| An open letter to Andrew Kelly 09:36 - Jul 3 with 46656 views | ColDale |
With all the issues that have taken place this year, Dale fans have never associated yourself with any of that. You can see that with your re-election vote at the AGM where 95% of supporters voted in favour of you. You are not seen in the same light as Bottomley and Rawlinson. Dale supporters know you for what you are — a proper Rochdale bloke who loves both the Club and the town.
Arguably, you’ve been the one constant at the Club in the past twenty years, the one constant through the most successful time in our 114 year history and from my dealings with you, I am well aware of all the work you have done that doesn’t reach the public domain — whether that be your work with the academy, or your work with both Hilly and Flicker throughout that time. This club would not be what it is had you not been involved.
We’re Rochdale, we’ve always been different. We’ve never had an owner in modern history. The likes of Cannon have tried but there’s been a Rochdale way that has seen us shine since the dark days of the 80’s where we almost dropped into non league. That Rochdale way has led to a succession of hard working individuals acting in the best interests of the Club — you as much as any of them — and that has seen us survive and prosper.
We’ve not had the debts of other clubs, we’ve not gone into admin unlike every other EFL club in the area. We’ve had the stadium rebuilt into what it is today, we’ve had the most successful time on the field in our entire history, and we’ve been a benchmark for every other club to follow. That’s come on your watch.
This weekend is the most important weekend in the history of the Club.
By the end of this weekend, we might be in a position where we have a single owner or pair of owners. That fantastic video that the club put out about “This is my club” that got me all emotional might need remaking.
What do we know about them? Practically nothing — one comes from Essex seems to have no trail whatsoever which carries it own set of red flags and the other comes from Worksop with a history in housing developments.
But we are at the stage where they are close to getting the keys to the club.
What else do we know? Well I believe that they’d already shown an interest and you’d knocked it back. They weren’t good enough for the club a few months ago, so why now?
We know we disagreed about MH and whether that was in the best interests of the club, but if MH wasn’t the answer, why are we going with people who were dismissed as tyre kickers previously?
You can understand the others for selling to them. They’ve not got the history you have, despite their claims. They’ve never been here for most of their lives, they’ve never put their own money in year after year. They are not what we would call proper Rochdale people. You are. You’ve always been “What can I do for this club?” rather than “What’s in it for me” and that is why you are so respected within the town/
I implore you not to sell your shares in the Club, and if you do there are alternatives that protect the best interests of the Football Club and give you the legacy that you richly deserve. You’ve done your time and nobody can blame you for wanting to enjoy your retirement. You’ve done far more than any of the rest of us would do, but there’s one thing left to do that will protect the Club you love and have done so much for.
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 12:24 - Jul 5 with 6685 views | TomRAFC |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 11:36 - Jul 5 by electricblue |
Cheers for the figures.
Is £175k even feasible to to raise from the supporters...
I really hope so,
In essence apart from the supporters putting into the share raising pot how else do Dale raise the monies needed......
I think media and social media presence is required to get it out there as they say.... |
How much former directors, the trust, Cloughie's estate and the board could muster is an unknown. There's also however much the fans could raise.
I'm still hopeful that the inability to get a majority so far could scupper the deal if any share transfers aren't complete yet. |  |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 12:59 - Jul 5 with 6480 views | boromat |
Do we think we'll hear from the club today or are there still too many moving parts? | |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 13:04 - Jul 5 with 6449 views | EllDale |
Only buying half of them would presumably take the figure below 50% though? Would that stop a takeover? | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 13:07 - Jul 5 with 6418 views | dawlishdale |
I think it's barking up the wrong tree fundraising to buy AK's shares. He is unlikely to sell them now imho.
What would be better would be to fundraise via a pledge system in favour of the Trust, in order to buy up some of the more at risk shareholdings, who might not realise just what a hostile situation we find ourselves in.
I'm so disappointed in the Americans and in particular Andrew Kilpatrick if they have indeed sold. I really thought they were better people than that. | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 13:30 - Jul 5 with 6244 views | D_Alien |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 13:07 - Jul 5 by dawlishdale |
I think it's barking up the wrong tree fundraising to buy AK's shares. He is unlikely to sell them now imho.
What would be better would be to fundraise via a pledge system in favour of the Trust, in order to buy up some of the more at risk shareholdings, who might not realise just what a hostile situation we find ourselves in.
I'm so disappointed in the Americans and in particular Andrew Kilpatrick if they have indeed sold. I really thought they were better people than that. |
Agree with this
Just knowing there's funds readily available should he decide to sell just might be enough to convince AKelly to hang on to his shares for the time being - if he's not already been convinced, that is!
In the meantime, all shareholders who were contacted as part of the fantastic effort to defeat the old board's proposals on 1 June have already been alerted (i think) about not selling to shysters but also having a ready-made bona fide channel by which to sell their shares when the time is right for them
As has been stated, the buying up of current shares does detract from the funds available to buy new shares when issued to help re-float the finances. It's a conundrum, since both are vital but i'd say on balance that ensuring the integrity of the club and the new board's ability to pursue it's agenda on behalf of fans is the more vital
[Post edited 5 Jul 2021 13:31]
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 13:56 - Jul 5 with 6066 views | Brierls |
The immediate plan has to be to stop/delay the transfer of shares to Curran and Rose. If that's possible, of course. If that is achieved, the shareholders who were selling can be approached and discussions had on the possibility of those shares remaining in the 'Dale Family' if there remains a desire to sell. In each and every case, I'd suggest not selling to parties attempting a hostile takeover is very much in their best interests now that this is out in the open.
Dawlishdale also makes a very good point about approaching those shareholders who are vulnerable in the sense of not being fully aware of the threat these offers pose.
Offers from fans to donate to the trust to buy shares, or buy themselves, are great but it needs to be a coordinated effort. If fans or existing new board members are to buy shares privately outside of a share issue (which may be the action required to protect the club from a hostile takeover), that needs to planned to get the result we all want. Purchasing existing shares does not bring revenue into the club, but it may be required to even get to the point of a share issue which would generate funds and offer further protection from situations like this.
I'm confident that the right people are furiously working behind the scenes and statements will be made via the Club and Trust when the situation allows. |  | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 14:17 - Jul 5 with 5894 views | bazingadale |
Does anybody want me to get a new banner saying Curran and Rose out before the friendlies? |  | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 15:13 - Jul 5 with 5545 views | 49thseason |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 13:56 - Jul 5 by Brierls |
The immediate plan has to be to stop/delay the transfer of shares to Curran and Rose. If that's possible, of course. If that is achieved, the shareholders who were selling can be approached and discussions had on the possibility of those shares remaining in the 'Dale Family' if there remains a desire to sell. In each and every case, I'd suggest not selling to parties attempting a hostile takeover is very much in their best interests now that this is out in the open.
Dawlishdale also makes a very good point about approaching those shareholders who are vulnerable in the sense of not being fully aware of the threat these offers pose.
Offers from fans to donate to the trust to buy shares, or buy themselves, are great but it needs to be a coordinated effort. If fans or existing new board members are to buy shares privately outside of a share issue (which may be the action required to protect the club from a hostile takeover), that needs to planned to get the result we all want. Purchasing existing shares does not bring revenue into the club, but it may be required to even get to the point of a share issue which would generate funds and offer further protection from situations like this.
I'm confident that the right people are furiously working behind the scenes and statements will be made via the Club and Trust when the situation allows. |
A new share issue is problematic in that the takeover circus would be entitled to buy more shares in the club and the rest of us would need to ensure they were all bought or they would hoover up those that remained.
I am now thinking a two pronged attack is needed:
1. The club needs to raise money. This could be achieved by issuing Preferential (non voting) shares carrying a small rate of interest for say 3 years which could be then exchanged for voting stock or repaid.
2. The Trust needs funds to continue hoovering up shares from other shareholders to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands. To do this they will need money from donations / activities / proxy's / etc.
3. the club can buy back shares and put them back into the treasury for re-sale in the future . Not ideal but might be better than someone selling to a hostile bidder..
I think its worth a letter to shareholders asking if they would be interested in donating some or all of their shares back to the club or the Trust and perhaps keeping a single share to maintain their right to vote. Many people will have written off their shares as items of little value and keep them for sentimental purposes but if the club can re-sell them or they can strengthen the Trusts position perhaps they might think its a helpful solution. |  | | |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 15:41 - Jul 5 with 5400 views | TalkingSutty |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 10:40 - Jul 5 by TomRAFC |
I'm going to try and phrase this post very carefully, first time for everything.
We all present a moderated version of ourselves in public before opening up further.
Let's say Curran and Rose don't have a majority shareholding, can't renege on their own deals, and are now in a money pit. Fellows who are off the grid and walking around with a minder in public, what might they do to "convince" people to sell to them. An offer they can't refuse? And in what format?
Hopefully folks as shifty as these will have ways and means of slithering out of the deal. I'm sure they are reading. Save your cash, loveys... Assuming it's yours. [Post edited 6 Jul 2021 11:44]
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No need for a minder in the first place, that’s no way to turn up for a meeting. It’s not the image you want to be portraying, this is Rochdale not Milwall...a family club. It was commented on by the police officers in attendance on the night before the Swindon game, the Speakmans didn’t need a minder. Its a great way to attract attention to yourself, which is what happened. [Post edited 5 Jul 2021 15:50]
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 16:23 - Jul 5 with 5203 views | SuddenLad |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 15:41 - Jul 5 by TalkingSutty |
No need for a minder in the first place, that’s no way to turn up for a meeting. It’s not the image you want to be portraying, this is Rochdale not Milwall...a family club. It was commented on by the police officers in attendance on the night before the Swindon game, the Speakmans didn’t need a minder. Its a great way to attract attention to yourself, which is what happened. [Post edited 5 Jul 2021 15:50]
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Let's be honest. Unless you are already a target for someone and feel threatened, or you are setting out to intimidate others, you don't wander round with a muscular
assistant, looking like you are auditioning for a part in a 'B' rated gangster movie.
Normal people, who conduct their businesses and who live their lives in a proper, professional and honourable way, don't have the need to be escorted around like that.
It is most definitely NOT an image or association that any football club should be associated with. |  |
| “It is easier to fool people, than to convince them that they have been fooled†|
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 16:37 - Jul 5 with 5110 views | James1980 |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 16:23 - Jul 5 by SuddenLad |
Let's be honest. Unless you are already a target for someone and feel threatened, or you are setting out to intimidate others, you don't wander round with a muscular
assistant, looking like you are auditioning for a part in a 'B' rated gangster movie.
Normal people, who conduct their businesses and who live their lives in a proper, professional and honourable way, don't have the need to be escorted around like that.
It is most definitely NOT an image or association that any football club should be associated with. |
Especially if you want to be the best family club in the league. | |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 16:46 - Jul 5 with 5047 views | TalkingSutty |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 16:23 - Jul 5 by SuddenLad |
Let's be honest. Unless you are already a target for someone and feel threatened, or you are setting out to intimidate others, you don't wander round with a muscular
assistant, looking like you are auditioning for a part in a 'B' rated gangster movie.
Normal people, who conduct their businesses and who live their lives in a proper, professional and honourable way, don't have the need to be escorted around like that.
It is most definitely NOT an image or association that any football club should be associated with. |
Agree, in hindsight it could have been as a result of all the argy bargy going on at Swindon, their fans are not happy with those involved in the Club, maybe they thought exiled Swindon fans might turn up. Anyway, it looked very menacing and not want you want to see at lower league football clubs. Maybe the minder is only used for attending games. | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly (n/t) on 17:10 - Jul 5 with 4899 views | off2div1 |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 17:20 - Jul 5 with 4827 views | electricblue |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 15:13 - Jul 5 by 49thseason |
A new share issue is problematic in that the takeover circus would be entitled to buy more shares in the club and the rest of us would need to ensure they were all bought or they would hoover up those that remained.
I am now thinking a two pronged attack is needed:
1. The club needs to raise money. This could be achieved by issuing Preferential (non voting) shares carrying a small rate of interest for say 3 years which could be then exchanged for voting stock or repaid.
2. The Trust needs funds to continue hoovering up shares from other shareholders to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands. To do this they will need money from donations / activities / proxy's / etc.
3. the club can buy back shares and put them back into the treasury for re-sale in the future . Not ideal but might be better than someone selling to a hostile bidder..
I think its worth a letter to shareholders asking if they would be interested in donating some or all of their shares back to the club or the Trust and perhaps keeping a single share to maintain their right to vote. Many people will have written off their shares as items of little value and keep them for sentimental purposes but if the club can re-sell them or they can strengthen the Trusts position perhaps they might think its a helpful solution. |
The COA is vital to the town in many ways but its extremely vital in having a football club and a rugby club in the borough.....
The council should be involved in whats happening and even help the club and the trust in trying to purchase the shares....
The council helped the club with the work on the pitch so surely it is their best interest to help..
The purchase of the shares by RMBC to enable nobody gets their grumby mits on the club and the ground.
The supporters and the trust inc shareholders can help the club buy purchasing the unissued shares to keep everything going....
The shares bought by RMBC can be bought back by the club over a period of time say 5 or 10yrs..... |  |
| My all time favourite Dale player Mr Lyndon Symmonds |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 18:31 - Jul 5 with 4515 views | EllDale |
That’s not a bad idea.
Don’t how we are with the council though since Allan Brett was ousted as leader? He always seemed to be a friend of professional sport in the borough but a new regime is in place now.
Worth a try though. | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 18:49 - Jul 5 with 4386 views | boromat |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 17:20 - Jul 5 by electricblue |
The COA is vital to the town in many ways but its extremely vital in having a football club and a rugby club in the borough.....
The council should be involved in whats happening and even help the club and the trust in trying to purchase the shares....
The council helped the club with the work on the pitch so surely it is their best interest to help..
The purchase of the shares by RMBC to enable nobody gets their grumby mits on the club and the ground.
The supporters and the trust inc shareholders can help the club buy purchasing the unissued shares to keep everything going....
The shares bought by RMBC can be bought back by the club over a period of time say 5 or 10yrs..... |
I'm sure there's loads of legal protectionism schemes that could be put in place. And hopefully all the options are being thought about.
Maybe radical but things like selling the Ground to the Dale Trust for a quid and lease it back on a 100 year lease or just selling the land to the Dale Trust meaning the leasehold could be used as a lever to put off any potential buyer. Huge lease costs could be put in place. | |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 19:28 - Jul 5 with 4187 views | electricblue |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 18:49 - Jul 5 by boromat |
I'm sure there's loads of legal protectionism schemes that could be put in place. And hopefully all the options are being thought about.
Maybe radical but things like selling the Ground to the Dale Trust for a quid and lease it back on a 100 year lease or just selling the land to the Dale Trust meaning the leasehold could be used as a lever to put off any potential buyer. Huge lease costs could be put in place. |
Thats a damn fine idea..........
Would the board be willing to do such a thing and would the shareholders have to vote for 8t to go ahead..... | |
| My all time favourite Dale player Mr Lyndon Symmonds |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:34 - Jul 5 with 3954 views | nordenblue |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 18:49 - Jul 5 by boromat |
I'm sure there's loads of legal protectionism schemes that could be put in place. And hopefully all the options are being thought about.
Maybe radical but things like selling the Ground to the Dale Trust for a quid and lease it back on a 100 year lease or just selling the land to the Dale Trust meaning the leasehold could be used as a lever to put off any potential buyer. Huge lease costs could be put in place. |
If its anything like a house etc you can't simply sell it for a nominal fee without allsorts of implications along the way tax wise etc, there's some term linked to purposefully devaluing the property/land too for tax purposes but you'd like to think the club have access to decent legal advise either way from someone a lot more qualified than me. | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:34 - Jul 5 with 3955 views | EllDale |
Depends on who is responsible for maintaining the ground if some sort of deal as outlined above was agreed.
Massive associated costs in running a stadium as well as the obvious ones, | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:36 - Jul 5 with 3929 views | boromat |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:34 - Jul 5 by nordenblue |
If its anything like a house etc you can't simply sell it for a nominal fee without allsorts of implications along the way tax wise etc, there's some term linked to purposefully devaluing the property/land too for tax purposes but you'd like to think the club have access to decent legal advise either way from someone a lot more qualified than me. |
Yes exactly I'm no expert and don't know the ins and outs they were just random ideas. Hopefully we've got the experts to help come up with the right way forward. | |
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:41 - Jul 5 with 3904 views | nordenblue |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:36 - Jul 5 by boromat |
Yes exactly I'm no expert and don't know the ins and outs they were just random ideas. Hopefully we've got the experts to help come up with the right way forward. |
There will be a "legal" way around it that works its just getting the relevant advice from somebody who's not entirely straight laced helps sometimes | | | |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:39 - Jul 6 with 2729 views | 1907 |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 22:03 - Jul 5 by boromat |
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I don’t know whether silence is a good thing or a bad thing now?
After all the madness over the weekend I’m just gobsmacked there’s been no further updates from either the club or people ITK.
Regarding The Trust statement; is “that individual” AK or the shysters? [Post edited 6 Jul 2021 20:41]
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| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 21:00 - Jul 6 with 2625 views | boromat |
| An open letter to Andrew Kelly on 20:39 - Jul 6 by 1907 |
I don’t know whether silence is a good thing or a bad thing now?
After all the madness over the weekend I’m just gobsmacked there’s been no further updates from either the club or people ITK.
Regarding The Trust statement; is “that individual” AK or the shysters? [Post edited 6 Jul 2021 20:41]
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Yeah it feels like the dust settling and all sides seeing what the end result is before making any statements or decisions in ways forward. It's got me very nervous. | |
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