We had a thread not long ago called ideas for Mr Candy, nice and simple, writing simple suggestions or communications to the previous chief executive of TUFC to help the smooth running of our football club or to make the supporters links or matchday experiences smoother.
So here is a new thread, there are many ideas, suggestions and opinions of what supporters feel needs to be done for the greater good of Torquay United and its fanbase, many of these have been thoughts that have been spread across various posts and threads, some are just a small mention others more elaborate, some suggestions which may be useful might get missed. So, everyone has an opinion, there is always somebody with something to say on here whether positive or negative, SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO? We know people from the club read this forum, so, what ideas do you all have that can help Torquay United, what can we do as a club, as a collective fan base or as individuals. Put your ideas and suggestions here, so they are easy to find, easily digestable and they dont get lost or missed across numerous posts and threads.
Here is an idea I had previously on the players fund thread, it had a slightly positive response and out of curiosity I would like some feedback on how it would, could or wouldnt work. I have a few more ideas as well, but check this out first.
I am sure there are many variations or scenarios in which way this idea could work, obviously I dont know much about these things but, if people can put funds into a trust group hoping they will eventually a long way down the line buy shares and get a place on the board or put towards buying the freehold of Plainmoor then why not go direct and raise badly needed funds for the club now and by buying into them in this way if there is this sort of fund raising scheme.Post by chunkygull » 29 Aug 2015, 00:46
Right here goes, I'm fully expecting to get hammered and take some stick for this, plus get told I'm an idiot, told to shut up, told I don't know what I'm talking about, portrayed as a bit thick, accused of having a duuuhhh moment, and possibly getting my ass kicked. Sod it!
Been mulling this over for a while and have also seen a little mention of this idea elsewhere by someone else but it got missed and didnt get the sort of feedback like I actually felt it deserved. I have had a little look to find some info on this subject as to how it would work or whether its harmless or legal, but its clear as mud to me so ideas, knowledge and feedback please guys.
“ Instead of just asking for donations to a player fund to actively inject some much needed finance into the club coffers why not throw open to supporters a nice, simple, easy to understand, basic, cheap enough, sensible – share scheme.â€
Going back a few months the old consortium were looking for a buyer, obviously that takes a lot of money – A group of supporters chucked in a reported 30k each - Dean Edwards after the new consortium took over said they were still looking for investors or investment if anyone is interested (that usually means one or two chucking in all at once a fair bit of wedge) – We have a supporters trust (TUST) trying to raise money through a monthly membership fee to gain some sort of position on the board or whatever their plans are for the greater good of TUFC – We now have the new board asking for a contribution from supporters to a player fund pot of money, which in effect is a charitable donation on top of what they already spend watching the team and buying merchandise etc, nothing wrong with that, the club have to try everything, but obviously the sort of money and uptake of support they need is unlikely to be enough for what is required.
So, when you buy a ticket, buy a shirt, scarf, programme or car sticker etc, you are putting money into the club to help and support them, in a round about way you are putting in investment but you are always getting something in return, with the player fund donations yes effectively it helps us have a better team but you aren't really getting much or something other than a thank you in return, not that supporters ever really expect much back other than a team that tries its best and gives its all. What supporters might open up to more and feel more willing to hand over their money to is an actual share scheme, the club needs money and investment, rather than going after a few people to put a lot of money in, why not go after a lot more people to put a little bit of money in at a time. So, the club sets its price per share keeps it very affordable and sensible, you offer them in the simplest, easiest, safest way to TUFC supporters, they hand over their money either buying shares monthly or as a lump sum as and when they can, and then they get little tiny pieces of the club they love, even if it doesn't mean much or have any effect on the running of the club or have much impact in the grand scheme of things or its just on paper etc, they feel great about having their little part of the club and it makes more supporters/investors/contributors want to contribute and buy their piece, they inject much needed funds to TUFC and its team and in turn it makes them feel closer to the club.
Without getting too excited we aren't talking fan ownership here or a TUST model, or the stock market, the board will still be the bosses/owners/control of the club, obviously unless someone eventually and affordably accrues enough shares of monetary value to earn a place, although that's highly unlikely as they would possibly have done that already. We could all become shareholders, even just on a very small scale, e.g at £5 or £10 a share you pay that then you own one share, you pay £10 a month, in a year you have 24 shares (just a theoretical figure).
look at it this way people are currently giving money to a fund either as a monthly direct debit or contributions here and there when affordable, how sustainable is that, how much interest is there for how long, is it really bringing in enough money? If you offered people shares in the club for that money, say they carry on contributing to it as they already are, you can pay a monthly direct debit or pay as you can afford and you get a share or 2 or 3 or 4 etc for that money, surely you would get more interest and uptake from the fan base, more supporters are likely to fork over the dough for the chance to be even the tiniest part of the club.
(Thinking about it I'm sure something like this sort of thing was mooted and very nearly did happen during Mike Batesons tenure just before he sold to Knoberts, but I could be mistaken.)
As I said I don't know the legalities, business protocols, how taxing would work (if at all) or how you could go about these things, but if you can say to someone come and invest in our club or come and put your money into our club, put your £x,ooo's in and be a board member, or say to supporters could you contribute some spare cash to the club, then as long as there is no harm, cost, or negative or complication to the running of TUFC then why cant each supporter no matter how big or small purchase a share, surely it shouldn't cost the club or do any harm in any way and the feel good factor and interest in it should be very positive, whilst giving TUFC a much needed cash injection.
Anyway, thats one idea, I know you all have various thoughts so come on guys, its over to you.......
), sport on tv, certain events on, watching local leagues, gardening, car boot sales, the pub or whatever. So you do your Saturday afternoon stuff, some you possibly couldnt get out of, your evening is free and clear, you have made a day of it, you are really in the mood to go to the match at Plainmoor. A weekend game attendance with an evening atmosphere beckons.
Or were they thinking it anyway and its just conicidence (probably). Anyway maybe trying new things can be really good, if we just keep on doing the same things over and over again without the results we want whats the point, I know a winning team would bring back the crowds but no harm in giving other options a go. 
