A lot of sense talked about tonight by real fans (Not the Lauders)!!!! But,the rest still seem to accept Baldys way of running a club, stick sentiment and stick how nice he is, the fact that he has killed this club still remains.

Would be good if we could lose the Wilky lauders/beach boys/doom merchants arguments for a couple of weeks. Getting a bit tedious now.

It will be an exceptional effort if the 60k is raised but folly to then use it to pay part of the petition. Fine that gets paid but what , as someone has already stated,do you do with the monies owed to HMRC.
Assuming that is then tackled that still leaves a club heavily in debt which in all honesty will be looking at a similar situation in the near future.
Sentiment set aside, any monies raised would be better channelled into the formation of a totally debt free club. This may prove painful as there will be consequences from the RL but at least your elected board can work within around what the RL may do.

Thanks for the post, did anyone take mins and can post?
Any ideas what the next step is?

As above can someone please put on the minutes or something for those of us who couldn't go.

It was stated last night that HMRC have withdrawn their name from the Winding-up petition, leaving just Anderson and Patten who are owed about £58 - £60k which is due to them as part of their salary. It seems that some overseas players are paid some of their salaries into an overseas account for tax reasons and this money is then paid to them when they reach the end of their contracts - not that Patten did!

So at the moment the first hurdle is easier to clear.

Is this true???? That HMRC have withdrawn from the petition. If it is true ---then WHY?
Something must have been going on behind the scenes!

this might be a bit bonkers but surely we got paid out on joel moon so where as this money gone. or was it just enough money to pay the staff for last month ????

Big well done to Paul for giving his time to become supporter Welfare officer as well as his other responsibilities.
Got to thinking those doing collecting should really be wearing distinctive clothing.
Page 7 of RLE (17th Dec) informs me that Wayne Godwin,together with Duane Straugheir and Jamie Langley have started up 'We are Taurus' and have started a 'brand of clothing and sportswear'.
Could Wayne diversify into supplying some T shirts with some type of Forever Reds logo on,and perhaps baseball caps for those collecting and supply other leisurewear as it seems unlikely that the club will organise merchandise in the immediate future.
The proceeds should benefit the 3 players and boost the coffers of the Fighting Fund/Save the Club donations as well as raising the profile of Forever Reds and the urgent requirement of cash.

Hope the club seek out the name and address of the Barrow and Bradford Bulls supporters who have donated
and give them a VIP day,should all go well.The mayor should be doing likewise,as outsiders - pensioners during these austere times - have donated.Not only digging deep but taking the time to find where to send their donation has been heartwarming while we seem to lack any former players or coaches 'banging the drum' as was the case with Bradford,and as for that bloke who donated to the Bulls and has a Salford born coach at his club - certainly adds spice to the future games and at the Etihad.

I can't believe for a second that HMRC have withdrawn their name from the petition if they haven't been paid, so somebody is lying or isn't telling the truth about what is happening behind the scenes.

In terms of donating I am broadly in line with Marshy's thinking and won't be able to donate until we get something in return.

+1. Ave It, you need to let it go and focus your energies on what WE can do to help. I saw a lot of people at that meeting last night that cared deeply about our club and apart from a few negative comments it seemed that we were all pulling in the same direction. This sort of attitude needs to be carried forward whether it be with the current club or a reformed club if our current troubles can't be sorted. I'll tell you what though I left the meeting last night feeling more optimistic about our future than last week and I've a lot of faith in Forever Reds and will offer my services where I can to help out.

Exactly this, they wouldn't just withdraw their name from the petition. They will either have been paid, agreed a new payment package or be in the process of setting up a new, probably more debt-laden, petition. But to suggest they would just withdraw it and forget about it isn't going to happen. Whatever is the case it needs putting into the public domain as if there is to be any hope of fund raising being successful then being honest and clear on all issues is vital.

Wasn't it said that HMRC had withdrawn at the last court hearing, which is why Patten became the lead figure as he was owed the next highest amount?

No it was Steuer Gregsson that withdrew their petition after it was settled, the two players and HMRC then joined the WUP to keep it live. The taxman doesn't tend to just drop these things, either something has been agreed or they will be wanting their money. I think a bit of clarity is needed on this.

As I was the one who was asked about the winding up petition, my recollection of my reply, was that to my knowledge the Revenue had never attached to the petition, but I could be wrong. I certainly never suggested they had withdrawn, as you can not withdraw if you are not part of the petition in the first place. But if somebody knows the Revenue have attached to the petition in the last few weeks, I will happily stand corrected.