[Kitto]

I'm not being patronising, but do you know what the Supporters' Trust is?

[T-End is in sight]

I don't think they're proposing to takeover the club if you read the statement?

“I don’t think”…surely as a Director of the ST you could be a bit clearer / more precise about what they are proposing?

[Tigermatty 2.0]

Fairly sure it’s exactly what it says on the statement. The ST are a major sponsor of the club. The club currently has no one running it, seemingly. Perhaps others on here ‘have the chairman’s ear’ and know different. The ST represents its members and they are concerned about the current situation and would like some reassurances, after all they raise a lot of money for the club and would like to think that those who get to spend it will do so responsibly. What more is there to say?

[Oldie]

I'm not being patronising, but do you know what the Supporters' Trust is?

I am aware of the generic nature of a Supporters Trust. What I am intrigued about is what, in demanding a meeting, is the Trust bringing to the table? I read that the Trust has raised a lot of money for the club, presumably through fun raising amongst the fan base. In giving over that money how is that represented on the Club's balance sheet? Equity, loan or were the funds just handed over?
I am not trying to be argumentative about it, just intrigued in how the club has got to this situation? It appears rather bizarre in that the executive of the club has resigned, and the landlord is running around trying to keep it afloat? What is the Trust's role in all this other than as a consumer? If indeed it has role.

[Citygull]

As a former Trust Secretary it's worth clarifying that Gloucester City Supporters Limited (Trust's legal name) is a legal body known as a Community Benefit Society. It is regulated and audited and its aims and objectives are set out in a lengthy constitution which includes the following:-

"3. COMMUNITY BENEFIT PURPOSE
The Society’s purpose is to be the vehicle through which a healthy, balanced and constructive relationship between the Club and its supporters and the communities it serves is encouraged and developed."

It is surely not unreasonable that when things appear to have gone wrong at the Club the Trust should be calling for clarification. It is not for the Trust to advise the Club how it is to be run even if it had the competence to do so and the statement does not suggest that is the intention.

[Brandman]

In times gone by the Trust came to my house to discuss how they can protect the interests of its membership. Those coming at the time included Pete Chase, Mike Dunstan and Phil Warren.

Trying to operate a football club by fans probably causes more issues than it solves, so don’t go there.

By all means seek a place on the Club Bosrd if it is feasible, practical and a necessity. It is unfortunately often a poisoned chalice to the individual who takes that role. So beware.

The name of the organisation is a pointer for its purpose. It’s there to support. Not just the Club but it’s own membership - whatever its size.

A primary function will always be to raise funds and be supportive. But as I clearly explained those funds must be strictly controlled and should be protected by a set of policies as part of the Trust rules.

Importantly, it should never handover money to the Club on some unevidenced request. It’s members money and should be properly accredited. My proposal was the Trust funds should only go to ground or capital based projects. I know it’s difficult, but simply handing over valued donations towards players, sadly you cannot guarantee where it is used.

The Trust can be its own Master of that, and doesn’t it look good if a supplier is evidencing its work by the invoice being paid by the Trust. I gave lots of examples.

Bearing in mind Patrick said within a few weeks of taking over he discovered debts which had not been identified to him on his so called ‘try and buy’ one wonders how much of Trust money disappeared into ‘black holes’, if it did then the time spent in my house a few years ago were all in vain.

Let the Club run how it can. Life is full of ideologists alongside egotists. Two dangerous types who need very very careful controls in place. Watch and by all means ask questions but above all else have strict financial policies in place.It’s YOUR MEMBERS funds.

[MeadowClark]

I'm glad to see the Trust put out a statement, things are very up in the air at the moment and I'm concerned about our short term and long term future. I cancelled my ST membership when no opposition was shown to the changing of our kit and identity when many members were clearly upset by it (and still are) and have only renewed recently. I'm glad to see the ST taking action on this and I know that we've got some good supporters on the ST board who will look for fans best interests.

[Pims manager again]

Wise words from Brandman, I especially wouldn’t have a clue on how to run a Club at City’s level.
A place on the board sure but don’t take on a millstone.

[Tigermatty 2.0]

Wise words from Brandman, I especially wouldn’t have a clue on how to run a Club at City’s level.
A place on the board sure but don’t take on a millstone.

With respect, when you look at some of the people running football clubs I don’t think you have to be Einstein. I keep reading about ‘expertise’ as if it’s some incredibly complicated science. You put on games, you take money, you try not to spend more than you take. It’s basic stuff but it’s time consuming and you need reliable people to help you.

[Citygull]

With respect, when you look at some of the people running football clubs I don’t think you have to be Einstein. I keep reading about ‘expertise’ as if it’s some incredibly complicated science. You put on games, you take money, you try not to spend more than you take. It’s basic stuff but it’s time consuming and you need reliable people to help you.

That's great if you're after a local community club.  Bredon AFC near me is a great example. But the reality is that if you want to progress up the pyramid you need proper investment and that means ambition and money and preferably to be in a densely populated area where:you have a choice of hungry decent wannabe players.  Even then you have to accept that the current closed shop which is the EPL and Championship will prevent you surviving in their elite, let alone progressing, without eye watering money.