DFCSG Statement
DFCSG Statement
SGM still on but without a resolution
Dear Member,
We would like to take this opportunity to clarify the DFCSG Board’s position with regard to the recent offer of investment by Raj Singh and his subsequent decision to withdraw from any potential deal.
Once the approach to invest in the Club was made, the Directors of DFC had a duty to consider the views of all shareholders. As DFCSG is the major shareholder we, the DFCSG Board, also had a duty to consult our members, which is the democratic process we were going to be undertaking at the upcoming SGM.
It is important to state that the board of the DFCSG are resolutely committed to the fan owned community club model. Whilst we welcome any proposal of investment, we have rules in place designed to safeguard the future of the Club that we must adhere to. Any significant direct investment in the Club is potentially at odds with these rules regardless of who the investor is. However, there are other ways in which investors can get involved within the rules as they stand. And if our members do not agree with the rules they can be changed through a democratic process, although this takes time.
Clearly with Raj Singh’s previous involvement with DFC, many fans understandably felt that there were even more important factors to be taken into consideration, and made their opinions clear on social media as is their right.
However, regardless of the board’s opinion on the suitability of any investor, as a democratic one-member-one-vote society, we have to let our members have their say when such a situation arises.
We must stress that despite media reports to the contrary the Club is not in any immediate danger. However, now that this period of uncertainty is over, we need to all pull together and refocus our efforts to stabilise the Club and position it for growth and success. We are going to go ahead with the SGM to give our members the opportunity to ask questions about recent events and our plans for the future. We will also be meeting with the DFC Board and management in the next few days to discuss the next steps now that there is no prospect in the short term of private investment. As always there are a number of positions that will need to be filled at the Club and we are working with the club to establish an organisation model that will more clearly identify roles, responsibilities and gaps in the organisation. We would therefore welcome skilled volunteers to help shape the strategy and direction of the Club. We would like to thank those people who have already been in contact with offers of help.
As fan owners we have the power to shape the future of the Club. You can do that by supporting the open fund raising initiatives that are now more important than ever (see https://fundraising.darlingtonfcsupportersgroup.org/) The ‘Boost the Budget’ fund raising will determine how competitive a squad Martin Gray can field next season, and the fund raising to extend the south stand is essential to position the Club for promotion to the National League.
Your Club Your Choice
Wayne Raper
Chair
Darlington FC Supporters Group
Am hoping this means that MG has been in discussions about the future.
Dear Member,
We would like to take this opportunity to clarify the DFCSG Board’s position with regard to the recent offer of investment by Raj Singh and his subsequent decision to withdraw from any potential deal.
Once the approach to invest in the Club was made, the Directors of DFC had a duty to consider the views of all shareholders. As DFCSG is the major shareholder we, the DFCSG Board, also had a duty to consult our members, which is the democratic process we were going to be undertaking at the upcoming SGM.
It is important to state that the board of the DFCSG are resolutely committed to the fan owned community club model. Whilst we welcome any proposal of investment, we have rules in place designed to safeguard the future of the Club that we must adhere to. Any significant direct investment in the Club is potentially at odds with these rules regardless of who the investor is. However, there are other ways in which investors can get involved within the rules as they stand. And if our members do not agree with the rules they can be changed through a democratic process, although this takes time.
Clearly with Raj Singh’s previous involvement with DFC, many fans understandably felt that there were even more important factors to be taken into consideration, and made their opinions clear on social media as is their right.
However, regardless of the board’s opinion on the suitability of any investor, as a democratic one-member-one-vote society, we have to let our members have their say when such a situation arises.
We must stress that despite media reports to the contrary the Club is not in any immediate danger. However, now that this period of uncertainty is over, we need to all pull together and refocus our efforts to stabilise the Club and position it for growth and success. We are going to go ahead with the SGM to give our members the opportunity to ask questions about recent events and our plans for the future. We will also be meeting with the DFC Board and management in the next few days to discuss the next steps now that there is no prospect in the short term of private investment. As always there are a number of positions that will need to be filled at the Club and we are working with the club to establish an organisation model that will more clearly identify roles, responsibilities and gaps in the organisation. We would therefore welcome skilled volunteers to help shape the strategy and direction of the Club. We would like to thank those people who have already been in contact with offers of help.
As fan owners we have the power to shape the future of the Club. You can do that by supporting the open fund raising initiatives that are now more important than ever (see https://fundraising.darlingtonfcsupportersgroup.org/) The ‘Boost the Budget’ fund raising will determine how competitive a squad Martin Gray can field next season, and the fund raising to extend the south stand is essential to position the Club for promotion to the National League.
Your Club Your Choice
Wayne Raper
Chair
Darlington FC Supporters Group
Am hoping this means that MG has been in discussions about the future.
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Re: DFCSG Statement
Just about a perfect statement, well done DFCSG.
One of the best things that happens when the Trust, Supporters Club and CIC were put together.
One of the best things that happens when the Trust, Supporters Club and CIC were put together.
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Re: DFCSG Statement
Excellent statement to clarify the current situation, well done Wayne.....greatly appreciated.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Re: DFCSG Statement
Well said Wayne.You and the rest of the S.G can run my bath anytime
Re: DFCSG Statement
So much between the lines given some people have said that "well obviously DFCSG thought the proposal was valid enough to present to the fans".DFCSG wrote:lHowever, regardless of the board’s opinion on the suitability of any investor, as a democratic one-member-one-vote society, we have to let our members have their say when such a situation arises.
Re: DFCSG Statement
And with that statement comes my motivation for investment in the extension to the stand, which had been postponed due to the recent happenings. If an average person like myself feels like that, hopefully many others will.
Also good to hear that there have been volunteers.
Also good to hear that there have been volunteers.
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Re: DFCSG Statement
Well done Adam, that's the attitude we need right now....onwards and upwards.Vodka_Vic wrote:And with that statement comes my motivation for investment in the extension to the stand, which had been postponed due to the recent happenings. If an average person like myself feels like that, hopefully many others will.
Also good to hear that there have been volunteers.
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Re: DFCSG Statement
Cracking statement. We seem to have a very good SG board. I hope they stay on and aren't disillusioned with the recent events
Re: DFCSG Statement
A superb statement.
The more I hear from Wayne Raper the more impressed I am.
The more I hear from Wayne Raper the more impressed I am.
Re: DFCSG Statement
Rubbish. If the plan was a non starter they wouldn't have bothered giving the bloke any more time.lo36789 wrote:So much between the lines given some people have said that "well obviously DFCSG thought the proposal was valid enough to present to the fans".DFCSG wrote:lHowever, regardless of the board’s opinion on the suitability of any investor, as a democratic one-member-one-vote society, we have to let our members have their say when such a situation arises.
Re: DFCSG Statement
It makes some of the comments aimed at Wayne at the fans forum look even more stupid.Beano wrote:A superb statement.
The more I hear from Wayne Raper the more impressed I am.
Re: DFCSG Statement
huge difference between being a non-starter and believing it is in the best interests of the club.loan_star wrote:Rubbish. If the plan was a non starter they wouldn't have bothered giving the bloke any more time.lo36789 wrote:So much between the lines given some people have said that "well obviously DFCSG thought the proposal was valid enough to present to the fans".DFCSG wrote:lHowever, regardless of the board’s opinion on the suitability of any investor, as a democratic one-member-one-vote society, we have to let our members have their say when such a situation arises.
Re: DFCSG Statement
So still valid enough to put forward to the fans?lo36789 wrote:huge difference between being a non-starter and believing it is in the best interests of the club.loan_star wrote:Rubbish. If the plan was a non starter they wouldn't have bothered giving the bloke any more time.lo36789 wrote:So much between the lines given some people have said that "well obviously DFCSG thought the proposal was valid enough to present to the fans".DFCSG wrote:lHowever, regardless of the board’s opinion on the suitability of any investor, as a democratic one-member-one-vote society, we have to let our members have their say when such a situation arises.
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Re: DFCSG Statement
He offered 40k for 10% approx share and would tell us more later but wants above 50% in the long run. I guess yes that would have to go to the fans to vote on but he couldn't hack a bit of stick due to the past and didn't bother giving us the chance.
I didn't want him to but each one of us had our own opinion on that.
I didn't want him to but each one of us had our own opinion on that.
Re: DFCSG Statement
I wasn't overly keen either however I was interested in just how he was going to sell the idea to us. Better to reject after getting all the facts than to just rely on past experiences.super_les_mcjannet wrote:He offered 40k for 10% approx share and would tell us more later but wants above 50% in the long run. I guess yes that would have to go to the fans to vote on but he couldn't hack a bit of stick due to the past and didn't bother giving us the chance.
I didn't want him to but each one of us had our own opinion on that.
Re: DFCSG Statement
We would only have got the facts he wanted us to have. Past experiences suggest we would not have got the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.loan_star wrote:I wasn't overly keen either however I was interested in just how he was going to sell the idea to us. Better to reject after getting all the facts than to just rely on past experiences.super_les_mcjannet wrote:He offered 40k for 10% approx share and would tell us more later but wants above 50% in the long run. I guess yes that would have to go to the fans to vote on but he couldn't hack a bit of stick due to the past and didn't bother giving us the chance.
I didn't want him to but each one of us had our own opinion on that.
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Re: DFCSG Statement
Not for me, even his statements since have convinced me it's right not to accept him. I appreciate others may have wanted to here him out but I would never be convinced he would be the person to take us forward.loan_star wrote:I wasn't overly keen either however I was interested in just how he was going to sell the idea to us. Better to reject after getting all the facts than to just rely on past experiences.super_les_mcjannet wrote:He offered 40k for 10% approx share and would tell us more later but wants above 50% in the long run. I guess yes that would have to go to the fans to vote on but he couldn't hack a bit of stick due to the past and didn't bother giving us the chance.
I didn't want him to but each one of us had our own opinion on that.
However doesn't matter as he chose not to give us the opportunity to vote on it.