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Sports Echo | Forum | Chat to the Sports... | Talk to Dave Beck...
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Dave Beck and John Roddam webchat - Friday, November 23| Author | Message |
Sam_Parker  |  Nov 22 2007, 09:29 AM |
 Group: Contributor Posts: Joined: Mon Jun 11 2007 Status: Offline Last Edit: 22 Nov 2007, 09:31 | Dave Beck and John Roddam, from Lincoln City Supporters Trust, will be in the Echo offices for a webchat between noon and 2pm on Friday, November 23. Please leave your questions in this thread. All posts will be moderated for foul and abusive language and inappropriate content. |
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| FrintonImp | Nov 22 2007, 16:36 PM |
 Group: Member Posts: Joined: Wed Jun 6 2007 Status: Offline | Hi to you both and thanks for answering some questions on here. What do you think about what Ebbsfleet have done? Is it an idea Lincoln should follow? |
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| Carryonmatron | Nov 22 2007, 17:28 PM |
 Group: Member Posts: Joined: Thu Nov 22 2007 Status: Offline | There are rumours suggesting that the Supporters Trust is losing members at an alarming rate. As a democratic organisation, what is the current figure of members that exclude children who are unable to vote on any issues? Also, it appears to many that the Supporters Trust are no longer an independent "critical friend" of the Football Club, but merely go along with whatever the "Club" wishes to do - the ridiculous ticket prices being a major factor here. What do you say to this concern? |
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| dimp | Nov 22 2007, 18:06 PM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Thu Nov 22 2007 Status: Offline | As members of the body that employs Mr Jackson and allocates his spending money, please could we have an explanation and/or your opinions as to why nobody was bought into the club on loan before today's deadline passed? |
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| Theoriginalmightyimp | Nov 22 2007, 21:14 PM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Wed Jun 13 2007 Status: Offline | To MR Beck. David why didn't we bring any loanees in?In you possition as vice chairman,did Jackson have enough money to try and bring others in,or were his hands tied by having not enough money to bring anyone in? |
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| Carryonmatron | Nov 22 2007, 21:23 PM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Thu Nov 22 2007 Status: Offline Last Edit: 23 Nov 2007, 03:54 | Is the increasing amount of club shares owned by the Supporters Trust - now more than 25% - likely to put off any future and potential large scale investors in Lincoln City Football Club? Also, What exactly are the Trust directors responsibilities on the Board of LCFC. I don't mean taking the views of Trust and Gold members to Steff and the Board. They could be collated by the secretary of the Trust and given to Steff by a volunteer. Any discussions between Trust Board members and their members/fans could be put in writing to the Trust secretary and then passed to the LCFC Board. I mean responsibilities specifically to help run the business (of LCFC)? |
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| Theoriginalmightyimp | Nov 22 2007, 21:56 PM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Wed Jun 13 2007 Status: Offline Last Edit: 22 Nov 2007, 21:57 | In hindsight,would Mr Beck agree that we have spend too much money trying to get facilities to championship level,to the detriment of the playing budget?After all it appears to some of us fans that priority is being spent more on this issue than on the playing budget. |
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| blowmedown | Nov 23 2007, 07:57 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Fri Nov 23 2007 Status: Offline | Thanks for coming on today. What exactly does the Trust do for ordinary supporters. We don't see much that they do so it would appear that many supporters haven't joined this season. Does that now mean the Trust do not represent the views of fans? How would you try and pursuade the "floater" to join? |
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| blowmedown | Nov 23 2007, 08:00 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Fri Nov 23 2007 Status: Offline | I have heard of something called Clubs is the Hub or something similar, who actually runs that? Is it a Trust project are are the club actually in control of it? What is the ultimate aim, a ground move or to redevelop the ground? What position do the Trust have on that issue? |
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| londonimp | Nov 23 2007, 10:00 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Aug 6 2007 Status: Offline | Hi John and Dave, As supporters as well as Trust members, do you think Lincoln are going to stay up this season and realistically where do you think we could now finish in the table? If the worst case scenario happens and we are relegated to the Blue Square Premier, what do you think this will mean for the club, particularly in terms of finances. Also what do you think of the new manager, Peter Jackson? The Trust was reported to have been heavily involved in the process of recruiting the new manager. What were the criteria you were looking for in a new manager and what were the reasons for going for Jackson, rather than the other candidates? |
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| londonimp | Nov 23 2007, 10:05 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Aug 6 2007 Status: Offline | What are your views on the work of some of the trusts at other clubs around the country? Are any of them inspirations for your work at Lincoln? Presumably different trusts have different ambitions. For example, Notts County, Bournemouth, Chesterfield etc. own their clubs. And what are you views on the Mansfield Town supporters trust, Team Mansfield, which has been heavily involved in campaigning against owner Keith Haslam? |
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| kipper | Nov 23 2007, 10:10 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Tue Jun 12 2007 Status: Offline | Hi John & Dave, Do you think that the Trust could do more to communicate with the fans? One example is that the Trust doesn't seem to have a decent website. I realise there's now the blog on this site, but are there more things it could be doing? |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 11:07 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: FrintonImp at Nov 22 2007, 17:36 PM wrote Hi to you both and thanks for answering some questions on here. What do you think about what Ebbsfleet have done? Is it an idea Lincoln should follow? John: It's a very interesting concept but I think we need to see it in operation for at least a year, before we can see whether it is the way forward. It will be interesting to see whether or not the subscribers would actually feel that they would have a say. With regard to it working at Lincoln, we are more than happy with the current set-up. The other aspect to remember is that people grow up with an allegiance usually to their local club. This is not the case here. Dave: I think there is a novelty aspect to it at the moment. I guess the issue is, whether or not it is sustainable long term. It will be interesting to see how the professional footballing side will react. The broad ownership that we currently have at Lincoln I think is set at about the right level, but of course, there is nothing to say that in a future, such a concept might not work. |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 11:21 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: Carryonmatron at Nov 22 2007, 18:28 PM wrote There are rumours suggesting that the Supporters Trust is losing members at an alarming rate. As a democratic organisation, what is the current figure of members that exclude children who are unable to vote on any issues? Also, it appears to many that the Supporters Trust are no longer an independent "critical friend" of the Football Club, but merely go along with whatever the "Club" wishes to do - the ridiculous ticket prices being a major factor here. What do you say to this concern? Dave: I can assure you that both myself and Jean Foster (the other supporters director) have our say within the club and are involved with all the decision making processes. For example, the recent change of the management team. Before that decision was taken, I submitted on behalf of trust members, the fans and myself a 'state of the nation' report to the board, regarding the seriousness of the situation at that time and this formed part of that particular decision. On a day-to-day basis, we are involved, have our say on issues and we have made an impact on final decisions. As for ticket prices, we are at an average level for the league Also, our season ticket sales are just about where they were last year and the club is releasing an extra incentive for half-season, season tickets, which will be announced this weekend. John: In common with all trusts at stable clubs, there is a slight decrease at this point in time and we are in the process of writing to people who were members last year and who have not yet renewed. Prior to the season starting, members were offered additional benefits with a view to increasing membership. |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 11:28 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: dimp at Nov 22 2007, 19:06 PM wrote As members of the body that employs Mr Jackson and allocates his spending money, please could we have an explanation and/or your opinions as to why nobody was bought into the club on loan before today's deadline passed? Dave: It was not for the want of trying! But we have to leave that in the hands of the management team. Clearly it is difficult for PJ to bring in experienced, better players to a team that sits bottom of the league and he has stated he will not bring in players that do not improve the squad. The manager has money and will spend it as and when he sees fit. John: While it might disappoint some people that we have not brought in a number of loan signings, I personally am delighted that some of the youth squad are being given an opportunity to flourish. You will never know how good they are until you give them a chance. Hone has done extremely well. Lenell John-Lewis put in an excellent cameo performance at Wycombe. |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 11:29 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: Theoriginalmightyimp at Nov 22 2007, 22:14 PM wrote To MR Beck. David why didn't we bring any loanees in?In you possition as vice chairman,did Jackson have enough money to try and bring others in,or were his hands tied by having not enough money to bring anyone in? Dave: I will repeat, he has money to spend. See my previous answer. |
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| Jimmy_Blee | Nov 23 2007, 11:35 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Jul 16 2007 Status: Offline | Gentleman, First of all thankyou for appointing Peter Jackson if you were involved in the process of managerial slecetion, quiet clearly the people's choice for the job. However, a slight point I am concerned with is offers the club has operated, such as the student offer for the Chester game. Don't get me wrong a good deal, but why wasn't this advertised? I know one or two students who go to the games reguarly and they sated in the main University Atrium there were nothing, no posters, no fliers around the place at all. The only advertisement was on the website or the programme, which obviously isn't an area that students will look at. This brings me onto the point is, Lincoln City advertising it's assets as well as it should be? With a bigger City, that will continue to grow - would you agree we need to go into the heart of communities alot more than we do at present, I would be interested to know the ratio of people from the City that attend games, against that of the rural fringe villages - I bet there isn't a lot of difference. |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 11:38 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: Theoriginalmightyimp at Nov 22 2007, 22:56 PM wrote In hindsight,would Mr Beck agree that we have spend too much money trying to get facilities to championship level,to the detriment of the playing budget?After all it appears to some of us fans that priority is being spent more on this issue than on the playing budget. Dave: The playing budget has increased over the past four or so seasons. The priority is to get things right on the pitch because we are in a results industry and all the factors off the pitch are aimed at that goal. John: I would just add that facilities like the training ground are all part of the package in taking this club forward. |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 11:50 AM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: blowmedown at Nov 23 2007, 08:57 AM wrote Thanks for coming on today. What exactly does the Trust do for ordinary supporters. We don't see much that they do so it would appear that many supporters haven't joined this season. Does that now mean the Trust do not represent the views of fans? How would you try and pursuade the "floater" to join? John: Firstly, we have two representatives on the club board who speak on behalf of our members and fans in general. Having a strong representation on both the board and in terms of our shareholding, enables us to ensure that the club is managed prudently and with due care, thus ensuring the longevity of the football club as we all know and love. With regard to membership, see previous answer. We have always sought to increase the benefits to our members - e.g; a newsletter will be with members shortly. We are also very close to launching our website and we will advertise this as soon as possible. A new benefit to trust members only is that on one home match per month, starting in January, we will invite trust members to 'surgeries' with senior trust board members, including Dave Beck who will be representing both club and trust. See the club's programme, trust newsletter or contact a member of the trust board for further details. |
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| chrisbrammer | Nov 23 2007, 12:05 PM |
Group: Member Posts: Joined: Mon Nov 5 2007 Status: Offline | Quote: blowmedown at Nov 23 2007, 09:00 AM wrote I have heard of something called Clubs is the Hub or something similar, who actually runs that? Is it a Trust project are are the club actually in control of it? What is the ultimate aim, a ground move or to redevelop the ground? What position do the Trust have on that issue? John: I speak as chairman of the club's The Hub! This project started approximately four years ago when members of the trust and other interested bodies sat down and asked a simple question, "Why is the stadium only used once a fortnight?" Since that date, we have secured funding for a feasability study of the ground and surrounding area, the architectural faculty at Lincoln University has also been involved and one of the benefits from all of the above has been the setting up of 'The Goal', a childrens' holiday activity club, again through grant funding and the room is now also used by 'Playing for Success' which takes local children after school with a view to improving their academic ability. Over the last six months, we have obtained substantial funding from East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) via Lincolnshire Enterprise, which has enabled the Trust to employ Paul Kenton as an Economic Renewal Officer, whose brief is to look at all aspects of the stadium, surrounding area and liaise with all parties with a view to improving benefits to the fans and the local community. The management committee is made up of three trust board members, plus representatives from the football club, Lincolnshire Enterprise and the city council. Dave: As for ground relocation or redevelopment - as a fan, first, I have my own opinion! However, IF EVER that decision has to be made and if, at that time I am still Supporter Director, I will make this promise now that I will ensure the fans are fully consulted before any decision is made. |
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