lookers87

http://www.trustoldham.co.uk/statement-regarding-rumours/

Thanks to 24 and LL for your recent updates/clarification too.

Just got in from battling the snow, and not had chance to go through the whole thread - as underdog said legal advisers (the same that have seen the whole process through I believe) have clarified the shares do belong to the trust.

Apologies for the quick post but I believe they'll be full clarification soon as.

Speaking of "handing over"... Did Barry attend last night ?

No

 

Chris, Was it confirmed by the Trust board last night that the new Trust Chairman/Chairwoman will automatically become the new representative on the club's board? Was there any debate about splitting these two roles?

No to the first, yes to the second. Must stress though it was a positive debate and no decisions (on those) have been finalised.

Can't quite agree on the travel agent example but I'll take the rest onboard and review it - thanks!

000 from my pov the Trust haven't been presenting themselves as members of SD - it was decided that the page dedicated to SD on the website should stay as, though there are reasons for the non-membership,(Im not entirely clear what these are as I've never personally discussed it in detail - I will ask the question though), the principles of Trust/fan say/ownership are still aligned and we wanted to direct anyone that wanted to know more about SD to them.

On this occasion it's my understanding that SD may have seen the way a couple of journalists referred to/paraphrased the name of the "Trust" and for some reason thought it worthy of a statement.

Happy to clear up the rest to for you once I've met with fellow directors on Monday. I've got a game to get to

Diego - just a quick correction Simon Brooke 2017 not 2017 and 2016 as you've said

There's an irony that the statement doesn't fully communicate his position as a director of the football club.

 

Or reassurance that interim measures are in place for the Trust.

Those things will both be clarified soon

Trust Statement: http://www.trustoldham.co.uk/406/

Thanks, If someone from the Trust PMs me perhaps arrangements could be made for me to look at the database, I am a season ticket holder so assume I'm automatically a member - and I live within walking distance at the club. If voluntarily inputting a backlog of members data is all what's required that's no problem as I'm now retired and can spare an hour or two now and again.

Thanks BP once I've got an update from the club on their crm I'll drop you a pm to let you know timings, work required etc - it won't be for a few days so do bear with me I certainly won't forget

Thanks lookers, I am willing to input any details the Trust requires on the crm system, but would it have to be at the club or can I use the software at home?.

From anywhere - one of the considerations so we could request assistance/accept offers of help from further afield

Sorry just to clarify a quick point before semantics take over.

The data, your data, is the clubs and remains so. It was always the intention (and remains so) that an email communication (with non-emails posted) would be sent from the club inviting season ticket holders to register with the trust/permission for contact details primarily for the AGM.

Unfortunately for us the club brought in a new crm system in August which has delayed things massively.

There is a Trust section being created on the official site and (before the events of this week) a joint story on the official site was intended/will go out in January - I'll be getting an update from Jenny on the progress with the crm system before a January trust meeting.

And thank you BP your help will be appreciated, however please don't spend time creating something yet as we already have a system set up which should allow secure remote access (so any help doesn't need to be necessarily local-based)

Speaking as someone who has "put up" by joining the trust board in April/may I can say that many of the ideas, and general points being made are valid and have already been added to our huge lists or are being debated/acted on where possible - there's also some complete rubbish but hey that's what makes for decent debate.

What I do take some offence at is the idea that all board members but particularly the newer board members like myself and Chris seem to be in some way responsible (just through the action of volunteering - that's what it is folks) for all the perceived "ills" of the Trust and should therefore step down.

The idea that people like myself, Chris or Tracey for that matter are some sort of non thinking yes people couldn't be further from the truth. Indeed I've found all the trust directors to speak their own minds. As the owner of a relatively successful business my staff and clients would find that hilarious.

What is true of the Trust is that there are good people there making changes (which we often aren't able to speak about - until they're ready), listening and responding to questions to which we have answers/views where we are able, and turning things around slowly - I work in a fast-paced industry the speed of change does/is a frustration for us aswell.

It's healthy to debate the Trust and perceived weaknesses / ills particularly if the ideas coming from there are useful and lead to more people getting involved. The ship will turn around faster with more involvement.

More immediately I can say that over the past few days I personally passed all poll results, Facebook/Twitter comments I physically could and those from my friends and family (and even those non-football fans) through to the club - including my own views.

It wasn't a pleasant experience having reporters ringing personal mobile numbers, business numbers and attempting to doorstep whilst trying to do my very demanding day job, and hopefully anyone else wanting to volunteer in the future won't have to encounter such a situation.

As ooo's and lags have both said a thick skin is a prerequisite by the way.

I disagree the Trust is completely broken, it's probably healthier in some ways than it has been for a number of years, with more support it can be better.

Saw him a few times for Burnley and on loans, very well regarded at Burnley a striker but always behind a queue of Steve Fletcher, Charlie Austin, Jay Rodriguez, Danny Ings and Sam Vokes (at various times) - terrific work rate and a good finisher when given the chance to play central, certainly not a conventional winger.

IMHO though more a warne type than a 20 goal a season man

What I can tell you is that Jenny did confirm the reasons for the delays, which is that the club installed a new crm system in the summer and due to resources it's taking a long long time to transfer all the necessary and uptodate data into there. This has a knock on effect.

Jenny was dealing with your individual question - relating to your own request to not be included. That's all she could do.

The plan (that has always been the case) with the Trust membership continues - what we did discuss however is how we can put a few things into action which everyone will be seeing shortly.

Your informative DPA posts are your interpretation.

Your situation is sorted Real - we continue our work with the club to everything else done.

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.

If the chairman of the Trust role/spokesman and the 'fan on the board' position were different individuals would this work for people?

Hi Jorvik

Appointment of Directors (apart from co-opts) can only happen at the AGM, and that happens in April.

Barry may have been referring to the fact that the whole appointment process naturally will start around Jan (ie candidates, decisions on re-standing etc etc) - but not being part of that conversation I can only confirm the AGM is currently April and there's been no discussion at the meetings lately about changing that (as it's an AGM we are governed by rules on notice for the meeting).

and yep fans are free to contact the Trust providing contact details at any time.

Is this definite? Barry mentioned that he would be stepping down in Jan as that's when the AGM would be changing to.

 

If there's an issue with receiving the info from the club then can people apply directly to the trust for their free membership?

Thanks Ackey.

The update from the meeting on Monday will hopefully answer a few of those (if not all of them).

Thanks to the fans that attended tonight's meeting. Thanks to Jenny W from the club for attending too.

I've put a quick summary of questions asked from various fans on the Trust FB and Twitter with a further summary to follow on which I'll certainly be sharing on here.

Real, there really is no need to get personal - you don't know me. I've been respectful of you and getting you the information you require.

Trust newbies like myself, Chris and Underdog have been prepared to put in our limited time and use our skills to make things better.

Hi O4u - there are several factors at play on this one, in a conventional sense you are (as always) largely correct, however you are also not in practical terms on this particular scenario with various definitions involved.

What I'm sure you have picked up by now is that we are working with the club to ensure everything is well above board in administrating the free membership offer. - if things had gone quicker at the club everyone would've seen this by now.

I'm hoping to have some news/actions I can share after the meeting on Monday.

Thanks

A reminder that the next a Trust meeting is on Monday 20th October at 7pm in the O2 Suite. As usual the first 30 mins are open for all, the monthly board meeting will follow.

Just a little thing we need to address the last bloody 10 mins or so when I have no nails left.

 

Why do we invite all that pressure on ourselves, I thought for sure Walsall were going to get an equaliser, keep possession by all means but yikes don't let the opposition near the penalty box.

 

Or at least have a 5 goal cushion so my heart can cope in those last 10 mins or so.

Think that last sentence is the key really. With a more consistent finisher of the chances we are creating, more games like yesterday will be done and dusted.

I said before the game it's the kind of test we've regularly failed over the past few years and to also go a goal down meant it could've gone the same way. I just like the fact that we seem to be improving game on game (going back through last season) and that can only end well.

Spoke to a city mate who I bumped into yesterday and he was hugely impressed with the football we played and the way we controlled the game.

I thought Jones was outstanding and even young Dieng to say it's his first real taste of L1 at centre back grew into the game, not bad for a 5th choice cb.