I think this has been discussed before on facebook if I remember correctly.. Someone worked out what would be required and it seemed impossible. What might be possible is if a Duffen or Pearson type person would start something similar where they put in half or more and the fans chip in the rest. Even then its a tough ask.
I have looked at this stuff for several years, anyone who knows me, knows that. I thought it was the right time to ask the question again as it is more of a possibility now than just a month ago.
I'd put in £50 a month provided my input also covered my matchday ticket and a pint. As a shareholder I'd also want the bonus of being able to help myself to pies, tea and to sit in the directors box.
He only wants to see the money on the table and he cannot use “not in safe hands” as an excuse. Still worth asking the question on here though OLM. If a deal could be done would you be in and what sort of level do you think would work?
£50 pcm is a bit tight. I'd go to £65. But if the club is to be run on a self-sustaining basis then the monthly payment is less relevant. In my view the Allams should be willing to hand the club over to supporters for a pound. It would be a bit odd for the Allams to ask for a pay-out from multiple people obviously a lot less rich than them , for a club that fans "own" far more than they do. They can keep ownership of the training ground if they like, but fans get the SMC. Start afresh with Bishop Burton.
I don't think that currently, full fan ownership is a realistic proposition outside of non-league and the higher up the leagues you go, the less realistic it is.
I don’t think long term fan ownership is viable. Maybe a season or two. Any plan would have to be for five years. As a short term fix, I think a supporter owned football club would appeal to some major investors. It would clear the decks and show the potential market. Portsmouth getting crowds better than many Championship clubs when they were on their knees, showed that the club was worth buying into.
The time might not be right for supporters to buy the club, but some of the replies show that there are people who would support the idea. It also shows that as supporters we are not ready for the debate as there are too many who sow the seeds of division, hide behind playground politics and repeat untruths as if they are fact. I remember the government consultation that included a submission from a supporters elected board director. He said it was the proudest day of his life when his fellow supporters elected him to the board of the club to represent their shareholding and it was the start of his worse nightmare. The grief he got when supporters did not like the decisions of the board, the lack of understanding of just what his position was and the sheer hostility towards him personally at times was beyond belief. He warned others of the poisoned chalice. He was so right.
Just a thought .. AP was always loved by the majority of fans and seemed to have a genuine love for the city hence his purchase of Hull FC .. I wonder now that our club is tumbling again whether he would be thinking of finding a suitable investor and going for it again .. or the experience at Derby I believe it was may have put him off. Sad part is that I don't think he has a lot of love for cockwomble and his son so it would never happen. But allow me to dream.
If anyone was ever serious about it Omega Man, I would definitely be willing to help, as im sure others would to. Are you thinking like a crowdfunding type thing? Or perhaps a Patreon idea.. The more you contribute the more perks you get etc. as Chazz suggested, maybe a new thread would be good. It's definitely worth exploring at this time... who knows where it could lead.
