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Post by jimbo on Jul 7, 2016 21:05:07 GMT
What a complete disgrace. For that solicitor to try and distance himself from either side and state he was only there to ensure the meeting was run correctly and then turn around and declare the meeting closed, without even finishing their own f**king agenda, is unforgivable. Oh no wait, I guess "Next Steps" and "AOB" would have been pretty uncomfortable for the board. I call it a board, but they didn't seem to bother coming. I am assuming that as this was such an important constitutional vote that a legal representative had to be present. Why we could not have asked a Worcester firm to donate their time free is a different matter (DH might have done it haha). However, without trying to sound pedantic. I have three notification letters & none of them have AOB business on them, so unless there was something missing on mine the solicitor was quite right to close the meeting. AH on the other hand could have answered some questions, perhaps he was just wary of the remarks of his private meetings with Councillors or perhaps he was just being a spineless coward !!
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steves
Squad Member
Posts: 180
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Post by steves on Jul 7, 2016 21:17:24 GMT
AOB was last item on the agenda they flashed up on their PowerPoint presentation at the start of the meeting.
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Post by jimbo on Jul 7, 2016 21:20:18 GMT
AOB was last item on the agenda they flashed up on their PowerPoint presentation at the start of the meeting. a Sorry, I didn't see that I was only looking at the agenda posted.
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jonnyred
Reserve Teamer
c'mon u bluuuues!
Posts: 112
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Post by jonnyred on Jul 7, 2016 21:29:13 GMT
I also learnt tonight that our manager appears to be backing the board now rather than the trust...... Why ??
Because he knows something we dont!!
Possibly another example of no transparency then ?? Well yes on the face of it, and unfortunately due to the rifts its causing.... Carl is privvy to whats going on behind the scenes and he runs his own business so my shrewd bet is he doing something to keep the club afloat whilst the ground proposal dilemmas rumble on. Didnt he say not so long ago in a rousing speech he did 'I will not rest till I bring Worcester City back home to Worcester' or words to that effect?? He certainly isnt part of some conspiracy to strip the club of its remaining pennies, he bleeds blue and white for us and almost certainly couldve taken on other jobs elsewhere managing clubs who have been admiring the work he's done keeping us at National North status under the current constrictions.
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Post by greenman on Jul 7, 2016 21:29:45 GMT
What I feel particularly upset about this whole fiasco is at a time when the Club needs strong intelligent leadership, we have a Chairman who feels closing a meeting as things get tough is the right course. In spite of loud calls to resign it looks as though he will carry on regardless. Oh hang on isn't that the name of a comedy film.
The sad part is that this comedy is now going to end in tragedy.
I dont think the chairman can even see the damage he is causing to the club with the match day volunteers withdrawing there support and help which is bound to follow, and fans not bothering to attend matches.
No doubt the Supporters Trust will grow stronger as a result of tonight and be there to pick up the pieces when WCFC dies.
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Post by Dodger on Jul 7, 2016 21:37:52 GMT
It's amazing that despite team H' stating that the money will run out in a couple of years, or so, time, shareholders still blindly offer their support (by proxy of course) to a board that have no plan other than BAU.
With no ground, no off-field income stream, no investment plan, are they all preparing to dip into their pockets to save the club?
Hang on, maybe there is a plan 'B' to save the club...........put all the club funds on the favourite in the 3.30 whilst keeping fingers crossed. I wonder though if that's been tried already!
Wrexit win the vote.
Dodger.
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Post by thesecondjack on Jul 7, 2016 21:39:25 GMT
Hampson lost any respect I had for him this evening.
Invited Geoff Berkeley to the AGM, but when he arrived asked him to wait outside then ignored him, further ignored a shareholder who asked why the press were not invited into the room.
Even if you disagree with what someone else is saying, you should still show them the courtesy of your attention, as they gave to you. You should probably also no try and walk out the room as people are trying to talk to you.
Leaving it up to the solicitor he has spent good club money on to close the meeting on his behalf - I've never been in a meeting before now where the chair doesn't close the meeting!
Ignoring his own agenda, which had 'AOB' on it.
Trying to leave whilst shareholders who you should be accountable to as chairman want to talk to you.
Those who have put up with him for so many years - thank you for persevering and well done on all your efforts to try and save the club. Sadly, I think this might be the final nail in the coffin for Worcester City Football Club Limited.
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dcx
Squad Member
Posts: 289
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Post by dcx on Jul 7, 2016 21:39:54 GMT
Possibly another example of no transparency then ?? Well yes on the face of it, and unfortunately due to the rifts its causing.... Carl is privvy to whats going on behind the scenes and he runs his own business so my shrewd bet is he doing something to keep the club afloat whilst the ground proposal dilemmas rumble on. Didnt he say not so long ago in a rousing speech he did 'I will not rest till I bring Worcester City back home to Worcester' or words to that effect?? He certainly isnt part of some conspiracy to strip the club of its remaining pennies, he bleeds blue and white for us and almost certainly couldve taken on other jobs elsewhere managing clubs who have been admiring the work he's done keeping us at National North status under the current constrictions. To expect him to work miracles on the pitch is one thing, expecting him to do the same off the pitch is a bridge too far. He's got more clue than the rest of the useless shower of shite on that board though.
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Post by Croc on Jul 7, 2016 21:43:27 GMT
I feel another letter to the WN coming on...
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Post by citytoon on Jul 7, 2016 21:50:25 GMT
I feel another flag coming on.
Anyone got a high resolution image of Hampson's face...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2016 21:58:10 GMT
I feel desperately sad for all of us. It's like a bereavement. I particularly feel for Rob, Jem, Rich and all the others who have worked so hard to save the club. We were shafted not by an enemy - but by our own board and chairman. Not once, but twice. The EGM at Nunnery was the first assassination, and noŵ this. And Hampson was in the chair both times! Although Boddy and Hallmark had plunged their knives in before hand.
Too depressing for words.
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dcx
Squad Member
Posts: 289
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Post by dcx on Jul 7, 2016 22:09:51 GMT
I feel another flag coming on. Anyone got a high resolution image of Hampson's face... Can we get this made up? Attachments:
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Post by Dodger on Jul 7, 2016 22:10:33 GMT
Having coughed up for a season ticket this term, Mr Hampson has my cash already so non-attendance at games would have no major impact or effect. So, although I know that I won't be able to make all games, I believe the squad still deserve support for their efforts on the pitch.
I may well attend matches wearing a black armband as a symbol of mourning for the club.
Dodger.
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oxford
First Teamer
Posts: 406
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Post by oxford on Jul 7, 2016 22:16:07 GMT
As an "outsider" who feels bad enough I cannot begin to imagine how bad lifelong fans from Worcester must be feeling right now. I have already bought a 10 game season ticket so I will probably use that up in order to keep in touch with my friends,if any of them are intending to go, but imagine that will be all. I can go off to Sutton instead but it will never be quite the same. Thanks for the memories.
I wonder what my late friends Tony Hyde,Tony Shiels, Dave Bayliss and Roy Woodward would make of it all!!
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Post by jimbo on Jul 7, 2016 23:51:10 GMT
Hampson lost any respect I had for him this evening. Invited Geoff Berkeley to the AGM, but when he arrived asked him to wait outside then ignored him, further ignored a shareholder who asked why the press were not invited into the room. Even if you disagree with what someone else is saying, you should still show them the courtesy of your attention, as they gave to you. You should probably also no try and walk out the room as people are trying to talk to you. Leaving it up to the solicitor he has spent good club money on to close the meeting on his behalf - I've never been in a meeting before now where the chair doesn't close the meeting! Ignoring his own agenda, which had 'AOB' on it. Trying to leave whilst shareholders who you should be accountable to as chairman want to talk to you. Those who have put up with him for so many years - thank you for persevering and well done on all your efforts to try and save the club. Sadly, I think this might be the final nail in the coffin for Worcester City Football Club Limited. Inviting Geoff into the meeting was another act of naivety on AH's behalf: this was a private shareholders meeting & the legal representative would have told 'the dick' that it was illegal to have a non board member present !!
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Post by thesecondjack on Jul 8, 2016 0:34:02 GMT
If that is so, then why was it not explained the Geoff when first asked to stay outside, when he later called over to Anthony Hampson who ignored him, to John Jordan who Geoff asked to find out if he was allowed in or not, or to the shareholder who asked at the start of the meeting why the press were not invited in. A simple apology and explanation would have sufficed, but no such courtesy was given.
Well done to those who went and spoke to Geoff and gave him something to write about in his live feed! Many fans and shareholders unable to attend would have relied on his live feed for updates. To me, openness from the club is vital, and the press help bring the club a little bit closer with its readers.
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Post by Down The Pan on Jul 8, 2016 8:26:41 GMT
Attendance and speaking by directors and non-shareholders
40. (1) Directors may attend and speak at general meetings, whether or not they are shareholders.
(2) The chairman of the meeting may permit other persons who are not-
(a) shareholders of the company, or
(b) otherwise entitled to exercise the rights of shareholders in relation to general meetings,
to attend and speak at a general meeting.
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dragon
First Teamer
Posts: 355
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Post by dragon on Jul 8, 2016 8:42:08 GMT
I was unable to make the 350 mile round trip to attend but it appears that the Board`s will prevailed. The solicitor present was correct in expressing his neutral position and will have advised the Chair to exclude the press from the proceedings. Although galling, it was also legally correct to only address business for which the meeting had been called. However, all that should have been explained by the Chair who seems to have lost none of his customary detachment/arrogance.
I`m sure many of us also feel uneasy about the manager involving himself in the politics of the Club which will virtually guarantee him a rough ride if next season follows the pattern of the last.I would have thought he had enough on his plate without trying involving himself directly in the machinations of shareholders` business !
My own take on the situation is that `the inner Board` are banking on Robin Walker`s plan to engage the Rugby Club in their search for a home.I do know that such a move will not go down well with Sixways insiders although the CEO may well see the rental income as a source of finance for the installation of the synthetic pitch. (Is such permitted by the National League ? )
All in all, a sorry mess and yet another in the long history of WCFC. Time to begin the search for that Phoenix egg, I wonder ?
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Post by Dodger on Jul 8, 2016 8:51:17 GMT
The more I think of it, the worse I feel........ how can shareholders support the board in such a crucial decision regarding the future of WCFC knowing that the cash will run out in a couple of years time and that the board have no alternative plan in place to effect any rescue!
Dodger.
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bj
Squad Member
Posts: 182
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Post by bj on Jul 8, 2016 9:04:55 GMT
Regardless of the pros and cons either way, the show of disdain from the Chairman towards shareholders and his blatant rudeness towards some was astounding.
Regarding an AFC Worcester - unlike Hereford's rebirth, there is not a football ground in Worcester for a new club to play at. One hopes that this fact is not lost on the Councillors - a vibrant, University city the size of Worcester HAS NO FOOTBALL FIELD.
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Post by The Verner on Jul 8, 2016 9:15:24 GMT
The more I think of it, the worse I feel........ how can shareholders support the board in such a crucial decision regarding the future of WCFC knowing that the cash will run out in a couple of years time and that the board have no alternative plan in place to effect any rescue! Dodger. No No Dodge.....How can SOME shareholders vote that way, we know who they are, and they didnt even turn up to vote !
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Post by The Verner on Jul 8, 2016 9:27:26 GMT
Regardless of the pros and cons either way, the show of disdain from the Chairman towards shareholders and his blatant rudeness towards some was astounding. Regarding an AFC Worcester - unlike Hereford's rebirth, there is not a football ground in Worcester for a new club to play at. One hopes that this fact is not lost on the Councillors - a vibrant, University city the size of Worcester HAS NO FOOTBALL FIELD. There could be, County Sports could be a good starting point. Starting as a CBS club would bring in grants that could improve a ground or even help build a ground at a lower level of football. County Sports ground was looked at by myself and Rich Widd a few years ago before Perdiswell became the choice. They have already got perimeter fencing, floodlights, dugouts, a very small covered stand etc. I have quotes from StadiumSolutions for Terrace Stands, Seated Stands, Turnstiles etc. If this is the way forward we really could make that happen !
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Post by Dodger on Jul 8, 2016 9:29:37 GMT
The more I think of it, the worse I feel........ how can shareholders support the board in such a crucial decision regarding the future of WCFC knowing that the cash will run out in a couple of years time and that the board have no alternative plan in place to effect any rescue! Dodger. No No Dodge.....How can SOME shareholders vote that way, we know who they are, and they didnt even turn up to vote ! Thanks Verner. SOME shareholders was my intended comment as we know the vast majority of shareholders (number of bods) want the 'Community' future. It's even more annoying that these bored board supporters 'ticked the box' to allow the Chair to vote on their behalf yet, no doubt, hadn't a clue what was at stake. Dodger.
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dragon
First Teamer
Posts: 355
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Post by dragon on Jul 8, 2016 9:58:23 GMT
Good thinking, Verner ! What do the present governors/management/committee of County Sports feel towards such a step ? And would Trust members want to abandon the Perdiswell Pipe Dream ? At last a Plan B !
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Post by Mark on Jul 8, 2016 10:00:30 GMT
With regard to the possibility of an AFC Worcester City, how far down the football pyramid would such a club have to start?
I'm just curious to know.
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Post by cloud on Jul 8, 2016 10:38:16 GMT
Perdiswell is now more important than ever. Everyone should focus on it.
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Post by thesecondjack on Jul 8, 2016 10:38:53 GMT
I don't believe it's ever as clear cut as knowing how far you'd drop down, more who is willing to take you, and that you can have the facilities to match the level.
There are examples of clubs being reborn without a home - FC United and AFC Wimbledon first popped to mind for myself, and Jem Pitt pointed out Enfield Town FC, which is a very good example.Below is a snippet from the Enfield Town FC wiki page:
Sounds familiar.
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Post by briandamaged on Jul 8, 2016 10:40:52 GMT
With regard to the possibility of an AFC Worcester City, how far down the football pyramid would such a club have to start? I'm just curious to know. Hereford AFC began their rebirth in Midland Football League's Premier Division, Bromsgrove Sporting in MFL D3 (when it was D2 of the old Midland Combination). I'd suggest somewhere between the two.
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Post by auldreekie on Jul 8, 2016 10:54:09 GMT
According to the last full shareholders' list submitted in 2015 the club has 490 “active” shareholders holding 136,081 shares. “Active” means that they are alive and there is a contact address. 20% of these “active” shareholders hold 74% of the 136,081 shares.
Changes in number of shareholders and shares since 2015 are not significant. So if there were 59 Proxy votes counted (as reported in the Worcester News) together with shareholders who attended in person we are probably looking at a quarter of “active” shareholders who voted just less than half of the “active” shares. The “active” shareholders all hold shares through different circumstances and will have different levels of interest in their investment ranging from “nil” through to the keen supporter/shareholder who by all accounts were in the vast majority at the EGM. Of course, it is entirely their choice whether they vote and, if they do, which way. However, these figures are yet another illustration of why ownership models for football clubs need to change to ensure community engagement for their future.
The Supporters Trust has put across its case in a professional, clear way for the benefit of us all to ensure understanding in the lead up to the EGM and, of course, well before. This allowed us to make an informed decision before casting our vote. Thank you. That case is as compelling now as it was before the EGM and the situation the club is in has not changed since last night. What has changed is the shareholders’ rejection of a plan almost unanimously endorsed by well-informed supporters (many of whom are shareholders) to make a high level of semi-professional football in Worcester sustainable going into the future.
Althom mentions his grandfather’s role in establishing the club as a Limited Company in 1928. It is worth remembering why the company was formed and the first objective these gentlemen set out for the new company was:
“…..Proprietor of a Club for the playing of Football and other games of every kind, and Promoters and Managers of sports, games and out-door competitions and supporters of recreation and athletic pastimes…….”
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Post by The Verner on Jul 8, 2016 10:55:49 GMT
With regard to the possibility of an AFC Worcester City, how far down the football pyramid would such a club have to start? I'm just curious to know. Unsure on the level but around Bromsgrove and Hereford leagues would be about right. We would hopefully be in a high enough league to still be in the FA Cup.
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