Supporters Trust.

[budman13]

I'm going to sound like a broken record.

The launch party is a good idea but surely this could be a chance to attract people who haven't joined.

 

"An explanation on the purpose of supporters trusts by a representative of Supporters Direct" - Would this not be better for non shareholders to hear this as well.

 

"Presentation by the Slough Town Supporters Trust Steering Committee outlining reasons for establishing the Trust, its aims and objectives" - Again hearing this may encourage people to join.

 

"Speeches from senior personnel within Slough Borough Council about what the trust means for the town" - Once again this is information which may encourage people to join the trust.

 

"Your chance to ask questions on any aspect of the Trust" - Need I say anymore.

 

The launch party is a great idea for people that have joined but surely this is a great opportunity to swell the numbers of people who have already joined by showing non shareholders what can be achieved.

 

As I have said before I have not joined the Trust. I will therefore not be at the launch party and will miss whatever information is given.

 

I'm sure the answer to this will be to pay my £10 to join and come along. To me this still leaves the question "What do I get for my money?", "How am I helping Slough Town Football Club?". Surely these should be answered before I join.

[GarySTFC]

budman, I would email trust@sloughtownfc.net and we will also be continuing to develop the webpage on the official site with as much information from both that meeting and other questiosn which need to be raised by both current members and prospective members.

[Ian]

"The launch party is a good idea but surely this could be a chance to attract people who haven't joined."

 

On the one hand this is true but there are several reasons that this is not possible. One of the reasons for the delay in this event was the lack of a suitable venue. Fortunately, we now have a close relationship with the Polish Association and can make use of their superb facilities at a very reasonable cost. However, the rules of the Polish Association dictate that we have to issue tickets for the event and the maximum number is in the region of 220. If we open it up to non-members then we might find 300 people want to attend. Under these circumstances it would have been difficult to decide who can attend and who cannot, other than on a first come first served basis which is not necessarily fair when it is not possible to communicate to everybody at one time?

 

Another consideration is that the evening is a way of saying thank you to those who have joined the Trust to date. It should be a great evening and includes a free buffet, club priced bar, disco and late night extension. Surely this is worth ten pounds on its own without the fact that it will support the Trust.

 

How will Trust members be helping? Ideally, the football club will run its own affairs and no intervention by the Trust will be required. If this proves to be the case in the long term we will all be extremely pleased and the Trust can focus on making Slough into a community based club. Already, discussions have been held with prominant local companies regarding sponsorship and support of youth football clubs in the area etc. Did you know that our first FA Cup opponents this year, East Grinstead Town, run eighteen teams? That's what we want to see at Slough Town and the Trust will seek to play a primary role in achieving this.

 

However, one of the significant differences betwen the Trust and the STSA is the legal status. The Trust is an Industrial and Provident Society regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This means that at some stage in the future, should it be required which we hope is not the case, the Trust could take over the running of the football club. This would not have been possible as a supporters association as it had no legal standing and could therefore not own shares or property. As STSA, it would have been individuals who would have been the owners of such assets rather than collectively as a proper legal entity where each member is equally responsible and has an equal say in how it is run. The STSA were criticised earlier this year for not being in a position to do more. The formation of the Trust has put that right so we can all move forward.

 

At the moment Trust activities are being run by a Steering Committee which is comprised of the former Committee of the STSA, plus one or two newcomers (me being one). Official Directors of the Trust will be formally elected during next year and every member has a chance to stand and/or vote for who they want to be running the Trust. I'm sure all the current Steering Committee hope that several people put their names forward in this respect.

 

If I haven't answered the question or if there's anything else anyone wants to know, please just ask. Either post the question on this forum or to: trust@sloughtownfc.net Similarly, if people are still not convinced then please let us know why and we will do all we can to provide the information required and ensure that as many of you as possible become members.

[Guest]

THANKS IAN.......

 

For those words....to our non members....share holders....

 

We need you to join....

 

cheers Chris

[budman13]

Firstly that is a very good response from Ian. Thank you.

 

Although most of the points you have made about the Trust I did already know this was from other sources outside of the club. This sort of information needs to be more readily available. The official site is a good place for it.

 

Secondly if the money could be used to support local teams, which is oviously the better idea then I'm sure people will sign up.

 

Alot of work has and is going on behind the scenes I know and the steering committee are obviously working hard to make this a success but as previously stated information does seem to trickle out, rather than be widely told.

[Ian]

I accept that information hasn't been widely available in the past and that is why a newsletter was produced in November which I trust you received a copy of? A further newsletter is planned for early January (December's was in the form of the notice in today's programme about the launch). However, it's sad that as the last newsletter was handed out at the turnstiles, some people refused to take it, even after they were told it was news about the Trust.

 

I hope I've answered the questions you had, Budman, and I also hope that the information you now have is sufficient to make you want to join the Trust. The ultimate aims of the Trust have to flexible because it has to react to what happens with the Club. And, as we know, pretty much anything can and does happen to Slough Town and the overriding objective is to ensure that Slough Town Football Club exists in the future.

 

If the Trust is able to limit its activities to making Slough Town a community based Club then I'd be extremely happy as it would mean that the Club would be run successfully and wouldn't need the intervention of the Trust. However, the Trust is also there should anything happen to ensure that this great Club survives.

 

To Budman, and to all STFC supporters who haven't yet signed up for the Trust, please join.

 

[GarySTFC]

Just to further add Ian, the copy of the newsletter is available on the official site in the trust section.

 

Slough Town Supporters Trust

[Burnham Lad]

"Speeches from senior personnel within Slough Borough Council about what the trust means for the town"

 

What a strange agenda item!

 

How about ""Speech from the Leader of Slough Borough Council about what the trust means for the town and a report on the progress of the Feasibility study for the new Stadium and expressions of support from the Council for the project, with the announcement of a target opening date"

 

No Chance? Well, I can dream (for ever and ever!)

 

 

[Ian]

It would be nice wouldn't it but I've learned not to expect communication of any sort where Martyn Deaner is concerned.

 

The evening is about the Trust rather than the Club or specifically the potential Britwell development so it's not really for the Trust Steering Committee to comment in that respect. However, as both senior people from Slough Borough Council are being invited as well as Martyn Deaner, you may want to take the opportunity to ask them directly!

[Guest]

I think the Trust is a brillant idea - just look at the way AFC Wimbledon is run! It should be supporters not individuals who own football clubs - otherwise we end up in the situation's like Farnborough, Barry Town, Brighton getting their ground sold by a dodgy businessman etc. That's why i'm also worried by this Gladwish bloke who wants to take over the Southern League.

Great is dishing out money to clubs, but worrying he wants his own cup and his own league, his own little empire.

 

Brighton Rebel

 

[Martin]

I have to say I am concerned by the prospects for the trust. The AFC Wimbledon model is an exceptional one because of the sheer weight of the support. I understand that the main purpose of setting the trust up is as a fall back position in case things go tits up with Deaner. Our agreement with Windsor is for £25,000 per season so I understand. So if we had to step in to take that on 300 fans would need to contribute approximately £85.00 each. That is before season tickets and shirts and without taking into account other expenses. Would 300 people be willing to do that, based on the current level of support I would say no.

 

So what happens then, the club folds and we have to start at the very bottom of the pyramid. What sort of support will we have then? Would a significant number of people have the motivation to run the club?

 

Personally, I feel we have missed the boat, the trust should have been set up in the days of the conference when we had significant support. (See the thread re Wexham Park record attendances.) Perhaps then we could hve done more to ensure the success of the club. I will readily admit that trusts were not in vogue then and there was less support for such organisations.

 

I know this all sounds very pessimistic but I am not sure the figures add up.

[Dominic]

I think if Deaner did pull out B.Thorne would be willing to open negotiations with the trust as Deaner would not be involved, obviously the deal would have to involve the council in some way.

 

Come on everyone sign up, it's not lining Deaners pocket is it!!!

[Ian]

Some good points Martin although there's little point in considering what should have been done in the past. I'm also glad to see that there's someone in the world who's more pessimistic than me!

 

I'm guessing but I suspect if MD was to walk away (didn't he say he'd pay the 75k if he did?) then the annual rent from Windsor would be much less than the current 25k we're paying. I believe that Peter Simpson said before the season that if it came down to the supporters paying, he'd be sympathetic in that respect.

 

You're right that the AFC Wimbledon model is an exception because even now they're getting 2500 at every game. However, the important thing is that the legal structure is in place if things go wrong and that has now been achieved with the formation of the Trust. Would people have the motivation to run the Club? Time will tell although I believe there are a lot of people that would ensure that Slough Town FC survives in whatever form is possible, me being one. I believe you would be another.

 

Things are fluid at present because we don't know what will happen with the Britwell regeneration, whether MD will be here in a week or the pyramid restructuring. All I know is that I am not giving up even if that means camping outside the Town Hall next time. If they thought the drums were loud they ain't heard nothing yet!

 

Keep the faith. Come on you Rebels.

[Matt]

I would like to think that maybe, just maybe, there's a way we can get back to the home of football, a.k.a. Wexham Park. As Dom said, would the Thornes give us a way back if Deaner pays the money he owes? And if he doesn't, what then?

 

If truth be told I'm also concerned that we may only get, say 300 people joining the trust when AFC Wimbledon may have ten times that figure. But at this moment I'm cautiously optimistic that Slough Town are moving in the right direction off the pitch at least, with the launch of the STST.

 

COME ON YOU REBELS

[GarySTFC]

Well the other thing about ground rent of course is that WP was only costing us £14,000 a season under MD to rent compared to the £25,000 of Stag Meadow. Either way, I think both those leaseholders would look sympathetically on us if we were to be run by the trust and we'd have cheaper rent. Personally, I'd like to have a return to WP but see us earn some sort of takings from any use at the bar on matchdays.

 

Ultimately I guess we should be looking at getting local businesses interested and buying WP back in the name of the supporters.

[Burnham Lad]

Ian,

I take your point about the purpose of the meeting and that we should turn up and ask, but I would not want them to have the excuse of looking surprised and saying "Good Heavens, nobody briefed me that I would be expected to say anything on that, so am totally unprepared." or whatever usual political crap is used to get out of saying anything.

 

I wonder if it would be best for whoever is organising the meeting and has invited Mr Deaner and the officials from Slough Council to WRITE and notify them beforehand that members of the Trust are expecting a report on the progress of the Feasibility Study and on progress regarding the new stadium in terms of Financial backing, draft Plans etc.

 

Sorry, but I a total cynic where any politician of any colour is concerned! Dealing with them is like to push worms back down their holes!

[Ian]

Quote:

Andrew S said:
Sorry, but I a total cynic where any politician of any colour is concerned! Dealing with them is like to push worms back down their holes!

Worms and politicians - what a very fitting analogy!

We purposely didn't include the whole Britwell thing in the agenda for the evening because we didn't want it to turn into a Martyn Deaner political broadcast. The evening isn't about that. However, I would have thought it's fair to ask a question about how the feasibility study is progressing although maybe better to ask someone from SBC rather than MD himself.

Mr Sliski is doing the inviting and I'm sure he'll read this but just in case he doesn't I shall pass on your suggestion.

[Guest]

Thanks to Ian for answering those Trust questions!

 

To Andrew S......

 

Our Launch night will not be a platform for answers from Martin Deaner or the council....

 

This is our launch night and is not going to be a party political broadcast on behalf of Martin Deaner's party....

 

This will be arranged for another time ...sorry

 

It is a time that all Slough Supporters will be able to put their action into supporting this Trust and allowing STST to be inplace for the future of Slough Town FC.....what ever happens...

 

To much talk that everyone is behind us , yet will not commit to a mandate of 10 pounds per year...

 

The current organisation has 24 years of support to its supporters and football club .... and the integritary is there for all to see, we need you all now to support the Trust....

 

Cheers and Happy New Year to you all........

 

 

Chris Sliski

STST - Secretary.

[Burnham Lad]

I hear what you say, Chris, but am sorry to say it looks like a lost opportunity to me. When else are you going to get someone from the Borough Council to talk direct to Slough fans and tell them what is going on? I doubt if you will ever get them on a platform again, and we as sure as hell will not see Mr Deaner telling us what is going on, unless he is put on the spot.

 

When will we find out what is happening on the Study and how?

 

I am sure a lot of people going to the party will be asking the same questions - presumably you don't want them to ask the Slough Council reps either? I wonder if this is why many people still have not joined? (I have, incidentally!)

 

Carpe Diem!

[Guest]

Andrew....

 

We are in contact with the council...Christine Howe is the council representative looking into the fesiblity study...and she is coming to our launch..maybe you can ask her direct...but we will not have council members here on the pretence that they have to spill the beans..this is and will not be the time nor place in this case....

 

However as representatives of the STST , we will see if we can arrange for another day and time...if this is what we want...?

 

We can ask.....

 

Cheers Chris