx that's why you'd have a Commercial Manager doing all that. You wouldn't pay a CEOs wage to do that job either That was previously the case (Tracey Wainwright) and the Ops Board recommended that the Commercial Manager be replaced with a CEO. I don't really fall in either camp when it comes to MM, there are clearly limitations as evidenced in this thread, but he also quite comfortably justified his position financially at the April 2017 CFU meeting. The issue is whether he continues to deliver that value for money, and also whether he will take on board the negative feedback and actually address it.
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Post by degsey on Jan 23, 2018 12:58:59 GMT
re gary roberts possible sponsorship its no surprise the blacon lads involved have not had a reply to their email as with most things MM is involved in he either ignores contact altogether or promises something will happen but never does as i posted at the time i wrote 3 emails to him about possible refund of travel for postponed game at eastleigh he didnt even give me the courtesy of a reply(i know from deva chat happened to others too) so much for a reply to emails within 24 hours i would not mind if the answer was no but no reply at all is not acceptable as for fund raising he told me(in the beginning when he did reply to emails) that in the pipeline was "chester fc events " as you guessed nothing more was heard of it i see the ex players association plan "an evening with" a good idea which i (amongst others) suggested to MM ages ago he should be looking at this type of fund raising event not leave it to ex players (well done guys) while he picks up his fat salary which is adding to the cash balance issues for sure Got to agree with you poolpirate, I sent 3 e-mails about the postponed Eastleigh game and never received a reply! and on another thread which I read someone rang the club regarding the sponsorship of a player and he received no reply! I myself did 2 sponsorships of players in season 15/16 and set up 3 meetings with the club to meet the players concerned, and was let down 3 times, and to add insult to injury the club rang me at the end of the season, to ask me if I was the person who paid for the sponsorships, I was going to do more sponsorships for the club to give them much needed money, As I travelled independently to Eastleigh I was wondering if anyone received any payment? this I find very annoying as I have only missed 1 game since the club was reformed! I think this last 2-3 years the club has become a shambles and very hard to watch, as most of my mates on the HM don't come anymore
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Post by Al on Jan 23, 2018 13:00:15 GMT
Agreed regards the engagement with local businesses and building relationships etx that's why you'd have a Commercial Manager doing all that. You wouldn't pay a CEOs wage to do that job either That was previously the case (Tracey Wainwright) and the Ops Board recommended that the Commercial Manager be replaced with a CEO. I don't really fall in either camp when it comes to MM, there are clearly limitations as evidenced in this thread, but he also quite comfortably justified his position financially at the April 2017 CFU meeting. The issue is whether he continues to deliver that value for money, and also whether he will take on board the negative feedback and actually address it. That I believe was a case of the wrong person being appointed to a role which did not suit them.
There were far too many problems with that appointment and another of the 'jobs for the boys/girls' that we had around that time (Tony Allen appointed in a paid role that was not advertised and was previously done well by a volunteer for free which has been well documented on here and the old site).
Had that board got the Commercial Manager appointment right, would there have been any need for a CEO?
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 23, 2018 13:01:51 GMT
Got to agree with you poolpirate, I sent 3 e-mails about the postponed Eastleigh game and never received a reply! and on another thread which I read someone rang the club regarding the sponsorship of a player and he received no reply! I myself did 2 sponsorships of players in season 15/16 and set up 3 meetings with the club to meet the players concerned, and was let down 3 times, and to add insult to injury the club rang me at the end of the season, to ask me if I was the person who paid for the sponsorships, I was going to do more sponsorships for the club to give them much needed money, As I travelled independently to Eastleigh I was wondering if anyone received any payment? this I find very annoying as I have only missed 1 game since the club was reformed! I think this last 2-3 years the club has become a shambles and very hard to watch, as most of my mates on the HM don't come anymore I have just received a refund for my train to Eastleigh a couple of minutes ago.
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 23, 2018 13:06:02 GMT
Anyone who is seeking refund for Eastleigh.
This is the email for the person who is sending out refunds today.
haidee.mchugh@chesterfc.com
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Post by norwegianblue on Jan 23, 2018 13:15:16 GMT
I think you have a point. I am not privy to know whether MM is doing a good job or a bad job but what I do know is that he seems to be running the ship single handed. WTF does Tony Allen do. We need to bin Tony Allen off and get someone who can help with business enquries, sponsorships etc. Clearly one man can’t do it all by himself Isn't the job as Club Secretary primarily revolve around the clubs legal aspects, eligibilities and responsibilities in addition to the basic and daily running of the club? I would expect such duties to include player registration for all registered teams, affiliation to leagues and FA's (Local and National), medical insurances, purchase of equipment both on and off the field, even down to sanctioning the cost of new lawnmower blades ! Whoever does it, Tony Allen or A.N.Other, it has to be a full time position. If we can get a volunteer to do all that, he get's my vote.
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 23, 2018 13:18:52 GMT
We need to bin Tony Allen off and get someone who can help with business enquries, sponsorships etc. Clearly one man can’t do it all by himself Isn't the job as Club Secretary primarily revolve around the clubs legal aspects, eligibilities and responsibilities in addition to the basic and daily running of the club? I would expect such duties to include player registration for all registered teams, affiliation to leagues and FA's (Local and National), medical insurances, purchase of equipment both on and off the field, even down to sanctioning the cost of new lawnmower blades ! Whoever does it, Tony Allen or A.N.Other, it has to be a full time position. If we can get a volunteer to do all that, he get's my vote. Wasn’t the role done by a volunteer before Allen came in through the back door though.
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Post by norwegianblue on Jan 23, 2018 13:25:06 GMT
Isn't the job as Club Secretary primarily revolve around the clubs legal aspects, eligibilities and responsibilities in addition to the basic and daily running of the club? I would expect such duties to include player registration for all registered teams, affiliation to leagues and FA's (Local and National), medical insurances, purchase of equipment both on and off the field, even down to sanctioning the cost of new lawnmower blades ! Whoever does it, Tony Allen or A.N.Other, it has to be a full time position. If we can get a volunteer to do all that, he get's my vote. Wasn’t the role done by a volunteer before Allen came in through the back door though. According to Al in his post 20 minutes ago, yes. As Al also posted, a commercial manager should have been appointed. The problems with the club are not only off the field. Win games or at least signs of commitment and improvement and it will put bums on seats. Everything else will be simpler to correct.
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Post by cfcforme on Jan 23, 2018 13:39:43 GMT
Can anyone remind me (genuine question) who was responsible for the appointment of TA?
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Post by embalmer on Jan 23, 2018 13:57:09 GMT
Can anyone remind me (genuine question) who was responsible for the appointment of TA? Would have been the Ops Board as of 2015 when the appointment was made. I believe at the time it was made up of Brian Burns, Laurence Kirby, Jim Keegan and John Martin.
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Post by eyeswideopen on Jan 23, 2018 15:31:14 GMT
Which one man are you referring to?
TA who you want rid of? or MM?
MM. Too many stories of having no reply to emails which suggests to me too much workload and reliance is put on MM. So you think MM has taken on too much?
This article here suggests he was fully up for the role and turned down offers to take it on. www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-mark-maguire-unveiled-11548250
The article also states that his two main priorities would be: Maguire will be overseeing all day-to-day activities at the club with aims to develop and implement a strategic business plan to grow the club, and to take the club forward in new, sustainable ways.
Please feel free to enlighten us with what the strategic plan was? How far into the implementation he has got? and what new sustainable ways he has taken the club forward.
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 23, 2018 15:46:28 GMT
MM. Too many stories of having no reply to emails which suggests to me too much workload and reliance is put on MM. So you think MM has taken on too much?
This article here suggests he was fully up for the role and turned down offers to take it on. www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-mark-maguire-unveiled-11548250
The article also states that his two main priorities would be: Maguire will be overseeing all day-to-day activities at the club with aims to develop and implement a strategic business plan to grow the club, and to take the club forward in new, sustainable ways.
Please feel free to enlighten us with what the strategic plan was? How far into the implementation he has got? and what new sustainable ways he has taken the club forward.
No, I think the burden has been placed on him too much, as has been hinted at by former board members and a chairman. Volunteers putting little effort in as they think our paid employee can do it all for them. That’s not intended to be a criticism of our board/volunteers as they are volunteering their time, but maybe they’ve relied on Maguire as a paid employee too much.
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Post by gezzer on Jan 23, 2018 15:46:32 GMT
MM. Too many stories of having no reply to emails which suggests to me too much workload and reliance is put on MM. So you think MM has taken on too much?
This article here suggests he was fully up for the role and turned down offers to take it on. www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-mark-maguire-unveiled-11548250
The article also states that his two main priorities would be: Maguire will be overseeing all day-to-day activities at the club with aims to develop and implement a strategic business plan to grow the club, and to take the club forward in new, sustainable ways.
Please feel free to enlighten us with what the strategic plan was? How far into the implementation he has got? and what new sustainable ways he has taken the club forward.
Nobody can answer your questions because we haven't been told, maybe one for Thursdays meeting. What I can guarantee is that my CEO doesn't sit at his desk all day dealing with refunds and other "day-to-day activities" would that include keeping the offices and toilets clean for example. Also if the team was performing on the pitch would we be having this conversation? Me thinks not
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Post by eyeswideopen on Jan 23, 2018 15:50:46 GMT
So you think MM has taken on too much?
This article here suggests he was fully up for the role and turned down offers to take it on. www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-mark-maguire-unveiled-11548250
The article also states that his two main priorities would be: Maguire will be overseeing all day-to-day activities at the club with aims to develop and implement a strategic business plan to grow the club, and to take the club forward in new, sustainable ways.
Please feel free to enlighten us with what the strategic plan was? How far into the implementation he has got? and what new sustainable ways he has taken the club forward.
No, I think the burden has been placed on him too much, as has been hinted at by former board members and a chairman. Volunteers putting little effort in as they think our paid employee can do it all for them. That’s not intended to be a criticism of our board/volunteers as they are volunteering their time, but maybe they’ve relied on Maguire as a paid employee too much. Your allegiance is admirable, but I will ask again, What new sustainable ways has he taken the club forward.?
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Post by Al on Jan 23, 2018 16:01:19 GMT
So you think MM has taken on too much?
This article here suggests he was fully up for the role and turned down offers to take it on. www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-mark-maguire-unveiled-11548250
The article also states that his two main priorities would be: Maguire will be overseeing all day-to-day activities at the club with aims to develop and implement a strategic business plan to grow the club, and to take the club forward in new, sustainable ways.
Please feel free to enlighten us with what the strategic plan was? How far into the implementation he has got? and what new sustainable ways he has taken the club forward.
Nobody can answer your questions because we haven't been told, maybe one for Thursdays meeting. What I can guarantee is that my CEO doesn't sit at his desk all day dealing with refunds and other "day-to-day activities" would that include keeping the offices and toilets clean for example. Also if the team was performing on the pitch would we be having this conversation? Me thinks notAnd for me this line sums it up why we are where we are.
We should have always been having these conversations, ever since re-birth. The questions should always be about the finances, growing the finances and ring-fencing funds specifically for re-investment in the infrastructure, maximise our revenue generating facilities to create more money which in turn could have been used to grow the club SUSTAINABLY on and off the field.
As it was, we were spoilt rotten by the great performances on the pitch and just let things be, as (in my mind) peoples thoughts were 'all is well on the pitch so off the field will look after itself'. Doesn't work like that sorry.
And now we find ourselves in this position, desperate to cut costs, desperate to get those lads on 2 year deals off the wage budget so it doesn't cripple us this year and next season.
All because we all got lazy (and I include myself in that) and allowed it to happen.
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Post by gezzer on Jan 23, 2018 16:10:36 GMT
Nobody can answer your questions because we haven't been told, maybe one for Thursdays meeting. What I can guarantee is that my CEO doesn't sit at his desk all day dealing with refunds and other "day-to-day activities" would that include keeping the offices and toilets clean for example. Also if the team was performing on the pitch would we be having this conversation? Me thinks notAnd for me this line sums it up why we are where we are.
We should have always been having these conversations, ever since re-birth. The questions should always be about the finances, growing the finances and ring-fencing funds specifically for re-investment in the infrastructure, maximise our revenue generating facilities to create more money which in turn could have been used to grow the club SUSTAINABLY on and off the field.
As it was, we were spoilt rotten by the great performances on the pitch and just let things be, as (in my mind) peoples thoughts were 'all is well on the pitch so off the field will look after itself'. Doesn't work like that sorry.
And now we find ourselves in this position, desperate to cut costs, desperate to get those lads on 2 year deals off the wage budget so it doesn't cripple us this year and next season.
All because we all got lazy (and I include myself in that) and allowed it to happen.
Agreed, spot on but we are where we are. Going forward we absolutely must use these experiences as a learning curve and ensure that we never let this happen again. Hopefully we can get out of this tight spot sooner rather than later then really kick on. COYB
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Post by everhopeful on Jan 24, 2018 4:15:15 GMT
During the pre-season I made an appointment with MM to renew my sponsorship of several things which I have been doing for some seasons. A friend of mine flew over from America to join me in order to also sponsor whatever might be suggested. We were made to wait in the corridor for nearly half an hour after the appointment time before MM made an appearance. When he finally did, we were spoken to in the corridor and then beside the pitch by the dugouts. We were not even offered a seat, so I took it upon myself to sit down on one of the seats behind a dugout, (I am disabled and have to walk with a stick.) At no time were we offered anything or anyone to sponsor. Not even the items which I had sponsored previously. We were offered a drink during the conversation, which we accepted. When it came we were told "Sorry this is all we have." We had a plastic cup of cold water each. It is now nearly the end of January. We have still to be asked to sponsor anything. With Americans you only get one chance to make a good impression. That chance was not taken. My friend will not be back and will not be contributing any sponsorship. Neither will I. I was disgusted and rather hurt by the treatment we received. I've supported the club through thick and thin since the mid-50s, even volunteering back in the 70s before volunteering became as popular as it is now and I'm disappointed that my money no longer seems to be good enough. I've sponsored various things in the past and on several occasions bought a match day package for different people in the Legends Lounge. Never again. I still want to know where my money went with Burr's appeal, but I know that I'll never find out. I will not be back whilst MM is still there, nor will I let the club (my club) have any more money. That man is succeeding in doing that which he has done at every previous undertaking that he has joined, which is to lead them to ruin. And on the field, his two cronies, the present and past managers, are doing the same to our position in the National League. I will always look out for our results and will always have a place in my heart for The Blues, but I'm sorry to say that's all it will be from now on.
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 24, 2018 10:46:16 GMT
During the pre-season I made an appointment with MM to renew my sponsorship of several things which I have been doing for some seasons. A friend of mine flew over from America to join me in order to also sponsor whatever might be suggested. We were made to wait in the corridor for nearly half an hour after the appointment time before MM made an appearance. When he finally did, we were spoken to in the corridor and then beside the pitch by the dugouts. We were not even offered a seat, so I took it upon myself to sit down on one of the seats behind a dugout, (I am disabled and have to walk with a stick.) At no time were we offered anything or anyone to sponsor. Not even the items which I had sponsored previously. We were offered a drink during the conversation, which we accepted. When it came we were told "Sorry this is all we have." We had a plastic cup of cold water each. It is now nearly the end of January. We have still to be asked to sponsor anything. With Americans you only get one chance to make a good impression. That chance was not taken. My friend will not be back and will not be contributing any sponsorship. Neither will I. I was disgusted and rather hurt by the treatment we received. I've supported the club through thick and thin since the mid-50s, even volunteering back in the 70s before volunteering became as popular as it is now and I'm disappointed that my money no longer seems to be good enough. I've sponsored various things in the past and on several occasions bought a match day package for different people in the Legends Lounge. Never again. I still want to know where my money went with Burr's appeal, but I know that I'll never find out. I will not be back whilst MM is still there, nor will I let the club (my club) have any more money. That man is succeeding in doing that which he has done at every previous undertaking that he has joined, which is to lead them to ruin. And on the field, his two cronies, the present and past managers, are doing the same to our position in the National League. I will always look out for our results and will always have a place in my heart for The Blues, but I'm sorry to say that's all it will be from now on. Really, really disappointing to read this; but my advice is hold on to your wishes of sponsorships as there will be boardroom changes. Imminently.
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sixnil
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by sixnil on Jan 24, 2018 20:30:55 GMT
Perhaps this has been aired before, in which case, apologies.... but have we tried the debenture idea. If it worked out it could raise £100,000 with a cost to the club of (say) £5000 per year or less.
Simply put - 1000 of us who have £100 to risk in return for 5% interest give that £100 as a form of loan with an interest rate of 5% fixed. Better than 0.5 - 1.5% that most savers are getting. The debenture we would be buying would entitle us to interest and maybe a few perks - e.g. second dibs at a ticket (after season ticket holders) when we finally meet someone in the third round of the cup (home or away). I'm sure there can be other perks if we put our minds to it - 10% off club shop items, etc.
In theory the money is refundable at the end of a fixed term but in practice we would all know we might not get it back.....but if we do keep solvent we would always get our 5% per year. Up to us to take or refuse the interest.
Just an idea and one that needs proper accountant or company secretary knowledge to put into practice but worth a go?
Maybe 1001 of us - "1001 Foundations" as in foundations on which club is built.
As I said apologies if this has been aired and rejected before - bit I'm trying to respond to Banksy's idea and this is my tuppence-worth.
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Post by bluboy79 on Jan 24, 2018 20:58:05 GMT
This is a very good idea but I think we might struggle to get 1000 takers but even 500 would help. I would sign up for this. I think you should present this officially to board members .
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Post by Imperial on Jan 24, 2018 21:04:36 GMT
Wouldn’t this require regulation by the FSA? I’d imagine there are costs to operating like a bank that could be prohibitive.
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Post by Deva Chanter on Jan 24, 2018 21:16:00 GMT
It can be done under the remit of a Community Share Scheme. A couple of clubs have used them successfully in the past - Bath City used one to fund their fan takeover and I believe FCUM have also done one which raised a significant amount of money. This has been looked at by two different directors over the last couple of years, one of whom resigned and the other who wasn't re-elected. So some preliminary work has been done, but its quite a complex initiative that requires a lot of work and marketing. As far as I know, the current board haven't looked into it any further since.
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sixnil
Junior Member
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Post by sixnil on Jan 24, 2018 21:23:32 GMT
It can be done under the remit of a Community Share Scheme. A couple of clubs have used them successfully in the past - Bath City used one to fund their fan takeover and I believe FCUM have also done one which raised a significant amount of money. This has been looked at by two different directors over the last couple of years, one of whom resigned and the other who wasn't re-elected. So some preliminary work has been done, but its quite a complex initiative that requires a lot of work and marketing. As far as I know, the current board haven't looked into it any further since. Thanks for that. It would seem debentures are a possibility then but someone nearer to the club and with an accountant/financial background would need to take it up. On a quick Google search I quickly came up with this www.marketinvoice.com/business-finance/what-is-a-debenture which claims that it's a easy job which only takes a few days. If it comes to anything then count me in!
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Post by Captain Duff on Jan 24, 2018 21:24:24 GMT
Can anyone remind me (genuine question) who was responsible for the appointment of TA? Would have been the Ops Board as of 2015 when the appointment was made. I believe at the time it was made up of Brian Burns, Laurence Kirby, Jim Keegan and John Martin. I actually do not believe that this would have been in the gift of the Ops Board to do, the way the appointment was made and the unease of a lot of us about it can be found here Tony Allen DC1 (lot of familiar names on that thread!). At the time I believed that this was almost all down to Grenville and his very active 'hands on' approach that while was mainly a good thing did sometimes risk bypassing fuller democratic accountability (and having a key post like this that was not advertised was unacceptable on every level). Grenville stepped down unexpectedly fours months after Allen's appointment and I don't ever remember us getting a satisfactory explanation about what had happened, but if others do please share!
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sixnil
Junior Member
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Post by sixnil on Jan 24, 2018 21:39:47 GMT
It can be done under the remit of a Community Share Scheme. A couple of clubs have used them successfully in the past - Bath City used one to fund their fan takeover and I believe FCUM have also done one which raised a significant amount of money. This has been looked at by two different directors over the last couple of years, one of whom resigned and the other who wasn't re-elected. So some preliminary work has been done, but its quite a complex initiative that requires a lot of work and marketing. As far as I know, the current board haven't looked into it any further since. Thanks for that. It would seem debentures are a possibility then but someone nearer to the club and with an accountant/financial background would need to take it up. On a quick Google search I quickly came up with this www.marketinvoice.com/business-finance/what-is-a-debenture which claims that it's a easy job which only takes a few days. If it comes to anything then count me in! Just had a quick shuftie at the Bath City link you posted above. It's just the sort of thing we should be able to do with different benefits for different levels of investment. A lot of what they did could be cut and pasted into our own version . "Our club is faltering. Quick, quick - is there a financial director or company secretary in the house?" (I'm serious)
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