20 Years of Trust

[ExmouthMart]

The Trust is the way forward for now because there is no other viable option. We have no assets, apart from one which is very kindly looked after on our behalf. No one in their right mind is going to hand over any money for someone else to spend.
I wish The Trust was more hands on in the day to day running of the club. I can’t see what any of the directors bring to the table that real supporters and trust members could also bring. None of them have put any money in and a previous local businessman who did has been labelled a shopkeeper out of his depth who had no idea….. so it’s not a business point of view. The appointment of a one would assume highly paid CEO needs to be monitored very carefully to make sure it doesn’t become a ‘Tisdale’ scenario, ie we can’t afford to pay them off when it’s obvious it’s not working anymore.
You shouldn’t be dead against change but you need to be mindful of doing nothing because it’s worked up to now. The bottom line is we need to develop and sell on players to generate the sums of money needed to run a sound football club at a level which is going to continue to attract more than just the diehard fans on Exeweb.

 

[WXF]

Don't like discussion do you Peter

I do believe in a fans-run model, that evolves and is protected against lack of academy player development (at times)

You're the one that came out with the dramatic "they've sold their soul", you should be open to be questioned on that surely?

I am sorry if I am paying you a disservice, but I don't believe you either. Based on your numerous criticisms, I don’t think you especially like the Trust model, but suspect you feel compelled to only make reformist noises because you know many strongly favour fan stewardship and know you are outnumbered. It reminds me a bit of those who don’t like the NHS and cloak their opinions because they know they are controversial. Perhaps I am mistaken and you don’t have to change my mind but, based on your continued focus around ownership arrangements, you won’t.

As for the line about no one being interested... it's such a weak argument for me. Kills the idea stone dead that we can't bring in external help... very parochial mindset.

If we are the trail blazers of supporter ownership than perhaps we can continue to build and evolve in ways other clubs haven't done before - melding the two ideas together of outside investment/progression and staying true to the supporter-owned experience is a challenge that doesn't feel insurmountable to me

“Of course I am not against the NHS. I am just frustrated by the closing down of debate when suggestions are made, such as marketising a, privatizing b, or expanding user charges to c and d. The NHS needs to change to improve, therefore those who oppose me oppose improvement.”

 

[WXF]

Double post

 

[Grecian Max]

I am sorry if I am paying you a disservice, but I don't believe you either. Based on your numerous criticisms, I don’t think you especially like the Trust model, but suspect you feel compelled to only make reformist noises because you know many strongly favour fan stewardship and know you are outnumbered. It reminds me a bit of those who don’t like the NHS and cloak their opinions because they know they are controversial. Perhaps I am mistaken and you don’t have to change my mind but, based on your continued focus around ownership arrangements, you won’t.



“Of course I am not against the NHS. I am just frustrated by the closing down of debate when suggestions are made, such as marketising a, privatizing b, or expanding user charges to c and d. The NHS needs to change to improve, therefore those who oppose me oppose improvement.”

Genuinely, you’re wrong in your assertion.

I don’t hanker for a model that takes us to moon, I love my club for what it is and definitely buy into the idea of having a club at the heart of it. The connection with the players and staff at this club is much better than at others for it, in my opinion. The journey is much more rewarding too so I’m often torn as I’ve been a member from the beginning - in as much as the beginning of ownership rather than the start of the Trust

I think there is a way to retain that feeling and specifically retain a good % but also keep pace in an ever changing environment. I’m proud to wear that third shirt - I got it specifically to spread the word when I move away as it literally says what we’re about on the front.

I remember coming up with some ideas to design and sell some t shirts to raise some money for the trust back in the 2010ish, it’s been a long time since I’ve contributed in any way other than subs but I bought into the idea as a young man and have watched it develop over time. Occasionally I get pangs to perhaps help out again in some capacity - again I like that the option is available to do that unlike other clubs.

For the first time on exeweb, I’m actually offended so fair play on that - I have always liked your contributions. It’s pretty sad that you lay out a character assassination and then say I can’t change your mind. My heart sank a bit after reading your post as it means I’ve communicated how I feel about the supporter ownership badly.

I’d like to think I’m pretty open and straight forward with my views on here and have no need for cloak and dagger stuff.

Long and short of it is I think it’s possible to not completely break the spell but also fulfil the city and clubs potential by finding some sort of evolved model that doesn’t feel like it holds us back.

The NHS stuff is pretty off the mark as a way to frame my views on the trust.

But, as you say your mind is set, so good luck to you

 

[WXF]

I don’t believe you and to the extent I think you are being manipulative. The Trust have proven to be the best stewards in ECFC’s history so far. Based on this and positive experiences of fan stewardship in the likes of Germany, the focus should be on more clubs embracing fan stewardship, not us diluting ours.

In the Trust era the club continues to benefit greatly from the likes of the Cliff Hill family (who own the training ground freehold), while I can think of two generous people involved in the Old Tiverton Road company who have subsequently been highly involved within the club and been able to implement ideas they’ve had. The enormous goodwill the Trust has generated means sponsors and fans are frequently more generous to the club than otherwise, while it has meant the club has benefitted from an enormous amount of voluntary work. Added to this, and unlike all the club’s other shareholders, the Trust provides a very reliable stream of donation income.

If you don’t carry some kind of negative predisposition towards fan stewardship or/and find rich people alluring and perhaps hold some very classist assumptions, why continually infer there’s some kind of problematic barrier to outside involvement, ideas, or financial support under the Trust, when there isn’t? It’s a strawman line of argument that distracts from that, under the Trust, the club is remarkably open to new ideas, people, and not an inconsiderable amount of gifts in kind and money. I wonder if you’re not kidding others here, but perhaps yourself.

 

[Snoop Fog]

I joined the Trust about 3 weeks ago and not heard a thing from them. I had an email confirming receipt of payment but no welcome email, or an email to introduce the trust benefits etc. Pretty poor really.

 

[iscalad]

I joined the Trust about 3 weeks ago and not heard a thing from them. I had an email confirming receipt of payment but no welcome email, or an email to introduce the trust benefits etc. Pretty poor really.

Welcome to the Trust.

 

[Antony Moxey]

I remember coming up with some ideas to design and sell some t shirts to raise some money for the trust back in the 2010ish, it’s been a long time since I’ve contributed in any way other than subs but I bought into the idea as a young man and have watched it develop over time. Occasionally I get pangs to perhaps help out again in some capacity - again I like that the option is available to do that unlike other clubs.

You should have another look at this Max. Seriously, what you came up with was light years beyond anything the club have ever done design-wise.

 

[SaintJames]

I don’t believe you and to the extent I think you are being manipulative. The Trust have proven to be the best stewards in ECFC’s history so far. Based on this and positive experiences of fan stewardship in the likes of Germany, the focus should be on more clubs embracing fan stewardship, not us diluting ours.

In the Trust era the club continues to benefit greatly from the likes of the Cliff Hill family (who own the training ground freehold), while I can think of two generous people involved in the Old Tiverton Road company who have subsequently been highly involved within the club and been able to implement ideas they’ve had. The enormous goodwill the Trust has generated means sponsors and fans are frequently more generous to the club than otherwise, while it has meant the club has benefitted from an enormous amount of voluntary work. Added to this, and unlike all the club’s other shareholders, the Trust provides a very reliable stream of donation income.

If you don’t carry some kind of negative predisposition towards fan stewardship or/and find rich people alluring and perhaps hold some very classist assumptions, why continually infer there’s some kind of problematic barrier to outside involvement, ideas, or financial support under the Trust, when there isn’t? It’s a strawman line of argument that distracts from that, under the Trust, the club is remarkably open to new ideas, people, and not an inconsiderable amount of gifts in kind and money. I wonder if you’re not kidding others here, but perhaps yourself.

Far be it from me to speak for Max himself but imo you are misreprenting his viewpoint and blowing it out of proportion. You are of course able to infer anything you want from what Max, myself or anybody posts. However, it is purely your opinion. I have never met Max but he is clearly very passionate about our club and at no stage advocating we should disembowel Trust ownership for private ownership. His view of organically developing the existing model but into something more robust is one I share. There's nothing wrong in being brave enough to explore how we can make our ownership more financially sustainable. Nobody disputes the benefits of community ownership however, any organisation that isn't prepared to adapt for the future may find it difficult. Before I get wrongly accused I am firmly in favour of community ownership I come from a background of working with co-operatives! However, it doesn't mean things always stay the same just saying

 

[SaintJames]

I joined the Trust about 3 weeks ago and not heard a thing from them. I had an email confirming receipt of payment but no welcome email, or an email to introduce the trust benefits etc. Pretty poor really.

In the absence of what should have happened (automatic email can and should have been set?) welcome onboard Snoopy