Pro's and Cons of MyFootballClub Takeover

[JimGNFC]

The MyFootballClub scenario still seems "mind-boggling" to me:

 

Pro's

 

1) The money MyFootballClub brings with it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Fleet to move forward, with the kind of investment most Fleet Fans would never have dreamed of. In the modern game money talks.

 

2) If every true Fleet Fan signs up to MyFootballClub then they will have a greater say in how the Club was run then under the current regime. Fact: The current Board of Directors do NOT listen to the fans as demonstrated by both the Re-naming and the MyFootballClub episodes where consultation was non-existant.

 

3) MyFootballClub offers fans the potential to revert the Club's name back to "Gravesend and Northfleet F.C."

 

4) MyFootballClub will raise the profile of the Club on a national scale, as demonstrated by the headline news on the BBC website and the article in the Daily Mail. Even when the "hype" dies down the Club will still receive far more publicity than is currently the case.

 

5) Most importantly, MyFootballClub's huge media exposure will encourage the local population of Gravesham to attend games, especially once a "bit of money" gets thrown at the playing squad. The Club will no longer be seen as a "little non-league Club" by the locals but rather a Club going places. With MyFootballClub's backing, Gillingham are unlikely to remain the biggest team in Kent for long.

 

6) MyFootballClub may well appoint a decent PR Manager and choose to advertise games more widely in the local press.

 

7) MyFootballClub will have the financial clout to look at ways to improve the current fanbase, in terms of appointing a full-time community officer to visit local schools and give away free tickets etc to schools.

 

8) MyFootballClub will be able pay higher wages (at least short term), which in turn should attract better players and improve the quality of football on offer at stonebridge road.

 

9) MyFootballClub offers massive commercial gains for the Football Club in terms of merchandising, sponsorship etc.

 

10) MyFootballClub with its huge potential to generate commercial sponsorship represents the Clubs most realistic chance of getting a new stadium. Progress on this appears to be non-existant.

 

11) MyFootballClub offers the opportunity to wipe-out the current debts of the football Club that are reported to be 350K? How else is this debt going to be repaid - the Club may well go bankrupt soon with dwindling crowds and a squad of 22 full-time players unless MyFootballClub is welcomed.

 

12) If the MyFootballClub bubble bursts then its my understanding the Football Club will be unaffected.

 

13) MyFootballClub may be an innovotive idea that might just work!

 

 

Cons:

 

1) Can 20,000 plus fans really manage team lineups and tactics?

 

2) Liam Daish is now under the same pressure as most Premiership Managers. Fans are fickle and while 1000 Fleet Fans can accept 3 losses in a row, 20,000 plus internet users can't.

 

On the other hand if Liam no longer picks the team can he be sacked?

 

3) Replacement managers are likely to be high profile managers that may have little or no experience of the non-league scene. Potential big names might include Ron Atkinson or even Paul Gascoigne, whose experiences at Kettering Town were less than impressive.

 

4) Existing promising "young" players such as Luke Moore or other promising young non-league players may be discarded in favour of ageing League Professionals whose name people may recognise.

 

5) Our current team are playing for their livelihoods. A few losses between now and the January transfer window could result in themselves having to find new employers unless they are under contract till the end of the season.

 

6) The Football Club is now a "Franchise" football Club but you could argue this was the case as soon as the name was changed to Ebbsfleet F.C. Don't blame MyFootballClub for Ebbsfleet being a franchise club - it already is!

 

7) The Football Club is being used as a "guinea pig". Effectively

MyFootballClub is an experiment that no-one knows the outcome of until its done for the first time.

 

 

My only confession is that since the name change, I've not attended any games but continue to pay into the Fleet Trust. Before anyone starts giving me grief, this decision was made on the grounds I honestly felt I could not support a Board that had treated its fanbase so poorly on such an issue.

 

However, this detachment has perhaps helped me see the wider picture that MyFootballClub potentially offers the Club.

 

The question Fleet Fans need to ask themselves is - Do you want to remain a "non-league" Club or do you want to take a chance, with the Club you love and give it a once in a lifetime opportunity of rising through the Football League Pyramid?

 

Its a question I'm unable to answer, seeing as the Club I loved was lost with the name change, so I've nothing to lose either way.

 

Finally I would urge the MyFootballClub site to communicate with the Fleet Fans directly. Have some "glamour birds" handing out a questionaire at matchdays, requesting feedback on a range of issues such as the fans attitude to the Board, the re-naming, why crowds are low, the style of football being played and their views on the MyFootballClub takeover. I'm sure the fans are desperate to be listened to for a change.

 

A word of advice - organise this through MyFootballClub rather than the Club and make it easy for fans to return the questionaires directly to MyFootballClub or its representatives. Also give out pens to fans on matchday so they can complete the forms then and there and make it clear where they need to return the questionaires too.

 

If MyFootballClub is serious about buying the Club then lets see you prove it by communicating directly with the fans. Directors may hold the financial stake in the Club but without the fans you have no football club. LISTEN to what the Fleet fans have to say and you may well find they slowly embrace the MyFootballClub notion.

[doheochai]

Good post - do you mind if I copy it onto the MyFC forum.

[JimGNFC]

Please do so. emphasise the importance of MyFootballClub asking the Fleet Fans for their opinion. You may find it produces some interesting comments and also help you win Fleet fans over. Thanks

[doheochai]

Originally Posted By: JimGNFC

Please do so. emphasise the importance of MyFootballClub asking the Fleet Fans for their opinion. You may find it produces some interesting comments and also help you win Fleet fans over. Thanks

Already happening - a number of Fleet fans have joined MyFC and have been peppered with questions all evening.

[SpioenKOP]

Another good post, it's nice to see there are some passionate fans at the club still.

 

I can't wait for my first home match, ordered my shirt, started Football Manager 2008 as Ebbsfleet so i get to know the players a little better (names, positions, Youth Team etc etc)

 

What are the realistic chances of changing the team name back again? i think it's a great idea.

[thatguy]

Originally Posted By: SpioenKOP

I can't wait for my first home match, ordered my shirt, started Football Manager 2008 as Ebbsfleet so i get to know the players a little better (names, positions, Youth Team etc etc)

do not rely on football manager. This is the problem I can foresee, for example. Chris McPhee is down as a striker, but has proved he can be just as useful in midfield and defense.
Do not take the stats in fm serious, the best way to get an honest opinion of the team is to actually come and see them in action, and then pick your squad. I think this is the honest problem that us fleet fans have, which is why I join myfc is so that I could have a input into the team that I watched this season.

[Slartibartfast]

An excellent post Jim particularly the concerns you raise on behalf of the players.

It must be a very worrying time for them, a load of money to spend on new players so what happens to the current squad?

Its an easy decision for all the new managers, the money is there to buy success and they have no affinity for the current squad anyway...ship 'em out and get a new lot in.

You can't afford to be sentimental if you want success so maybe they are right but it doesn't mean everyone has to like it.

[eufcintheprem]

Originally Posted By: Slartibartfast

An excellent post Jim particularly the concerns you raise on behalf of the players.
It must be a very worrying time for them, a load of money to spend on new players so what happens to the current squad?
Its an easy decision for all the new managers, the money is there to buy success and they have no affinity for the current squad anyway...ship 'em out and get a new lot in.
You can't afford to be sentimental if you want success so maybe they are right but it doesn't mean everyone has to like it.

I kind of agree with this in sentiment but unfortunately the world of professional football has little time for sentiment. If they're good enough for pro contracts then they'll get one here or elsewhere. Otherwise, like anyone else would, they'll have to find a way to pay the bills.

[doheochai]

Originally Posted By: thatguy

do not rely on football manager.

The mention of football manager on MyFC usually prompts a series of wallops around the ear.

[thatguy]

He started it

[doheochai]

Originally Posted By: Slartibartfast

An excellent post Jim particularly the concerns you raise on behalf of the players.
It must be a very worrying time for them, a load of money to spend on new players so what happens to the current squad?
Its an easy decision for all the new managers, the money is there to buy success and they have no affinity for the current squad anyway...ship 'em out and get a new lot in.
You can't afford to be sentimental if you want success so maybe they are right but it doesn't mean everyone has to like it.

I would be hesitant about making too many changes to the squad. Bring in a host of new players can have a destabilising effect and the players mightn't jell together. I would expect Daish to look at one of two decent players that would upgrade at key positions and I would be arguing against anything further. I have been keeping a close eye on the Conference divisions for several years now (from my computer in Ireland) and it will be difficult for EUFC to get into the play-off picture but a couple of key additions could tip the balance. Daish seems to be maximising what he has available and it would be difficult to make that extra step up the table. I would actually be concerned that, if promoted, EUFC could have a difficult time maintaining league status (een with the MyFC money). But if it were to happen we would cross that bridge at that time.

[doheochai]

Originally Posted By: thatguy

He started it

I know -

SpoienKop - consider this a belt across the ear.

[doheochai]

By the way Jim

 

your post has drawn a lot of very postivie reaction on the MyFC forum. It is currently the highest rated post on the forum (posts are rated from 1-5, yours has a rating of 4.96 from the members)

[UP FLEET]

good post jim, many question i have concerns over you have raised there to, so obviously several of us are thinking the same

[Glover]

I agree with Dom, great post by Jim a very balanced arguement, the question of changing players is always going to be tricky.

 

There will be some players who can make the transition from non league up to 2nd or 1st div - eg Terry Skiverton at Yeovil all the way from ryman to 1st div.

 

It all boils down to what the players attitude and ability is,ie he can go with the club and improve his skill as the club rises through leauges ,or if he feels that thats his limit he can join another club.

 

All players by the time they are in their mid 20s know which level they are capable of perfoming at not everyone is a premier player but that doesnt mean they dont perform well at their club level, the problem arises when the club changes level rapidly.

 

[doheochai]

Over 700 members have read Jim's post and it still is the No1 rated post on MyFC.

[Dr.Wu]

Excellent post Jim, some very good thought provoking points.

 

I agree with Dom regarding the destablising effect too much sudden change can bring and would also want to guard against that.

[Darth Cheddar]

It's worth noting that nowhere is it stated that MyFC will be operating in a vacuum without the input of Liam Daish. If there's any chance of this succeeding, it'll have to be with the cooperation of the people who know the team already: the manager, Board, and fans.

 

I've seen a lot of negative reaction to the takeover that suggests MyFC is nothing more than a huge group of idiots who have no research skill, and who have no intention of trying to learn about Ebbsfleet. I've also read many ugly threads started by people who claim to be MyFC members, and several from actual members who are bent on creating unrest. Please believe that the majority of us would much rather listen to Jim and others like him than idiots who spout off about changing the team's name, kit, sponsor, etc.

[American FLEET FAN No1]

Originally Posted By: Dr.Wu

Excellent post Jim, some very good thought provoking points.

I agree with Dom regarding the destablising effect too much sudden change can bring and would also want to guard against that.

You should have thought about that before Tuesday!
You have split the faithful right down the middle..........Good way to keep a stable club!

[KShep]

Originally Posted By: JimGNFC

The MyFootballClub scenario still seems "mind-boggling" to me:

3) Replacement managers are likely to be high profile managers that may have little or no experience of the non-league scene. Potential big names might include Ron Atkinson or even Paul Gascoigne, whose experiences at Kettering Town were less than impressive.

4) Existing promising "young" players such as Luke Moore or other promising young non-league players may be discarded in favour of ageing League Professionals whose name people may recognise.

Jim, your whole post was insightful and articulated the hopes and fears we have all had. In relation to the points I have picked out- this is where GNFC/EUFC fans can have an impact. As we have seen, the big-name managers and players are by no means guaranteed success in non-league and somewhat underachieve perenially. IF the bulk of the fans commit the one-off £35, we can use our knowledge and expertise, and experience of the non-league scene, to influence the outcome of a vote for the better. Also, many MyFC members have acknowledged they will be passive in voting, or will vote the same way as the majority of 'real' fans. The more fans there are on the system, the more influential we will be on outcomes and on voters themselves.

When payday comes, I'm joining.