Following the shambles that is our current redevelopment programme, I have given some thought to alternative financing methods. It struck me that, as one of the leading clubs in the Trust movement, that this type of ownership might very well appeal to those countries with a socialist background. I’m thinking particularly of China which, although still technically classed as communist, has developed a capitalistic economy with socialist tendencies. At the same time the whole country is developing a great love of football – recent high cost transfers to Chinese clubs certainly bear out this point.
Is it therefore not beyond the bounds of credulity to think that we could expand the ownership of this Club into this developing market? We have a Mandarin faculty at Exeter University, so could the Club use these contacts in seeking investment from China through a new share issue pitched at a level to finance a decent stadium redevelopment?
We have p*ssed around with shares since I was first elected to the BOS in 2005. All problems with shares need to be sorted out pronto pronto before we can go down the path I’ve suggested. The Trust should instruct the Club to release shares in the suspense account to Trust ownership immediately. With the funds currently available to the Trust they should buy all additional shares from minority shareholders that are willing to sell. The Trust earmarked £17,000 for this purpose in its budget several years ago. However the purchases were not made at that time because the Club had yet another cash crisis. This exercise could and should now be fully completed. Afterwards a new share issue should be pitched at such a level where the Trust maintains control of the Club but where sufficient funds can be generated in such a market to finance a major redevelopment.
Not possible I hear you say? Then just take a look to see that Manchester City are doing precisely that.
http://fcbusiness.co.uk/news/article/newsitem=4124/title=chinese+consortium+take+13%+stake+in+city+football+group
A Chinese consortium has just taken a 13% stake in the club, which has raised an additional four hundred million dollars for them. Couldn’t we raise just £8m?
We could develop a great relationship with Chinese fans because of our majority fan ownership model, with many further additional possibilities. Given time we might be even known as the Sinensians instead of the Grecians!
This is the type of realistic suggestion to test the ambition of those controlling the Club. Are they up to it? You decide.
Is it therefore not beyond the bounds of credulity to think that we could expand the ownership of this Club into this developing market? We have a Mandarin faculty at Exeter University, so could the Club use these contacts in seeking investment from China through a new share issue pitched at a level to finance a decent stadium redevelopment?
We have p*ssed around with shares since I was first elected to the BOS in 2005. All problems with shares need to be sorted out pronto pronto before we can go down the path I’ve suggested. The Trust should instruct the Club to release shares in the suspense account to Trust ownership immediately. With the funds currently available to the Trust they should buy all additional shares from minority shareholders that are willing to sell. The Trust earmarked £17,000 for this purpose in its budget several years ago. However the purchases were not made at that time because the Club had yet another cash crisis. This exercise could and should now be fully completed. Afterwards a new share issue should be pitched at such a level where the Trust maintains control of the Club but where sufficient funds can be generated in such a market to finance a major redevelopment.
Not possible I hear you say? Then just take a look to see that Manchester City are doing precisely that.
http://fcbusiness.co.uk/news/article/newsitem=4124/title=chinese+consortium+take+13%+stake+in+city+football+group
A Chinese consortium has just taken a 13% stake in the club, which has raised an additional four hundred million dollars for them. Couldn’t we raise just £8m?
We could develop a great relationship with Chinese fans because of our majority fan ownership model, with many further additional possibilities. Given time we might be even known as the Sinensians instead of the Grecians!
This is the type of realistic suggestion to test the ambition of those controlling the Club. Are they up to it? You decide.
