[Revived Red]

Originally Posted by maccawozzagod

Back to the FF, the whole point of the FF is that we, the fans, do as much as we can to establish funds, and directives to ensure that we never again find ourselves in such a ****state as we were in last month. With a new chairman there is no immediate need to create a stampede to some position of power, and there is no need to start exerting pressure on the current regime. However, the FF has an amount of money that the club needs, and we expect to increase that amount of money by significant amounts over the coming months. Exactly how the club obtains access to these funds is the key question. We cannot and will not hand over cheques for no return. There has to be a relinquishment of power for that to happen. Shares or a position on the board for our directors are the requirement. This will ensure that 'the fans' have access to the financial state of the club at all times. It will ensure that we have some input as to the major decisions taken by the club and we will know that our voices will be heard. Once that point of view has been heard it will be down to the powers that be to make the decisions.

I have read macca's post over and over again. The implications of the paragraph quoted above seem enormous.

First of all, I note that some of the committee have now identified themselves elsewhere in this thread. This is a very welcome move. I think that the entire committee should be named. If they did not want to be named, they should never have put themselves forward to be representing the fans in the handling of huge sums of money.

Macca is absolutely correct in saying that the key question is how the club gains access to the new funds.

But then macca's words become more worrying.

"We cannot and will not hand over cheques for no return." Who decides on the return expected/demanded?

"Shares or a position on the board for our directors are the requirement". I was under the impression that the FF did not intend to buy shares - but maybe I am wrong there. Is it expected that ALL the directors will join the board of ASFC?

"It will ensure that we have some input as to the major decisions taken by the club and we will know that our voices will be heard." Who exactly is "we"? The committee/directors of the FF? The whole FF - whatever that may be? Those who have contributed financially to the FF? The fans? It should, of course, be the latter - but how will those empowered to look after the FF know that they have the fans behind their proposals and decisions?

Please note that I am not trying to be difficult or awkward in any way. I am trying to get straight in my own mind (a) how the FF will be structured and organised; and (b) how it will link to ASFC.

I realise that many decisions still have to be made and that these things take time - but time is not really on our side. We seem to be struggling to keep/attract players through funding problems. The funding appears to be available. I suppose that I am saying that the establishment of the FF with the consequent need to sort out all legal niceties and then get on with organising it is in danger of distracting attention from the key issue of getting funding into ASFC.

Apologies if I have gone on too long. I'm just worried that we may be in danger of creating another talking shop and, ironically, alienating fans. The evidence is starting to appear.