Colly wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 13, 2021 11:03 am

So this sort of hinges on whoever buys the club allowing the Trust to buy a stake?

And is there any issue around confidentiality in regard to the Trust getting this info and sharing it?

Colly wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:24 am

Genuine question here, and this is the result of me studying finance, hating it and not wanting anything to do with it for 15 years since, so if any of the below is wrong please shout up.

At the moment there aren't shareholders in the club, it's owned outright by Ashley. So is the stuff you've stated based on the takeover resulting in us becoming a share based limited company again? And if that is the case, wouldn't most of that information become public domain if we're a plc again?

Speedo wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:21 pm

On the view 1% doesn't mean anything - I'd disagree because:
- Even with 1% holding, a shareholder has a right to access to information about the company not commonly in the public domain - e.g. salaries, payments, sponsorships, etc., so we as a fanbase can object to commercial deals we disagree with and at least have oversight into what is being done with our money within the club.
- With a seat at the table - even as a noisy-but-not-decisive voice - that's a great step forward from today where a muffled voice with no influence whatsoever.
- 1% is a platform which can grow over time as more money is put in to the trust, or the club drops down the divisions, or some other form of acquisition (e.g. gifted %, as per Hearts). But 1% is a critical milestone (perhaps THE critical milestone) to begin that process.

Now whether all that is worth £3m is each individual's call - and I certainly understand why people have concerns about "mob rule" when it comes to the Trust's actions. I think if it was in a position of control like that, some reform would be needed to enable the Trust to hire experts to work on its behalf (but not at its direction). However that is a long way away - right now any voice is a whole lot better than no voice at all.

Donkey Toon wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:50 am

Colback's Orange Tufts wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:22 am

they don't represent my views either, but its what the members voted for. I joined to represent those of us who don't want to be Saudi cheerleaders.

It is good that you are doing that, but my feeling is that it will make no headway against the court of popular opinion. As i'm not from the region my voice would I fear be next to meaningless. I noticed in their manifesto they make a big point of standing up for LGBTQ rights, I wonder how they think that stacks up against a Saudi owned regime owning the club and their (the Trust's) support of it. If they can't figure out that inconsistency then i'm of the opinion that they don't have the intelligence or reasoning to do the job. I also can't fathom how the numerous women on the Trust Board can square that with the human rights abuses against women and why they think the female supporters of the club would want their money supporting that takeover. None of it makes any sense to me at all.

Colback's Orange Tufts wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 10:22 am

Donkey Toon wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 9:44 am

A 1% stake is almost meaningless and would be nothing more than symbolism. Also their support of the PIF takeover means they don't represent my wishes for the club is the most meaningful way possible. No way will I be signing on.

they don't represent my views either, but its what the members voted for. I joined to represent those of us who don't want to be Saudi cheerleaders.

Donkey Toon wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 12, 2021 9:44 am

A 1% stake is almost meaningless and would be nothing more than symbolism. Also their support of the PIF takeover means they don't represent my wishes for the club is the most meaningful way possible. No way will I be signing on.

Bodacious Benny wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:52 am

The True Faith Podcast did a good show on this, even though I don't think it will succeed it has swung me towards chipping in. They are passionate about what they're trying to do, a lot of work has gone into this and they've got very good custodians of the money so you know it will be put to good use if their plan doesn't pan out.

If nothing else it's a very symbolic movement that shows those in the media who like to stereotype us as deluded that we will take action rather than just moan about the regime, and as I mentioned earlier the money will be given to NE based charities if the plan to buy a stake in the club doesn't come to fruition so it's a win-win.

Colly wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:00 pm

It's a nice idea, but I just don't see the point, and I don't have a lot of faith in the Trust in general. Add to that the fact that I'm still against the PIF takeover and they're all for it.

Bodacious Benny wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:35 pm

Fans can raise significant money, AFC Wimbledon fans have so far raised almost £10m which has meant they could buy back Plough Lane etc. I agree though that at PL level I'm not sure the value of a fans group owning 1% and in reality having nothing more than a token say on how things are run. Whether it's Ashley or someone else owning the club, they could still do whatever they wanted. It's a nice idea but part of me hopes that the charities end up with the money as it'd be far better served and have more impact for them and people in real need rather than on a football club.