Team and fans are all that matter and both were brilliant yesterday. I've decided I want for Christmas: Ricoh to b a community asset; Independent Inquiry to call to account all those responsible for the mess we are in; sisu to accept fan-led take over of CCFC (alongside co-investors who are City fans too) = giving CCFC a fresh start back at the Ricoh with only two things mattering - the team and the fans. and both were brilliant yesterday (recurring). Genius or madness?
Sounds like a pipe dream to me
In terms of end game I like the idea, but it's how we get there that's the problem.
Personally I think the only way fans will own the club is after admin/liquidation and correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the community still have to raise the funds to buy the asset? How would we do that without an investor?
Also, I massively disagree with a major investor. It may go against fans' want for a immediately successful team, but I think it's a bad idea and goes against the idea of fan ownership. I'd like to see an elected board, 100% fan ownership and a business model that follows the MK Dons model (community, academy, cheap tickets for kids) hate them all you like but they're a brilliant case study for building support and a sustainable club.
hate them all you like but they're a brilliant case study for building support and a sustainable club.
In terms of end game I like the idea, but it's how we get there that's the problem.
Personally I think the only way fans will own the club is after admin/liquidation and correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the community still have to raise the funds to buy the asset? How would we do that without an investor?
Also, I massively disagree with a major investor. It may go against fans' want for a immediately successful team, but I think it's a bad idea and goes against the idea of fan ownership. I'd like to see an elected board, 100% fan ownership and a business model that follows the MK Dons model (community, academy, cheap tickets for kids) hate them all you like but they're a brilliant case study for building support and a sustainable club.
But MK Dons still need(ed) a major investor to make it work.
Actually, we should rephrase, we don't want investors, we want benefactors...
I'd also suggest the piss ups in breweries organised by all of us in the name of protest exemplify very clearly why fans shouldn't be let anywhere near running the club!
As I said elsewhere, I'd rather a competent non fan as CEO than an incompetent fan.
The problem is the models of fan ownership in this country, the way football's set up in this country, tend to only work as interim firefighting measures.
Better to have a similar constitution to how Arsenal were set up, in my view. 25% maximum stake in the club for any one shareholder, allow anybody to buy shares.
And, if you want a voice for the fans, then 25% maximum for an individual with 10% minimum ringfenced for 'ordinary' fan small shareholders would give fans influence, without being primarily responsible.
shmmeee, you make a very valid point here. With all that has gone on, can we / could we ever trust a major money bags ever again. A fan led take over is in my view the dream solution. I just doubt that there is sufficient knowledge and knowhow amongst SBT to achieve this. But Portsmouth have accomplished it, we should seek their advice and guidance. Imagine CCFC the community football club for the benefit of the City of Coventry. ACL could give us 3 years free rent!!
Like the idea, but how does Joy get her £60 million?
The Trust have been very close to both Supporters Direct and Pompey Trust for some time AFAIK. Lots of experience to draw on and I'd imagine their membership would increase and become more active if this was a real possibility, widening the talent pool.
The consideration of a fan led take over of CCFC has been very low on the list of potential solutions. I think we have to accept that there are NO white knights prepared to take on CCFC and that this is ultimately this the route to take. There are many wise contributors to this forum, and many that could make it a reality.
This would be a valid campaign, is there enough energy and will to bring it to be? CCC / ACL and SBT could be the bodies that bring about the change in mind-set. Is this the way forward?
To be honest, the main reason I want fan ownership is to stop the club running up debts that are then passed on to the next guy until the club goes bust.
People may be wise but who will finance it all?
The likes of Notts County, Lincoln, Mansfield all got taken over as last resort, but all almost ended up dead as the fans collectives couldn't sustain the club (and didn;t Notss County show great judgement over who to bail them out!!). There's also a similar problem with Ebbsfleet, the ultimate model.
Even pointing at those that seemingly work, like Exeter, have issues. Fans are now fed up at the lack of progress(!) and an ever increasing number are agitating for them to 'give it a go'. meanwhile, the club just about keeps its head above water.
Now you could argue in that case we're stymied until someone comes along and the entire English football bubble bursts, and that may be true(!) but this country's setup seems to allow the best case working being a benevolent dictatorship, where a small group of wealthy investors take the decisions.
And that those wealthy investors never actually want their money back.
Team and fans are all that matter and both were brilliant yesterday. I've decided I want for Christmas: Ricoh to b a community asset; Independent Inquiry to call to account all those responsible for the mess we are in; sisu to accept fan-led take over of CCFC (alongside co-investors who are City fans too) = giving CCFC a fresh start back at the Ricoh with only two things mattering - the team and the fans. and both were brilliant yesterday (recurring). Genius or madness?
I agree, fan ownership is the way forward for me, but ONLY without the debt! If that means having to take some steps backward to regain control of the club, and for the benefit of future stability then, for me, it's a price worth paying. For me, this isn't about where we are playing this season or next season, it's about a solid foundation to develop and grow over ten, twenty, fifty years.
Supporters direct are there to assist in enterprises such as this, maybe clubs like Swansea and Wimbledon would offer support.
It can be done, IMO we are the only people who should be running our club, and I'm sure that the right type of people are within our ranks.
I think it's something we should seriously consider. I also think that, should the current board decide to cut their losses and walk away, we should be ready to jump in before any opportunists.
Maybe now, instead of arguing over who is to blame for our situation, we should start asking "who can we work with?"
I would happily meet with anyone who wants to discuss these ideas.
I still think this is something that should be looked at post Christmas for sure. My views have changed somewhat over the last couple of months but still think this is worth planning even if in the end it isn't followed through.
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