c.hill12

He's had a go at everyone this week. The locals, council, stadium owners! Proper on 1!

All sold out now apparently

 

don't spin it, what have those 4 threads told you? what about just 3 that actually turned up for a recent meeting. id say that those were ideal measurements of either bad publicity, planning or just simply a lack of enthusiasm for the whole caboodle.

No spin involved. There was 4 threads open. I'm talking factual. And the reason the low numbers is peoples' perception of the trust is it's there just for a crisis. That is because that is why the trust was formed in the first place and we need to change that perception, which we are working on. There is also a perception that Barry is the 'fans' rep' this is also not the case. Barry is there to make sure due dilligance is carried out at board room level and report back to the other directors. Fans rep at the club is Jenny and if anyonevwants to know anything about the trust of speak about ideas or queries you may have then they should come to me as director of cummunicarion. The trust was formed over a decade ago and it is now being brought into the modern era kicking and screaming. We now have more bodies and man (and woman) power so we are able to make the changes that are needed. The club now also see us as a vital tool and we will be working alot closer with them aswell!

A 3200 sell out according to a post on facebook

I think it's fair to say of Barry that his strengths aren't in PR. Though I would say that is also a problem within the club as a whole, and having spent a few months now working with them, it isn't the only one.

 

Personally speaking Im of the opinion that a slight tweaking of roles /responsibilities would be good at this stage for both the Trust and the club.

 

I think there are some valid questions to be asked of the Trust - it's essential for the good of everyone that key processes and decisions (esp voting at AGMs) are as transparent as possible.

 

One of my key aims when I joined the board was to ensure that by the AGM 2015 the means was in place to give as many members as possible the opportunity to vote (so not just in attendance at the meeting) there is a plan being put in place for this. (Which by the way Barry fully supports).

 

One of my other aims was to create key communication lines, which thanks mainly to the tireless efforts of Chris we've already made great strides from where the Trust was. In a relatively short space of time.

 

People sometimes forget that the biggest thing required in communication is actually the ability to listen. I can assure you that Chris and myself (and others) have/are listening.

What we aren't always able to do is give answers on everything - or in some cases, the answers some are wanting to hear.

 

As an example, at the Trust meeting last Monday, the fans that did attend confirmed an idea both Chris and I had had which was to ask the club to consider an offer for the Crawley game (to help us put a positive call to action for non attendees) - Barry was firmly behind the idea and he took that to the Board meeting last week -a meeting that was happening as Simon C was around for the first time in a while. I also had a meeting with Jenny last Tuesday and pushed the same message. That is where our efforts/messages end.

 

Where it becomes difficult now as a Trust Director (or any new 'voice of the fans') is if nothing happens with that. We move on with other work, but it's not enough for some. At times we are dammed if we do, dammed if we don't.

 

To give you an insight into my first few months as a Trust Director. Despite only joining the board in April, just the fact I have been prepared to put my limited time to helping both the Trust and this club we all love I have already been the subject of personal attacks for having the temerity to step up.

 

Not a moan, I'm old enough and confident enough to carry on regardless. I'm worried though that the constant digs and snipes put off others who could bring some much needed skills and hands to the table. Some of those digs do come from a legitimate past mistakes and I'm hopeful that the work myself and others are doing can help rebuild relationships. If we are to make progress as a club a strong Trust can play an important part in that.

 

What I'm more interested in though is moving forward. The past is gone and I would much rather accept where we are right now and look forward, working on creating a strong Trust business that gives fans a strong voice and contributes to growing the club.

 

I'm much more focused on creating a positive dialogue of respect than having to spend time detailing every action / conversation / decision as that by it's nature creates a static and arse-covering organisation - of course as I've said it is important to listen and take key questions forward and return outcomes - this has to be balanced against getting things done - and as we are all volunteers with full lives the balance should always lay on the getting things done side.

 

I completely accept that changing perceptions is going to take time, but Chris, others and myself are doing what we can "externally" to bring in immediate changes whilst I'm working on some of those things like processes and most importantly a plan so we can be more focused.

 

And when we get chance we can get back to enjoying the excellent season so far - the power really is in our hands to change things for the better so why wait for an offer - bring a mate to the next game anyway.

Couldn't of put it better myself. Speaking personally i was concerned at the lack of communication at all levels within the trust so wanted to do something to improve it.

But... but.... If you are telling the club what fans think, what is Barry saying when he's in the Boardroom?

 

PS if it all goes tits up and Mr Corney decides to leave, Mr Joy knows more about it than Barry.

We only have Barry's word of what is said at boardroom level but that would be the case for anyone in that position. Barry has the same responsibility to report back to us as we do to him. He reports his club info and feedback in a section called 'club update' on the agenda. And you may well be correct about Mr Joy but what if he was to leave the club tomorrow? Where would we be then?

To pick up on underdog's post. It was decided to take some of the work away for barry in regards to supporter communication and the like because his role, along with the trust as a whole is evolving. I have taken on the role of director if communications with along with lookers87 who is marketing/media director. My role is to communicate with supporters and try and deal with issues and take them to to the club. Jenny was at the last meeting and we are trying to form a string working relationship for the benefit of supporters. So if you want a 'fans' rep' then it would be me you come to (as many people have over the last few months) and barry is free to continue his role as club director and the key link at boardroom level.

This was discussed at length at the last meeting which the fans that turned up will back me up on! Jenny was also at the last meeting aswell to discuss the issue. When the notes are released you'll see what was said. I don't avoid anything real and i find it highly offensive that u insist such a thing. I work hard for the trust in my own time to try and make it a better organisation, as do others. I, probably like yourself saw there was issues with the trust and have come in to do something about it. It is an organisation i believe in and feel is important to the club i love so if i can improve it in any way, i will. Look back throu my posts on here or through social media an I have never once avoided a question. I have taken time out of my own life to meet with members and discuss trust issues, which i am more than happy to do! I will not tolorate such personal attacks on my intentions. We are working with the club (of which we are part owners of) to ensure all our practices are legal in every aspect and make sure we don't upset a single fan with the way their.data is handled. I know meetings have taken place between the club and trust since the last meeting and the outcome will be fed back. If i can help u any forther, don't hesitate to contact me or better still, come to the next meeting and we can answer your wuestions as a board of directors.

 

cos nobody really is arsed.....the only time youll be needed is if there is a threat of admin....things look rosy compared to 10 yesrs ago...and come on,if we did go bust what could you do apart from being part of a larger committee to oversee the sale of the club....no offence but the

trust arent needed right now

Nobodies arsed but there's 4 threads been opened in the last 2 days?

[quote name="Lags" post="739231" timestamp="1414759430

 

The invitation as been made several times for people to go along and air their gripes, surely they would come back here to report.....wouldn't they??

 

Just to pick up on that last point, we openly invite everyone to all our meetings and publicise them through various channels. The AGM was the biggest turn out with around 12 fans turning up. Last month we had 3 fans turn up who contributed quite alot in fairness. Their comments mirrored ours as a trust (or certainly mine personally) they had seen all the complaining through various forms of social media, including owtb, and were amazed at how few turned up. Meetings are ipen for everyone and it is my intention to have as many people as possible at them. We now have club representation at some of them aswell so even more reasons to come down. Last month we discussed home shirts, ticket prices, new stand corporate facilities, car parking amongst other things.

Best case scenario 2-3 weeks out. Happy days

 

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/88714/good-news-for-injured-defender

I think that some of the discussion on here relates to a lack of understanding of the role that Barry and the Trust play with in the club.

 

With a democratic process in the near future perhaps it would be worth Barry and the Trust producing some from of documentation to explain the current set-up and process i.e.

 

Definition of the roles and responsilities of theTrust Chairman; the role of Director on the board; the role of other driectors on the board; the role of other key members of the trust (and indication of the time committments would be useful as well if people are going to be asked to consider standing).

 

A organisational structure of the Trust - and potentially some areas of the club.

 

A doument spelling out what the strategy and goals are for the trust.

 

A document spelling out how the trust operates - how they communicate with the club; how they communicate with the fans etc.

 

A document spelling out how fans can get involved.

 

 

From the outside it feels like there is not a lot of clarity (maybe there is an I just haven't seen it). It would be good to pull this together and pin-it as a topic on this board.

This is currently being developed for the website.

 

OK, but if the club think it's not worth it, I think that's fair enough.

Certainly. That's the clubs thing to decide now.

Chris, I don't question the efforts of those who work behind the scenes with the Trust, such as yourself. I know that there are people involved who have given up an incredible amount of their time and money, in trying to drive positive initiatives, only to be criticised by fans and the club itself.

 

However, the changing dynamic of the Trust is something I do have a major problem with and it's something I think is primarily driven by Barry's preference for being a club director, rather than Trust Chairman - which is something he should never lose sight of as far as I'm concerned.

 

It strikes me that other members of the Trust are frequently forced to say, through gritted teeth, "He was speaking as club director, not Trust Chairman." as a delicate way of saying, he's a loose cannon and none of us agree with what he's saying.

 

The guy is an absolute car crash because he looks down on the people he was once intent on representing.

Barry's knowledge of how the club works is vital to the trust imo and his position is a very important one. However his position is up for re-election in april and he was part of the decision making process that brought that change around. He has made mistakes, he will tell u that himself. And yesterday was probably one if those mistakes. But he was not speaking as a fan representative nor was he speaking on behalf of the trust. We are all disappointed with crowds ofer the last few weeks (or seasons maybe) but as a trust we are trying to be more proactive about it. As i stated on a different thread i think, we have taken a proposal to the club board to try something different at the crawley game.

At a time when things seem to be on the up, we should all be pushing in the same direction, the club, the fans and the trust. I think most of us agree that the sentiments of barry's letter are bang on, the delivery of it however, wasn't.

Ithink the poster that has been produced on here is a great idea and another way of being proactive!

If you exclude early season, incorporate pre-season and add on last season we are over 30 games unbeaten!

Discounting behind closed door games ofcourse.

We havent since Preston away we are 13 unbeaten 11 in the league 2 in the cup.

That's what i thought. Newblues comments suggested otherwise though.

 

Barry talking about his role after being appointed as a director of the Latics board, ten years ago: "Supporters have a right for their voices to be heard thats what myself and the Trust are trying to achieve."

I can't really discuss that in detail because i wasn't involved back then but now we are working on a new strategy model and communication is at the forefront if that. As far as we're concerned there should be 3 solid and strong links:

Club-trust

Trust-fans

Fans-club

We are working to bring them links in as solid as possible. We know they have been pretty much non-existant over the last few years, and the club have admitted the same. But we can't change the past so we're working to change the future!

 

I'm not sure what would be more depressing - the inevitably low crowd against Crawley at normal prices or a marginally bigger one at reduced prices.

 

Corney seemed pretty "meh" about the attendancies in his interview last week and generally seemed very positive about the direction the club's moving. I wonder how pleased he is with Barry for contradicting that message??

Barry took a request to the board meeting last week to look at the pricing for the crawley game. That is firmly in the club's court now.

Under 200 remain now.

 

Also funny how everyone used the genuine unbeaten run Lee Clark's Huddersfield were on to mock them, yet we'll shamelessly try to extend our run for as long as possible even though we've lost in that sequence! Football fans are fickle!

When have we lost in the last 13 games?

I asked on the playershare boost thread last week how I could sign up online and didn't get an answer...I know paying on the gate is the biggest way of supporting but I only have Latics Player subscription and pay on the gate every 5 him games or so at the mo...the unbeaten run has probably made that every 4 games now and signing up to plsyershare...

 

My point is people will be taking notice and starting to dig a but deeper slowly but surely...not just turning up on a Saturday when they probably have other commitments these days!

I replied to the playershare thread. The form isn't yet on the webseite. It's being reformatted as there were problems getting it on latics website, in the chron and in the program. Www.laticsplayershare.co.uk

On there are all the details to set up a standing order or paypal payments. Once the online form is live i will publicise it.

I'm not sure where Barry's title 'fans' rep' came from or even it's definition but my understanding from the meetinigs i've been to is he is our fan on the board and that's where it the fans rep bit is. Me and Simin came onto the trust board this year to help with the communication at the trust. I'd like to think this is atleast slowly improving but it is a massive job as u all know. The idea was to take some of that away from Barry. He admits himself he isn't the most popular figure but i personally believe he is important to the trust and his knowledge of the club is vital to us. The staement he put out yesterday was done so as a club director and not trust chairman (although you may argue the 2 are linked)

The trust itself is going through a period of change and if you feel strongly about it and feel you want to help mould the future of it then i urge u to come to a meeting or atleast get in touch with me. Barry is up for election next year and it will be interesting to see what candidates step up. But if u want changes at the trust, now is the time to get involved.

He scores goals, always believe in the bove, he's hot the power to show, we're indestructabke!

Gold!

Sorry but it's late. Lol

A 3% non-voting sharholding and a director on the board.

Look at the players we have lost over the last 3 years or so and the quality of them. Smith, Baxter, Tarky, wes, Harkins, JCH and whoever else. Now look at where we are on the field now. If we lose players, yeah it isn't ideal but i fully trust LJ and the board to replace them with equal if not better players.

Owners of Shares in any type of business do not have a consequential responsibility to cover debts/losses/liabilities as part of their ownership of a few shares in a Limited Liability Company.

But how many owners would put 100% investment in for 90% of the company? It was only a very brief conversation and shares etc are something i know very little about but i do think labour's proposals need thickening up quite alot.