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Post by tom on Apr 24, 2017 19:11:33 GMT
Well that was a iffy season, on the way we lost many friends who played on the pitch, though that is football, so to those on the team that have loyally served this club, yet are now gone or going, so long and I for one will miss the banter after games. Now for the downer, two days after the season has ended, yet I hope the board take some of these views "on board"  Most of you know me and will know that I work most weekends, yet, I have not bothered to attend a few home matches since March as I, as a payed up supporter of the club feel isolated from the new CBS scheme, which is wierd, as I would of thought a CBS club would involve everyone from the community, yet it seems, to me, as a non member of the CBS, I am now a outsider of the club, why? This is a old moan but when there was a "Trust", week on & week out on the old forum, members of the Trust would pester Chairman like Shaun or Eddie for a "Fans forum", yet nowt happened this season, as far as I know, regarding a actual fans forum? Are the old Trust members who are now on the board scared to hold one? Also, even though it might attribute income for the club, now that the boardroom is upstairs, again, the banter has been missing between fans and the directors, from both teams on the day, as no longer, on days of negative results, do they need to share the fans bar, the day I was there, when I asked where so & so was, I was given some feeble excuse that they were tied up with paper work, sad. I also posted on here a few seasons ago that I heard the 3g pitch was never gonna happen at the ground, seriously, is this ever going to happen? Yes the council have gave a pledge to help in the finances, but, BIG, but, one person I know on the council told me that this was a empty offer, as they know the club cannot meet there end of the bargain. Maybe the CBS could reply on this issue and say I am talking out of my ass, happy with that, yet my next question would be, if the club is going all out for a new pitch, how will that effect the playing budget for next season? UTM ps:- there maybe many edits to this post during the close season, as and when I hear rumours etc, what I will not include are my thoughts on players coming or going, as to me the on pitch/playing side of the club is outside what I class as the clubs politics |
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Post by seantizz on Apr 25, 2017 7:59:15 GMT
Hi Tom,
As ever, you make some fine points. And most of them revisit things that members and non-members have said for a while.
Even information received by members can be riddled with inaccuracies unfortunately. I have no idea why the current board choose to do so but perhaps it's because they know in their heart of hearts that the 3G pitch is a pipe dream (much like the council representative seems to believe).
I remain flabbergasted that in the most recent communication to the members we were told that an application to the Big Lottery Fund had failed - when it hadn't been submitted. I then received a curt E-mail from somebody at the club (who I won't name here) that's mostly damaging in terms of relationship building.
I sponsored a match ball but was unable to take up the benefits of it - I didn't mind but was still promised a programme from the day in the post - I'm still waiting for it. The board know the reason why I couldn't make it. In past years, members of the board would have contacted me to see how things now were.. Not these chap - they're too busy it seems.
From afar, I spot so many things the club could and should be doing better. I wish I lived in town and could commit to get more involved. I've offered to help in terms of my funding expertise on numerous occasions but to date it's not been taken up..
Best,
Sean
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Post by neutral on Apr 25, 2017 13:18:38 GMT
With more and more non league clubs struggling find a knight in shining armour to throw money at there club, many examples can be found around the country whereby supporters are assisting the wage bill by "donating" money on a weekly/monthly basis, to assist the manager bring in better players.
My question to the board is...
1) Has this option been explored?
2) If it has been considered, why hasn't it happened already?
3) As a community based club, surely 100 supporters would be willing to pay £20 a month, which would realistically equate to 2 decent players wages covered for the season.
4) Were any schemes in place for the current season which saw players wages subsidised by supporters or sponsorship packages?
It's just an idea, and it's interesting to know people's thoughts on it.
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Post by steven on Apr 25, 2017 14:47:12 GMT
Neutral - A 'Boost the Budget' was launched in February last year, a couple of supporters signed up, there is a link on the club website.
At the CBS meeting in February a member was going to take on the role of relaunching it, I'm not sure what his name is and I don't know when it is being relaunched though. Another member asked the other members how many would be willing to pay £20 per month, almost everyone said yes (20 people?).
Hopefully it will be relaunched over the summer, but don't let that stop you signing up straight away!
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Post by tom on Apr 25, 2017 15:48:21 GMT
good post regarding sponsorship of players, in the past I've known of fans who have helped out with petrol cost for players and even the tea & coffee on the players coach, as the advert says, every little helps, to some £20 a month may not sound much but to others, that is a lot of money, so maybe, over the next few months somebody at the club could work out different "sponsorships" at alternating cost , maybe this could attract monies into the club, I know I might be attracted to a decent idea if it was £5 a month ( presuming that is based on a 12 month contract?) UTM and bearing in mind that both Standing orders & direct debt are both free, if you are sat there reading this and worried about controling your outgoings, Standng orders are easier to control and easier for the club to set up  Plus I would like to know which sponsorship theme my monies would go to as am very sceptical that some of the income might be put into the pockets of certain past directors who might still be trying to regain past loans into the club, just saying. |
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Post by elmagpie on Apr 26, 2017 17:27:21 GMT
There are many ways you can support the club financially from sponsoring players/games etc. to supporting the events put on by the fundraising committee.
We are holding another race night on the 10th June these have been well received in the past. You can help by sponsoring a race (£50), owning a racehorse (£5) or just turning up on the night and placing a few bets (£1 per bet). It's an entertaining evening and you can even bring your other halves. Anybody who wants to help can see me at the end of season do or pm me..
Another thing we would like to try is to set up a Scalextric track in the bar and have a fastest lap competition, so if anyone has some track/cars gathering dust in the attic we can borrow it will be much appreciated,
All profits from our events go to the running of the club as well as the playing budget as one can't function without the other.
Ellen
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Post by Dayvan Cowboy on May 10, 2017 9:32:18 GMT
Worth a read of this interview/plea from Adam Robertson regarding funds (or a lack of) at the club. Most points in this thread mentioned. From reading this, things doesn't sound but I feel now is as good a time as any for the community to get behind the club and help us push on. Which lets be honest, hundreds of us want, but are never proactive enough to do something! www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/15275938.Football__Magpies_director_seeking_finance_boost/ |
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Post by CM on May 11, 2017 10:06:06 GMT
It's an interesting interview with Adam with some positive messages in there. One sentence in particular stood out to me: “It’s still a work in progress, but we were hoping it’d be going better than what it is because the CBS model that was put to us two years ago, just hasn’t happened."
It's good to see the club admit that it's still very much a work in-progress as in my opinion we are still a long way from the true model and ethos of fan ownership. I'd urge them to speak with Merthyr and Lewes and look at what those clubs do in terms of transparency and engagement with members. It's no coincidence that these clubs have large and very active membership bases. I'm a huge advocate of fan ownership, but I didn't renew last season as I can't justify to myself paying £30 for what accounts to little more than a monthly e-newsletter, when fellow clubs at our level are doing so, so much more and reaping the success of it.
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Post by steven on May 11, 2017 11:07:41 GMT
TSOF, what should the club do to improve transparency and engagement with members (not a criticism or having a go, trying to be productive!)?
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Post by brownowen on May 11, 2017 19:24:52 GMT
TSOF is right on that one, it's hard to justify buying a CBS membership because there doesn't seem to be much point? The information on the monthly email is normally released in the echo the next day anyway and while the CBS meetings are very informative, I fail to see how they will be any different to the upcoming fans forum? Why would anyone buy a CBS membership if the rest of the fan base have access to exactly the same information?
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Post by steven on May 11, 2017 20:31:19 GMT
Maybe the £30 is just a way of raising money for the running of the club (players and overheads).
Should the club make CBS membership £8 to cover costs (not sure if this is accurate) and attract more people to be involved? It would end the question of what do I get for my money. If the same 100 people rejoined the club would start the season with £2200 less than last season.
I suppose if they didn't send out membership cards and certificates each year membership could be reduced to the £1 share price to get everyone involved?
Or should it be left at £30 with around 100 members, raising £3000 per annum but leaving members unsure what they get for they money and those who don't join feeling left out?
These are suggestions have been raised before, but never resolved, maybe current members could vote for the way forward?
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bigal
New Member
Posts: 26 
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Post by bigal on May 11, 2017 20:37:20 GMT
I pay my £30 CBS membership and acknowledge that the board could sometimes do things better; however, at the end of the day I believe the board try to do a good job and if my £30 helps provide the resources to put a competitive team out, well I am happy to contribute.
Its a no win situation, if information is kept to CBS members, then the club is not open and transparent alienating the general fan base. If they are open and transparent, then I don't get anything for my £30 quid other than the small satisfaction that in some way I have helped to support my club.
It is a personal thing and some might not be able to afford £30, but there are other ways to help the club. Bottom line OUR club needs YOUR money, help, time, involvement and support.
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Post by elmagpie on May 11, 2017 20:47:58 GMT
Speaking for myself I became a CBS member because my club needed me. i have supported Dorchester for longer than I'm prepared to admit to, in the past, this was just turning up to games and cheering on the team, but it has become apparent that the club needs more than that and if my £30 makes a difference I'm happy to contribute.
If you are unwilling to become a CBS member on a point of principal, please reconsider, as its the eleven players out on the pitch that will be affected. Call it a donation if you like but every bit helps.
A lot is said about lack of ambition from the club, but we the fans are the club and we will only get the team and ambition we are prepared to fund.
Ellen
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Post by CM on May 11, 2017 22:24:25 GMT
I look at clubs such as Merthyr and Lewes and when I see them publishing board minutes (sans sensitive info - which is blanked out) it enables members to see what the club are working, what they are progressing on, what they are struggling on etc on a regular and ongoing basis. So, I can see why they have a greater level of engagement from the membership and more volunteers come forward. The fans feel more empowered. They also grant members access to accounts with 7-day requests, hold quarterly members meetings etc. Small things, but things that make a difference.
Admittedly, Merthyr have got to the stage where they have had to employ a CEO and since someone has come in on a wage, volunteering has dropped off.... so that model is not without faults. Similarly, I think Big Al makes a really important point when he states that the club is in a no-win situation really - I guess we were always going to be given the way we stumbled begrudgingly into fan ownership.
There's no doubt in my mind that the club has moved forwards in that respect and whilst I didnt renew last season, there's definitely enough signs of encouragement on that front that I've always planned to this coming season.
I guess my current feelings can almost be summed up by the relatively simple issue of selling merchandise behind the bar. Two Xmas's ago a few of us organised an informal meeting with the board to suggest a few ideas to them. One of which was to sell club merchandise behind the bar. It was met with initial resistance, but was agreed to be trialled nonetheless. That eventually happened the second half of this season - a whole year later. And from all accounts it has been a huge success - we've never sold more apparently. Should it have taken a whole year to happen? No. Am I glad it did? It is progress? Absolutely.
I think Ellen's absolutely right when she says that we fans will get the team we are prepared to fund, but I would add that the club also need to be more proactive. It is the club that needs to drive this change in attitude. I'd like to see them be a lot more assertive and proactive personally. But there are definite signs that the club is moving forward IMO and with all fan's owned club, stability is key.
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Post by tom on Jun 22, 2017 19:02:23 GMT
Been a while since posted this tread and very happy to admit all is positive from the club since then, great to see new names getting involved with club fund raising ideas and impressed with the team management set up and the way they seem to be going forward. Biggest regret for me personally was being unable to attend the fans forum, for the club to even hold this meeting earased quite a few doubts lingering in my wierd head,massive well done DTFC 😀
Also, it's interesting to see since the day it was mentioned on here about where certain cost aspects of belonging to this club goes financially, most fund raising ideas are now stating that all monies collected will go towards the playing budget, very happy with that, plus, even tough I might still have niggling doubts, again, it is pleasing to read that the club is still confident of installing the 3g pitch next season, another well done to those at the club for never giving up on this project.
So as we close in on pre-season friendlies, I for one am feeling confident in the team management set up and more importantly, the vision of the club board 😎
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