Allam invites Protest group for a chat

I think this is great news. I have been saying on various threads about this matter that in the end, the campaign not only had to have wide appeal (as this latest stage of the campaign clearly does) but people needed to understand that a resolution would only be possible if the protagonists started talking AND those participating started to think about what compromises (if any) were acceptable.

Just a word of advice and caution to those who will be arguing the case for no change -

If Assem Allam is unpersuaded at the first meeting - which would seem likely - it is imperative that there is agreement to a second meeting and the only way to be prepared for that meeting is to get a clear indication of what his bottom line is and then talk to as many people as practicable to get a feeling of what might be acceptable within the "realm of possibility".

Secondly, I have to say I think you are pretty brave if you are one of those who have volunteered to be part of this negotiating team, because (and I really hope I'm wrong about this), no matter what the outcome or how hard you've tried to reach a realistic and fair conclusion, if the result involves any sort of compromise on your part, you will be pilloried by at least some sections of support.

The safest option for the "negotiators" would be to attend the discussions as well prepared as possible, explain they are not authorised by anyone in particular to be agreeing to anything other than "no change" and if this results in Assem announcing that he will decide on a compromise position - whatever it might be - all you can do then is simply and faithfully report on the details of the meeting. It may turn out to be a compromise that most can live with but in any case you have done your job and no blame can be attached to you for trying, as the compromise will be Assem Allams compromise.

I have no idea whether those involved will read this message, some of you may know who they are, but whoever you are - I'm sure we all wish you the very best of luck.

 

But you didn't want debate, you wanted to big yourself up by trying to make me look foolish, yet you had failed to read the narrative.
I have business meetings as a regular feature of running and developing my own business. Before I attend, I sit down and speculate what the client is looking for, I research their company to ensure that I only introduce services at will appeal. I spend as little time on what I have done for others and as much time as possible on what I can do for them. After the informal chat, the first thing I ask them is what they want from the meeting., if I hav speculated right, it is an easy ride. I avoid hearsay at the meetings, but will often speak to my contacts and ask if they have heard anything interesting on the grapevine. An example is, being told that a company has sacked their current supplier and mentioning it at a meeting only to find that it wasn't quite true. It devalues your pitch.
Personally I wouldn't put myself up to go to the meeting either, not because I wouldn't do a good job, but because, this is football and just being a pass holder and poster on a forum, I don't have the right credentials. But if there is anything I can do to help I will. One last thing. There are times in meetings when someone is taking thenpiss and they have to be told straight. I do that as well. If you act like one you deserve to be called one in my book.

 

I hope there isn't a compromise in the form of Hull City Tigers. It's as bad as Hull Tigers, in my opinion.

 

Slightly against the run of the thread but here seems as good a place as any to ask.

If Mr Allam were to offer the campaign group a donation.

Would you accept it?
Should you accept it?
Are you in a position to refuse it?

 

A bung to leave the meeting singing "We love you Hull Tigers, we do."

 

Yes, that was the gist of the question.

 

You don't think it would be accepted? or do you know for a fact that it wouldn't be accepted?

Based on your reply Mr Allam would be safe to offer you a donation in the certain knowledge it would be turned down.

I didn't think the answer was that obvious but you clearly do.

 

Did this thread just nip into the Twilight Zone?

 

This meeting would be part of the consultation process? would create media interest? Would help to take the discussion to a wider (national) level?

If he offered a donation to the campaign group to help gather their evidence, he would come across as fair minded, magnanimous and sportsman like, it would also be cheaper than expensive consultants or market research.

If such a donation was refused he would merely get the positive PR headlines and the moral high ground in his further dealings with the Premier league/FA etc.

It doesn't seem ridiculous to me. The thought that you could get positive headlines for the sake of a few hundred quid would appeal to me if I were in his position.

 

Can't see it gaining any national attention, until we get the definitive answer.

There's a simple way to end all this and that's give the fans a vote with the options "do you want the club to be named Hull City AFC?" or "Hull Tigers?"

Will he do it? Can't see it.

Think we should be pushing for it though.

 

If Mr Allam were to offer the campaign a new marine generator.

Would you accept it?
Should you accept it?
Are you in a position to refuse it?

 

I doubt the headline would say that though and I agree that his PR is not always the best. As for the few hundred quid suggestion, that was a ball park guess. I have no idea how much the campaign fund has raised so far or how much has been spent on what. I am sure we will be kept informed though. There was never a suggestion of a bribe been involved in the original question but if that's how you choose to see it then fair enough. The last thing I would expect is Mr Allam to try to bribe people into giving this up, I think it more likely he would want every bit information he could get his hands on as cheaply as possible. The more money in the fund may well mean a truer picture emerging. He may feel that is not a bad thing.

 

I will start with the easiest question to answer. Are we in a position to refuse a donation. Yes we are. City supporters have put their money where there mouth is and funded the campaign up to now. I don't see that changing. We'll have enough money to pay for what we want to do.

The first two questions are related. Like Lambrettaman I think Assem Allam wants a serious discussion with us about the future of our club and its name. I'd be surprised if he wants to play games with us as it wouldn't help that end.

If our representatives were offered a donation they'd take it back to the full committee, who would discuss it and decide what to do next. The three main options would be, accept it, reject it, or put the offer to the constituent parts of the campaign and individual supporters of the campaign.

As we haven't received an offer, and are unlikely to do so, I don't think speculation about what we would or wouldn't do is particularly helpful. I've provided an honest answer, I hope you find it acceptable.

 

I would accept Hull City Tigers as a compromise. There has to be a bit of give and take, that is what negotiation is don't you know

 

This was exactly the sort of answer I would of expected from you and I thank you for it.

I wouldn't see such an offer on the part of the owner as playing games though, this is to serious an issue for that. I hope that at least is something we can all agree on. As for speculating what may or may not be discussed in the meeting when it takes place I thought that was what this type of forum was for. I am quite happy to desist. Some seem to think that the name change itself is ridiculous, but not our owner. Some may thinking giving amounts of money in the tens of thousands to charities ridiculous, but not our owner. An offer to help the fund from our owner would be more to do with PR, hearts and minds and information collation. In short, he may be prepared to help you in any way he can in order to get to the eventual outcome he wants.