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1  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Supporters Advisory Board: Proposed Agenda Items (Date of next meeting TBC) on: March 24, 2024, 15:58:51 pm
1) Essential, South Then North, corners Nice to have
2) Essential, Absolute minimum 12K
3) Routine
4) Nice to have
5) Nice to have
6) Routine
7) Priority
8  Priority - Much larger Bar area for both home and away fans
9) Priority
10) Priority
2  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Grade the Cobblers on: March 19, 2024, 11:05:19 am
My opinion:

Players & Management - B think with what we have available Brady is doing a great job, may have slipped a bit lately but still think they are doing well at this level. The test will come on how we invest and build in the summer to see if we can stay up for another season.
Ownership - B Not really got a problem with owners, fairly steady hand could be worse could be better, would prefer more investment but they did not come into the club with a plan of spending billions
Facilities - D could be a lot better but needs investment, whether from the owners or outside sources, personally would love to see a large area tented if it can't be built onto the existing stadium when improvements are made, that both sets of fans can use with food and drink readily available, maybe try and get some of our local brewers and restaurant owners involved!
Match Day Experience - A / B - usually meet up with friends for something to eat and drink, that way even if we play badly it's not a total waste.
Community - A seem to be doing a lot more now
Do I feel part of the club? - B, maybe because I am older now, felt more involved in the Carr and Atkins days, maybe because I was younger and occasionally saw the players when out and about and had a drink with them.
3  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: End of season predictions. on: February 06, 2024, 16:01:04 pm
I think another 18 to 23 points before season end and comfortable 10th to 12th place.
4  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: April 04, 2023, 14:46:02 pm
I agree that we need a much bigger ground. Don't think many people would disagree with it. A quick glance at the average attendances in league1 shows that there are 13 clubs currently averaging crowds higher than what our actual capacity is! https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league-one/attendances

I think the difference though is that once you are lumbered with a 'tiny ground' its very difficult to actually do anything about it unless you are prepared to throw in millions. There are very very few clubs which have significantly increased their stadia's capacity's, in most cases they have moved to a bigger ground. That has worked for many clubs, also it has been a burden for others. I reckon it would work for us but how's do you go about it?

I see no point in significantly expanding Sixfields. If it was up to me, Id sell the bloody gaff and move to somewhere else into a brand new 15-20k capacity stadium. Of course that is pure fantasy, I aint stupid! I've said before. Whilst there is land on the table, we will forever be dragged along with it. So the best course of action would be for the current custodians to do the deal they have on the table and either sort the stand out or sell us on to someone who will. Either way, I aint bothered. 10k, 12k capacity will make virtually zero difference. For us to shoot up to the size of club that you aspire us to be, we need a minimum of 15-20k capacity. With very decent facilities. And a playing budget 3 times the size of what it is. I don't expect KT and DB to give us that, indeed I don't expect anyone too. We need about 30million quid spent on us basically. With no realistic hope of an ROI!  Smiley





Probably about the most sensible quote on here for a while and about how I feel around it all
5  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: March 22, 2023, 08:28:51 am
I notice you didn't name them, I wonder why?

Beacuase I assumed anyone with half a brain would do like I did and google it! If the emails you are writing contain as much truth as the rubbish you post on here then it won't matter how many you write as no one will take you seriously.
6  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: March 21, 2023, 14:26:53 pm
Try look  again but don't count districts just the boroughs and their conurbation .. I think we actually might be 24th!

Many non league clubs also have far bigger stadia than tiny Sixfields.

Never let the truth get in the way Beds, 12 league 1 & 2 clubs with smaller capacities than us.
7  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: February 21, 2023, 13:20:56 pm


I'm asking myself does the town of Northampton deserve a more professional football club? Of course it does.
Do NTFC's small band of followers deserve a more professional club... Absolutely not.


How to win friends and influence people the Beds way  Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy
8  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: February 10, 2023, 14:35:56 pm
Personally don't see anything wrong with that if some of the returns come back to the club. The East stand can just be cladded out and given over to the away support with the North and South being developed into 2 tier stands in the future when needed. Though I do think the club should see a percentage of the returns from the development after KT & DB have paid off their loans to the club. Then I think we would be in a good position going forward.
9  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Supporters Trust withdraws bid for ACV Land at Sixfields on: January 31, 2023, 08:39:59 am
Fez, it is very hard to be constructive, when the only line that fits is “I/we told you so”. There has been so many attempts to head something like this off at the pass over the last few years, that it is nigh on impossible to put this down to a mere misguided accident. I hold no malice towards the main body of the Trust. But it has been clear to all that they have been the obvious recipients of crass and inappropriate advice. You’ve got to know what you are taking on. And there was a wealth of knowledge discarded in order to reach this end.

Nobody in their right mind wants to see the Trust disbanded. But it should not need a standard AGM and in fighting to correct this. Any of the current board who stand for re-election need to examine very closely their motivation for doing so. Not because they are not genuine supporters. Or because they meant any malice. Although I do question some of boards members, and hangers on motivation. But they should stand down for a new board to be assembled, one that the club can’t point a finger out for anything. Have a fresh vote on some key policies. Start inviting representatives from the club to meetings. Forging a new start.

I think the current board need to stand down as a group, what they have done to the faith in an organisation badly needed at this level of football, be it misguided or not is beyond excusable. Yes many people are not keen on the way KT and DB do business but to totally alienate them because you feel that they are not doing what you want as quickly as you want is not the best way forward for the fans or the club. The main aim of the trust should be to support and progress the views of the supporters to the benefit of the club, to attack, constantly the owners for not building a stand so much that you will get into bed with their challengers for the land smacks of childishness. We need a trust board that can reengage with KT. If we took the situation of the stand and the land out of the equation it appears that KT's ideas are beginning to move the club forward on the field. We have some good long term signings, management team for the first time in a long time look to be here for the long haul and it looks quite positive. If we can have a trust board that can work with the club, maybe we can get the stand and some other things moving forward. At least if we have a board that can engage with the club if KT and DB decide to go without building the stand , then at least we may be in a position to help broker a good deal for a new owner with them.
10  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Supporters Trust withdraws bid for ACV Land at Sixfields on: January 30, 2023, 15:47:29 pm
Just had a thought and one I dont think I like...
Read the Trust statement again, not including the title, carefully. No where does it say that bid has been withdrawn. Just that their participation has been ended

As the bid has been placed and is under due diligence from the council, does the Trust's position just mean that they will no longer be involved but the bid remains active and they have essentially been played and allowed another speculator to bid on the land through their ACV backdoor? I really hope not.

Maybe some from the Trust can confirm.
Is the full bid, in its entirety now dead? leaving just the owners and Cilldara left involved?


So potentially the Trust Board may have brought a party to the table who are putting a bid forward that does not benefit NTFC and its fans?
11  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: January 30, 2023, 15:08:18 pm
No doubt, this will be all the fault of KT and DB! So what is the Trust boards next move in this sorry saga.
12  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: December 09, 2022, 12:32:48 pm
Good post Battery but the issue in what you say is that I don’t see a situation where KT will finish the stand and leave. That makes no sense if u look at their actions so far.

The whole reworking of their land deal puts all the liability of finishing the East stand onto NTFC and the ACV land is offered as security if it isn’t built.

In reply to Peters post, all indictions and actions so far point to KT selling the land and then trying to sell the football club. Between selling the land and the club, every excuse and dragging of heels will delay the starting of the East stand.

The profit from the land sale will go directly back to DB to clear the debt. That does not benefit NTFC one bit, only KT & DB. Remember the club owed DC about £7m which was written off and KT paid £1 to buy it.

The East stand does not get finished and the land could go back to the council and fans have had to sit and stare at it for another 5 years at the very least.

If the fans at least own the freehold to the ACV land then it is protected and could be used in a variety of ways to benefit all going forward.

It all hinges on whether you trust and believe in KT & DB. Having had dealing with him and looking very closely at things, I am sorry to say that I just don’t. I wish I could. I wish they would just get on a do the right thing, do as they promised. Until that time I will fight to protect my football club

I was here , as most of you were, long before KT & DB and will be here long after, surely that should count for something.





I get what you are saying and you could well be right, however, if you are right or wrong it doesn't change the fact that this Trust board cannot work with the club too much has go on for any relationship to be got back. So unless KT/DB walkaway or not the fans really need a board that can work with the club, not necessarily agree with them or give up the ACV but at least be able to work with them for the benefit of NTFC and its fans and with the best will in the world Random just from some of the posts on here, that is not going to be achieved with the current Trust board, please don't take that to mean I want Tom and the others to take over, because I just want someone who can work with the Club for the Fans.
13  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: December 09, 2022, 07:43:59 am
This whole thing is beyond a joke and has been for some time. Whether you support KT/DB, the Trust, or like most of us, would just like clarification from all parties on what a final solution looks like if they get what they want.

I don't know if KT/DB will take the land and just finish the stand then leave, I hope not but don't know either way? I understand that certain parties think they have done nothing for the club, but we are still going and we are looking good on the pitch and the youth set up looks really good.

I don't know if CDNL will do anything for the club if they win the JR but again it may just be a fit out of the existing East Stand and leave us high and dry.

I don't know what the trust board has up its sleeve as they will not tell anyone, however, everything I have seen posted on social media and on here leaves this one the most scary option as it seems no thought out plans are in place at all, if they were I am sure they would be crowing about them.

I don't know what Tom and his friends have in mind, but he has been the most open and I would rather see them getting involved with the Trust board as they seem more open, however, if I listen to Random and Beds then it would seem they are working for KT.

It is all crap, without a big money backer we will be what we have been for the last 35 years of my supporting the club, a lower division club flirting between leagues 1 and 2 and hoping to avoid non league football with the odd great season thrown in and tbh I am happy with that it is more about meeting up with mates having a beer and a day out and if the football is good then great if not oh well there is always next week.

There is nothing wrong with wanting more for the club you support but just because not everyone agrees with you that is no reason to act like the trust board is doing, the trust is here to be a critical friend of the club not an antagonist, now maybe things have broken down between the board and the owners but if that id the case then it is the trust board that has to move over to let someone in on the trust side of things who can work with the owners and be that critical friend not an enemy! I know that is not going to be liked by some, however, if the worst happens and KT/DB do dump on us over the land deal at least we may be able to salvage something from the ashes.
14  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: September 28, 2022, 10:36:43 am
Sounds great in principle. I'd still like to know where the 3 million is coming from?

Beds & Random both put a bet on when this was at page 50 to say it would reach over 1750 pages and it has come off to the tune of 3 mill  Grin
15  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Summer Transfer window on: June 24, 2022, 12:28:41 pm
I don't know.... but the previous century gave us 'modern schooling, medicine, republics, representative democracy, half backs and the Labour Party Roll Eyes

Off topic Evers but I take issue with the last century gave us modern schooling bit, anyone with kids who have learning difficulties or problems will tell you we are very much still in the stone age with schooling  Cheesy
16  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: June 20, 2022, 15:24:46 pm
The proposal is for the local company and the Trust to form a joint venture company with the proceeds/profits being split on a 50/50 basis between the two parties. The money due to the Trust will be placed into the infrastructure foundation which will be used to make improvements to any area of the infrastructure at the club, from a new TV in Carrs Bar to funding and proposed expansion to one or more of the stands.
The money will not go to the Trust just to sit in their bank account!!

Thanks for that GPC, when do you think the fans will find out more details of this, especially the local company involved, will it be before the 3rd September deadline, as, if it is going to be of benefit it would be good to have all the info before that start of the season so we can see whats happening.
17  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: June 20, 2022, 14:05:14 pm
It looks interesting, but as they say the Devil is in the Detail, which there isn't really any at this stage. It would be interesting to know who the intended Joint Venture is with, when are we likely to see enough of the detail to see whether we as fans should back this or not?
18  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: June 10, 2022, 12:24:19 pm
LOL the quality of the Chronic is shocking.

Yesterday they use an image of the land with the wrong land split on them, the CDNL bid is for land all the way up to the running track now. Obviously this was changed last minute through the back door so not a surprise they got it wrong.

Today: They talk about Cilldara upset about land value of the ACV land / running track. Cilldara £3m bid does not include the 3.61 acres of ACV land
Random, didn't the clubs bid have a future % for the council, did Cilldara's. I am not 100% on that but I am sure I read it somewhere
19  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: June 10, 2022, 09:22:04 am
As TFAMH referenced above, part 3 of the Trust's model rules are interesting.
 
That states:
 
3. COMMUNITY BENEFIT PURPOSE
The Society’s purpose is to be the vehicle through which a healthy, balanced and constructive relationship between the Club and its supporters and the communities it serves is encouraged and developed. The business of the Society is to be conducted for the benefit of the community served by the Club and not for the profit of its members.
 
One would have to argue that the Trust is failing in its Community Benefit Purpose.
 
It comes across as a militant organisation, one that lacks leadership, discipline and is detached from the views of the majority of supporters.
 
Every barometer that you wish to take suggests the Trust don't have the support, backing or even a relationship with the vast majority of support and anyone who questions anything the Trust does is met with aggression or accusation, leading to the already huge disconnect between the Trust and the fanbase growing even wider.
 
The Trust flip flops. One day the problem is the club are not spending enough money. Our budget is not big enough. The next day the debt is too big. What do we have to show for the debt? Well, guess what, running an EFL club costs money. Just about every club loses money. Sure, some clubs have good years and through cup runs or player sales they make a profit but most run at considerable losses. What do we have to show for our money? A club in the EFL, a community club that helps people, a womens and girls team to be proud of, a better academy. Do I want more, of course I do? Do I want the club to risk everything by spending more money, raising funds through a bond (increasing the club's debt and that has to be repaid by the way, it is not free money) no I don't. Maybe I am not ambitious enough but to take this step by step, bit by bit, the next step is to complete the East Stand and reduce the debt while not putting the club at risk. That's good enough for me on the next part of our journey and the sensible way to go about things in my opinion.
 
The Trust is not learning. It is repeating the same mistakes, time and time again. Even this week we have seen a Trust board member on Twitter call a Councillor 'bent', something the Trust's legal adviser retweeted. How on earth do the Trust think they can have a relationship with the Council around the ACV Land with such social media posts? Words have consequences.
 
To get anywhere with the ACV bid, not only do you have to have raised the money you need by the end of August, you need to have some sort of relationship with the seller (West Northants Council) and the long term leaseholder (the club). For anyone in any doubt, there is no chance of either organisation getting on board with the Trust due to the tone and content of Trust statements and social media posts by board members. It will not happen. If you were the club or the Council, would you partner with these guys?
 
The old argument about 'I was posting in my own name and not on behalf of the Trust' is nonsense. Whether you like it or not, your words and messages are taken as representative of the Trust and they have consequences. When you take on a position you have responsibilities, again, whether you like it or not. You cannot switch it off and on.
 
Then we have other Trust board members on here and on social media going back aggressively at supporters who dare to question things. Where is the discipline, the tact, the diplomacy that a fan group needs to unite the support?
 
Surely, surely, someone somewhere has to just stop and when the Trust's own travel club splits off because it is embarrassed to be associated with the Trust someone somewhere must have to think, maybe, just maybe, we have got this wrong. Maybe we have misjudged things. Maybe we have misread the mood of the fans. Maybe we need to build bridges. Or maybe not, maybe we just carry on with our mix of aggression and confrontation, after all it has worked so well up to now…..
 
The Trust cannot hold the club to account anymore because the club have cut them off. To hold anyone to account you need to make judgement calls and have a balance of supporting when you can and questioning when you need to. The Trust have just attacked, attacked and attacked and now they are cut off and seen as a group of ridicule by many of my fellow supporters.
 
This brings us back to the point at the start, how does any of this fit with the Community Benefit Purpose which is part of the Trust's Governance Rules.
 
It doesn't. The Trust has become an aggressive, militant organisation that the fanbase is embarrassed to be associated with. That's the truth and no amount of 'what about KT or I've been a fan for 50 years so I know best' will change that. Action is the only thing that will change that, action with tact, maturity and diplomacy.
 
Cue attacks now from the vocal Trust board members but as a Cobblers fan and Trust member for many years, that's how I see it.
 
The Trust has failed. That is a shame, the club needs a healthy Trust but this Trust is not fit for purpose. It is an aggressive group that drives a wedge between them and every group or organisation they should be building bridges with and now those bridges have been burnt beyond repair.
 

This is one of the best posts on here, so true unfortunately.
20  The Hotel End / Cobblers Corner / Re: Redevelopment Closer Than Ever? on: April 13, 2022, 14:09:41 pm
So just over 2% of our support make a decision like this, wow. RIP The Trust
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