This is the major problem I have. I have paid my money to save the club, not the Board and certainly am less than enthusiastic about Caisley coming back as I still believe that it was his pi$$ing contest with Hetherington that led to where we are now. However, unless one or the other or both are prepared to give up/sell thyeir shareholding in the Club I cannot see how we can move forward!

But you've been arguing for administration for years, as you said? Before anyone assured anyone about losing key players? But anyway, at present we are where we are.



One question that I do not think has ever been asked yet (apologies if I am wrong) - would the shareholders collectively be prepared to sell their shares, preferably for their nominal value since they cannot be worth a cent in an insolvency, to e.g. a supporters' trust or other entity that would be owned by the supporters?



I wonder if anyone has ever asked them?



Since THAT would resolve this sodding shareholdings abortion once and for all!



And, if they all did indeed have the best interests of the club at heart, surely they would welcome this solution to the otherwise intractable problem?



We've seen the fans raise getting on for £1/2m at short order. I suspect we'd do it again, more or less, if it solved the problem once and for all?

Now, we're thinking alike

Most of us never differed that much (apart from the odd vulture) - its just that arguing for one particular course of action over another - or seeking to explain why we are stuck with a particular course of action - invariably leads those who do not agree to immediately associate you with who they see as the bad guys.



And, sadly, too many folk use that as a means of trying to undermine the argument.

I completely agree with that sentiment and it always is the small local businesses that get shafted as they have little say as to the acceptance of any CVA. It is [isometimes[/i a necessary evil though.



[iIf[/i the financial situation is as bad as painted then administration could be inevitable at some stage regardless of the pledge.



This is why I'm particularly astounded about the complete secrecy around the financial truth while asking for a bail out. Btw I do understand the sentiment but that would only go so far with me when it comes to my money benefiting someone I don't trust.

I haven't seen too many bad guys (or girls!) on here, mostly concerned folk who care passionately about the club.



However I would be really interested if Bullbuilder - the only obvious and viable vehicle for this sort of move did raise such a question though. I'm also fairly sure that the fan base would respond positively to such a move if it were to happen, and I appreciate why such a move would have been difficult over the last couple of weeks given the desire to be all pulling in the same direction, but surely now is the time to start raising this possibility if we're serious about changing the ownership structure and preventing a takeover by another oligarchy with little interest in the supporters?

I'll post the link again, as in the absence of said sugar daddy its the only way - Community Shares!



[urlhttp://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=4106[/url



Adey, could you ask the question if the shareholders would be willing to 'sell' to the fans?

I meant "bad guys" as in Caisley or Hood or McNamara Noble or Hetherington or the tooth fairy or whoever folk deem to be responsible, from time to time!



Any activity by Bullbuilder would have to be one for the membership, in the first instance. I can't speak for either the membership or the board, other than to observe that the board is elected by the members to carry out their wishes.



But I'd ask an open question now. And of Mr Caisley and Mr Hood in particular, since I know they are both aware of the traffic on these forums:



In the interest of resolving this impasse once and for all, would you sell your shares, for face value, to a democratic entity owned by a large body of fans?



If they say "no", then its hard to see how we resolve the impasse without resorting to administration...or judicious use of a bazooka?

See above!!!



And same applies to Messrs Bennett, Agar, Bates, Coulby and Tasker, in particular - if any of you guys are reading this (or anyone who knows you is) - what say you?



At least you'd have an idea of whether they'd have any appetite for what I guess most fans would see as putting the club first?



Don't forget, of course - if you sack off the whole lot of them (I'd exclude Ryan at least from that) you'd need to find some replacements prepared to go up there in harm's way.

I'm not sure that the general body of fans would be that interested in buying shares. a) They've made their contribution and will not be doing it again any time soon (especially once they realise that they'll be paying a lot more to watch the team next year); b) They really want someone with deep pockets running the club, someone that could keep it going in the bad times, someone who will not have to resort to them to bail out the club again; c) Sorting out any problems caused by the current shareholder structure is of absolutely no interest to 99.99% of fans.

And guess what? That is pretty well my conclusion too. I really doubt most fans give a flying you-know-what who is in charge, as long as they have someone to moan about and blame.



A very dedicated fan said to me (whilst collecting last Friday) that Coco the clown could be chairman for all he cared, as long as we had a club to follow and a decent team to watch.



Was he that wrong? Was he heck, IMO.



Internet forms attract fans who tend, on average to take a more active interest in such things than most, I suggest? Having been involved twice now in establishing supporter organisations and doing petitions and surveys and things, I know only too well just how hard it is to raise any significant body of supporters.



And how much work is involved.

What happened with the good friday deadline????



How did a deadline change from one bank holiday to another. I never understood that deadline for the £500k. I can't think who would be demanding money on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday or Monday???