All Trust members should by now have received an email and had time to digest the comments. I'd like to know what others think to the proposal's offered.
Quote from: Mallard on April 11, 2025, 12:46:18 PM
All Trust members should by now have received an email and had time to digest the comments. I'd like to know what others think to the proposal's offered.
I've had to vote no, due to the lack of options.
For one point (and there are others), to vote yes means that The Trust will be starting discussions with them only taking a minority share in the Club. I can't think why they would be happy with this. Even simple Maths would dictate this to be wrong. If Cleeve purchased the Club for circa £115k, as has been said previously (years ago) and with no debts, Surely the Club must be worth less than when he purchased it, and now it's saddled with so much debt. :dontknow:
Therefore a 95K stake in the Club should be worth more than a minority stake. Also, what is a Minority stake? 1%? 49%? If it's anything less than 20% then it really is a waste of time even entering discussions with Bal and Jo. There needs to be more meat on the Bones when asking this question. You can't start discussions with a minority vote as the objective, and then go back and say we have changed our mind on that particular point. That wouldn't be a good way to start a relationship. The question itself doesn't mention the minority share, but the accompanying letter does so please be aware of this and read the entire thing every carefully.
Where does only taking a minority stake leave the Trust when it comes to PSI (persons with Significant interest). The Trust must have some sort of say in the running of the Club (even if not the final say) and investing 95k in a small club such as Lynn should really be worth that.
So why does TSI think we as supporters, and major investors, are only worth a minority stake in our Football Club? Where's their logic in that? No explanation, but we are asked to vote on it.
I've already said this to the Trust. I would fully agree and welcome that they should enter discussions with TSI, but not with only a minority share as a starting point, hence my no vote. If the question was worded differently, I may be able to answer in the positive.
On another point, I can't see why Bal apparently does not want the Trust Members (or anyone else) to know what's going on during discussions. As a Trust member himself, surely he would like to adhere to the basic principle of being open and honest. If there's nothing to hide, why be so cloak and dagger and not want full disclosure? I'm lost on this one. In my opinion, if Bal wants to discuss things with the Trust, all members must be informed at all times, and in particular when they ask questions. Otherwise, what's the point of having a Trust or a Club with member involvement?
There are other points that I've mentioned to the Trust, but this one is just to basically addresses my view of the vote.
A case of having to say no, but would prefer to say yes.
I voted yes.Anything has to be better than the current one man dictatorship!
I voted yes and have confidence in the Trust Directors to act in the very best interests of its members.
This is surely why the Trust was formed in 2009 and the opportunity is now, subject to negotiations, ours to grasp.
I think Bal very much wants community and supporter involvement and I for one look forward to giving as much suport as I can. :scarf: :scarf:
Quote from: little John on April 11, 2025, 03:47:33 PM
I voted yes.Anything has to be better than the current one man dictatorship!
Quote from: kenny r on April 11, 2025, 03:53:51 PM
I voted yes and have confidence in the Trust Directors to act in the very best interests of its members.
This is surely why the Trust was formed in 2009 and the opportunity is now, subject to negotiations, ours to grasp.
I think Bal very much wants community and supporter involvement and I for one look forward to giving as much suport as I can. :scarf: :scarf:
Sadly, I can't see how that will change if Trust only has a minority stake, especially if its below 20%
As said previously, we don't know what minority means, or what they have in mind. Take that out and I'd be happy to go with it.
Yes Ken.................open, honest and full disclosure to all members at all time!
I'm not a trust member, and obviously not seen the letter but have got the basics from the comments on here, so hopefully allowed to comment.....this seems the only way out at the moment. The trust get what they were formed for and that's a say in the running of the club (even if they only currently represent a minority of fans) and we can hopefully start to be run correctly off the pitch.
One person running the club can't continue.
Lots and lots to do, hope for everyone sakes a resolution comes quickly.
Would hopefully also mean better communication and openness to ALL fans, whether a trust member or not.
Paul with respect unless you have seen the full email I can't see how you can form an opinion . There's much more to it than the few comments that have been made on here.
The one massive elephant in the room for me is why Bal has asked for a figure of close to what the Trust actually has in the bank. How convenient is that ? No mention either of a % that's been offered as an opening gambit either.
If it's about wanting fan support why wasn't that the main aim rather than coming on with bang Gimme ya money type approach ?
The Club is X amount of £100,000's in debt how has that any real value ? Something doesn't feel right for me.
Those running the Trust need to think very carefullly about how they handle this. After all whatever anyone know about this Jo character and why he wants a Non Leagie Football in West Norfolk. One which he has visited once.
With the information provided thus far it's a no for me
Mallard, guess it's no different to people who don't go to games....how can they form opinions on players and football. With all due respect.
Don't worry I'll just comment on the football from now on.
Positive at least that communication lines are open and thanks for putting it on here in true Trust/transparency values.
Sounds like with any significant transaction, full details, careful consideration and dare I use an overused term by football managers....due diligence will be required in this vital matter.
Quote from: Paul47 on April 11, 2025, 04:17:59 PM
Would hopefully also mean better communication and openness to ALL fans, whether a trust member or not.
What a nice thought, but for now lets just start with the Trust members.
We don't want them to get information overload!
Pink, I really hope that things work out for everyone and it's a deal that can work. However having read Cleese's Prog notes from Saturday they don't sound like a man who is going anywhere soon. Needs 50k to limp to the end of the season and has 300k lined up of new investment coming in next season. Now is this all a game of bluff and counter bluff ?
Paul I'm sorry if my comments upset your sensitivities was certainly not my aim but once you have had the opportunity of reading and digesting the full email maybe you will get it. As for not attending games I committ time and money to follow the Linnets as often as I can. Not all of us have the advantage of living on the door step. Sometimes life just gets in the way. I'm sure you would understand that.
Mall, do you not think the £300K of investment for next season is sitting on that famous table of yours.
Everyone can see the man is a busted flush except the man himself who is being as obstructive as he can to those who who do actually have a chance of stabilising our Club.
Quote from: kenny r on April 11, 2025, 05:50:32 PM
Mall, do you not think the £300K of investment for next season is sitting on that famous table of yours.
Everyone can see the man is a busted flush except the man himself who is being as obstructive as he can to those who who do actually have a chance of stabilising our Club.
Watch this space. He's not out of the game yet.
In fact, apparently very much still in it.
At the moment, I can see Jo and Bal departing before Cleeve does (although that's a very fluid situation).
Quote from: Paul47 on April 11, 2025, 04:17:59 PM
One person running the club can't continue.
How about two men then (Jo with input from Bal), as that's what will happen if we go down the minority share route. At least we know what we are dealing with when it's Cleeve. None of us know anything about Jo other than what we can find on the internet (and that's not ALL good if you take time to research). My fear is that it will be little different than it is now.
As for communication, I have good reason to believe that could be worse than it is at the moment. It doesn't seems Bal (or it could be Jo) believes supporters should know what's going on, which really surprises me with his alleged background and being a Trust member.
Quote from: kenny r on April 11, 2025, 05:50:32 PM
Mall, do you not think the £300K of investment for next season is sitting on that famous table of yours.
Everyone can see the man is a busted flush except the man himself who is being as obstructive as he can to those who who do actually have a chance of stabilising our Club.
We can take much from history Kenny 😂. This could be in the same area as the Gibraltar deal, concerts at The Walks and numerous other page fillers for the EDP and matchday programme etc. He's had plenty of believers who could see no wrong. Though I see a few Leopards changing their spots of late. However despite everything he seems to find his way around things to live to fight another day. So never say never with him.
I am Trust life member and have read the email. I don't want to go into all the details and can see there are a lot of unresolved issues to be thrashed out. But as Trust members we elect a committee to act on our behalf and therefore should show faith in them. After all they want what is best for Lynn FC.
Mr Cleeve appears to be saying he can not provide the funds to keep the club going, hence the various appeals in the last 12 months.
Therefore the Trust is right to do its best to stop the club collapsing again. Apparently Mr Cleeve has never been prepared to allow the Trust to have any say in running the club. In fact, I think I am right in saying there is not even a Supporters' Club.
I agree with some comments that it seems unlikely he will relinquish control easily but the one-man show model was always likely to fail unless that man has unlimited funds. Clubs at Lynn's level must have supporter input and a recognised board of directors to carry the burden of running the club.
It is a massive shame for Adam Lakeland and the players that this has all blown up while the team is trying to reach the playoffs. It must be a worry for them, after all it is their livelihoods on the line if the club goes under.
https://premium.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/fresh-hope-for-financially-stricken-linnets-9412781/
Quote from: Blue_and_Gold on April 11, 2025, 05:25:56 PM
Quote from: Paul47 on April 11, 2025, 04:17:59 PM
Would hopefully also mean better communication and openness to ALL fans, whether a trust member or not.
What a nice thought, but for now lets just start with the Trust members.
We don't want them to get information overload!
B&G what an arrogant and patronising thing to say. If people who aren't in the Trust don't deserve to be heard on any subject on this forum, perhaps you should restrict access to the forum for "members" only.
I've also been trying to "read between the lines" as I'm not currently a Trust member. Either post the email on here for all to see, or find a better way of asking "members" what they think about it, rather than starting an open thread on here.
Here's a suggestion... try asking for opinions by... email. That way you can keep your secrets secret !
How many of your members even look at the forum, let alone post comments ?
You're doing a great job of alienating other forum users and potential Trust members. Well done.
I voted YES. I have every confidence in The Trust's duly elected Board to further this proposition. Most of us are aware of the character we are dealing with here so I am not concerned in this respect. None of us are aware of Cleeve's wealth but if further funding is not forthcoming, then it is highly likely the club will collapse. My own view is that we are in the last chance saloon. It is right and proper that all options should be explored.
Just rejoined the trust just in cases
That's how I read it. A vote for further exploration of future involvement. Not a vote to accept anything offered. Buying a minority share also means buying a share of any current and future debts. Just refer to the Barrow Trust. The unnecessary "Covid loan(s) need to be sorted, before any more money is put into the club. As B&G has mentioned earlier, many questions remain to be answered. Never again should a Non League club be a rich? man's vanity project.
If this comes off then I will definitely become a trust member
Maybe the best idea to gauge things is to hold an EGM and discuss? :dontknow:
Quote from: Grissles Oleary on April 14, 2025, 10:27:28 PM
Maybe the best idea to gauge things is to hold an EGM and discuss? :dontknow:
That's for when there is something on the table to discuss.
Quote from: MARCUS ROSE on April 15, 2025, 06:22:12 AM
Quote from: Grissles Oleary on April 14, 2025, 10:27:28 PM
Maybe the best idea to gauge things is to hold an EGM and discuss? :dontknow:
That's for when there is something on the table to discuss.
Exactly. One step at a time.
Well if they are willing to help the club then I will help them by joining the Blue an d Gold and so I have taken out a 2 year subscription
Oops in seems I've only paid for one year must pay more attention to the figures