Monday Nights Meeting with Paul Casson

[John Very Little]

Pretty much agree with Dave P and along the same lines I was suggesting we need to get something set up soon so that assuming the PC offer is accepted, in a few years time when shares are available to buy, a Supporters/Community/Trust type group could buy them and have an elected rep on the board and also look at setting up some safeguards as well as a longer term plan of buying the ground back. I was thinking of something along the last 2 paragraphs in here http://www.barrowafc.com/news/?archive= ... ticle=1544
At present we have nothing. If the PC offer isn't 75% accepted then we need something else to replace what we have at present.
To correct bluenige the Leeds Trust isn't the sole owner of all their club shares, they only have a small percentage of the shares so the mess that Leeds are in isn't actually the fault of their Trust.

To clarify I think it was wrong for PC to say that if promoted all the players will live in Barrow, this will severely restrict the number of players who'd play or be able to play for us and push up the cost so much to the point it won't be sustainable. For this reason I don't think his plan adds up and is one reason why I'd like to see further detail. It was promised we'd get further details about the funding in the Joint Statement on 19th February:
Paul Casson is preparing a detailed proposal of how he sees the future of Barrow AFC and its ongoing operation should his takeover be successful.This will include details of how his plans will be funded.

I look forward to seeing these details bearing in mind the above statement about having players living in Barrow and the extra cost this will entail as we weren't told this on Monday night?

[K_BFC]

There seems to be a few more doubters posting recently which is a bit of a worry.

Erm, why? Playing devils advocate... Lack of information led to the current board being vilified, Mr Casson will likely receive the same treatment if he keeps things to himself. He probably does not know himself at the moment hence the vagueness of his answers and they are vague. Some are holding back simply because questions have not been answered, to make a decision on half the story is foolhardy, we need to hear the ins and outs from the board as well to get a more rounded picture of the situation.

I was not at the meeting and all I have to go on is the report in the NWEM, the videos on their website and comments is this forum, plus a few brief conversations with those there. Everything being said is nothing more than NWEM Matt Davies tweets being repeated with not much more detail. That is very little. He does comes across as genuine from the videos and the NWEM report, but so did SV when he turned up and he was greeted as Paul Casson is being greeted now. People who experience what SV did to the club when he left can see that from a few conversations I've had, but they don't seem as concerned about any boom and bust scenario. The club under SV should have gone to the wall at that time and disappeared but for a unique set of events I don't think have ever been repeated anywhere in English football. So caution is needed until we have more information which the BOD should help provide, having said that he seems to have acquitted himself fairly well so far.

I'm not opposed to the take over, my only concern is what happens at the end of the Casson era... Exit strategy, every plan needs one whether you use it or not. At some point Mr Casson will by time and unforeseen occurrence or by his own decision leave the club. No one stays forever. This appeared from the NWEM to be laughed off with "I hope the funeral is good!", with no serious answer as to what happens if he moves on in some way (hopefully not death). What is the business plan's exit strategy what will he leave the club with? Will we owe Mr Casson and his family? He sees himself as an investor, investing with a view to a hopeful return. If it does not return anything will any additional assets remain in the clubs ownership or will they be his or his families. In Barrow's football league days the club owned additional housing for the players, are we going to see this again? What will happen to that if he goes down that road and pulls out at a latter date. He talks of building up the club but it is unclear what the club will be left with at the end of all this, especially if it does not work out as money does not guarantee success on the field, it's just more likely. I don't think we will get anything solid this side of the take over as John has just pointed out from the joint statement made in February.

On a side note, improving match day experience goes without saying, it will go a long way to helping improve things for us fans and those that visit from away. The match day experience at grounds with good facilities is much more of a pull. Our ground is regarded by many in the league above as a dump. What we have is functional but not that welcoming or nice to look at in places, even if the people are (welcoming that is ). New toilets please!

Regarding a lid (?) on the Holker St end. Improving match day experience does need this as poor weather does drive some not to turn up, crowds can be fickle. If promoted attendances will go up and everyone trying to squeeze under the Wilke Stand roof on a rainy day will not work. From previous discussions a completely new stand would be more appropriate and forward thinking, but we've not had the money for anything so far. If he goes down that route and has Conference/Football league in mind someone make sure he builds in support for having TV cameras situated around the ground. Makes it better for fan viewing and stops those ugly temporary scaffolds being put up every time we get a TV game, makes it more likely to get a TV game if you can easily accommodate the TV companies as well. Also create a space for away fans that does not take over the Holker St end, a contentious issue he needs to be aware of. Did he indicate that he is aware of any of these problems?

[trueblue]

To clarify I think it was wrong for PC to say that if promoted all the players will live in Barrow, this will severely restrict the number of players who will be able to play for us and push up the cost so much to the point it won't be sustainable.

I thought he said only a number of players would be signed and asked to live in Barrow, the "spine" of the team.

[boyliegladbach]

To clarify I think it was wrong for PC to say that if promoted all the players will live in Barrow, this will severely restrict the number of players who will be able to play for us and push up the cost so much to the point it won't be sustainable.

I thought he said only a number of players would be signed and asked to live in Barrow, the "spine" of the team.

That's what I though he said.

[barrowfan]

in a few years time when shares are available to buy, a Supporters/Community/Trust type group could buy them and have an elected rep on the board

I thought Mr Casson had already said there would be a place for a supporter on the board, as I understood it right from the start.

[munt]

I thought he said only a number of players would be signed and asked to live in Barrow, the "spine" of the team.

That's what I though he said.

He did, something like "the core of the squad" so supporters could affiliate with them and have some sort of presence in the town.

[Bigfathoss]

To clarify I think it was wrong for PC to say that if promoted all the players will live in Barrow, this will severely restrict the number of players who'd play or be able to play for us and push up the cost so much to the point it won't be sustainable. For this reason I don't think his plan adds up and is one reason why I'd like to see further detail. It was promised we'd get further details about the funding in the Joint Statement on 19th February:

I'm sure I remember him saying (or clarifying) a 'core' of players...not all.

[blue nige]

Thanks for correcting me on Leeds trust but do you really expect to be offered a large amount of shares?
Anyone who is putting in all the money will never let you out vote them and why should they without money a trust is pointless Wrexham's only works after they cleared their debt and without outside help how would we fare? Some people should take a reality check!

[Gazza]

K_BAFC. You answered the first part of your question yourself. There is a difference between someone not telling you everything and not being able to say, because they genuinely don't know the answer yet. Of course there are things which need to be clarified although P.C was honest enough to admit there is some risk. I do however think the only risk is from a football point of view and that the team may not necessarily achieve what his dreams/expectations are and therefore the club may not progress because of that. One thing that does bother/puzzle me is this figure (?) which has now been deemed as being acceptable by the board after the first one was clearly not. I have been trying to think what he actually needs to cover with his 'offer'. Correct me if I am missing something but surely it can only amount to the total sum of all the debts(to whoever they may all be) plus the cost of clearing the mortgage on the ground MAX? I have never been able to figure out what the 'value' of the ground has to do with anything and if there is an excess from the amount paid and what is owed out, what happens with the rest?

[Jonty]

I presume the blueprint for the re-development would be handed over should Mr Casson become owner.

[saltcellar]

lol Ken.
I've been involved with the Constitution Meetings and have copies of all the AGM/Accounts details so its easy to quickly reference.

That's why your our man John.

[Holkerbird]

I left after 3/4 hr. As I was stood at the back of the room I couldn't hear any of the questions being asked as there were no microphones so it was pointless staying. I moved away from two people muttering behind me and bugger me if they didn't follow me.
1-0 to Mr Casson as he had undivided attention without the distraction of people moving back and forth to the bar and microphones so both questions and answers could be clearly heard.

[barrowfan]

I left after 3/4 hr. As I was stood at the back of the room I couldn't hear any of the questions being asked as there were no microphones so it was pointless staying. I moved away from two people muttering behind me and bugger me if they didn't follow me.
1-0 to Mr Casson as he had undivided attention without the distraction of people moving back and forth to the bar and microphones so both questions and answers could be clearly heard.

I can't believe that the club didn't think to provide a simple PA system for such an important meeting.

Or perhaps I can!

[Dalton Bluebird]

I left after 3/4 hr. As I was stood at the back of the room I couldn't hear any of the questions being asked as there were no microphones so it was pointless staying. I moved away from two people muttering behind me and bugger me if they didn't follow me.
1-0 to Mr Casson as he had undivided attention without the distraction of people moving back and forth to the bar and microphones so both questions and answers could be clearly heard.

I can't believe that the club didn't think to provide a simple PA system for such an important meeting.

Or perhaps I can!

Especially when Ian/ spirit of 1990 raised the question yesterday viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21190&start=15

not beyond the wit of man to set up a p/a system.

[Gazza]

Or maybe it's because they are a bunch of amateurs pretending to be doing things professionally. Urging people to attend a meeting which no one, unless sat at the front can actively participate in. Bloody useless and just one of many reasons we cannot stay as we are. They cannot even be left to sort something as basic but important as this.