Grove
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Not really thought this through have they
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BackOfTheNet
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Not really thought this through have they More worryingly, I think they have, and this is what they came up with...
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The Hotelend Grand National* Sweepstake Champion 2020
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guest3114
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Personally speaking I would really like to read a full report on the meeting before forming a judgment on anything. Its most unfortunate that the document was the first tangible constituent to come from the meeting that I have seen. Viewed in isolation I think most reasonable people reading that document would have concerns about the caliber of the individuals steering this process?
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wazzacobbler
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I too would like to see a full report and I have asked the Trust on Twitter if anyone took minutes that I could see. Unfortunately, even though the Trust have been active on social media since I asked the question, I'm yet to receive an answer
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Host and Producer of the It's All Cobblers To Me podcast @CobblersToMe @charlescommins
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Ryan Amoo 14
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That flyer shows a terrifying but entirely predictable detachment from reality.
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Parklands Cobbler
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Did anyone who looks at this forum attend the meeting? A brief run down on what was said would be nice to know.
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shoearmy
Newbie
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Posts: 2
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Did anyone who looks at this forum attend the meeting? A brief run down on what was said would be nice to know.
I was at the meeting along with about 100 fans, Trust members, journalists, NTFC employees and local business people. Handing out this document at the meeting was a mistake, it doesn’t represent what was discussed, has some very silly statements and should be disregarded. We heard from fan ownership at Portsmouth and Exeter direct from the people involved and it was interesting to hear their experiences. In these two examples it was proven that fan ownership in Pompey’s case saved the club from oblivion and steadied the ship for a few years before being acquired by Michael Eisner and in Exeter’s case has enhanced community involvement and given the trust an equal voting position on the board (50/50) giving fans more say on what happens off the pitch. There are a lot of business models for this approach and Andy/Kevin from the trust were clear that this is not a hostile takeover bid and the purpose of the meeting was to see how others have done it and start to discuss fan ownership approaches that might work for the Cobblers. Exeter’s model might be great for Northampton Town. Especially to provide clarity over off the pitch decisions/direction and actually make visible improvements to our ‘community’ stadium. It does also seem that some local businesses would want to be seen to support the community through this initiative. My concern on what I heard yesterday was an uncomfortable undercurrent of negativity from the Trust panel and some involved people who were asking questions about the current owners. If the true intention of this is an Exeter style model for the Cobblers then everyone needs to buy into that including the current owners and it doesn’t sound at the moment that this is the case. This for me is the sticking point and needs to be addressed before I’m interested in joining any future meetings.
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clarkeysntfc
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I was at the meeting along with about 100 fans, Trust members, journalists, NTFC employees and local business people.
Handing out this document at the meeting was a mistake, it doesn’t represent what was discussed, has some very silly statements and should be disregarded.
We heard from fan ownership at Portsmouth and Exeter direct from the people involved and it was interesting to hear their experiences. In these two examples it was proven that fan ownership in Pompey’s case saved the club from oblivion and steadied the ship for a few years before being acquired by Michael Eisner and in Exeter’s case has enhanced community involvement and given the trust an equal voting position on the board (50/50) giving fans more say on what happens off the pitch.
There are a lot of business models for this approach and Andy/Kevin from the trust were clear that this is not a hostile takeover bid and the purpose of the meeting was to see how others have done it and start to discuss fan ownership approaches that might work for the Cobblers.
Exeter’s model might be great for Northampton Town. Especially to provide clarity over off the pitch decisions/direction and actually make visible improvements to our ‘community’ stadium.
It does also seem that some local businesses would want to be seen to support the community through this initiative.
My concern on what I heard yesterday was an uncomfortable undercurrent of negativity from the Trust panel and some involved people who were asking questions about the current owners.
If the true intention of this is an Exeter style model for the Cobblers then everyone needs to buy into that including the current owners and it doesn’t sound at the moment that this is the case. This for me is the sticking point and needs to be addressed before I’m interested in joining any future meetings.
The bit in bold is the key bit for me. In order to get anywhere near fan ownership the Trust has got to earn the trust of the people it claims to represent and start acting in true partnership with the current board at NTFC to secure a handover. The current behaviour I am seeing suggests that nothing of the sort is happening, and they're actually alienating the NTFC staff. I am a supporter of fan ownership in principle but the sheer naivety of the discussions & the document handed out yesterday is absolutely frightening.
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Deepcut Cobbler
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I was at the meeting along with about 100 fans, Trust members, journalists, NTFC employees and local business people.
Handing out this document at the meeting was a mistake, it doesnt represent what was discussed, has some very silly statements and should be disregarded.
We heard from fan ownership at Portsmouth and Exeter direct from the people involved and it was interesting to hear their experiences. In these two examples it was proven that fan ownership in Pompeys case saved the club from oblivion and steadied the ship for a few years before being acquired by Michael Eisner and in Exeters case has enhanced community involvement and given the trust an equal voting position on the board (50/50) giving fans more say on what happens off the pitch.
There are a lot of business models for this approach and Andy/Kevin from the trust were clear that this is not a hostile takeover bid and the purpose of the meeting was to see how others have done it and start to discuss fan ownership approaches that might work for the Cobblers.
Exeters model might be great for Northampton Town. Especially to provide clarity over off the pitch decisions/direction and actually make visible improvements to our community stadium.
It does also seem that some local businesses would want to be seen to support the community through this initiative.
My concern on what I heard yesterday was an uncomfortable undercurrent of negativity from the Trust panel and some involved people who were asking questions about the current owners.
If the true intention of this is an Exeter style model for the Cobblers then everyone needs to buy into that including the current owners and it doesnt sound at the moment that this is the case. This for me is the sticking point and needs to be addressed before Im interested in joining any future meetings.
Can't believe that someone agreed to the release of the document. Irrespective of the variance of what was actually discussed, that shows the behind the scenes youth football level of thinking to have produced and agreed that in the first place. It is the only hard copy document that those who attended and those who didn't have to refer to when the meeting is closed. Someone can come on and defend or give their alternative view of the document claiming that it doesn't reflect the overall intention but unfortunately that was a real 'blighty'. At the end of the day, the ability to raise and sustain the funding of the football club is still the main stopper regarding any 'fan ownership'. Until that is resolved with a fail-safe proposal, this will continue to remain a pipedream. I would love us to own our own club but until this happens, along with a reliable and credible management plan, I will vote to remain under the current or similar private ownership.
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“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.” Laurence Binyon
The Hotelend Grand National Sweepstake Champion 2009
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guest3114
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Can't believe that someone agreed to the release of the document. Irrespective of the variance of what was actually discussed, that shows the behind the scenes youth football level of thinking to have produced and agreed that in the first place. It is the only hard copy document that those who attended and those who didn't have to refer to when the meeting is closed. Someone can come on and defend or give their alternative view of the document claiming that it doesn't reflect the overall intention but unfortunately that was a real 'blighty'.
At the end of the day, the ability to raise and sustain the funding of the football club is still the main stopper regarding any 'fan ownership'. Until that is resolved with a fail-safe proposal, this will continue to remain a pipedream. I would love us to own our own club but until this happens, along with a reliable and credible management plan, I will vote to remain under the current or similar private ownership.
Was going to comment DC but you have saved me the trouble, that about hits the proverbial nail on the head. It was absolutely crucial that the attendees were motivated to engage in the process positively. Credibility regarding fan ownership was always going to be a challenge and that document was most unhelpful. At this point in time there are only 3 things that matter with regards to this whole process, how much, where from, and when? The answers to these questions will indicate everything including an ability to move forward, likely success or failure and would shape the entire business plan, if it ever gets that far. However you can relax about having to vote on remaining privately owned. If these questions remain unresolved there won’t be any choice in the matter.
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JollyCobbler
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Can't believe that someone agreed to the release of the document. Irrespective of the variance of what was actually discussed, that shows the behind the scenes youth football level of thinking to have produced and agreed that in the first place. It is the only hard copy document that those who attended and those who didn't have to refer to when the meeting is closed. Someone can come on and defend or give their alternative view of the document claiming that it doesn't reflect the overall intention but unfortunately that was a real 'blighty'.
At the end of the day, the ability to raise and sustain the funding of the football club is still the main stopper regarding any 'fan ownership'. Until that is resolved with a fail-safe proposal, this will continue to remain a pipedream. I would love us to own our own club but until this happens, along with a reliable and credible management plan, I will vote to remain under the current or similar private ownership.
Honestly, I read through this thread and assumed the document posted was a spoof. It's unfortunate this is not the case.
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guest3264
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For those slagging off KT and DB, for those slagging off the Trust for their initiative,
What do you propose to improve the current situation?
What are you going to do to improve the current situation?
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Deepcut Cobbler
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Where is the other one?
Already merged...
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“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.” Laurence Binyon
The Hotelend Grand National Sweepstake Champion 2009
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Deepcut Cobbler
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For those slagging off KT and DB, for those slagging off the Trust for their initiative,
What do you propose to improve the current situation?
What are you going to do to improve the current situation?
I am not slagging off either the current owners or the Trust. (Statement) What am I going to do or propose? Nothing, until someone demonstrates a fail-safe funding plan (a bit more detail than the 'YES' response yesterday), in addition to a reliable, viable and credible management plan that encourages my support for any change. Personally, I am in not in a position to provide either funds or time to assist therefore I'll just keep turning up and supporting the team, whoever the owner(s) are.
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“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.” Laurence Binyon
The Hotelend Grand National Sweepstake Champion 2009
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wazzacobbler
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The way I look at all of this is that it has come about due to the lack of perceived work that's been done to complete the East Stand. While I am just as annoyed and frustrated by this lack of activity as the next person, I am yet to find an answer as to how this can be completed any sooner. As far as I know, the Council and the Club are in positive talks to get the stand finished and the Trust believe that they could get these talks completed quicker. I don't know how they believe they could do this because the only answer I have seen given to this question is that they would have a better relationship with the Council than the Club currently do. For me, that isn't an answer because it gives no details as to how they would have a better relationship and it also doesn't provide any answers on what the relationship with the Club and Council is currently. My other issue is with the funding side of things. To simply say "yes" to the question of whether the Trust have funds to run the club isn't any better than KT saying "talks are ongoing" about the East Stand works. The Trust said yesterday that the club and Trust were too far apart when it came to the valuation of the club. To me, this means the Trust don't have enough funding at this moment in time to buy into the Club as they can't afford to meet KT and DB's valuation.
What I would like to see is the Trust build a better, more positive relationship with the Club. Help to initiate some of the community things they want to see happen. By doing that they will help to improve the club. From what I have heard, it seems that the Trust are too busy being negative about the football club to actually do anything positive.
I keep hearing the phrase "we see ourselves as critical friends of the club". Well right now, I doubt 'friends' is what either side think their in regards to their relationship status.
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Host and Producer of the It's All Cobblers To Me podcast @CobblersToMe @charlescommins
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guest48
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OK here's a question for everyone, what value would you put on NTFC if you were looking to buy it ?. We are talking about the football club not the land around Sixfields, I'll list the assets of NTFC ………..I'm struggling to think of ANY assets, don't own a half finished stadium, a few youth players that could be worth a few quid a few years down the line, but we'll probably release them anyhow and ………..that's about it. So it's a loss making business ,with no assets, so it shouldn't be difficult to meet the asking price, if the asking price is sensible. PS. to use a very well used phrase at NTFC, the Trust cannot reveal their backers due to commercial sensitivity
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CobblerForever
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The Trust said yesterday that the club and Trust were too far apart when it came to the valuation of the club. To me, this means the Trust don't have enough funding at this moment in time to buy into the Club as they can't afford to meet KT and DB's valuation. It means that the Trust don't agree with KT and DB's valuation. You only ever pay for anything if you value it as worth the offered price.
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