UPDATE: Supporters' Trust statement

[everbrite]

Well done on that Marvo!  You beat me there.

I ask above does the Trust have a view on anything?  I meant that seriously.  I have just taken a look at the Trust's website and I couldn't find one single view on one issue.  It is pathetic.  Can anyone enlighten me?

Ask tonight as you are going - supposedly

[BackOfTheNet]

That was no lady, that was Linda!  

My elderly father quite often goes to the forums and always refers to Linda as "That mouthy woman that everyone was laughing at that time at Grimsby"

[John]

My elderly father quite often goes to the forums and always refers to Linda as "That mouthy woman that everyone was laughing at that time at Grimsby"

Ooohhhhh gossip! What did she do, what did she do?

[guest48]

For what it's worth, I'm not a great fan of the trust. I have massive respect for its origins and its concept and it's something I've proudly told supporters of other clubs is something that originated at Northampton Town.

Having said that, my personal experience of the trust is that they are very cliquey and unwelcoming. I've attended many open forums and there's often someone on the door asking if you are a trust member and handing out paperwork. If you aren't a member the attitude quickly turns quite sniffy. This isn't an attack on everyone in the trust before anyone takes it as a personal affront; it's just my personal experience of dealing with certain members.

You must have attended an Open Forum & AGM , that is the only time you are asked if you are a Trust member because only Trust members can vote on AGM motions, the paperwork would have been the accounts ect. No one is ever asked at other Open Forums.

[guest48]

So we are or we aren't invited, strange one this. I can now see why there is such debate around the trust. Seems like the voice of the fans doesn't want to give the fans a voice to me.

Tonight is a standard Trust board meeting ,these are held every month ,it is not an Open Forum. The reason Fez has asked you to e mail if your going is that these meetings are held in small rooms ,usual capacity of 12 to 15 as this is amble for our board meetings. Nothing secretive . You can voice your opinions at any Open Forum.

[DL2]

Some years ago I attended a meeting at Sixfields arranged and hosted by the Trust about the redevelopment.  The leaders of the 3 main political parties were in the chair and WNDC were represented.  If I recall accurately Keith Barwell of Saints fame was also at the head table.  All the local politicians said their respective pieces and were poor all round, especially the LibDem of Astragate fame. 

The room was packed with well over a hundred supporters present.  It came to questions and answers and the the Trust's head man was MC.  At the time the redevelopment was going nowhere and the mood of the supporters was tense and agitated.  Many wanted to ask questions, myself included.  The MC was significantly and conspicuously biased in favour of certain Trust members, one of whom I remember (a lady) was allowed 2 or 3 questions to the exclusion of people present who were not even allowed one question.  At that point I decided the Trust was a cosy clique of best pals and I drove home feeling nothing but contempt for the Trust.  My attitude hasn't really changed since and reinforces some of the views being expressed above.

I confess that would have been me      That would not have been anything to do with the Trust being cliquey, more a case of being being pushy and (a bit) loud (mouthy)    I am lovely really 

Can't remember who the Chair was that night .. but I now often Chair the Forums .. probably to shut me up ... a bit

PS was I pissed at Grimsby ... I dread to think

[BackOfTheNet]

You must have attended an Open Forum & AGM , that is the only time you are asked if you are a Trust member because only Trust members can vote on AGM motions, the paperwork would have been the accounts ect. No one is ever asked at other Open Forums.

To be honest, being asked if I was a trust member didn't concern me in the slightest; it was the attitude I've got when I've said that I wasn't that irritated me.

[betamax toploader]

Tonight is a standard Trust board meeting ,these are held every month ,it is not an Open Forum. The reason Fez has asked you to e mail if your going is that these meetings are held in small rooms ,usual capacity of 12 to 15 as this is amble for our board meetings. Nothing secretive . You can voice your opinions at any Open Forum.

Do you get charged for a meeting at the Guildhall? No malice, just curious.

[guest2090]

So Vintage you joined the Trust, volenteered for a range of jobs relevant to your expertise, for the expansion of the Trust and club!


YES  or  NO?................I won't hold my breath!

you are missing the point over and over again.

[guest48]

Do you get charged for a meeting at the Guildhall? No malice, just curious.

No.

[everbrite]

you are missing the point over and over again.

Having been to the Trust Meeting tonight can reveal (I hope):

a) All who attended where solid NTFC Fans and solid Town Citizens - nothing new there I hear one or two say
b) It became quickly apparent that most of the Trust are split who the next Manager should be!!
c) The degree of ignorance shown on here on the activities of the Trust is appalling and that includes Fernando
    AA and Vintage. These are people giving up their own free time in the interests of NTFC and "Us".
d) It was not "cliquey", there were even free hot drinks available to all who came. New members are appreciated.
e) The Topics raised was interesting especially the "Green Transport" Issue - part of the Planning Permission for the Stadium Improvement no
    less where we have to minimize use of cars but maximize passengers plus more use of Public Transport.
f)  What I cant quite understand is that some on here (living locally)who comment on the Trust did not even bother to turn up, says it all
     really!
g) One surprising thing I learnt was that Marvo was a quite decent bloke when off the keyboard - just goes to show!
h) It appears DC is desperately trying to ensure that he appoints the right man - it was stressed that it is his choice(Owns the Club) and  
    should be left to get on with it. DC is well aware of the Trusts and this Forum anxieties.
i)  Another comment from one Trust Member was that we should all calm down a bit - the whole thing is out of our hands; which I thought
    was very true.

Sorry that I cannot report too much on what was said - I was merely an interested observer but any Trust Member can give a report on here if they so choose. But it was well worth the visit and some of us should make more of an effort to attend the next meeting.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

You were doing well until you got to 'g', then you lost all credibility.... 

[everbrite]

You were doing well until you got to 'g', then you lost all credibility.... 

The trouble is Deepcut a Lady had to assist me on the way out so shocked was I - even asked if I had mispronounced the name incorrectly or not. Still in a state of shock  - bit like shell shock I suppose.

[guest48]

You were doing well until you got to 'g', then you lost all credibility.... 

[Shoemaker]

You were doing well until you got to 'g', then you lost all credibility.... 

Didn't realise the said person was present
That said an enjoyable evening,not cliquey,lots of well meaning people there,all friendly.
Learnt a couple of very interesting snippets of info (one bombshell).
Felt that the members of the trust put in a lot of hard work but must remember they are a supporters trust and their primary aim must be the concerns of supporters who they were formed to represent (hence the name).
With the trusts constitution they have certain powers to obtain information and knowledge that the ordinary supporter isn't privy to.
They in my opinion should make use of this power as shareholders in the club and then relay information more freely to the supporters.
In conclusion.
I attended last night and found that everyone present were decent people.
They all have the club at heart and obviously give up their own time for a cause they love.
They have the ability to do more as regards asking for information from the club but seem unwilling to in case it upsets the powers that be.
One things for sure it's well worth joining/attending if only to meet some decent people and have a natter!
Il be paying £50 for a lifetime membership which I consider decent value.
That said I think they'd be better off saving their cash into a lump sum and putting it into something tangable for all fans to see the benefit of(a scoreboard for example) rather than give it to the club to see fit.

[lodgeadam]

I think they'd be better off saving their cash into a lump sum and putting it into something tangable for all fans to see the benefit of(a scoreboard for example) rather than give it to the club to see fit.

I actually love that idea, could be like a blue peter appeal! Wonder how much a screen like Fleetwoods would set us back!

The trust could even take a vote on what we should be 'saving' for next.

[guest48]

Didn't realise the said person was present

Marvo or Everbrite ? First one wasn't there second one was.
One things for sure it's well worth joining/attending if only to meet some decent people and have a natter!
Il be paying £50 for a lifetime membership which I consider decent value.
That said I think they'd be better off saving their cash into a lump sum and putting it into something tangable for all fans to see the benefit of(a scoreboard for example) rather than give it to the club to see fit.

Thanks for attending and your feedback. Re the above idea ,scoreboard , we actually got in touch with the owners of Nene Park to see if they would sell us that one , the answer was no. That was before the re-development got the go ahead. A scoreboard is something that we will be pushing for and I think the idea of the fans raising the money is good , if you want to talk about it PM me.

[John]

If I'd been there Polly, you'd have known about it.

[Shoemaker]

That's good to hear  marvo 

[Shoemaker]

Thanks for attending and your feedback. Re the above idea ,scoreboard , we actually got in touch with the owners of Nene Park to see if they would sell us that one , the answer was no. That was before the re-development got the go ahead. A scoreboard is something that we will be pushing for and I think the idea of the fans raising the money is good , if you want to talk about it PM me.

Enjoyable evening Barton.
Will PM you sometime over the weekend.