New Investment Options

[Mccus28]

1 minute ago, joewarkfanclub said:

This for me is where the real risk lies for the club (and us as supporters).

Much has been spoken about the pro's and con's of both plans.

In a perfect world we could negotiate a deal where the best elements of both plans could be incorporated and a collegiate approach found to the running of the club.

However, thats not where we are.

The current deal gives all the power and control to Wild Sheep Sports whilst they bear none of the risk.

All of the risk falls on the Well Society (ie the supporters).

Thats why this is a bad deal.

Thats why it needs to be voted down.

This

[wellfan]

1 hour ago, Mccus28 said:

But to suggest that your fellow supporter is stupid if they have a different opinion on the deal is quite cringeworthy and says more about you.

 

56 minutes ago, weeyin said:

Agreed. If you want to persuade people to join your camp, calling them "stupid" or "gullible" is not the approach to take.

 

I’m sorry if some of you feel that way, although note that I’ve not directed my ‘stupid’ or ‘gullible’ etc comments at any individual fan. However, I stand by my view and I will always call a spade a spade when I see one.
 

This is emotive; our Club is at stake yet some people (see social media) either cannot or refuse to see the obvious. They are allowing the well-presented facts of the deal to be obscured by their opinions. 
 

We all want what's best for the Club and, to me and many others here, the facts of the deal are not the best for the Club. It's an obscene proposal. 

[StAndrew7]

1 minute ago, Mccus28 said:

This

That mean you've decided, then? 👀 🤣

[David]

1 minute ago, Mccus28 said:

Im not sure why you're trying to convince me with these posts, im not particularly in favour of EB, I think too much remains unanswered 

I'm not just trying to convince you. I'm trying to convince everyone. 

Also, you don't like the Well Society plan? Fine. We can always keep looking to source new investors. There may be others out there. It's not a case of refusing to work with Barmack means a cast-iron pledge that we ramain fan-owned for eternity. 

If another group or individual comes along with a plan for investment we can always look at it. 

But once we sell half the club, that's it. There's no more chances.

[Mccus28]

10 minutes ago, StAndrew7 said:

That mean you've decided, then? 👀 🤣

Nope, but i do think its a very reasoned post unlike some on here.

Im probably leaning toward the WS but still remain unconvinced.

[joewarkfanclub]

5 minutes ago, Mccus28 said:

Nope, but i do think its a very reasoned post unlike some on here.

Im probably leaning toward the WS but still remain unconvinced.

I dont think you necessarily need to lean to or even support the Well Society or their plan.

This vote is purely on the Wild Sheep proposal.

I just posted this on P&B........

"It has become increasingly obvious throughout this fiasco that the "real barrier" to succesful fan ownership of Motherwell FC has been the current Executive Board.

I had wrongly assumed in the past that as experienced individuals/business people, they actually knew what they were doing.

It seems I was very naiive/wrong in that regard.

We need to vote this deal down.

Vote in a new Executive Board.

Re-visit assess any potential outward investment proposals.

I think we would all accept that outward investment in the club would safeguard the clubs future and would be welcome.

However, accepting this deal in its current form would be madness."

 

[mfc]

Barmack got absolutely schooled over on p&b then did a runner when he couldn't answer any of the questions put to him,he definitely isn't what we're needing or looking for.the society has came up with a straightforward plan and that's exactly what a club like ours needs and not some pie in the sky bullshit from a fantasist.the sooner this is all by with the better and we don't need to hear the names barmack and mcmahon the better we will all be.

[Mootherwell86]

If you’re voting for that deal then you are stupid and you are gullible. Also, you lack any basic reading comprehension skills. 

[weeyin]

35 minutes ago, wellfan said:

 

I’m sorry if some of you feel that way, although note that I’ve not directed my ‘stupid’ or ‘gullible’ etc comments at any individual fan. However, I stand by my view and I will always call a spade a spade when I see one.

Agreed. If you ignore the Brexit vote, the rise of right wing extremists in France and Donald Trump winning the Presidency, when has calling people with opposing views "gullible" or "stupid" done any harm?

 

 

 

 

[tottenmfc]

14 minutes ago, weeyin said:

Agreed. If you ignore the Brexit vote, the rise of right wing extremists in France and Donald Trump winning the Presidency, when has calling people with opposing views "gullible" or "stupid" done any harm?

 

 

 

 

Going off-track a bit here, but gullible stupid people caused these things by being gullible and stupid. People pointing this out as opposed to trying to reason with them makes no difference whatsoever. They only believe their gullible stupid echo chamber and social media has only made this 1000x worse than it was previously.

I'm not sure this applies to the MFC vote situation quite so much but there are definitely a fair few piping up on social media who fall into this category.

[santheman]

See the last day has me worried.

Already there is a definite split in the support that is in danger of becoming acrimonious (if it isn't already) which will do us no favours at all down the line.

Thankfully it's in the main respectful on here and P&B but the signs are there on other platforms that this could turn really nasty.

At the end of the day it's down to who you trust most with the future of our club and I know who that is for me but I totally respect the fact that others might not agree including some of my close 'Well supporting  friends (not many I might add)

I will however do my best to bring them round to my way of thinking.

[texanwellfan]

Wonder how many of the fans voicing their opinion on Line actually get a vote as a WS member or shareholder? Obviously the key one is the WS voters since that will decide accept or not. 
  Not being a WS or shareholder I won’t get a vote but I have been following the discussion on here. I can honestly say I approached this with an open mind and have came to the conclusion that this is not a good investment offer for MFC. On several occasions various posts have simplified things to help people understand what’s on offer and implications. I hope something along those lines has been given to each WS member with a recommendation/reasoning as to why it should be rejected. 
  For me there’s a few reasons a couple of which are below. 

not a large enough investment

requiring the WS to deplete/invest its funds at the risk of basically killing the WS

very little risk at stake for Barmack. MFC future existence at stake

Now, if EB was to guarantee in a legal document that, if he decides to sever ties with MFC, he would leave the club and WS in a better or same financial situation then it might be worth a shot but I’m pretty sure he’s not going to do that plus it might be very complex to implement/execute such a condition. 
So as the French used to say “NON”

[steelboy]

Gavin McCafferty on Twitter 

Quote

Absolutely no mention of the fact that the deal would allow Wild Sheep to decide strategy/financial decisions in conjunction with the two club executives and only be obliged to present/discuss them with the Well Society reps on the board. Not much of a partnership

Feeley told us the other night that we had no need to worry about this as Caldwell and Lindsay are now "Motherwell men" who could be trusted 100% despite the fact they have already been siding with Barmack over the majority shareholder. The guy is completely deluded.

When asked what happens if they leave and are replaced then it was another thing that "we'll deal with that when get to it". 

[wellfan]

47 minutes ago, steelboy said:

Gavin McCafferty on Twitter 

Feeley told us the other night that we had no need to worry about this as Caldwell and Lindsay are now "Motherwell men" who could be trusted 100% despite the fact they have already been siding with Barmack over the majority shareholder. The guy is completely deluded.

When asked what happens if they leave and are replaced then it was another thing that "we'll deal with that when get to it". 

Tom Feely's professional bio needed a wee update

An avid Motherwell supporter, Tom is one of the founding board members of the Well Society. The main purpose of the Society is to acquire a controlling share in Motherwell Football Club on behalf of its members and the wider community. As a Director and Secretary, Tom is actively involved in working with the Club SHAFTING THE WELL SOCIETY, fans and local businesses to increase DECREASE membership and generate LOSE income to eventually allow the fans to own their own LOSE THEIR club! 

https://feelyaccountants.co.uk/meet-the-team/

[Casagolda]

From Erik's own figures there is a £1.3m shortfall over the first 2 years of the deal.

Which is the exact time he will realise that he knows nothing about Scottish football and will try and get his money back from the Well Society.

Erik gets to mess around for free for 2 years and all it will cost us is at least £2m.

[David]

Another thing worth considering is that much of what Wild Sheep Sports is offering can be achieved under the new Well Society proposal.

The Well Society can secure the clubs financial independence by diversifying and creating dependable revenue streams. This involves forging strategic partnerships with businesses (both local and international) that align with the club’s goals, such as technology firms, health tech companies, and local enterprises. These collaborations will fund infrastructure enhancements, initiate new revenue-generating projects, and ensure the club's financial health, all while maintaining fan ownership.

Crafting a robust content and media strategy to unlock additional commercial opportunities isn't rocket science, and is well within the Well Society’s capabilities. The Society can outline a detailed media plan that includes producing a docuseries, enriching online content, and partnering with media outlets to extend the club’s reach. These initiatives will generate new revenue streams and build a larger, more engaged fan base. The only difference is that the Society's plan would incentivise any potential partner to make a success of the docuseries, because if they don't do a good job, they won't get paid at the end. 

Another strategic area the Well Society can address independently is improving operational systems. By integrating season ticket sales, online marketing, e-commerce, and Well Society memberships into a unified, updated database, the Society can streamline operations and enhance membership accessibility. This integration will boost efficiency and enable more targeted marketing and engagement efforts.

Investing in community and youth initiatives is a cornerstone of the Well Society's strategic plan that Barmack simply cannot replicate. The Society can cultivate a sustainable talent pipeline and reinforce the club’s role as a community pillar by enhancing existing community programmes and launching new initiatives centred on health, education, and football training. These efforts will strengthen community ties and foster long-term loyalty.

Central to the Well Society's philosophy is maintaining the fan ownership model. The Society can ensure that fan ownership remains at the heart of the club’s governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and community involvement. This approach will preserve the club’s values and traditions while steering its future success.

The Well Society can also manage the enhancement of the club’s infrastructure, such as modernising Fir Park and improving training facilities. By prioritising these projects and securing funding through strategic partnerships and community support, the Society can significantly elevate the club’s operational capabilities and overall fan experience.

Additionally, the Well Society can independently pursue commercial partnerships and sponsorships, which includes opportunities for stadium naming rights and integrated sponsorship deals with partners. The only difference is that such deals will be struck based upon the viewpoints and interests of the wider fanbase and not just the aims of one group.

Basically, the Well Society can independently execute many elements of the Wild Sheep Sports plan. By focusing on financial independence, global presence, media strategy, operational improvements, community engagement, and technological innovation, the Well Society can drive Motherwell FC's long-term success while keeping fan ownership at its core.

There's absolutely nothing in the Wild Sheep sports offer that warrants what they're asking for in return.

[steelboy]

3 minutes ago, Casagolda said:

From Erik's own figures there is a £1.3m shortfall over the first 2 years of the deal.

 

It'll be the money the club have sitting in the bank.

It's pretty obvious that he wants to use the club and funds from the Society and the club to develop and test marketing tools. Is that we want for the future of our club, a focus on marketing, developing AI and global branding? 

The entire situation is absurd. Roll on the 23rd of July so we can get back to reality and focusing on our core business and improving as a team and a community club.

 

[David]

33 minutes ago, steelboy said:

It's pretty obvious that he wants to use the club and funds from the Society and the club to develop and test marketing tools. Is that we want for the future of our club, a focus on marketing, developing AI and global branding? 

The entire situation is absurd. Roll on the 23rd of July so we can get back to reality and focusing on our core business and improving as a team and a community club.

There are elements of marketing, AI and improved branding that can help the club. It's foolish to believe otherwise. It's not the 80's or 90's anymore, and what we're doing at the moment needs to be augmented by new technologies and ideas.

But, the important point is that such technologies need to be used to complement the core business and community aspect of the club, not replace it. Which is what Barmack is proposing, even if he's paying lip service to the core qualities at the heart of our club.

I firmly believe that the Well Society plan will allow for those global relationships that benefit the club and community as a whole, while retaining what makes Motherwell what it is.

[steelboy]

No one in the world who isn't already a Motherwell fan wants to watch a game between us and Ross County or St Johnstone in the pouring rain in the middle of winter. 

Even Barmack who is presumably writing off his expenses against tax could only be arsed coming to one game. 'Global' is delusional. 

[David]

5 minutes ago, steelboy said:

No one in the world who isn't already a Motherwell fan wants to watch a game between us and Ross County or St Johnstone in the pouring rain in the middle of winter. 

Even Barmack who is presumably writing off his expenses against tax could only be arsed coming to one game. 'Global' is delusional. 

Oh aye, his idea of growing the fanbase in America is mental. I'm not sure why he thinks there would be an appeal there for watching a game like the one you describe at 10am on a Saturday morning if you're on the east coast, or even worse at 7am if you're on the west coast.

Any US-based football fan is already catered to with wall to wall English Premier League coverage (where every single game is available live, even 3pm kick offs), and there's the growing MLS for fans who wish to get a more local and live feel to their "soccer."

That's on top of the fact that in the US football is competing with NFL, NBA, and MLB for sports fan eyeballs.

[steelboy]

https://x.com/GavinMcCafferty/status/1809347134002454718?t=TyZbd2am63JTu-M4HwTvnw&s=19

Barmack's document use incorrect figures for our financials from Kevin Maguire's Twitter account. 

The correct figures are freely available on the Companies House website where anyone with half a brain can find them. The guy wants to be our chairman next month and he has no clue what our wage bill is. 

[Cameron_Mcd]

13 minutes ago, steelboy said:

https://x.com/GavinMcCafferty/status/1809347134002454718?t=TyZbd2am63JTu-M4HwTvnw&s=19

Barmack's document use incorrect figures for our financials from Kevin Maguire's Twitter account. 

The correct figures are freely available on the Companies House website where anyone with half a brain can find them. The guy wants to be our chairman next month and he has no clue what our wage bill is. 

Kieran Maguire is the account he lifted it from. You could be the next chairman of Motherwell with that attention to detail 😉

[steelboy]

21 minutes ago, Cameron_Mcd said:

Kieran Maguire is the account he lifted it from. You could be the next chairman of Motherwell with that attention to detail 😉

Is Kieran not Irish for Kevin?

[Cameron_Mcd]

4 minutes ago, steelboy said:

Is Kieran not Irish for Kevin?

Caoimhín is Irish for Kevin AFAIK 

[steelboy]

2 minutes ago, Cameron_Mcd said:

Caoimhín is Irish for Kevin AFAIK 

No wonder they struggle with spelling.

24 minutes ago, Cameron_Mcd said:

You could be the next chairman of Motherwell with that attention to detail 😉

Not a bad idea. I couldn't be any worse.