An Open Letter from Martin Jesper

[quakerste]

A huge loss to the club. I would like to thank Martin for all the hard work he has put in over the last three years. I'm sure without his leadership we wouldn't be where we are today.

Good luck to you and your wife for the future.

[robsraiders]

A message from DFCSG Chairman John Tempest

Further to the news Martin Jesper will not be standing again at the forthcoming Darlington Football Club AGM on November 5th 2015 the Board of Directors of DFCSG would like to thank Martin for his dedication, leadership and contribution to Darlington 1883 during his tenure as CEO over the last three years. Martin joined at an extremely difficult time and has steadied the ship and left the club in a far stronger position, we will certainly miss his work ethic strong leadership and the total professionalism he has managed to instil within all those involved within the Football Club as a whole.

We wish you every success in the future.

[divas]

Not unexpected, I actually thought it would happen once the move back was sealed but as that doesn't look like it's happening any time soon I guess he's decided not to hang around.

He's got us on a good financial footing and deserves acclaim.

My main worry is succession planning given the skeleton board we're operating with

[Darlogramps]

Very unusual timing though, to step down at a time when the Blackwell Meadows situation is still to be resolved.

Nevertheless, he's done a terrific job of stabilising our finances yet again, after the money problems we had at the start of the new era.

[Mr_Tibbs]

Here's a link to the DFCSG Board's Statement (it's the same as Rob has posted above)

http://www.darlingtonfcsupportersgroup. ... 009-193509

[divas]

Very unusual timing though, to step down at a time when the Blackwell Meadows situation is still to be resolved.

Nevertheless, he's done a terrific job of stabilising our finances yet again, after the money problems we had at the start of the new era.

Yes, but how long can you stay around for with no real firm idea of when or how we'll be back when you're own business interests which are your bread and butter take a hit? That'll be the biggest challenge in finding an adequate replacement

[charlie]

Very unusual timing though, to step down at a time when the Blackwell Meadows situation is still to be resolved.

Nevertheless, he's done a terrific job of stabilising our finances yet again, after the money problems we had at the start of the new era.

It may be unusual timing but the hours involved must be immense and takes over.
I respect his decision and wish him and his wife all the best for the future

[Darlogramps]

Very unusual timing though, to step down at a time when the Blackwell Meadows situation is still to be resolved.

Nevertheless, he's done a terrific job of stabilising our finances yet again, after the money problems we had at the start of the new era.

It may be unusual timing but the hours involved must be immense and takes over.
I respect his decision and wish him and his wife all the best for the future

I agree and can understand his reasons completely.

But it does confirm (if it needed confirming) that a resolution with Blackwell Meadows is still some distance away.

And as Divas points out, Jesper will take some replacing.

[lo36789]

Very unusual timing though, to step down at a time when the Blackwell Meadows situation is still to be resolved.

Not sure. Maybe a fresh clean slate will help things? Unstoppable force/Immovable object sort of thing?

[Quaker Mod]

Good luck Martin, thank you for all that you've done like.

[Darlogramps]

Very unusual timing though, to step down at a time when the Blackwell Meadows situation is still to be resolved.

Not sure. Maybe a fresh clean slate will help things? Unstoppable force/Immovable object sort of thing?

It might do. But then the new chief exec would be coming to the table without Jesper's level of knowledge in the negotiations. There aren't many businesses who change a leading negotiator mid-way through a key discussion.

[Darlo_Pete]

Very sad news, are there any suitable candidates to take over? Thanks for everything you've done for the club Martin.

[robsraiders]

Time for us all to pull together, Martin J has taken us on a path to securing our future, 3 years ago going nowhere, owing £350k +, we are so much better than we would have imagined please keep the faith, its gonna be a long stony path but we will eventually get there, so come on Darlo fans get on board and enjoy the ride!
Thank you Martin & Karen Jesper for your efforts

[princes town]

My main worry is succession planning given the skeleton board we're operating with

I suspect the solution may be too utilise the expertise of the Supporters Clkub Board in Associate director roles. The skeleton board as you say is a concern. Irrespective of this announcement, there was a strong case for spreading the involvement on the board given the fact that people are volunteers.

I would also like to thank Martin and also Karen who has made a sterling contribution to the hospitality side of the club.

[Quakerz]

All debt paid off and 300 grand in the bank - take a bow Martin Jesper.

Now what are we going to do though?

We need new blood, but ideally it needs to be people of the ilk of MJ rather than fans "who fancy a go" who have no business or financial experience. We've obviously got Dave Mills but we need more like him as well.

Trouble is, suitable candidates must be thin on the ground, especially given the free time needed.

[DarloPeGi]

It's been a week of bad news, first the Marine result/performance, the Alan White issue and now this.

Jesper has been a magnificent servant of the club over the last three years. I'm gutted he has gone and pray there is someone out there of equal ability and importantly, the desire, to take the club onto the next level

I echo Quakerz comment "take a bow Martin Jesper"

[Mr_Tibbs]

All debt paid off and 300 grand in the bank - take a bow Martin Jesper.

Now what are we going to do though?

We need new blood, but ideally it needs to be people of the ilk of MJ rather than fans "who fancy a go" who have no business or financial experience. We've obviously got Dave Mills but we need more like him as well.

Trouble is, suitable candidates must be thin on the ground, especially given the free time needed.

There was an advertisement put out for new directors a while ago. I'm hoping they had a few candidates for the positions who might be waiting in the wings.

Like MJ said in his letter we've got to push on, and keep pushing or we risk losing control of our club. Maybe in the longer term we can relinquish a bit of that control, having done our bit.

[Fatty eats roadkill]

Thank you for your sterling work Mr Jesper. Thank you also to those who have and still are fighting the fight on our behalf.

[Quakers1883]

Some strange comments on the Echo site, apparently the RA are the towns senior club now.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/l ... per_quits/

[charlie]

Think I've upset somebody!

[notgnilrad]

Think I've upset somebody!

Wouldn't let it worry you Charlie, someone has had there toes stood on and is now crying like a little baby on a northern echo website.

From an ex supporter...

was never a supporter in the first place don't need fans like that.

[charlie]

Think I've upset somebody!

Wouldn't let it worry you Charlie, someone has had there toes stood on and is now crying like a little baby on a northern echo website.

From an ex supporter...

was never a supporter in the first place don't need fans like that.

Not worried, not power mad, wouldn't want to be on a board, never claimed to be anything other than new to this. \0/

[onewayup]

Martin,you've been a colossus man of high intelligence , integrity ,honesty and dedicated to the c.e.o job ,I wish you well in all that you do in the future,good luck to you martin,and Karen.

[bga]

Martin,you've been a colossus man of high intelligence , integrity ,honesty and dedicated to the c.e.o job ,I wish you well in all that you do in the future,good luck to you martin,and Karen.

Totally agree good luck and thanks Martin.

[MKDarlo]

Martin,you've been a colossus man of high intelligence , integrity ,honesty and dedicated to the c.e.o job ,I wish you well in all that you do in the future,good luck to you martin,and Karen.

Motion carried!

We need to find someone of similar attributes, probity and business acumen. This will be a big blow the club and very large shoes to fill. We cant have people who are fans fancying a go and doing things out of emotion - we need sensible, pragmatic business sense in a leadership role.

[lo36789]

Martin is a business turn-around specialist, look at the positives maybe we have now been turned around to the point his specialist skill set isn't the priority.

There were 3 things I recall from 2012. Firm financial footing, Back to Darlo and promotion. We have achieved 1 and 3 and maybe that is no surprise as they do in a way directly relate to Martin's skill set. He gets a business in the black, and he gets them performing within their financial limitations (which would mean a promotion in our circumstances).

I'd say the gaps we have now are Return to Darlo and revenue/attendance generation. As such I think the skill set is potentially someone with experience of creating/operating within a joint venture. The next bit is experience of growing a business but within a quite small geographical area, there is no point getting someone who is renowned for global online presence for a local football club!

Comments on the Echo site are generally misinformed. Unfortunately I think people have a tendance to write off one of comments as being purely the fault of the individual who made them, when the question is systemically what is the root cause of their comments and how can we get people informed.

[onewayup]

I firmly believe that martin Jesper would have made sure, that his good work would be carried on by a person, who he and the other relevent people have already got to replace martin,we will find out at the A.G.M on 5th november ,otherwise i don't think he would be going.as i said before good luck martin and karen thanks for the memories.

[lo36789]

who he and the other relevent people have already got to replace martin

Not sure that is quite how this works, it is a democratic vote not a case of the outgoing person choosing his replacement!

[onewayup]

who he and the other relevent people have already got to replace martin

Not sure that is quite how this works, it is a democratic vote not a case of the outgoing person choosing his replacement!

What I thought was someone that fits the criteria required would be put up for democratic election ,who i think the relevant peoples would agree on him or her standing for the vacated post,i agree with democracy,but i would hate to think just anyone without relevant skills came up for the post,sorry if I've not made clear my thoughts,it's only my opinion be it right or wrong.

[Mr_Tibbs]

I believe that the FC Directors are appointed by the DFCSG Board. The members elect the DFCSG board and then they appoint the DFC Board.