http://hullcitysupporterstrust.com/a-message-from-the-chair/ A message from the Chair Dear members and shareholders, This is to inform you that I have decided to step down as Chair of the Hull City Supporters’ Trust. Increased work responsibilities over the past year have meant that I have not been able to devote the time to the post that it – and you – deserve. In addition, it may be that the Trust needs to evolve in a slightly different direction than it has taken up to now – although that, of course, is up to all of us to decide – and I think that I am not the right person to lead us down this particular road. As many of you know, I was involved from the outset of the City Till We Die protest group and was very proud to serve as Chair in its various incarnations before taking on the same role in the Trust. I will always be proud of what we have achieved together, including developing the idea of the Trust as a link between the Club and the community, seeing the Trust become widely acknowledged as the authentic voice of Hull City supporters, working with football supporters’ organisations to put our voice at the heart of football and, of course, successfully protecting the historic name of Hull City AFC whenever malice or stupidity have threatened it. I am stepping down with immediate effect, so that the board can plan how best to move forward ahead of the AGM in February 2016. I remain a huge supporter of the Trust and hope that all of you continue to be so too. The Trust has achieved much; with your continuing support, direction and encouragement it can achieve so much more. Very best wishes, Mark Gretton
Interpretation : The club have responded to the letter of a few months back and will only initiate a dialogue if the Chair steps down.
Hmm message from the HCST Board not been posted. Surely an oversight... " Note from the HCST Board: We are very sorry that Mark has decided to step down as Chair and would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for all that he has achieved: with CTWD, successfully fighting the name-change; being instrumental in establishing and leading the new Hull City Supporters’ Trust; then repelling the second name-change application. The continuing name of Hull City is one part of Mark’s legacy, the Trust is another. We are sure he will keep engaged and active in our work. A new Chair will be appointed following next year’s AGM. The Board are pleased to announce that Ryan Kerr will be serving as Interim Chair until then. So the Ku De Ta has happened. The night of the long knives... The Trust have appointed their Jeremy Corbyn The Trust go in a new direction. Let battle commence Bit ppor trying to hide this on Xmas Eve innit???
There's no new direction and nothing being hidden. Mark only announced his decision yesterday. We just addressed it as quick as possible rather than letting the news come out unofficially. There's no disagreement or anything, the negative is that the Trust has lost a valuable member of its board. A new chairman going forward will be elected following the upcoming AGM, by whoever is elected to the board at that AGM. The interim appointment is just that. Without putting words into Mark's mouth, I think increasing the chances of the trust being able to work with the club in the future was part of his decision as Chilton suggested, although as OLM points out, it's nothing the club have asked for, they never replied to the letter he mentioned.
In addition, it may be that the Trust needs to evolve in a slightly different direction than it has taken up to now – although that, of course, is up to all of us to decide – and I think that I am not the right person to lead us down this particular road. Hmmm
Yep. From what he said to the board I believe that he meant because the club are unlikely to ever work with him. I don't want to put words in his mouth though. I understand how that part could be interpreted but all I can say is I assure you you're wrong. There's been absolutely no disagreement. Remember half the CTWD board didn't want to carry on after it became the trust. It was the same when I was involved with the OSC. People are inevitably going to get tired of giving up their free time for voluntary work. Of course Chazz, I'm really surprised to see that you of all people are making a big issue of it. Didn't expect it at all.
Gretton is an attention seeker and should have resigned as soon as the story came out about the Allam insult. He's resigned now because there is little media interest in listening to the trust now that the Allams have dropped the name change.
Why would what happens to our Trust bother you, as the Trust members have received am email? Be positive, there's an opening for someone with a lot to say for themself, a chance for an everyday member to apply to spread their wisdom, so step up, or is the vessel as empty as it seems?
Not posting it wasn't an oversight I'm just not very good copying text on my phone! When I'd got all of the main message in my highlighted bit I gave up! Excellent cynicism though, you are to be commended
Pissed up already. As usual. I arrived at your gates for my festive fowl (foul) and got turned away. Sort your doormen please. Messy Xmas
So for the moment they're replaced someone the club is likely to ever want to talk to, with someone who doesn't want anything to do with the Allams and has publicly stated a number of times he wants them out? Was Mark the moderate all this time? Kinell.
