wiseowl

League one - we disagree - not unusual on a board like this. I found it despicable that Underdog was abused by a fan - and expressed the same in that thread. I have also said to Underdog (elsewhere) not to take things personally; I have respect for the individuals involved, it's just I don't happen to be a great fan of the organisation (The Trust). As for "nobody is interested in the past" - sorry but I am - simply because it is possible to learn from past mistakes.

Context Underdog, that's why. It was relevant to my point about having an opportunity to "cash in" the 3% shareholding when AL was buying Latics. He has form for "splashing cash around" (e.g. remember the "gift to the fans", with a lot of money spent on Queensy Menig?). It's distinctly possible that the Trust could have jumped on his initial feelgood factor and generosity - and as a gesture of goodwill to show the fans how genuine he was, he may happily have shelled out £200k for your shareholding (particular if, as you state is alleged, he bought the other 97% for a quid). Would have been a very shrewd move by the Trust, wouldn't it? Surely it was worth a try - that's all - did the Trust even enquire if he wanted to buy the 3%? You honestly don't have to answer.

Underdog - you know my comments largely related to past events. Whatever the circumstances, nobody could argue that £200k of fans' money "spent" on a 3% shareholding was shrewd. The Trust would now have around £1Million in the bank if it had invested it in gold (for example). It's not about integrity either - I was talking about decision making - sounds like you have some excellent members - and I genuinely hope none of them "jump ship" again to join the club. Can't you see that fact alone might be a problem (i.e. the fact it has happened with 2 previous Chairmen of the Trust). I`m meeting Andy tomorrow, so let's leave it there - just wanted to put to rest any suggestion of "integrity" issues - there aren't any - it's about decision making - thanks.

Certainly a very nasty set of fans back in the day. Just read Carl Spiers' book "Don't Look Back in Anger" for an insight. Still - we did sign the fantastic Stevie Taylor from them - great striker. On balance, it will be sad if they are liquidated. Just hope it's not the one that sends the pack of cards tumbling down.

AL bought Corney's 97% shareholding. My point was that, with a new owner coming in, there was the opportunity for the Trust to sell their 3% to him as well (so he would be 100% shareholder). If the Trust got their initial investment of circa £200,000 back - great. Once the shares were sold to AL , then Administration/Liquidation of the club would not see the Trust's money "lost" as they would already have got it out - part of my logic. As it is, The Trust made a decision, in the past, to invest circa £200k of money raised by fans in a 3% shareholding of the club. In the precarious position the club now finds itself in, that doesn't look like the most astute investment of our money does it? (and yes I contributed to it as well as bucket shaking at various grounds). And that's the kind of decision making that makes me very wary of an organisation of volunteers in charge of money (sometimes large sums). I`m meeting a member of the Trust tomorrow and I`ll see where that takes me. Apologies for my comments - as I said I would comment no more - but I was only responding to a question from League One Forever. Yes I know....... I fell for the bait.

Impossible to say without trying it but let's consider this scenario. The Trust decided to go "independent" after their frustrating experiences with Mr Corney. A new owner was coming in, so here was the chance for a clean break. It was great news that the new owner was willing to hand back the Trust's initial investment of £200,000 (or thereabouts from what has been said on here) in return for their 3% shareholding (and I`ve no idea what the true valuation was at the time of the takeover - I suspect we've all got an idea what the £200,000 might be worth presently!). So, a phoenix Trust is born, independent of a new owner (who, as it happens in time, the Trust find as frustrating as the previous owner). In a time of crisis (whatever you personally view that to be) then this independent entity is the single and obvious place to turn to for solidarity as fans and its membership grows very quickly. What's more, it's wisely invested its £200,000 and a safeguarded bond type scheme is devised whereby concerned fans can add to the "war chest" per chance anything dire should happen to their club in the future. If happy days are ahead, then the new Trust, via its members, can decide best how to use any funds (e.g. playershare type stuff, facilities for fans at the ground, fan events on match days, away days with Latics etc.). It would be a Trust of excellence, with Oldham Athletic fans at its heart and, as such, supporters would have no need to look elsewhere - there would be no fragmenting of our support in times of need/crisis because no splinter group could come anywhere near matching it. So, gone would be the days when you're constantly told "we've got a 3% shareholding and a seat on the board you know" and you scratch your head and say to yourself "yes but what use is it in reality?". Gone are the doubts you have that people may get too close to the club's inner workings/people and then "jump ship" from the Trust to go and join the board of the very club/company they are supposed to be holding to account on behalf of the fans! Like I say, League one - we'll never know because it will probably not now happen. Incidentally, the independent idea is what I discussed at length with the Trust Chairman and a director a couple of years ago during the Corney turmoil. I was looking to set up an independent supporters' group under a Fans' Charter. After meeting the said members of the Trust, I decided not to do so because I had the club at heart and didn't want to fragment the support any further. I really do wish I had pressed ahead, or at least joined the Trust to influence it from within, as my honest view is that independence, together with a reasonable start to a financial war chest by having sold the 3% shares to the new owner would have seen us in a much better position than the one we now find ourselves in.

Please can you clarify this for the fans? I understood that the Trust rep had a position on the board but didn't want to take it up because of fears of personal liability for anything untoward that may be going on in the background. That person then resigned because they did not agree with the recent, more assertive approach with AL. I may have misunderstood but would like to know the position please i.e. who is now entitled to the position on the board (from the Trust), are they willing to take it up immediately or are they too concerned about personal liability etc.? Is it that personal concern that is holding up them taking their position on the board or is AL simply not having a board? One thing is for sure - with the timescales as now proposed by the Trust, the season will nigh on be over and this fans' initiative will peter out. I find it strange that, initially, the Trust endorsed a fans' led protest (scheduled for the postponed game) yet now they are not advocating one. As already stated, a huge missed opportunity for a properly co-ordinated protest at the televised Mansfield game, where it could also have been arranged for a Trust rep to be interviewed by Sky (thereby ensuring a professional and reasoned message to the world). I understand the liaison with Supporters Direct but I cannot see what Earth shattering revelations they come up with that would trump national/international media exposure of the fans' concerns. I promise this will be my last comment on the matter (in fact, on the Trust) as I am distinctly unimpressed with it as an organisation (i.e. there are, for sure, some very well meaning individuals but unless it becomes independent it will remain impotent). This is not a criticism of any individual - think of it like slagging Parliament off at the moment for being as much use as a chocolate fireguard, yet respecting the integrity/ability of certain MP's within it.

Cheers Andy. Someone responded to me on here (may have been Underdog) that Trust relations had not, in fact, broken down with AL (i.e. to the extent they had with SC previously). If that's the case, then surely he has indicated to someone from the Trust that a) he's received the letter and b) will respond to it (or appropriate bits of it as he sees fit) ASAP or by the deadline? Sorry if I`ve missed this covered elsewhere.

Can't agree with that at all. I spoke to quite a few United fans before and after the Crewe game. They'd popped along to recognise "one of their own" finally reaching the pinnacle of his career. Suspect the vast majority amongst the "extras" were curious Man U fans - they didn't hang around for very long did they?

We're a strange bunch us humans aren't we? I had a bit of a row (admittedly we were both drunk) with a very good friend recently because he admitted to now following City (on the telly) after having supported Latics (albeit he hasn't been for years). It's an anathema to me. If your club is still in existence, I cannot get my head around how/why you would ever switch allegiance. It's akin to treason in my eyes. Now, if my club went bust (properly bust - forever), I can see myself popping along to watch the likes of Mossley but Oldham would always be in my heart. As for the "Manchester North End" type of idea (i.e. merging current clubs rather than them having gone bust) I find it difficult to understand how anyone could comprehend such a Frankenstein club. As for numbers supporting it? Maybe three or four hundred from Oldham and a couple of hundred from Dale at the most I would have thought.

Excellent post and certainly food for thought. I have boycotted the games since Scholes left because it felt like the straw that broke the camel's back. It's clear now, however, that (despite whatever was/is going on in the background) Scholes was not cut out for management. The juxtaposition of him and Pete Wild paints a very clear picture. I think I agree wholeheartedly with your post, Ritchie, and would certainly give my support to a powerful Trust.

Good market though, I`ll give 'em that

Bury - crap club, crap team, crap fans and what a crap banner. Jokers the lot of 'em

I think this is spot on and there is ample evidence to back the view up. So, it's up to us fans to do something. It does feel as though we are divided (fragmented even) at the moment. I just hope things galvanise if/when AL does/does not respond to the Trust letter.

Andy - you are doing exactly what I did when arranging the meeting with the previous regime i.e. being sincere and honest, with no hidden agenda. I was very naive too (I`ve never had a facebook or twatter account - just not interested) with regard to social media. My best advice? Stay relatively quiet on here - just factually report when you have something to report - otherwise it will send you stir crazy and take over your life trying to be reasonable when other people aren't (either because of mischief, malice or otherwise). All the best - and I`ll certainly not mither you henceforth.

Interesting thread. There is little doubt that the police, by and large, still treat football fans (particularly large away followings) in an appalling way. I`ve not got a particular problem with them targetting the trouble causers in an aggressive way but they just seem to have a real attitude problem with all travelling fans at a big away day. It's an institutional problem that needs sorting.

I am thinking along the same lines. Boycotted the last 2 home games - and feel like shit! It's only me that's suffering When you've supported your club since you were 4 years old - it's bloody hard - honestly don't know what to do for the best.

Dave - cheers - you have confirmed what I said (partial quote above).

Just a thought (and there is a contentious point in here - but it may be relevant). The way some people of the owner's background, ethnicity etc. conduct business is sometimes far removed from traditional western methods. As a comparison, when the bank I worked for was negotiating around business transactions with anyone from North Africa/The Middle East they learned very quickly never to utilise a female employee. Like it or not, the whole world is not like us here in the UK and there are different cultural approaches. Now, our owner may be what is termed "more progressive" in his outlook but I honestly have no idea. So, might it be a matter of choosing the right person/s to liaise with him? I note the previous Chair of Trust Oldham was a lady and we don't seem to have been very successful in our liaisons. (In writing this, I realise what a mess we have got ourselves in over here i.e. we can't write in plain English what it is we are meaning for fear of upsetting all and sundry - we have to couch it in roundabout terms but, hopefully, everyone will grasp what I am saying and that I have no malice or prejudice in saying it - it may just unlock the door?)

what a brave man, having a go at a woman. Now I know who he is I`ll certainly be asking him to his face why he put it about I was a good friend of Corney's and that I even went on a sponsored walk with him.

Think you're right Glossop. I didn't go today (ST holder) - simply can't be arsed attending "the theatre of nightmares" at the moment.

In what way, BP? Let's say they tried to raise cash via some kind of share issue - and offered them at £100 each - let's say 2,000 fans would be interested at that price - you'd raise the princely sum of £200,000 - absolute peanuts in terms of the monies you will be looking at. It is to be hoped the Trust do have a very close handle on this "fan-led" buyout - we have no choice but to put our faith in them (the Trust). As I`ve saisd elsewhere, I suspect it will involve some kind of financing and, again, we have little choice but to let it run its course and hope for a positive outcome.

underdog - I may be mistaken but I think the point here is that insolvency (i.e. Administration in this scenario) would involve Oldham Athletic (2004) Association Football Club Limited - which doesn't own the ground, so the stadium etc. would not be available for purchase from the administrator. There is a distinct possibility of a simple liquidation of (2004) as that may be the only way to realise any return for its creditors i.e. a fire sale of players, equipment etc. - end of club.

Ah .. so that's who he is. Apparently, he's the one that was going around telling people that I was a good friend of Simon Corney's (and went on a sponsored walk with him) when I was setting up the fans' meeting with the chairman a couple of years ago. On that basis (i.e. he was telling blatant lies) he's worth jack shit. As regards the letter, I think the Trust have been caught between a rock and a hard place. There will be a lot of wasted energy around minutiae that doesn't really matter but I appreciate that when so many attended the meeting, they have to been seen to have had their say to a degree. Well done though, I can see the step change which was badly needed. My main worry is that, before we know it, the season will be over and momentum may then well and truly be lost. Still think we needed a protest of some kind organised by the Trust ASAP - by not doing so, you have effectively divided the fanbase (i.e. little pockets of protest will be made independently) - we simply don't have sufficient numbers of fans to be divided. AL will be mightily relieved that we have effectively "divided and ruled" ourselves as fans.

Mr K - think about it before firing from the hip. I am not renewing my season card - and season card money is often seen as vital to a club owner to tide them over the close season. I`ve said that is because I cannot support a regime until some semblance of order returns. When it does (and I am not bothered whether that is via the owner changing his ways, or a new owner - I just want some stability and common sense) then I will renew my unwavering support. So, I might not attend a single game next season - I might attend them all (and yes that will cost me far more than a season card). However, the way I see it, at least I am sending a message (I accept small in isolation) to the owner, whilst still leaving the door open to renew my support. Makes sense to me.