Trust Discussions

[Martin]

There were no votes at the EGM but it was agreed that the Board would decide requests for money on a case by case basis whilst also asking for accounts for accountability purposes.

 

I do hope that new people stand for election to the board because that will show we have a thriving trust and provoke further debate like this. I can't remember the deadline to be nominated but I'll double check and come back to you. But basically if you want to come on the board then there will be a chance in the summer.

[Ted]

Originally Posted By: Barry_Scott

I'm not signed up either for precisely that reason. the trust have made no plans for the future of the club should the need arise for three years and I won't re-join until they do

Taken from the EGM minutes.

"6. New people to join the board of the trust.

The Trust has been in talks with a local businessman who has expressed an interest in helping to support the running of the club and resolving some of the ground issues. The purposes of these talks were so that if the Trust has to take on the running of the club we would then be able to call on his support."

Sounds like plans for the future to me.

[Sue]

Not sure about being a peacemaker Warren but would have a go because as you know I dont get into arguments!

 

On a serious note though, and this is only my opinion, I do think this sort of discussion is for meetings i.e Trust or Supporters and not for web sites. I know its good to know whats going on but somethings I think should be kept between ourselves and not for all and sundry to read, but as I say that is only my opinion.

 

 

[Nathan]

Originally Posted By: Barry_Scott

But what exactly did the Trust do while I was a member? Absolutely nothing, no evidence of plans for the future, no contingencies, diddly squat?

Oh god not Civil War again. What do you suggest then? That we oust Roy and Bernard from power? I'd like to see your plans for that...

I believe that the Trust is doing all it can do given the circumstances and I can't believe why that isn't good enough for some people.

[Barry Scott]

Ted - "expressed an interest" - what like the Russian banker, the redevelopment plans for Wexham Park? Jesus, plenty of people have "expressed an interest" in some sort of help for the club and that's come to precisely nothing.

 

Nathan - When was the last time you saw Bernard at game? Who is running the actual club? Who's paying the bills? While the Trust may be doing all they can, I have heard nothing about it what they are supposedly doing and until I do, they can twist in the wind as far as I'm concerned.

[Ted]

Originally Posted By: Barry_Scott

Ted - "expressed an interest" - what like the Russian banker, the redevelopment plans for Wexham Park? Jesus, plenty of people have "expressed an interest" in some sort of help for the club and that's come to precisely nothing.

Had you been at the meeting, you'd know a fair bit more. But you weren't, and arn't a trust member, so its not up to me to tell you more (I understand that the trust has been criticised for saying as much as it has on the website), but from my own knowledge of the individual, it is an option that could work. Not a certainty, but a definite possible.

I think that the trust is on a hiding to nothing. If it says what its doing, thats wrong. If it doesn't say, thats also wrong.

If it wants to start again, some will disagree. If it doesn't want to start again, others will disagree.

If it puts up candidates in the election, thats wrong, if it doesn't, then people will say "why isn't it doing something"

If it gives money to the club, thats wrong, if it doesn't that's also wrong.

It would benefit the trust if as many as possible joined, attended meetings,and stopped acting as if there are any easy solutions. There arn't, and if we don't stick together we will be even worse off.

[Guest]

Hi maybe its time for me to join the debate...With Gary Thomas starting it again trying to gain reactions ! Gary talks with forked tounge ...which hat are you wearing today ?

 

 

Martin is completly right if you want the trust to re act to your way , then stand for election , we are a democratic board and thats the way I hope it remains..

 

We can not please everyone all of the time ! and as Ted states we are damed if we do and damed if we dont...

 

But by not joining thats your choice , but dont come on here saying nothing is done , nothing is in place for a survival plan , nothing is being told to people.

 

We give up hours of our time for STFC and the Trust , so we can try to do what we think is right , at the EGM we got direction from our members/share holders ! its their trust, make it your trust.

 

Join today....you have no excuses really .... It would then be upto you to change things that you think are wrong with our efforts and time...

 

cheers chris s

[Guest]

did you mean tongue

[GarySTFC]

Sorry Chris you've lost me?

[brighton_rebel]

The Trust board have made mistakes and i feel should be more open. But i don't see any other option, and would feel a lot happier with a Trust run club with published accounts, a stable budget at the beginning of each playing season etc. A community run club for the people of Slough.

Again, i ask - what's the other option?

[Barry Scott]

Originally Posted By: Anonymous

But by not joining thats your choice , but dont come on here saying nothing is done , nothing is in place for a survival plan , nothing is being told to people.

So you have a five figure sum of money that you are the custodians and feel its below you to actually communicate what is being done with the money? Decisions are taken at these meetings, no matter how trivial and yet the outcomes are not communicated to the people whom have an interest in it? If this is the case, and it is as there has been sod all communication from the Trust, then the Trust are just held in just as much contempt in my eyes as the owners of the club.

[Nathan]

All the more reason to get involved in the Trust and make a difference in my opinion.

[Barry Scott]

because me having a vote on the board is going to convince everyone that getting the minutes of a meeting published so that everyone who has a vested interest in said meetings can see what was discussed is a good thing? It's bloody common sense! But then again, what is discussed is obviously not important enough for us to read about (Martin - I know you've tried to get this done, so this isn't a pop at you)

[Chris]

I understand both points of view here. I think many people see the trust as a re-active rather than pro-active organistation and whatever decisions they make about the club and trust money they will be shot down as some people will agree with the decisions and others won't with their decisions. They are there though for the benefit of us fans though free of charge in their own time, so I take my hats off to them...

 

Now one thing i've always thought about the trust (and this is not a criticism) is that they should grab both Roy and Martin Deaner (and lock them in the room if need be!!) to get answers about the clubs future. They are both at games reguarly now, so it's the perfect time.

 

If they give lots of promises as normal, or go round the houses with their answers then that's fine, but let the supporters know the score with what they say (no chinese whispers)

 

Then they should liase with trust members saying:

 

A) This is the situation (black and white from Mr Deaner and Roy, no chinese whispers)

What do you want to do about it (ie vote in an EGM)

 

Then the supporters can decide for themselves about the clubs future ie new club, take over the club etc...

 

Chris

 

The problem with this club is everything is too 'secretive' in my opinion. Bring things out in the open and let everyone know the score.

[charlie]

I think Chris has a point about the reactive stance the trust is sometimes seen to take - but while its easy to have a pop at this, we've all got to remember that everyone involved in the trust near enough has another job to contend with as well as family, other social activities etc and a small group can only do so much.

 

Martin (and other members of the board i've spoken to ) know that there is a communication issue at the moment and now that the trust has openly recognised that (via the EGM) I would hope that something proactive would be done about it.

 

Also, I love Chris' idea about forcing Roy and Mr Deaner to sit in a room and not come out til they give a straight answer, but i fear that this may never come to light. But equally, if they are the ones obstructing this from happening, that might be something the trust members should openly know about.

 

Had i been able to attend a bit more of the EGM (i was at training for the vast majority of it) I would've brought up the issue of introducing an active press officer to be responsible for newspapers and other local media as well as for communications within the trust - i understand someone already is assigned to be a press officer but I have to confess, I haven't seen anything from them recently.

 

If they require help, I'd be more than happy to offer my free time to them.

[Ted]

Well done Charlie. Offering to help is so much more constructive than listing disagreements.

[Sue]

and I can do any typing if needed, but not in the next two weeks.

[Guest]

Quote: The problem with this club is everything is too secretive in my opinion. Bring things out in the open let everyone know the score.

The above quote is the core of the problems faced by the trust board. S.T.F.C. is run (badly in most peoples opinion,mine included) by a private company answerable only to itself.We the trust members voted to run with Martin Deaner at the trust A.G.M two years ago, after he spoke of his views for the club at that point in time.While I am not happy with the situation that has evolved ,I feel we do owe Mr. Deaner a debt of gratitude for saving the club from oblivion back in the nineties.

The elected trust board deserve support not constant critisism. Those who are not happy with the board decisions or members are free to offer themselves for election, if they feel they can make a beneficial contribution to it. Do you have the time, skills, professional knowledge, contacts or money to make a positve contribution.If you have help,you will have to be a trust member of course. Your £10 will help in a small way,you will also have the right to vote for any prospective board member,it is your choice.

Final word to the current board,you may not always be right in some peoples opinion but you are trying, thanks

[GarySTFC]

Can I just point out that despite my moanings, I do have the utmost respect for every one of the people on the board as they do put themselves in a position to be shot at. In addition to this, as has been said, they do give up hours of their own time to support their members, so fair play to one and all.

 

I hope they also know, that even despite not being a member, I will help out as and where I can should they need or want me to.

 

I hope that the discussion on here has brought food for thought for everyone though.

 

As for standing for the board, I've been there and with current future events this year, I won't have the time to do that again, but may well be signing up to the Trust, if only to have a moan in an 'official' capacity as a member. Let's see which 'hat' I am wearing on Monday evening....

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

Personally i think the trust is a good organisation to have as a back up if/when needed...

 

It however should not be used unless of emergency if those in charge have [****!!****] up the books people should not be able to come cap in ahnd begging for players (who mostly all [****!!****] off a few weeks later) to be paid.

 

Martin Ive agreed with you on everything you have had overruled and i feel that generally you have been right and the trust has been wrong.

 

The way things are a season without slough football would not surprise me right now.

 

A geound has tpo be our priority though if we are going to playing next season and a cheap one too as there is no way we could afford more than a couple of hundred a match with the likely attedences we will be receiving.

 

But it all boils down to communication, im deeply impressed that the salsa thing is front page of the observer its just a shame that the advertising has hardly occured throughout the season leading to attendences dropping (im well aware that the way we are playing is also to blame- i really have to drag myself out of the house for away games knowing we are going to be spanked and i will come home depressed and about 20 squid poorer) But i feel that we need to hear things officially from the club (ESPECIALLY IF THEY WANT MONEY!) Lets be honest we will be finishing a deserved last in this league and unless things change we will be going down again next season...

 

BTW No blame for CURRENT players or management apportioned here.

 

For me this sums it up in a nutshell

 

We have a very promising forward who fans are led to belive is contracted to the club- ok so we never really ecpected to hold onto him, but i was at least expecting a few grand, but lo and behold he goes for nothing... how the [****!!****] does that happen, right im off to watch the rest of england's batting...its kinda like watching Slough.