I am pleased to announce that Margaret Procter who runs squad builder has agreed to join the Pride in the Red and Green’s new committee. Margaret has raised thousands of pounds to bring in some of our top players over the last few seasons, her efforts have been nothing short of unbelievable. She deserves all the help we can give her...a top lady!

It was the wish from members from the start that any money raised by PIRAG would go to squad builder, so having Margaret on board is great news. Now the two groups will be working together, so we want as many supporters to join us and help raise as much cash as possible for Squad Builder. Working together gives much more opportunity for many more supporters to get involved and raise funds through membership, match day activities and events, so if you are not a member of PIRAG please join us and let’s give Paul March the money for the best possible squad.

The forthcoming Question of Sport night on Thursday 6th December will be the first joint event, all proceeds going to Squad Builder. A big thank you to all the members who put themselves forward for the committee, the initial selected nominees will be announced and voted in at this event. This gives us time to get prepared for action, recruit new members and raise money at the Boxing Day game with Halifax.

I would like to give a big thank you to Iain and Carol Buchan for their initial work in getting PIRAG off the ground, unfortunately they will no longer be involved on the committee due to work commitments but will still be involved as a member.

Another new season is approaching fast along with a new coach and some new faces so lets get behind Paul March and raise as much cash as we can for his squad builder.

Purely playing devils advocate, but will this mean any change to how squad builder money is used, or any change to the squad builder design. If so, surely existing members would need to be approached first?

What happens to those members who contribute to squad builder but not to the pride in red and green and vice versa. There could also be those who are wealthy enough to do both, what do they do?

The heading suggests the two have joined forces, but I think it needs to be clear on what impact, if any, this has to members.

Just a few genuine questions that have come to mind.....

Joining forces with another organisation is, surely, a constitutional subject, and should be decided upon at an EGM/AGM of PIRAG.
The “steering committee” do not have the power, IMHO, to make such a decision without consulting the membership, unless it is written in the constitution, and because the “steering committee” have not yet submitted a draft of the proposed constitution the I think this “amalgamation” is not democratic.
Just a thought....

This possibly could be a bad idea - I'm all for the Squad Builder under the helm of Margaret Procter but Pride in the Red and Green?? - My personal opinion would be to keep separate and not join forces -Squad Builder very successful in what they do
Pride in the Red and green - possible failure last season now wanting to jump on the bandwagon - not impressed and I know other fans I've spoked to arnt to impressed either.
Thoughts please

It should be decided by a democratic process from both Squad Builder and PIRAG's respective memberships.

I agree with forwardpass1. In my opinion, PIRAG needs to get established properly first before any debate, never mind a vote, can take place. Whilst I believe those steering PIRAG are dedicated, passionate and have good intentions, the enthusiasm needs to be reined in a little bit. The organisation cannot run before it has even learned to walk yet.

' PIRAG' Is not a supporters trust yet , it takes a while to go through that process. Till
then it is a group of dedicated supporters who are backing Mrs Proctor and the
Superb job she has done running squadbuilder and raising
a massive amount of much needed money.
Mrs Proctor is still in charge of and running squadbuilder and has joined the Commitee alonng with others , surely 8 or 9 people
Co ordinating fund raising especially on matchdays is better and can
raise more cash towards players.
PIRAG Was not a failure last season with more people joining tha the original
estimate.
There is NO change to squadbuilder , who runs it and how it is run.
We are not a ' closed shop ' anyone can join , anyone can put forward
Ideas and anyone can be put forward to join the commitee. We are transparent
In everything we do and as said earlier our sole aim is to raise as much as
we can towards squadbuilder. Hope this clears things up.
So people , come and join PIRAG. And help us help squad builder.

Thanks for the update Burley Cougar.

You mention there is now a committee in place, how was this decided? I've heard it wasn't maybe as democratic as it should have been. Maybe you could clear this up.

I'm not a PIRAG member and personally I'm not 100% comfortable with what it actually stands for. I know in the main it's made up of fans who want to help the club grow and succeed, but feel there maybe some who just want to sharpen their swords to use against the current hierarchy at the club.

This is just my opinion.

Thanks for your reply dominance , the comitee was formed at
a meeting as a stop gap till the Trust is formed,as it takes so long
to sort. All that side of things are ongoing as far as I know.

I personally have no axe to grind with those in charge at the club,
I cannot speak for others and as far as I know that isn't the issue.
As said in a previous post we are totally transparent in our aims
For the club. Do please come to a meeting.... Even if you don't want to
become a member you are more than welcome to put forward ideas for
fundraising towards squad builder !


Totally changingthe subject I think maybe we all should be concerned that the
club has only sold 70 season tickets.

Thanks for that.

Well still not convinced with PIRG - like said by others think there are defiantly people involved or running PIRG that have axe to grind with people in charge at the club, I'm sure people will make there own minds up but I hope it doesn't put people off donating to Squad Builder because of PIRG and people running it at present- I not just saying my thoughts this is the feeling of a number of fans I've spoke to as well

End result either way is to see Cougars be successful and build a great team and have a great season
it is a worry to the amount of season tickets sold to date as well compared to last season but maybe things are more financially difficult this year and people are just waiting for Xmas to get out of the way, let's hope more start to purchase in January

Maybe what is being missed here is that PIRAG is Supporting squadbuilder,not taking over
it,or running it etc. Mrs Proctor has joined the comitee so we can support her fundraising,
Efforts and lets face it she has done nothing short of fantastic thus far.

I find it sad that a select few are so suspicious of what pirag are doing. Andd don't
trust what is going on. If you are so convinced there are people with swords To
sharpenagainst the club etc then let's stop messing about and name names.
If there is then genuine concern about anyone they can then be removed from the comitee
and it's problem solved.

Also ,before anyone accuses me of hiding behind a forum my name is John Brearley
I have supported the cougars over 30 years , living in Keighley for the first 40 years
of my life then moving to Burley in Wharfedale to be nearer family after suffering
a Broken neck
2 years ago.

Maybe all the distrust would start to subside if things maybe got done by the PIRAG properly and above board. Whilst I accept your reasoning for the make-up of the committee as a temporary measure, I think it should have been done democratically from the start. It just lacks credibility for me.

Communications have been made on here by I assume members of the PIRAG inferring they are not happy with the way the club is run etc. That to me adds to the axe to grind argument.

The communication is made about PIRAG joining forces with the squad builder etc, yet nobody is given any information about what impact this has. I think like some have eluded to on here, walk before you can run and get things done properly. Maybe squad builder members should have been consulted first.

Thats just my point of view and I'm happy to be corrected if I'm way off the mark.

By properly you mean what ?

Also , If there is opposition to this then do come to the next meeting and voice
your concerns as there is no point banging heads on here anymore as I have made
things as cle ar as possible.
Thanks for the debate chaps !