Crowd funding

[hector]

Whether to pay off Knill or to raise towards a new player, or some other project. East Fife are doing it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-s ... s-25199039

I do remember an early version of 'crowd funding' around the mid-80s when fans raised money to sign Steve Phillips. I remember doing a sponsored football dribble event held on the old astro pitch at Audley Park school.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I think it's a cracking idea. How about also each fan being given a sponsorship form for example to collect money from friends and family for an as yet unspecified but perfectly valid fundraising event and if they can hand over say £50 minimum then they get a free ticket? I know Torquay United isn't a registered charity but I'd certainly be happy to ask around to collect at least £50 for the club if I'd get a free ticket. I get in free and the club get an extra £30 ish quid at least for nothing. It's like I've said before, incentivising the fans and giving them something back without losing out.

Would this work do you think?

[knightmaregull]

I remember Mike Bateson started a 'Player's Fund' at some stage on the premise that all donations would be used solely for purchases / wages. Seem to remember chucking my pocket money into a bucket at half time!

Problem is even if every fan gave to their maximum means it would touch the sides these days.

[Jerry]

The Greeks have been doing something along these lines for years.

http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/arti ... 36063.aspx

[wivelgull]

About twenty years ago I bought £100 worth of Torquay United shares; have got bugger all for the 'investment' except for the annual statement (which they're required by law to send out to shareholders).

[MidDevon]

My favourite group, punk legends, "Stiff Little Fingers", have just gone through the process of funding their new albumn on pledgemusic which is growing in popularity
It took them 3 days to reach their target by pre-selling the albumn and adding value to fans by selling signed albumns, letting fans play with the band etc....makes you feel closer to the group and avoids them having to come up with funding....

[sam_]

Why not just pay £20 to get in?

Trying to get people to give money for what will be seen as paying the wages of over paid sportsman is a hard one to sell.

If i invested in a crowd funded company i want something back a share of the club for example. I have invested in football clubs in the past via shares .

Nice idea and think it would benefit maybe a brand new club or ground where life time season tickets could be offered and so fans feel they are helping the club and not the staff on a short term basis

Attendances are already low! Putting the prices up will only put more people off!