| Trust statement - Resignation 09:47 - Feb 28 with 18859 views | judd |
At a Trust board meeting on Monday 26th February, it became apparent that the approach I had taken since the announcement dated 20th February, of the EGM and potential liquidation of the club, was not supported by the whole board.
Despite my request for petty squabbles to be set aside until the crisis had been concluded, this was ignored. I am unable, therefore, to deliver the unity required at this most critical of times.
Consequently, yesterday I advised the board that I would be stepping down at the end of this season, which was the original agreed term.
Further reflection has led me to conclude that I cannot work with the Trust board any longer, so am resigning from the positions of chair and board member forthwith.
Last night I had the uplifting pleasure of meeting a potential investor, and Simon Gauge has agreed for me to continue to pass on any details of the initiatives I have worked on in the past week.
As I now write this as just a supporter, I would recommend that in the absence of any other option, shareholders vote in support of the board motions.
Thank you and Up the Dale.
George Brigham
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 15:33 - Feb 28 with 2741 views | RAFCBLUE |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 15:00 - Feb 28 by 49thseason |
It is more then unfortunate that the Trust board seemingly cannot or will not agree a common strategy between themselves in this moment of accute peril for the club they support. That the leadership is split apparently beyond repair either points to an ideological inability to accept a corporate view or a deliberately contrarian attitude. For two chairmen to resign in relatively short order seems to suggest that there is an irreparable split in the Trust leadership and that being the case, the other Board members should also look closely at their actions and consider stepping down too. The Trust is not there simply to disagree with the Board of Directors.
A divided Trust is the last thing the Club' supporters need at this point. There will be plenty of time for recriminations if we lose the club at the end of March. This is the time for unity and trust in the judgement of people who have met and done some due diligence into prospective buyers. If others think the club should not be sold, they have the duty to bring a better, carefully costed and workable plan that addresses the inherent financial problems the club is currently experiencing, to the table for the trust membership to vote on before the shareholders vote. As the representatives of the largest shareholder it is their responsibility to either put up an alternative plan, accept the plan to sell the club or step down. Simply saying no, is not an option... If not this then what? |
I always thought that the purpose of the Trust was the three things in the mission statement:
https://www.daletrust.co.uk/2015/07/trust-mission-statement-2015-16/
None of those things preclude putting an alternate investment case that but the prime roles are to strengthen links between supporters, members and club.
Additionally, the Trust constitution states that the members have to appoint the Trust board and for many years the Trust asks members to vote on key matters, so they understand the membership's view.
The vote next week is pivotal. The Trust represents 13% where 75% is needed to pass the motions and move forward.
The recommendation above in the OP is that the vote is for the motions.
The Trust poll closes next Tuesday and I presume will be announced next Tuesday so we will know the views of the members in advance of Thursday's meeting. |  |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:09 - Feb 28 with 2596 views | 49thseason |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 15:07 - Feb 28 by 442Dale |
Sorry if I’m missing anything, but where was there any indication about what views people had about the club being sold or whether the Trust agree/disagree with the board have anything to do with what has happened? |
Well , I am fairly sure he didn't resign because he thought we shouldn't be playing in black socks and shorts at night....I thought his comments about accepting the Boards proposals were fairly revealing.... |  | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:18 - Feb 28 with 2565 views | 442Dale |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:09 - Feb 28 by 49thseason |
Well , I am fairly sure he didn't resign because he thought we shouldn't be playing in black socks and shorts at night....I thought his comments about accepting the Boards proposals were fairly revealing.... |
Are you? That’s for Judd and him alone to comment on, which he has in the original post. If you want to discuss specifics, and this is probably not the place to do it, then it’s best to be totally sure.
As for the recommendation, as said previously, his comments have been noted and appreciated by many. [Post edited 28 Feb 16:22]
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:28 - Feb 28 with 2488 views | scooby |
How do i change my trust vote??  |  | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:30 - Feb 28 with 2478 views | Duckegg |
Well this is a complete shock....first Colin steps down and now George also steps down..
Both guys have done sterling work during their time and they will be sorely missed and an hard act to follow. [Post edited 28 Feb 16:56]
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:41 - Feb 28 with 2377 views | Dalenet |
I can only echo what everybody has said. A sad day for the Trust and thanks George for everything you have done. I had hoped for some clarity on the best options for fans as we wrestle with our vote....you have been clear on your view which i find most helpful. As for the remaining Trust Board, they need to make a statement is they have an opposing view and why they believe their views are realistic. You still have to represent the membership somehow. | | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:50 - Feb 28 with 2327 views | 442Dale |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:41 - Feb 28 by Dalenet |
I can only echo what everybody has said. A sad day for the Trust and thanks George for everything you have done. I had hoped for some clarity on the best options for fans as we wrestle with our vote....you have been clear on your view which i find most helpful. As for the remaining Trust Board, they need to make a statement is they have an opposing view and why they believe their views are realistic. You still have to represent the membership somehow. |
Again, there’s nothing to indicate anything around the Trust board having different views or routes forward - nor should they as an organisation because, as was pointed out on Sunday they are there to represent the views of the members not to say which way any vote on any subject should go.
In fact, all we saw at that meeting was a commitment from the Trust to try and listen to fans, collect questions and try and get some information from the club. Which is exactly what they should be doing.
Whatever has happened around that is separate. It’s best to wait for the Trust’s next statement. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:52 - Feb 28 with 2323 views | James1980 |
Do the naysayers on the trust board have an alternative that can ensure the club finishes this season and can start and complete the next? | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:28 - Feb 28 with 2193 views | blackdogblue |
Hi Judd,
I am speechless but understand the decision will not have been taken lightly, on the conversations we have had over the Black Dog Scandal and since you have Dale in your heart & soul.
Thank you for all you did… |  |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:28 - Feb 28 with 2184 views | 442Dale |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 16:52 - Feb 28 by James1980 |
Do the naysayers on the trust board have an alternative that can ensure the club finishes this season and can start and complete the next? |
Last time.
It. Doesn’t. Say. That. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:50 - Feb 28 with 2062 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
I don't know you from Adam, Juddster, but this is a shock to me as I feel I should know you after all the imput you had on here about numerous topics......it was always you who , at least to me, rounded out that crock BotBot. I used to think, wow Judd has it in for this guy I think he has the measure of him, he must be a miscreant and so it proved. Similar with his rogue associates....we owe you for that!
Mostly though it's you sense of humour .....spilt coffee on my keyboard many a time with your quips and one liners.
What now??.....you MUST STAY ON HERE! | | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:54 - Feb 28 with 2027 views | Plattyswrinklynuts |
I echo all the sentiments on here. George will be a huge loss both in terms of knowledge & commitment to the trust.
We urgently need a statement from the trust to clarify their position. |  | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:56 - Feb 28 with 2008 views | James1980 |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:28 - Feb 28 by 442Dale |
Last time.
It. Doesn’t. Say. That. |
Sorry | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:00 - Feb 28 with 1981 views | 442Dale |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:56 - Feb 28 by James1980 |
Sorry |
That’s ok, James, as am I. Mainly because this thread should be about ensuring Judd knows how appreciated his work has been and then a real debate about the future role of the Trust should something like this occur. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:26 - Feb 28 with 1855 views | wozzrafc |
This the last thing that we need as a club. In the past week one person has stood out up to professionally try and provide a focus for fans and to fill the void of information due to the boards short comings.
I think one the reasons the whole scenario hasn’t descended in blind panic is the work the trust has done and I particularly judd. To lose that consolidating presence now will be really detrimental.
I’d like to thank you judd for the work you have put in, and I know you will still be voice of reason from the sidelines. But your leadership of the trust at this crucial time will be missed.
The rest of the trust board needs to step up to the plate ASAP, that channel of communication between the board and any potential buyers must to be maintained. The trustalso need to continue to communicate with your members and other fans. This can’t wait!! | | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:46 - Feb 28 with 1776 views | jonahwhereru |
Judd,
Disappointing news on many levels. In you I Trust.
One thing I hope you continue doing is bringing your sense of humour to this site. | | | |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:47 - Feb 28 with 1773 views | tony_roch975 |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 17:28 - Feb 28 by 442Dale |
Last time.
It. Doesn’t. Say. That. |
Sorry 442 but as this thread is here I'll respond to it - we can't all keep our thoughts to the 'proper' thread.
It may indeed be there are other reasons for George's resignation but, If your post means you are claiming he didn't say there were some on the Trust Board who didn't agree with his opinion to support the BOD resolutions, I beg to differ - these quotes from George's statement imply he did:-
"it became apparent that the approach I had taken ...was not supported by the whole board".
"I cannot work with the Trust board any longer, so am resigning from the positions of chair and board member forthwith".
"As I now write this as just a supporter, I would recommend that in the absence of any other option, shareholders vote in support of the board motions".
And if that is true and especially as you say the Trust Committee ”are there to represent the views of the members”, whether you agree with George or not, surely James is quite right in challenging those who represent disagreement with the resolutions to produce a viable costed alternative.
It was George, not James, who posted the OP about his and the Trust’s position. I can’t see why James has anything to apologise for. Certainly if George’s OP is being misconstrued he is quite able to correct any misunderstanding. [Post edited 28 Feb 18:54]
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:55 - Feb 28 with 1748 views | judd |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:47 - Feb 28 by tony_roch975 |
Sorry 442 but as this thread is here I'll respond to it - we can't all keep our thoughts to the 'proper' thread.
It may indeed be there are other reasons for George's resignation but, If your post means you are claiming he didn't say there were some on the Trust Board who didn't agree with his opinion to support the BOD resolutions, I beg to differ - these quotes from George's statement imply he did:-
"it became apparent that the approach I had taken ...was not supported by the whole board".
"I cannot work with the Trust board any longer, so am resigning from the positions of chair and board member forthwith".
"As I now write this as just a supporter, I would recommend that in the absence of any other option, shareholders vote in support of the board motions".
And if that is true and especially as you say the Trust Committee ”are there to represent the views of the members”, whether you agree with George or not, surely James is quite right in challenging those who represent disagreement with the resolutions to produce a viable costed alternative.
It was George, not James, who posted the OP about his and the Trust’s position. I can’t see why James has anything to apologise for. Certainly if George’s OP is being misconstrued he is quite able to correct any misunderstanding. [Post edited 28 Feb 18:54]
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Just for absolute clarity, the Trust board has not discussed the actual vote. It cannot be seen to unduly influence which way members should vote but will give impartial advice, as was the case on Sunday.
The issues were about procedure.
This is an incredibly moving thread and I am flattered. The club is the bigger picture in all this and the fans that support it.
Thanks all. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:04 - Feb 28 with 1712 views | D_Alien |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:47 - Feb 28 by tony_roch975 |
Sorry 442 but as this thread is here I'll respond to it - we can't all keep our thoughts to the 'proper' thread.
It may indeed be there are other reasons for George's resignation but, If your post means you are claiming he didn't say there were some on the Trust Board who didn't agree with his opinion to support the BOD resolutions, I beg to differ - these quotes from George's statement imply he did:-
"it became apparent that the approach I had taken ...was not supported by the whole board".
"I cannot work with the Trust board any longer, so am resigning from the positions of chair and board member forthwith".
"As I now write this as just a supporter, I would recommend that in the absence of any other option, shareholders vote in support of the board motions".
And if that is true and especially as you say the Trust Committee ”are there to represent the views of the members”, whether you agree with George or not, surely James is quite right in challenging those who represent disagreement with the resolutions to produce a viable costed alternative.
It was George, not James, who posted the OP about his and the Trust’s position. I can’t see why James has anything to apologise for. Certainly if George’s OP is being misconstrued he is quite able to correct any misunderstanding. [Post edited 28 Feb 18:54]
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If anyone who disagreed with the resolutions wished to propose a viable alternative costed plan, where would you suggest they obtain the relevant financial information in order to produce such a plan?
The Trust Board have in recent months put a proposal to the BoD to have sight of monthly financial data, in confidence. No-one else has this data, except of course interested investors who'll then be given access to it which shareholders/fans won't
Anyone asking for alternative costed plans needs to tell us where the requisite information will come from, or stop making that particular suggestion
[Post edited 28 Feb 19:07]
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:19 - Feb 28 with 1635 views | RAFCBLUE |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:04 - Feb 28 by D_Alien |
If anyone who disagreed with the resolutions wished to propose a viable alternative costed plan, where would you suggest they obtain the relevant financial information in order to produce such a plan?
The Trust Board have in recent months put a proposal to the BoD to have sight of monthly financial data, in confidence. No-one else has this data, except of course interested investors who'll then be given access to it which shareholders/fans won't
Anyone asking for alternative costed plans needs to tell us where the requisite information will come from, or stop making that particular suggestion
[Post edited 28 Feb 19:07]
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Unfortunately, as you know, that's not how it works in the real world DA.
If I want to buy a business I'll need to do my own financial projections based on my own plan. Hoping the company I am trying to acquire will spoonfeed it me is not what goes on in the real world.
But, at RAFC it is different.
The Trust and all shareholders do have detailed accounts with a long list of the costs in them that can be used. How else would we know that the Ratcliffe Arms overheads were £6,046 for a year or Scouting costs of £5,531 for FY2022?
So to say no one has the data isn't quite right and someone who really wanted to do it would make their own model, put in their own assumptions and work out how it would be financed.
A fully costed plan also needed to have some revenue assumptions which only potential investors or bidders can decide on. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:20 - Feb 28 with 1627 views | tony_roch975 |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:55 - Feb 28 by judd |
Just for absolute clarity, the Trust board has not discussed the actual vote. It cannot be seen to unduly influence which way members should vote but will give impartial advice, as was the case on Sunday.
The issues were about procedure.
This is an incredibly moving thread and I am flattered. The club is the bigger picture in all this and the fans that support it.
Thanks all. |
Excellent - yet another example of the integrity I read in all your posts and, from the comments on here, which you have demonstrated in your work with the Trust. Thank you for the clarification.
I note you don't say there aren't fellow committee members who disagree with your support for the resolutions; rather that the committee has not yet taken a formal position - correctly because it awaits the results of the Trust poll.
Evidently (like in Parliament) procedural issues can wreck havoc if not throughly defined and followed - more work for the Turst committee perhaps?
However I think the issue of how the Trust will represent such stridently divided views of members at the EGM vote is still crucial - in both speaking and voting! | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:21 - Feb 28 with 1625 views | 442Dale |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:55 - Feb 28 by judd |
Just for absolute clarity, the Trust board has not discussed the actual vote. It cannot be seen to unduly influence which way members should vote but will give impartial advice, as was the case on Sunday.
The issues were about procedure.
This is an incredibly moving thread and I am flattered. The club is the bigger picture in all this and the fans that support it.
Thanks all. |
Thank you for the confirmation and the clarity. Again. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:23 - Feb 28 with 1604 views | D_Alien |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:19 - Feb 28 by RAFCBLUE |
Unfortunately, as you know, that's not how it works in the real world DA.
If I want to buy a business I'll need to do my own financial projections based on my own plan. Hoping the company I am trying to acquire will spoonfeed it me is not what goes on in the real world.
But, at RAFC it is different.
The Trust and all shareholders do have detailed accounts with a long list of the costs in them that can be used. How else would we know that the Ratcliffe Arms overheads were £6,046 for a year or Scouting costs of £5,531 for FY2022?
So to say no one has the data isn't quite right and someone who really wanted to do it would make their own model, put in their own assumptions and work out how it would be financed.
A fully costed plan also needed to have some revenue assumptions which only potential investors or bidders can decide on. |
Can you tell us, RAFCBLUE, based upon your magisterial knowledge, whether the "breaking even" comments by SG concerned income actually meeting expenditure or only doing so through the input of finance from within the BoD?
In the real world, asking people to provide costed plans requires this type of information. Perhaps it'll emerge tomorrow evening | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:26 - Feb 28 with 1590 views | 442Dale |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 18:47 - Feb 28 by tony_roch975 |
Sorry 442 but as this thread is here I'll respond to it - we can't all keep our thoughts to the 'proper' thread.
It may indeed be there are other reasons for George's resignation but, If your post means you are claiming he didn't say there were some on the Trust Board who didn't agree with his opinion to support the BOD resolutions, I beg to differ - these quotes from George's statement imply he did:-
"it became apparent that the approach I had taken ...was not supported by the whole board".
"I cannot work with the Trust board any longer, so am resigning from the positions of chair and board member forthwith".
"As I now write this as just a supporter, I would recommend that in the absence of any other option, shareholders vote in support of the board motions".
And if that is true and especially as you say the Trust Committee ”are there to represent the views of the members”, whether you agree with George or not, surely James is quite right in challenging those who represent disagreement with the resolutions to produce a viable costed alternative.
It was George, not James, who posted the OP about his and the Trust’s position. I can’t see why James has anything to apologise for. Certainly if George’s OP is being misconstrued he is quite able to correct any misunderstanding. [Post edited 28 Feb 18:54]
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Sorry, read this after Judd’s post which clarified the points I was making about the issues.
The current situation at the club aside, the Trust now have to make a statement to their members about future direction and their next chair, interim or otherwise.
They also have work to do in following up with and publishing the responses to the questions posted earlier this week. | |
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| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:43 - Feb 28 with 1523 views | RAFCBLUE |
| Trust statement - Resignation on 19:23 - Feb 28 by D_Alien |
Can you tell us, RAFCBLUE, based upon your magisterial knowledge, whether the "breaking even" comments by SG concerned income actually meeting expenditure or only doing so through the input of finance from within the BoD?
In the real world, asking people to provide costed plans requires this type of information. Perhaps it'll emerge tomorrow evening |
I covered my thoughts on that on the EGM voting thread at 12.42 DA.
We'll have had cashflow income advances in the earlier part of the financial year from 1 July, like annual season cards and sponsorships that don't happen later in the year and no one offs - either transfers out or cup money.
Only having two home games in the first 47 days of 2024 will not have helped when the outflows like wages, PAYE and VAT are still there.
The quote from the Chairman in the Guardian is "The financial reality is that you have no one to fund the club when you need a cash input, so it doesn’t work."
From what I've read at least two of the current Board offered to put money into the club on a secured basis which was knocked back by the National League but have done that on an unsecured basis.
It's possible that early 2024 hasn't gone to plan with postponements and expected transfer receipts that might come later in 2024, but that's no good if the club can't trade properly past March. | |
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