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I am getting a little confused. In the last 48 hours we have had our Chairman and Chief Executive sounding alarm bells due to the drop in attendances and our Director of Football warning that the very existence of the Club may be in doubt if previously dismissed employees took the Club to Court for wrongful dismissal which, if they were successful, could result in large compensation payments by the Club. Today, we hear that our Manager wishes to resurrect a Youth Academy next season!

And the relationship with the TRUST is a bit rocky...

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So one minute the Chairman and Chief Exec are appealing to the fans to help support and fund the club - the next minute they are kicking the fans via the TUST into touch!!

Make your mind up guys .. do you want fan involvement or not?

No, they're saying that their long-term aim is to buy the ground themselves, so they don't want the TUST to be partners in buying it. They haven't said that they don't want the fans at all, in fact they're asking more fans to get involved.

I agree with gloomygull anyone putting money into the club would have checked this before investing this should not have been a surprise these are business men running our club.

Maybe this is why two of the directors stepped down a month ago. If financial liabilities are heading the way of the board, they probably decided to duck out before it cost them.

The sudden request to sever ties with the TUST does seem to be an odd thing to do and leaves the TUST in no mans land. The chances of improving membership now must surely have taken a dive.

My company fires people and they get 3 months. Some have gone to solicitors and it aint worth the risk because if you lose it costs. The law changed and it aint easy to sue now, there are limits. so either its a whole load of people or someone on a VERY high salary.

This is extremely concerning so soon into the season.
I have just read the Argyle fans forum and their support is truly appreciated.

However, one bucket collection and a thousand extra fans paying £20 once is not going to solve this situation.

If the new group have gone in under funded that is a major issue, notwithstanding doing their homework prior to a takeover.
If each of the ten members had put in say £40,000 to take control then you can at least double it for running costs etc

Also any know about a rumour that the previous months wages were not paid and took a chunk of the new money?

MF68 wrote:This is extremely concerning so soon into the season.
I have just read the Argyle fans forum and their support is truly appreciated.

However, one bucket collection and a thousand extra fans paying £20 once is not going to solve this situation.

If the new group have gone in under funded that is a major issue, notwithstanding doing their homework prior to a takeover.
If each of the ten members had put in say £40,000 to take control then you can at least double it for running costs etc

Also any know about a rumour that the previous months wages were not paid and took a chunk of the new money?

This statement is very unwelcome. What is the source of rumour? Otherwise don't post damaging comments

This might be referring to the fact that when the new board took over, they were assured that June's wages had been paid; they hadn't been , so that took a chunk of the new board's money. It's not a rumour. We were told this at the fans' forum by our Deputy Chairman.

taxilady wrote:This might be referring to the fact that when the new board took over, they were assured that June's wages had been paid; they hadn't been , so that took a chunk of the new board's money. It's not a rumour. We were told this at the fans' forum by our Deputy Chairman.

Let's hope so. I am aware of that, I thought he/she was referring to last month

I'm puzzled by all this. Dean Edwards is saying that a couple of former employees are TRYING to take the club to Court for wrongful dismissal. In other words, it is not definite so why go to the Press now? Surely it would have made sense to sit on it until a case was definite? The Board are trying to attract new investment but nobody is going to put money into the club if there are a couple of tribunal cases pending.

The other issue is the apparent stand off between the Board and TUST. For goodness sake, we're all fighting to save the club so surely the two bodies can work together? If the Board are budgeting on a break even figure of gates of 1800, there is no way they are going to be in a position to purchase the ground. It seems to me that TUST presents the best option for a ground purchase as at least they are building up a bank balance.

And then on top of this, Paul Cox wants to re-instate the Youth Scheme. I thought we had some sort of watered down youth set up? I was sorry to see the Youth Scheme disbanded but could understand why it couldn't continue financially, even though several of the more promising players have moved on to Plymouth, Exeter and Yeovil, and probably further afield. I cannot see any way the scheme can be re-introduced until we get back in the league and receive funding.

It's been a crazy week .............

It doesn't add up any of this. The statement has been made because 1 game fell below 1800. It could be a warning of course, saying that if this is the norm now, 1500 then that's the end.

But Conference South sides like Basingstoke survive on 400 or less, yes they are part time. Surely that is the next step before shutting the doors. The owner is sort of wealthy but not a multi millionaire.

I just cannot believe that some ex employees can sue for enough money to close the club down. If that is possible then they must have been paid a lot of money.

tomogull wrote:I'm puzzled by all this. Dean Edwards is saying that a couple of former employees are TRYING to take the club to Court for wrongful dismissal. In other words, it is not definite so why go to the Press now? Surely it would have made sense to sit on it until a case was definite? The Board are trying to attract new investment but nobody is going to put money into the club if there are a couple of tribunal cases pending.

The other issue is the apparent stand off between the Board and TUST. For goodness sake, we're all fighting to save the club so surely the two bodies can work together? If the Board are budgeting on a break even figure of gates of 1800, there is no way they are going to be in a position to purchase the ground. It seems to me that TUST presents the best option for a ground purchase as at least they are building up a bank balance.

And then on top of this, Paul Cox wants to re-instate the Youth Scheme. I thought we had some sort of watered down youth set up? I was sorry to see the Youth Scheme disbanded but could understand why it couldn't continue financially, even though several of the more promising players have moved on to Plymouth, Exeter and Yeovil, and probably further afield. I cannot see any way the scheme can be re-introduced until we get back in the league and receive funding.

It's been a crazy week .............

Perhaps this is one of the downsides of being kept fully informed? A little tempering of the news maybe required in order to prevent any future panick or possible adverse reporting?

If we think back to where we were 4 months ago and how much has changed on and off the field, I think that we have to forgive the odd error or two, from us all.

It does seem bizarre for the Board to ask the fans to show solidarity with the club whilst simultaneously telling the trust to get lost! It smacks a little bit of boards from years gone by who are happy to take the fans money but don't give a hoot what you think or want your opinion on anything to do with the running of the club. Perhaps not the best message to be sending out when you want everyone to show a united front (no pun intended).