I would back you up on that 100% stealth as we discussed the other week, would be a fantastic idea to get some elected fans on the board who can give some totally impartial input from and feedback to fans as the present system of speculation and chinese whispers can be very alarming particularly when we are trying to engage new supporters. As season ticket holders we already have a share in the club thats before we spend a penny in the bar. We are all passionate about supporting the club just look at the travelling support (or should i say listen to it) .

Could be a fantastic opportunity for the CLUB to involve us more behind the scenes irrespective of who is at the helm, as stealth said not an easy job and does open you up to criticism. Have any of you approached Mr Fawcett with your enquiries?? Concerns?? I know he has an open office door at cougar park as I have entered it myself and found him to be very approachable, Im not suggesting that we bombard the guy with a million questions but if you have a real issue I'm sure he would offer an answer/explanation. Then if your not satisfied take it further if its serious enough. :

The current board would not allow this, not out of malice or greed but because of the implications of making a "fan" a director would have.

1) The fan would have a vote at board meetings

2) The fan would have significant legal obligations

3) The fan would have a significant duty of care.

The average man/woman in the street would not be expected to either know or understand this. If the club did go bust the fan could be left with a significant financial obligation.

I spend more in the supermarket than I do at Cougars yet I don't expect to be made a member of the board at Morrisons.

With regard to saying you "know something significant" about a potential club problem, but not saying what it is, I don't believe is productive and only feeds the rumour mill.

Surely the easiest way for the Club to alay the fans' concerns would be for the money paid, in respect of the Season Tickets, to be placed into a separate account which is ring-fenced from the Cougars until November/December when they could access it? Possibly in an account controlled by a mix of supporters (pity that the Supporters Club is non-existent nowadays) and a single Director, with withdrawals only being permitted with the permission all of the signatories? This would ensure that the funds could not be accessed by the Club if there were any financial problems. Should this occur, then the payments could be returned to the individual fans who had paid for their Season Tickets .................................. or have I missed something?

OK, there have been problems in the past, but why does everyone jump to conclusions when they have no eveidence (or do they)?

Can't we have some positive thought for once?

If you go to Morrisons and they put a cracking offer on, do you think
"I am not buying that, they may be going under?"

No,

This is a good offer.

End of.

That's a really poor analogy.

At Morrisons you take the product off the shelf there and then, pay for it and it's yours to use as you like.

Here's a better one.

If you see that Game are offering a console game that you want coming out soon to pre-order at a good price. Do you pre-order it in the knowledge that their finances aren't great and you may lose your money?

The offer is undoubtedly a good one, I just have to wonder why so good and why before the mid-point of the season we're currently in. Sure it might be just be a matter of the club wanting the money accruing interest in their bank account and not ours, but I don't believe it is.

I thought it would be best to e-mail the club and this was the reply I got back.... I'm sure they will be ok with me posting this if it puts people's fears to rest and sells more season tickets.




Thank you for your email.

The rationale behind the season ticket offer is to give the loyal fans a chance to buy them at 2012 prices prior to me increasing the price on 1st June. The pay monthly scheme will basically enable the season ticket purchaser to pay for the season ticket by standing order over 6 months, or more if they desire. For example, an adult season ticket at £160 could be paid for at a rate of £20 per month over 8 months with the season ticket holder receiving their ticket at the end of January 2013 in time for the season.

In terms of budget the adage with rugby league clubs (indeed any business) is to get money in as early possible and sit on it in the bank.