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RAWA launch as a supporters trust
- Thread starter Oliver's Army
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I don't like this, it smacks of Empire building tbh.
"If more fans were ever to be invited onto the club board as non-executive directors, even without a shareholding RAWA would now be the natural mechanism through which this nomination would be made."
I also think it's very poor, but deliberate, timing.
"If more fans were ever to be invited onto the club board as non-executive directors, even without a shareholding RAWA would now be the natural mechanism through which this nomination would be made."
I also think it's very poor, but deliberate, timing.
It reminds me of a Club a few miles up the road, where THEIR Supporters Trust has been instrumental in turning that Club into a laughing stock.
No doubt some well intentioned people will become involved, but so will some self important idiots.
If you are wondering which of these groups will end up in control, use the example twelve miles north.
I’m already a supporter of the club... should I really have to pay (again) to have a say or vote in how the club is run?
I joined RAWA when it first came to be, lost confidence when they released a joint statement without prior consultation. Now I’m not sure I like that they seem to be the ‘direct voice’ of the fans.
I get it raises money for different causes, but we can do that anyway as has been previously shown.
I joined RAWA when it first came to be, lost confidence when they released a joint statement without prior consultation. Now I’m not sure I like that they seem to be the ‘direct voice’ of the fans.
I get it raises money for different causes, but we can do that anyway as has been previously shown.
They keep using the cover-all phrase 'You can vote us out if you like'.
In reality that's an impossibility.
As they direct the narrative, and no one knows who any of the other 'candidates' might be, they'll always be voted back in.
It just all seems to be a push for a seat on the board imo ...
... the club doesn't need to be informed about what the fans want, it's the same as all fans.
Most definitely not for me this.
Neither in principle or the particular. Those involved thus far have shown a lack of humility and a tendency to assume that they are " the" voice of the support.
They do not speak for me.
Neither in principle or the particular. Those involved thus far have shown a lack of humility and a tendency to assume that they are " the" voice of the support.
They do not speak for me.
I joined RAWA at the beginning (I may still be a member, but I don't hear from them so I don't know), and as far as I can see so far, all that they've done is divide and alienate the vast majority of supporters, who they most definitely do not represent 
We had an example a few months ago when a RAWA representative joined our forum to highlight his extreme arrogance and the fact that us 'normal' fans were not as important as him and we should all comply with RAWA's representations
The 'closed shop' that Smug mentioned above is without doubt the way that it will be for the foreseeable, which will maintain the committee's significance that they so obviously crave, and that makes a mockery of the whole set-up.
I'd imagine that KLD will see them as an irrelevance, as most of us probably do, but he will humour them 'cos they want the attention and it does him or S.A.F.C. no harm
As far as I can see RAWA are just seeking attention, and they have no credibility whatsoever, certainly amongst the supporters that they falsely claim to represent
We had an example a few months ago when a RAWA representative joined our forum to highlight his extreme arrogance and the fact that us 'normal' fans were not as important as him and we should all comply with RAWA's representations
The 'closed shop' that Smug mentioned above is without doubt the way that it will be for the foreseeable, which will maintain the committee's significance that they so obviously crave, and that makes a mockery of the whole set-up.
I'd imagine that KLD will see them as an irrelevance, as most of us probably do, but he will humour them 'cos they want the attention and it does him or S.A.F.C. no harm
As far as I can see RAWA are just seeking attention, and they have no credibility whatsoever, certainly amongst the supporters that they falsely claim to represent
So far, it's five - nil against.
A small poll, but a start.
And why might our new owner want to have these volunteers onto his Board?
A small poll, but a start.
And why might our new owner want to have these volunteers onto his Board?
I do not know really anything about RAWA...
However I would for instance be in favour, as with major companies if a union rep was on the board to represent the workers.
BUT regarding a football club, unless the 'union/RAWA has a significant share/capital in the club then there is very little they can do in reality. In a company the workers can go in strike, crippling the organisation. I cannot see what fans/,supporters can do (wave white sheets a la the mags) the players would not protest. Besides which as is evidenced on this and other football forums... fans rarely agree on anything...lord of the flies, if anything.
So unless we as fans were to stump up and procure a significant part ownership of the club... the owner will decide what course to plot... if the owner gets annoyed he will just ignore the fans, just like Ashley and there is naff all fans can do about it.
Nothing wrong as a fund raising charity for the good of the area though.
However I would for instance be in favour, as with major companies if a union rep was on the board to represent the workers.
BUT regarding a football club, unless the 'union/RAWA has a significant share/capital in the club then there is very little they can do in reality. In a company the workers can go in strike, crippling the organisation. I cannot see what fans/,supporters can do (wave white sheets a la the mags) the players would not protest. Besides which as is evidenced on this and other football forums... fans rarely agree on anything...lord of the flies, if anything.
So unless we as fans were to stump up and procure a significant part ownership of the club... the owner will decide what course to plot... if the owner gets annoyed he will just ignore the fans, just like Ashley and there is naff all fans can do about it.
Nothing wrong as a fund raising charity for the good of the area though.
You've highlighted my main concern with all of this.
RAWA can rightly claim that their members have given them a mandate and the right to speak to the club on their behalf.
However, they might well decide, without a vote, to challenge the club on a particular issue. This has happened at Newcastle and Sunderland with the 'get out of our club' statements. In both cases the owners cut off all communications with all of the supporters, not just the 'committees'.
As has been mentioned there's quite an 'us and them' feeling about all of this and there seems to be a 'cultish aspect' to being a member plus a hint that if you don't support RAWA you don't properly support the club.
It seems that the only way to have any control is to join these groups, at which point the increased numbers are used to claim a bigger membership and mandate.
I believe that they just want to be 'the only voice' for Sunderland supporters whereas the crowd is the voice of the supporters and always has been ...
... home and away.
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Correct.
The idea that supporters could have an influence beyond going or not is risible. Nor should we, we do not have our private capital invested and most of us would make foolish emotional decisions if we were allowed any serious say.
I've been going since the sixties, as have a lot on here, and I have never assumed the right to tell the owners of the club how to run it, even if it has been occasionally comically easy to see where they were going wrong.
It's their money, and they will lose it, as some have when they mess up. We just have to wait for someone with some sense , money and ambition to turn up.
He's here. Let him get on with it.
This is my concern about the whole thing.
Influential supporters' groups, whether that be the ultras in Italy or the more club-like groups in Germany, are part of the football landscape on the continent and the clubs do listen to them. The difference is, there are usually more than one per club so supporters have a choice. Additionally, continental clubs tend to have more meaningful membership schemes themselves.
As Donald & Methven are finding out, being a minority shareholder is like having a signed photo of Salma ...
... it may make you feel important, and that you have some influence, but it really means you're a nobody tossing yersel off.
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I like you Smug but please don't mention Salma's name in the same breath as those 2. She deserves more after helping us all get through this
Unfortunately there's always a whiff of 'frustrated Committee Man' about these supporter's trusts. Little men wanting to lord it over others and then presuming to speak for them. It takes strong characters to do it properly and without ego getting in the way.
Generally the kid that got picked last in team sports