Post by tim on Sept 28, 2008 18:20:33 GMT
There's been a lot said in recent times, on here, on the terraces, in the papers etc, and as a result there seems to be a lot of confusion as to who is saying what, why it is being said, and even why there are so many problems at the club and what the real nature of those problems is. To that end, I will attempt to summarise it all and hopefully provide a little insight into why some of the problems exist. My own status is totally independent, I am not a member of the Shareholders Action Group, I am a member of the Supporters Trust, and after 37 years of involvement with the club in a variety of positions from coaching to tannoy operator, commercial work to steward, website manager and scout, I have quite a good idea of what's what.
What is the problem with WCFC, and why are so many people unhappy about the state of affairs?
In a nutshell, the current Board of Directors have taken a huge gamble in putting all their eggs in the "new ground will solve all problems" basket. The club's debt is increasing, and worryingly the club are borrowing more money on the back of the ground sale agreement, despite the fact that the value of the land is decreasing and there is an ever-increasing likelihood that any new ground, if it ever happens, will not have secured sufficient funding to clear the club's debt, which is after all the main reason for wanting to move ground in the first place. In essence, the club are taking a big gamble in running up a big slate on the value of the sale of St. George's Lane, and the level of borrowing has now reached an extent whereby there is no longer any money left to them. Yesterday's FA Cup defeat means that there will be no additional income this season via the FA Cup, and that there is almost certainly no cash left to sustain the day-to-day existence of the club after the end of October. Rather than making money on the FA Cup, we've actually lost money this season, the weekly wage bill is higher than the 40% of 898 paying spectators.
The bottom line is that the present Board's lack of business acumen and worrying refusal to listen to advice, refusal to accept investment or even to consider any kind of rescue package means that unless change occurs in the very near future, the club will most likely be forced into administration, meaning an instant 10 point deduction that could lead to relegation this season. If the administrators are unable to find a suitable buyer for the club, then the club will fold and you won't have a team to watch, a team to sing about and bang drums.
You've no doubt read various things about the Supporters Trust and also the Shareholders Action Group. THESE TWO ORGANISATIONS ARE NOT THE SAME THING AND HAVE DIFFERENT REASONS FOR EXISTING, EVEN IF ULTIMATELY THEY AGREE ON SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS.
What is the Shareholders Action Group?
In their own words......
"It is our opinion that the present board of Directors and their management of the business is causing untold uncertainty to the clubs future. Unless change is brought about swiftly the current situation cannot (in our opinion) be maintained and it is only a matter of time before the business collapses."
This group have called for discussions with the club Board to establish the position regarding the club's future, and recently called for an EGM to challenge the Board. A proposed compromise deal was rejected by the Board, and the Shareholders Action Group are now waiting until the club goes into administration before looking to assume control and safeguard the future of the club.
You can find out more about the WCFC Shareholders Action Group at www.wcfcactiongroup.info/Home/tabid/70/Default.aspx
What are Supporters Trusts? -
The basic definition of a Supporters Trust is a democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice for supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves. Supporters Trusts are recognized by many organisitions, including the FA, and are held accountable for thier actions by Supporters Direct, The FSA and of course its membership.
WCFC Supporters Trust Aims and Objectives- what do we really hope to achieve? -
Many Trusts are set up when the football clubs are going through hard times or are in danger of disappearing altogether. This was one of the reasons the City Trust was reborn. We are determined to do what we can to help safeguard the future of the club and to ensure that it not only survives but that it should in a stronger position off (and ultimately on) the pitch. We will do this to the best of our abilities on behalf of the supporters of the club- we will not allow ourselves to be associated with any other group that does not share our vision or ethos. Just as important is the need to ensure that the local community is able to benefit from a well-run club that we can all be proud of. Be prepared to see the City Trust getting involved with and instigating ideas and initiatives within the community making sure there will be a WCFC fit for future generations to follow.
Why is it important that I join the WCFC Supporters Trust? -
The Trust aims are to help safeguard the future of the club and to make Worcester City FC a strong and active leader in the community but any Trust is only as strong and effective as its membership. We shouldn’t be under any illusion about the challenge we’re undertaking as a Trust. It’s going to be about hard work and effort, rolling up our sleeves and becoming a part of the process and ultimately, safeguarding the future of the City. We need to drive membership, raise funds and maintain a high profile. We need to re-establish the links between the club and the community so the club can act as a symbol of that community for everyone to support. The Supporters Trust is about making that really happen and you will be an integral part of what we do. Join the Trust and lets work together so that the City of Worcester is able to benefit from a well-run club that we can all be proud of.
You can find out more about the WCFC Supporters Trust at www.wcfcst.co.uk
At this very delicate stage in the life (and sadly death) of our WCFC, we all need to be on the same side. For some, this will take the form of "singing the blues" at home and away, but be warned, there could soon be no team to support. Others will seek to become involved with the Supporters Trust, and will do their bit to try and safeguard the future of the club. It's very important that a few facts are established first though.....
NEITHER THE SHAREHOLDERS ACTION GROUP OR THE WCFC SUPPORTERS TRUST ARE TRYING TO DESTROY THE CLUB, THE EXACT OPPOSITE IN FACT.
THE SHAREHOLDERS ACTION GROUP ARE SEEKING TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF THE CLUB BY ENABLING BOARDROOM CHANGE, TO ALLOW INVESTMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE FOR THE CLUB.
THE SUPPORTERS TRUST SEEKS TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF THE CLUB BY STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY LINKS, FUNDRAISING, DEVELOPING A STRONG BASE FROM WHICH ALL SUPPORTERS WILL HAVE A VOICE. IT IS NOT TRYING TO TEAR THE CLUB APART, IT IS TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A CLUB FOR YOU ALL TO SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE. THE SUPPORTERS TRUST NOTES THAT CHANGE IS REQUIRED AT BOARDROOM LEVEL TO ENABLE THE CLUB TO CONTINUE IN EXISTENCE.
What is the problem with WCFC, and why are so many people unhappy about the state of affairs?
In a nutshell, the current Board of Directors have taken a huge gamble in putting all their eggs in the "new ground will solve all problems" basket. The club's debt is increasing, and worryingly the club are borrowing more money on the back of the ground sale agreement, despite the fact that the value of the land is decreasing and there is an ever-increasing likelihood that any new ground, if it ever happens, will not have secured sufficient funding to clear the club's debt, which is after all the main reason for wanting to move ground in the first place. In essence, the club are taking a big gamble in running up a big slate on the value of the sale of St. George's Lane, and the level of borrowing has now reached an extent whereby there is no longer any money left to them. Yesterday's FA Cup defeat means that there will be no additional income this season via the FA Cup, and that there is almost certainly no cash left to sustain the day-to-day existence of the club after the end of October. Rather than making money on the FA Cup, we've actually lost money this season, the weekly wage bill is higher than the 40% of 898 paying spectators.
The bottom line is that the present Board's lack of business acumen and worrying refusal to listen to advice, refusal to accept investment or even to consider any kind of rescue package means that unless change occurs in the very near future, the club will most likely be forced into administration, meaning an instant 10 point deduction that could lead to relegation this season. If the administrators are unable to find a suitable buyer for the club, then the club will fold and you won't have a team to watch, a team to sing about and bang drums.
You've no doubt read various things about the Supporters Trust and also the Shareholders Action Group. THESE TWO ORGANISATIONS ARE NOT THE SAME THING AND HAVE DIFFERENT REASONS FOR EXISTING, EVEN IF ULTIMATELY THEY AGREE ON SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS.
What is the Shareholders Action Group?
In their own words......
"It is our opinion that the present board of Directors and their management of the business is causing untold uncertainty to the clubs future. Unless change is brought about swiftly the current situation cannot (in our opinion) be maintained and it is only a matter of time before the business collapses."
This group have called for discussions with the club Board to establish the position regarding the club's future, and recently called for an EGM to challenge the Board. A proposed compromise deal was rejected by the Board, and the Shareholders Action Group are now waiting until the club goes into administration before looking to assume control and safeguard the future of the club.
You can find out more about the WCFC Shareholders Action Group at www.wcfcactiongroup.info/Home/tabid/70/Default.aspx
What are Supporters Trusts? -
The basic definition of a Supporters Trust is a democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice for supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves. Supporters Trusts are recognized by many organisitions, including the FA, and are held accountable for thier actions by Supporters Direct, The FSA and of course its membership.
WCFC Supporters Trust Aims and Objectives- what do we really hope to achieve? -
Many Trusts are set up when the football clubs are going through hard times or are in danger of disappearing altogether. This was one of the reasons the City Trust was reborn. We are determined to do what we can to help safeguard the future of the club and to ensure that it not only survives but that it should in a stronger position off (and ultimately on) the pitch. We will do this to the best of our abilities on behalf of the supporters of the club- we will not allow ourselves to be associated with any other group that does not share our vision or ethos. Just as important is the need to ensure that the local community is able to benefit from a well-run club that we can all be proud of. Be prepared to see the City Trust getting involved with and instigating ideas and initiatives within the community making sure there will be a WCFC fit for future generations to follow.
Why is it important that I join the WCFC Supporters Trust? -
The Trust aims are to help safeguard the future of the club and to make Worcester City FC a strong and active leader in the community but any Trust is only as strong and effective as its membership. We shouldn’t be under any illusion about the challenge we’re undertaking as a Trust. It’s going to be about hard work and effort, rolling up our sleeves and becoming a part of the process and ultimately, safeguarding the future of the City. We need to drive membership, raise funds and maintain a high profile. We need to re-establish the links between the club and the community so the club can act as a symbol of that community for everyone to support. The Supporters Trust is about making that really happen and you will be an integral part of what we do. Join the Trust and lets work together so that the City of Worcester is able to benefit from a well-run club that we can all be proud of.
You can find out more about the WCFC Supporters Trust at www.wcfcst.co.uk
At this very delicate stage in the life (and sadly death) of our WCFC, we all need to be on the same side. For some, this will take the form of "singing the blues" at home and away, but be warned, there could soon be no team to support. Others will seek to become involved with the Supporters Trust, and will do their bit to try and safeguard the future of the club. It's very important that a few facts are established first though.....
NEITHER THE SHAREHOLDERS ACTION GROUP OR THE WCFC SUPPORTERS TRUST ARE TRYING TO DESTROY THE CLUB, THE EXACT OPPOSITE IN FACT.
THE SHAREHOLDERS ACTION GROUP ARE SEEKING TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF THE CLUB BY ENABLING BOARDROOM CHANGE, TO ALLOW INVESTMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE FOR THE CLUB.
THE SUPPORTERS TRUST SEEKS TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF THE CLUB BY STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY LINKS, FUNDRAISING, DEVELOPING A STRONG BASE FROM WHICH ALL SUPPORTERS WILL HAVE A VOICE. IT IS NOT TRYING TO TEAR THE CLUB APART, IT IS TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A CLUB FOR YOU ALL TO SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE. THE SUPPORTERS TRUST NOTES THAT CHANGE IS REQUIRED AT BOARDROOM LEVEL TO ENABLE THE CLUB TO CONTINUE IN EXISTENCE.
