Could we become a Community Interest Football Club?

[Curtis]

First and foremost I would like to say that Steve Easterbrook has done a fantastic job at the football club for the past 10 years or so, and his statement regarding stepping down came as big surprise to me.

 

It would appear to me that he has dealt with an enormous number of problems the Club had over this period (getting the Club financially secure, getting the personnel to make the Club competitive on the pitch, encouraging a good volunteer network, getting a ground back in Slough and probably numerous other tasks), and I would hope that he could be persuaded to remain as Chairman and enjoy the great times I believe the Club will experience over the next few years.

 

But if it isn't possible to persuade him to change his mind is there an interest among our fan base and within the local community for Slough Town FC to next become a Community Interest Football Club? A Club in basic terms that is owned, funded and run by people from the community.

 

There are several different ways this can be done, and many different structures and names for these type of organisations, and rather than discuss all of those at this stage, on this thread would it be possible to try to gauge whether there would be an interest in this type of Club structure in the future.

 

Those in favour please post 'AYE'

 

I think if we get 50 individuals posting AYE here within the next week it might be something worth pursuing.

[epicrebel]

First and foremost I would like to say that Steve Easterbrook has done a fantastic job at the football club for the past 10 years or so, and his statement regarding stepping down came as big surprise to me.

 

It would appear to me that he has dealt with an enormous number of problems the Club had over this period (getting the Club financially secure, getting the personnel to make the Club competitive on the pitch, encouraging a good volunteer network, getting a ground back in Slough and probably numerous other tasks), and I would hope that he could be persuaded to remain as Chairman and enjoy the great times I believe the Club will experience over the next few years.

 

But if it isn't possible to persuade him to change his mind is there an interest among our fan base and within the local community for Slough Town FC to next become a Community Interest Football Club? A Club in basic terms that is owned, funded and run by people from the community.

 

There are several different ways this can be done, and many different structures and names for these type of organisations, and rather than discuss all of those at this stage, on this thread would it be possible to try to gauge whether there would be an interest in this type of Club structure in the future.

 

Those in favour please post 'AYE'

 

I think if we get 50 individuals posting AYE here within the next week it might be something worth pursuing.

You wouldn't have to set up a new group/community when the Trust is already there with some of the things in place.

[Curtis]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the Supporters Trust has at most 150 members paying a membership fee of £10 per annum (and I am one of those members).

 

Do you think that it has sufficient annually from this to fund the running of the Club?

[Sir Rebel1965]

No Curtis - the trust was set up 10 odd years ago and has been saving money for this rainy day and must have many tens if not hundreds of thousands saved for this time - no need to worry.

[Curtis]

No Curtis - the trust was set up 10 odd years ago and has been saving money for this rainy day and must have many tens if not hundreds of thousands saved for this time - no need to worry.

Well that's going to be a discussion killer until the Supporters Trust confirm or deny whether it is the reality.

[Reading Rebel]

I don't know if it's helpful but I spoke to a knowledgeable Trust member yesterday and they confirmed that the Trust are, at present, in no position to take over the running of the club.

Edited August 13, 2017 by Reading Rebel

[Irishadrian]

We cant think along thease lines until Steve clarifies the position re the company which owns the club and he holds 15000 shares in Does he want to sell the company/ shares or increase to the current 25000 ceiling?

[3spirit]

Worthwhile posting, Curtis, whatever feed back we get from it.  How feasible a community interest supporter led club would be for Slough, I haven't a clue.

The trouble is most of us ordinary fans have no idea what that would involve and we are also in the dark about what deal has been struck between the current board and the council. This could be a major factor to Steve's departure.

 

Until we find out the full facts, it's going to be hard to proceed with anything.

 

It might be the case that a new chairman is waiting in the wings to takeover,for all we know.

 

Still I'm glad you've asked the question. 

[Irishadrian]

Forgot to add my Aye

[Curtis]

Forgot to add my Aye

Hurray! We have a first 'AYE'

[Irishadrian]

Curtis Surely you are an "Aye" and no I didnt call you Shirley?

[Reading Rebel]

As 3spirit has said the trouble is most of us minions don't really know what we'd be saying Aye to. And no that wasn't an Aye  

[Curtis]

As 3spirit has said the trouble is most of us minions don't really know what we'd be saying Aye to. And no that wasn't an Aye  

At this stage all I am asking is whether you have a preference for the Club being owned and run by:-

 

A. a large fan based group

B. a single owner or small group of owners

 

If there are a reasonable number of people whose preference is A, then I would be willing to spend some time exploring whether it is feasible, but if there isn't any interest then I won't.

 

Other than stating your preference, I am asking you for nothing.

[GlenSTFC]

Unless thousands of fans are involved the finance won't be there to push the club on. Certainly our fan base at present wouldn't be able to finance our current squad/management. I favour a Chairman who solely has the clubs' interests at heart plus has the funds to progress the club in all areas.

[Reading Rebel]

A or B whichever is best to push the club forward.

 

As Glen said the likely hood is that we'd need a few thousand supporters to make A work.  

Edited August 14, 2017 by Reading Rebel

[epicrebel]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the Supporters Trust has at most 150 members paying a membership fee of £10 per annum (and I am one of those members).

 

Do you think that it has sufficient annually from this to fund the running of the Club?

I'm not on about running it but the organisation to to help anyone run it, Instead of from step 1

[Christof]

Aye

[mann]

Why are people getting het up all that Steve has said is that he will be standing down as chairman so that he can spend more time with his family maybe to be able to come to the game and go home after the game has finished I wish him well  

[Reading Rebel]

Why are people getting het up all that Steve has said is that he will be standing down as chairman so that he can spend more time with his family maybe to be able to come to the game and go home after the game has finished I wish him well  

 

 

Mann, it's obviously the implications that will come with Steve stepping down that supporters are worried about.

 

Although we re all pretty sure that Steve wouldn't leave us in the proverbial it's only natural that supporters will worry.

[Curtis]

Certainly our fan base at present wouldn't be able to finance our current squad/management.

Do you think it is likely that Steve Easterbrook is funding/subsidising/donating the Club a substantial sum this season then?

 

I don't know the answer myself. At this stage, for all I know he might be running it without the need to contribute anything himself, or he could be putting in £100,000.