Linnets' Fans' Forum

 

Quote from: Accies on December 06, 2025, 05:33:01 PMHi there,

Hamilton Accies F.C. are very close to going out of business and fans need your help. We have set up a fundraiser so please donate anything you can to keep the club alive. Thanks.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-hamilton-accies-151-year-old-football-club

You're asking supporters of a Club that apparently still has substantial debts itself, so I would guess any spare money will be heading into clubs coffers rather than elsewhere. 

Please explain what's caused your current problems. If supporters are aware, I would guess you are more likely to get a positive result.

Good luck.

 

https://premium.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/linnets-beaten-for-the-first-time-since-culverhouse-s-return-9444791/

Quote from: Veratis on December 06, 2025, 12:35:28 PMB and G I have noticed in several of your posts you quote how the Trust should be operating under their rules, in particular yesterday you talked about how the Trust members would need to vote on appointing a
a director to the Club.
Could you please read the rules( available on this website ) before making incorrect quotes. The Trust adopted new updated rules in 2022 which you would be wise to refer to prior to making inaccurate quotes about legally binding Trust rules.

Nice to see that you keep so up to date with Trust matters. Did you manage that all by yourself of have some assistance?

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll review the Trust rules.

Equally, maybe you should suggest to others that they should do a bit of reading on the legalities of things as well.

Just saying!   

Quote from: Veratis on December 06, 2025, 12:46:43 PMI think the main issue here is the constant implied criticism of people who are volunteering there own time unpaid to organize such events for the football community of the Club such as past players etc.
Its extremely demoralizing when you've gone to a lot of effort and made endless phone calls to pull this off when someone knick picks suggesting that other people should also have been involved.
Club volunteers are a rare and valuable thing today and should be encouraged as without them the Club will not prosper in the future.
Rather than make suggestions on how to improve or expand an event please offer your time and support next time, it will gratefully accepted.

What a complete load of Bull!

Nobody has criticised, only made a suggestion. It just suits your narrative to suggest otherwise. You're out of order but I have already learned to expect this from this quarter.

So you don't want suggestions in the future? Really?

I know you don't like to answer questions, but please do so this time. The suggestion was that some of the older fans who knew Ruddy for Decades, could have been invited to the occasions. Nothing more than that. No criticism at all.

It was obviously not even considered, but fair enough.


So the question is, do you think it would be a good idea to take this on board for the future?

Help?

Again do your homework first before commenting. It just makes you look silly.

Some mentioned a "managed decline" a few weeks ago.

The next few weeks will be very interesting.

Even the best of managers need money to succeed. If Cully is working with 30% less than Lakeland had last season, with people out on loan, and saying we are top heavy (presumably that means some have got to go), he'll have his work cut out to survive at this level.

However with Cully, we have someone that can bring out the best in younger players.If that's the route he's forced to take (because of costs), we've got the best available to be able to do that.

Building for the future, but not for this season?   

Quote from: Backie9 on December 05, 2025, 08:33:28 PMYou don't even come to games apparently so I would have a job to bump into you
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

You really need to do you homework. This was covered a few weeks ago. From someone in your situation this is pathetic.

The old saying..........engage brain before...........

Anyway, whats not going to games got to do with it? Really! Whats meant by that? Please explain exactly what you are getting at.

Yet again with this Club, as soon as someone puts their head above the parapet, people try to shoot it off just because their comments or views don't suit others narrative.

By the way, I'll put money on the fact that I've attended more games over the last 15 years that any of the new Leadership team. In fact I would guess I've attended more than their combined total! What's your thoughts on that one?

Also, you're making things up. Where did I say you didn't have time for older supporters? That was never said!

And why try and turn a nice thread into something so hostile with the manner of your replies. You did that, nobody else!


Anyway, lets not forget whats happening today. A well deserved tribute to one of Lynn's all time greats.   

Quote from: Backie9 on December 05, 2025, 07:47:34 PMI'm always available for a chat but don't know who you are ???? 
Backie

That's fine mate thanks. I wouldn't know who you are either, other than your name. I wouldn't have an idea what you look like.

Quote from: Tennylad on December 05, 2025, 08:11:03 PMLove that Robbie Lad . Some people never satisfied  BTW Keith Rudd taught me at Gaywood Park . Top man

It's not a case of not being satisfied or not. It was just a suggestion, nothing more.

I take it you don't like the idea of the more senior of supporters being included in such things then?

 

Quote from: Backie9 on December 05, 2025, 05:55:21 PMSaturday will be a game where we remember Keith Rudd and his life at King's Lynn. We have a few players coming to the game who played and was managed by Keith. Also Dee and his family will also be there. We will be doing a minutes applause.
We wouldn't have a club without Keith back in the day.
Great to see so many of you last night.
Backie

Backie.

It would have been nice if the Club had invited some of the older supporters that would have seen Keith play, manage and support the Club. It would be a nice thank you to them for supporting the club 50/60/70 years. Most of these would have got to know Keith personally over the years, and I'm sure they would also enjoy meeting the players from the past.

There must be quite a few names that would come up, but if you think along the lines of Gordon Chilvers, Rod Crisp etc, you would be on the right lines.

After all it's now a Community Club and it's Supporters that ultimately make it what it is.

What's not to like?   

Quote from: Veratis on December 05, 2025, 04:20:16 PMPlayer/director ?? Care to enlighten us Mal.

I don't think Mallard wants to explain things to you. He has made a very good point as to why not.


This is Kings Lynn. There's obviously a lot that needs to be learned by people at the Club.

Current regime has been here for 5 minutes, but are dealing with people that have known each other, through football and other things, all their lives. In some cases that means for six or seven decades. If just one person hears something, numerous others will know by the end of the day. By the end of the week, it will be old news. No matter what you do, that won't change, especially when it involves football. In most cases, the loyalty is between friends more than Club so it will never change. It's Terrace Talk which of course now extends to social media. It won't stop and trying to stop it is a waste of time. Divide and conquer technique only works for a while before people revert to type.

We've all heard "make sure you don't repeat this.......". Obviously they do. Makes it all extremely difficult to keep things under wraps and even trying to can do more harm than good. You've probably had someone provide you with information they have heard. That's a two way street. If someone has told you something the chances are he/she has discussed something you have told them with someone else. Think about it, even if they do sound convincing when saying they will keep it under their hats. It doesn't happen!

Things come out of the club. With 30 or so people employed there it only takes one to hear something before  it to go viral.

There's a well known Facebook Group that has staff members past and present, and also supporters, belonging to it. You can imagine what's discussed in there with that mix of people, especially when the beer has been flowing.

And of course some people like to prove how close they are to the seat of power. What better way than to repeat to others something they have heard?

In this particular case, I would think Mallard has heard it from people who frequent the Bank House or the White Hart. Lots of alcohol flow in both those places over the weekends and are popular with players, supporters and sponsors/advertisers. Then of course there's long standing contacts at Rouen Road.

Indeed I've heard myself that Clunan and David Griggs are to be appointed as Directors. Also a Trust member but presumably this would have to be put to the Trust members first. I'm surprised that Clunan's Father in Law's name has not been mentioned. A very astute person that could add real value to the Club. I believe that quite a few have heard all this, so as always, time will tell.

By the way. The mention of a Padel court. Wasn't that Mallards suggestion a few months ago. He could probably  be a valuable addition to the Leadership team.

Hope this helps.

 

https://premium.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/linnets-greats-at-chester-clash-9444640/

Will they be announcing the new Board of Directors?

Quote from: Spiv on December 04, 2025, 01:50:30 PM

Quote from: Colin Fuller on December 04, 2025, 11:38:58 AMMessage to Spiv: Mallard's point about the Sport England loan needs airing tonight. I hope someone will ask the question about what sort of timeframe is envisaged before TSI withdraw their commitment.  I would appreciate some feedback from the meeting on the forum. Sorry I can't attend.

If no one else asks about it or they don't say anything about it first then I shall ask the question.

Top man.   

Lets hope there are no "technical issues" tonight.

Something from the past, which could be useful for tonight. It demonstrates the reason for Trust involvement, openness and honesty:




You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Committee Publications > All Select Committee Publications > Commons Select Committees > Culture, Media and Sport > Culture, Media and Sport
Session 2010-11

Football Governance
Written evidence submitted by the Blue and Gold Trust (King's Lynn FC Supporters Trust (FG 49)

Football Governance

This is a submission to the committee from the Blue & Gold Trust (King's Lynn FC Supporters Trust)

It contains details of the recent history of the club, how a greater level of governance in the game could have saved the club from liquidation and how it could influence the newly formed club in the future.

A Brief History

1. King's Lynn football club over the last thirty years has gone from one period of financial mismanagement to the next. There have been a couple of periods of administration, several bailouts by local business people and then finally in November 2009 the liquidation of the club in the High court by the official receiver on behalf of HMRC. The final debt that sunk the club was for just under £80,000 owed to HMRC. This debt was the tip of the iceberg with the club having soft debts of over £200,000 in director loans as well as many other debts to local companies.

2. The only people that knew about these financial issues until it was too late to help were the Directors in charge of the club. The common supporter and the newly formed Supporters Trust asked on numerous occasions about the situation at the club but were always denied any knowledge of the financial mess. The supporters were finally told some of the story a few days before the club was in court to be wound up. The Supporters did offer to try and raise the money that was needed to stave off the winding up order but the underlying soft debts that the directors would not write off made any such action ultimately implausible.

The question is how would better governance within the game of helped the Supporters of King's Lynn FC to safeguard their club.

3. Much stricter financial controls, bi monthly accounts to the league that the club is in, illustrating that amongst other financials that all tax affairs are in order and up to date, with these being checked by impartial committees. Late or non submission, proven untrue accounts or accounts that show issues should face substantial punishments that may act as a deterrent to clubs that are financially mismanaged. The issues at King's Lynn FC were ongoing for more that a year, so the practice above would have at the very least alerted the supporters to what was going on. An extension of the quarterly HMRC reporting that now exists within the Conference would be welcome.

4. Banning of soft debt from the game. Monies given to the club should either be for shares (have a realistic monetary value), in the form of a financially viable structured loans or non repayable gifts. This would have meant that the saving of King's Lyn FC in financial terms could have been a realistic prospect. Clubs should only legally, be able to take on proven viable levels of debt.

5. Supporter involvement at all levels within clubs. This would lead to greater transparency within clubs. Football clubs are at the heart of communities and should be used to bring communities together. They should never be allowed to become a business person's plaything. Rules should be put in place that mean that supporters have to legally have a meaningful role within the club with penalties against clubs that do not follow this rule. This would mean that the supporters always play a role in safeguarding their clubs.

6. A much stronger and rigid fit and proper person test on directors at all levels of football. One of the directors at the insolvent King's Lyn FC club had previously caused major financial issues at a previous club he had been involved at. The FA were very much aware of this but unable to deal with the appointment.

7. Any one of the above points of governance had the potential to prevent the winding up of King's Lynn FC.

Where King's Lynn FC is now.

8. A new King's Lynn FC, this time with an added "Town" to the name was formed in January 2010. The club was formed after a bidding process with the local council (who own the ground). The winning local business (the newly formed Supporters' Trust submitted an unsuccessful bid) were verbally encouraged to work with the supporters by the local authority. A legally standing arrangement would have meant that the supporters would have had to been involved.

9. Given that the club, run as a private company failed again, and our view that the football club is a community asset it would have helped us if we had been given a period of exclusivity to buy the club if voted for by the community as a whole.. The Supporters Trust model and the aims that are listed by all Supporters Trusts fit the public interest ideal and are an ideal model of football club ownership because by their nature they have to be run sustainably, are open and inclusive, have community objects written into their articles and the Board are accountable to their members. In summary the ideal framework to ensure that the club was secure for the future. We were disadvantaged because we didn't have enough time to raise money that the winning bid could lay their hands on in the short time we had, despite the current owners professing publically that they would look to get their money back out of the club in the future. In contrast whilst we had less money to begin with our ethos and rules are markedly different stating that were the community to own the club all the money we made would have had to be reinvested into the football club or in pursuit of community objectives. 'Right to buy' would have helped, and resulted in our club being in much safer hands.

10. At the current time the new owners have given little cause for concern but the same issues of lack of supporter involvement, transparency and how financial investment within the club has been structured are still as prevalent now as with the previous owners. The risk of what the future holds could have been minimised with better levels of governance.

The Broader picture

11. Football clubs should be engaged in real terms with the communities that they represent and should have supporters actively involved. This should be enforced at a national level with communities given the power to become owners within their clubs if possible. The best interests of all parties involved in clubs should be of paramount importance to ensure that football clubs remain as the heart of the communities that they lie within.

12. Community ownership should be encouraged by government, the relevant local authorities and the football associations

Quote from: TonyM on December 04, 2025, 08:41:07 AM

Quote from: Mallard on December 03, 2025, 09:11:35 PMI take it they never had a Sports England loan to pay back. Have we started making inroads into that I wonder 🤷�♂️

Chester were vocal in the fact that they were unable to take out a Sports England loan due to their fan owned status so, like many others in NLN (and appreciate we were NL at the time) don't have a DCMS loan.

Do we know if our DCMS loan was "successfully" renegotiated or not?

Maybe we'll hear tonight.

Quote from: TonyM on December 04, 2025, 08:41:07 AM

Quote from: Mallard on December 03, 2025, 09:11:35 PMI take it they never had a Sports England loan to pay back. Have we started making inroads into that I wonder 🤷�♂️

Chester were vocal in the fact that they were unable to take out a Sports England loan due to their fan owned status so, like many others in NLN (and appreciate we were NL at the time) don't have a DCMS loan.

Its lucky for us that we had someone at the Helm that fully understood "Football Finances".