I voted no to contributing because I would need to see who was elected to the board before I parted with any cash. Therefore I wouldn't initially join in but if I was happy and confident with those selected I might then consider it.

You said 82% of leythers. IMO a "fan owned" club in RL would not work. Remind me how many there are.Why didn't Bradford or Crusaders or Salford go down this route? Where are Rochdale who have been supporter owned for a while? They have actually gone backwards. If it goes that way, just like fans have withdrawn support now cos they don't like Trevor, then fans will withdraw support cos they don't like the elected board under fan ownership. Just because someone's opinion is different to yours doesn't make it negative.

I appreciate your comments but assuming that we don't get a White Knight to pump money into the Club then what is the alternative way forward to ensure the future of our Club?

Initially getting the budget right. This would give a point to move forward from. Playing in a competition that allows progression earned on the field and not only in the pocket. The competition bit is obviously not something the club has control of. Having fans that support the local club and not fans that won't come because x is in charge. By the way the same thing would happen with a fan supported club.

We have to be ready for when the rules change.

I have noticed that there are one or two people on here who have been against the make up of SCL ever since they took over. There belongs are nothing more than personal grudges and are of no constructive use in the business world.

If the club had the top level to aim for or even the chance of playing in the second 10 of a 20 team sl comp with p&r then I think investors (not white knight) would be easier to find.

Other than those views i have no idea. Sorry one more thing....of the inactive shareholders there are at least 2 who I would love to see return to add knowledge and enthusiasm to the fight

It's the 'and then you woke up' that winds me up.

Rochdale taken oven in 2009 after bankruptcy:

2009: 8th from 10 teams
2010: 5th from 11 teams
2011: 4th from 10 teams
2012: 5th from 10 teams

'gone backwards'?

Why didn't Bradford, Crusaders and Salford go for fan ownership?

I don't know. Neither do you.

Also, if you read the very first part of the other thread I didn't say this was what I wanted yet.

2011 to 2012 they went backwards 2013 St Helens reserves.

In a straight answer then to the question. No I wouldn't. Well no more than i do now anyway. ST and LISA

That's fair enough mate. I don't know what's the best. I just think that if the club asked the fans to enter a pledge system from now until the end of the season at £x we could work out how much we could finance the club, if its not enough to work don't go through with it, if it is roll it out as soon as the season ends so there's. whole close season to get it up and running.

Portsmouth seem to be raising a few bob with their share ownership scheme £3.5m already

Just to beef out your statement Mo.

A local businessman has put up most of the money and will be elected chairman. The supporters trust get one seat on the board the chairman will appoint the rest of the board.

So it's nowt like a fan owned club then eh?

"Don't be defensive in your communications about your project," advises Colin Farmery from Pompey Supporters' Trust. "Some people will be sceptical and negative but if you believe in what you're doing, stay positive about your message, eventually the sceptics will come round."
Great advice for anybody taking this idea forward, often the sceptics have something to lose and will attempt to influence those close to them via negativity. We have nothing to lose IMO and at the same time doing nothing is not an option.
Some fans will not be financially able to support this although they would like to, that's why I like the open share concept allowing family to buy fans shares as presents
To Andy and his team - go do it lads, as once it rolls it won't stop, Leythers are a proud bunch who love their club

Mo,

The amount of support generated and recieved via the two threads on this topic and also by PM/Email has been very encouraging to say the least.

As for the negative thinkers i do understand why, its a fact and im sure not just in sport but in any organisation you cant please everyone all of the time though i appreciate its very important to try very hard to do so. I personally dont take offence from any view point and/or even constructive critism and take everyones points onboard and have never dismissed anything and do appreciate people have seen many false dawns and big ideas come and go in the past hence ive never stated any intent to do X,Y or Z to date.

People who are unsure for whatever reason on motives or intent will latch on to the "FAN OWNERSHIP" in a negative way but in reality weather it be a week/ month or at the end of the current season the current structure will have failed and change by some way shape or form will be required IMO.

I need to stress once again im not critising ANYBODY as it seems the active directors and Trevor Barton (who has worked tirelessly for the cause) have played a huge roll in keeping a professional RL club alive following the very sad demise of MR Thomas. They have also had some bad luck along the way which has posibly lead to budgets failing and the constant weight round the neck of the historic debt is some burden to trade with no doubt.

Back on topic, Fan ownership was the thread that intrested me but its greater fan inclusion and fan/ comunity focussed interaction in any future that is the key for me may that be by outright share ownership with a board appointed on thier behalf or a new single investor/ consortium willing to invest X per year with a share sale working hand in hand with the likes of LISA/TDC etc to underpin a successful future by way of keeping SCL LTD alive or "NEWCO" like a Widnes for example but it is far to early to speculate. There will be options.

Very early days but im sure speaking as a fan first and foremost if i knew of at least intrest and posible NEW people potentially willing to make financial and professional commiments to make something positive happen id be pleased and take some comfort from these threads.

In the meantime Batley sunday lets focus on what really matters as many as posible fans in the seats and terraces supporting those lads in RED and White on Sunday!!!!!!!

Cheers,

Andy

Andy

You have obviously given a lot of thought to a new strategy for the club ownership/management wise and you reckon you have had encouraging support via messaging and email (and after all, the fans who use this forum are only a fraction of our 1200ish hardcore), in your view how do we proceed from here?

Pat

At this stage it is enquiries and looking at options and some initial closed door discussions have/are taking place. I have nothing of any real value to report or to add to what has been previously discussed. I must stress its early days, that said and i hope this is encouraging to you/ other fans that we are talking with people and looking at options and all options will be community and fan focused with the end goal being a sustainable successful and most of all well structured profesional club. When/if something is far enough developed to be brought to the public domain then it will be rest assured.

If you wish to offer any support or ideas PM for my contact details by all means.

Thanks

Andy.

Thanks for your reply Andy.

What you say is very encouraging. In my case I'm not sure I can bring very much to the table - as I said elsewhere I'm no businessman and talk about share options and converting debt to shares goes right over my head. But as I've also said, I voted for a form of fan ownership in the early days of LISA when we were vastly outvoted (would be interested to know from Maurice what lies were told at that time), so I have been a fan of fan ownership for a long time.

Andy, please keep us all informed of any developments, whether on here or pm.