Friends of Fulham

I believe there was a meeting with Macintosh and Sarah Brooke's today.
If that's correct can anyone who was there give us a summary of the discussion?

We had the meeting today and are going to release the findings from it to the members first via email and website.  But not giving anything away by saying it was a positive meeting.

Quote from: MJG on September 25, 2014, 09:42:46 PM
We had the meeting today and are going to release the findings from it to the members first via email and website.  But not giving anything away by saying it was a positive meeting.

im a bit slow tonight, are you saying that it was positive and thats not giving anything away. or are you saying that you cant say it was positive?

Quote from: fulhamben on September 25, 2014, 10:00:17 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 25, 2014, 09:42:46 PM
We had the meeting today and are going to release the findings from it to the members first via email and website.  But not giving anything away by saying it was a positive meeting.

im a bit slow tonight, are you saying that it was positive and thats not giving anything away. or are you saying that you cant say it was positive?

I'm always a bit slow and it's been a long day.
It was a good meeting and fans will be happy with what was discussed and the answers we received. But we need to inform members first.

Quote from: MJG on September 25, 2014, 10:11:15 PM

Quote from: fulhamben on September 25, 2014, 10:00:17 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 25, 2014, 09:42:46 PM
We had the meeting today and are going to release the findings from it to the members first via email and website.  But not giving anything away by saying it was a positive meeting.

im a bit slow tonight, are you saying that it was positive and thats not giving anything away. or are you saying that you cant say it was positive?

I'm always a bit slow and it's been a long day.
It was a good meeting and fans will be happy with what was discussed and the answers we received. But we need to inform members first.

with that comment you have me now so interested of what the answers etc was :P

Why?

We're all supporters on here.

Quote from: MJG on September 25, 2014, 10:11:15 PM

Quote from: fulhamben on September 25, 2014, 10:00:17 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 25, 2014, 09:42:46 PM
We had the meeting today and are going to release the findings from it to the members first via email and website.  But not giving anything away by saying it was a positive meeting.

im a bit slow tonight, are you saying that it was positive and thats not giving anything away. or are you saying that you cant say it was positive?

I'm always a bit slow and it's been a long day.
It was a good meeting and fans will be happy with what was discussed and the answers we received. But we need to inform members first.

cheers

FOF should start charging a tenner membership and only let 'members' read the forum before the non-members  063.gif

Well I am a member but haven't received anything yet?

All members receive, free of charge, the warm feeling that comes with being part of a community that has the good fortune to follow the whites...

...also free of charge is the occasional bicker, message board meltdown, and random rant.

It has been so long since I have seen my mem.......blast wrong MB again.  :021:

Quote from: Burt on September 25, 2014, 10:56:08 PM
All members receive, free of charge, the warm feeling that comes with being part of a community that has the good fortune to follow the whites...

...also free of charge is the occasional bicker, message board meltdown, and random rant.

It's not free I pay a large emotional fee when I get slagged off

Quote from: Burt on September 25, 2014, 10:56:08 PM
All members receive, free of charge, the warm feeling that comes with being part of a community that has the good fortune to follow the whites...

...also free of charge is the occasional bicker, message board meltdown, and random rant.

And the privilege of reading the strange posts of Berserker

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

Last bit of news on the website is April 2014.

Might be quite a wait.

We have had issue with the website until the last couple of weeks. That's now been sorted and I hope the report from the meeting will be on the site today.
You have to understand that members pay a fee and they will be informed first. but I take on your point Tony and it's something we are discussing within the FST.

FST ?

Federation of Season Ticket holders, or what ?

Forgive my ignorance.

Fulham Supporters Trust which came about from the Back To The Cottage group.
I was elected on during the summer and we will be a more visible organisation to represent fans going forward.

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 08:40:54 AM
We have had issue with the website until the last couple of weeks. That's now been sorted and I hope the report from the meeting will be on the site today.
You have to understand that members pay a fee and they will be informed first. but I take on your point Tony and it's something we are discussing within the FST.

FST is the only supporters organisation that seems to exist. There's a need for proper communication between the club and us. I think FST now has an opportunity to involve more supporters which would encourage the club to engage properly. Giving us pertinent information is the best recruitment strategy you could have.

We all want to understand and help if we can. Good luck.

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 08:46:08 AM
Fulham Supporters Trust which came about from the Back To The Cottage group.
I was elected on during the summer and we will be a more visible organisation to represent fans going forward.

Told you to go on that diet :005:

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:18:46 AM

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

totally agree.

Isnt being a season ticket holder and not missing any cup games either for the past 18 years a big enough fee paid?  Not to mention regularly attending u21 games etc at motspur park

Excuse my ignorance but ive never been a fan of exclusive clicks and thats what this stinks of. Load of nonsense.

What is this membership by the way? And what do those initials stand for? Clearly being a life long fulham fan in a family that spans 4 generations of fulham dating back to 1948 isnt enough to have been educated on this membership yet

I think unity in matters are key when having discussions with a large organisation. The fact that the supporter groups are split and do not give information to each other freely saddens me, plus plays into the hands of such company's as Fulham FC. Unity is Strength

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:49:10 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 08:40:54 AM
We have had issue with the website until the last couple of weeks. That's now been sorted and I hope the report from the meeting will be on the site today.
You have to understand that members pay a fee and they will be informed first. but I take on your point Tony and it's something we are discussing within the FST.

FST is the only supporters organisation that seems to exist. There's a need for proper communication between the club and us. I think FST now has an opportunity to involve more supporters which would encourage the club to engage properly. Giving us pertinent information is the best recruitment strategy you could have.

We all want to understand and help if we can. Good luck.

totally agree TG and believe me we are working on that.

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 08:51:06 AM
I think unity in matters are key when having discussions with a large organisation. The fact that the supporter groups are split and do not give information to each other freely saddens me, plus plays into the hands of such company's as Fulham FC. Unity is Strength

I don't think supporters groups are split at all. Moves have been made to unite different groups and that is ongoing.

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 08:46:08 AM
Fulham Supporters Trust which came about from the Back To The Cottage group.
I was elected on during the summer and we will be a more visible organisation to represent fans going forward.

Thank you  -  rings a bell, now !

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 08:50:49 AM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:18:46 AM

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

totally agree.

Isnt being a season ticket holder and not missing any cup games either for the past 18 years a big enough fee paid?

Excuse my ignorance but ive never been a fan of exclusive clicks and thats what this stinks of. Load of nonsense.

What is this membership by the way? And what do those initials stand for? Clearly being a life long fulham fan in a family that spans 4 generations of fulham dating back to 1948 isnt enough to have been educated on this membership yet

The FST is a membership organisation.  It's £10 to join and you can do so at http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/join-us/
As mentioned earlier we have had numerous technical issue with the site and hence its not been updated.  But the committee members who deal with the site will be updating shortly. It's been very frustrating for the committee that the site has been unusable but all I ask is a little bit more patience regarding it.

Just to say I was involved with the supporters club back in the late 80's early 90's with David Lloyd etc. All during the merger years etc.
I got involved this summer partly because the FST is not as well known with fans as it should be. In the real world I work for a membership organisation and my wish is to get as many fans to become members as possible going forward. But it's all baby steps atm.

How many members are there?

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 08:56:01 AM

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 08:50:49 AM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:18:46 AM

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

totally agree.

Isnt being a season ticket holder and not missing any cup games either for the past 18 years a big enough fee paid?

Excuse my ignorance but ive never been a fan of exclusive clicks and thats what this stinks of. Load of nonsense.

What is this membership by the way? And what do those initials stand for? Clearly being a life long fulham fan in a family that spans 4 generations of fulham dating back to 1948 isnt enough to have been educated on this membership yet

The FST is a membership organisation.  It's £10 to join and you can do so at http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/join-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/join-us/)
As mentioned earlier we have had numerous technical issue with the site and hence its not been updated.  But the committee members who deal with the site will be updating shortly. It's been very frustrating for the committee that the site has been unusable but all I ask is a little bit more patience regarding it.

fair enough. My point is why have a membership in the first place? Why not just have a team of supporters including yourself that attend these meetings and give feedback via a website/forum etc that we can all be included in. Why does a fee need to be paid just to find out information that will be passed on to the rest anyway. Its like paying extra to sit at the front on a rollercoaster, just another way of making money.

What does this organisation do other than attend meetings?

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 09:00:30 AM

How many members are there?

I have not asked that question yet as we have only had one meeting which was earlier this month and we covered a lot of other subjects. But I will come back with that. We all have our designated jobs and I'm working on one project at the moment.

It costs money to run any organisation but it's chicken and egg.

Demonstrate the worth of membership and people will want to join. Paying a tenner for nothing doesn't appeal.

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 09:01:06 AM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 08:56:01 AM

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 08:50:49 AM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:18:46 AM

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

totally agree.

Isnt being a season ticket holder and not missing any cup games either for the past 18 years a big enough fee paid?

Excuse my ignorance but ive never been a fan of exclusive clicks and thats what this stinks of. Load of nonsense.

What is this membership by the way? And what do those initials stand for? Clearly being a life long fulham fan in a family that spans 4 generations of fulham dating back to 1948 isnt enough to have been educated on this membership yet

The FST is a membership organisation.  It's £10 to join and you can do so at http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/join-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/join-us/)
As mentioned earlier we have had numerous technical issue with the site and hence its not been updated.  But the committee members who deal with the site will be updating shortly. It's been very frustrating for the committee that the site has been unusable but all I ask is a little bit more patience regarding it.

fair enough. My point is why have a membership in the first place? Why not just have a team of supporters including yourself that attend these meetings and give feedback via a website/forum etc that we can all be included in. Why does a fee need to be paid just to find out information that will be passed on to the rest anyway. Its like paying extra to sit at the front on a rollercoaster, just another way of making money.

What does this organisation do other than attend meetings?

You need to understand why the BTTC was formed and money required to run that. We still have costs involving memberships of other football fan related organisations. We have a website (admittedly not working for a while)  to pay for. There were newsletter costs last year and other related spends.
It's a nice idea of having a free supporters organisation and one I'm not opposed to.
The FST is doing a review and you will hear more of this in the next month hopefully.

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 08:50:49 AM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:18:46 AM

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

totally agree.

Isnt being a season ticket holder and not missing any cup games either for the past 18 years a big enough fee paid?  Not to mention regularly attending u21 games etc at motspur park

Excuse my ignorance but ive never been a fan of exclusive clicks and thats what this stinks of. Load of nonsense.

What is this membership by the way? And what do those initials stand for? Clearly being a life long fulham fan in a family that spans 4 generations of fulham dating back to 1948 isnt enough to have been educated on this membership yet

You keep banging on about the 4 generations etc but you should realise that a lot of people on this forum have put a lot more time, effort and money into Fulham supporting  than you have.Did you support back to the Cottage? put money in the buckets? go to the meetings at the town hall and the pub in Putney? stand outside the ground in the peeing rain trying to sell tee shirts and suffering the abuse of some so called fans? Do you have a brick on the mantle piece? if you have to ask what brick then that means you don't  have one, The people who are now FST do it for the good of the club from the supporters point of view, they have earned their place,  not just to be in an exclusive club which you say stinks? Before you ask I am not a member of FST.

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 09:04:03 AM
It costs money to run any organisation but it's chicken and egg.

Demonstrate the worth of membership and people will want to join. Paying a tenner for nothing doesn't appeal.

and I have those conversations every day in my real job. Especially in a society which has changed from the eras of paying to be a member of anything. The Internet has made pretty much made everything free and especially younger generations do not see worth in paying for anything.
But things still have to be paid for.

Quote from: epsomraver on September 26, 2014, 09:09:25 AM

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 08:50:49 AM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on September 26, 2014, 08:18:46 AM

If FST want to be an inclusive organisation representing supporters they're missing a trick here.

Show us what you can do and how you can represent supporters rather than try to own information even temporarily.

totally agree.

Isnt being a season ticket holder and not missing any cup games either for the past 18 years a big enough fee paid?  Not to mention regularly attending u21 games etc at motspur park

Excuse my ignorance but ive never been a fan of exclusive clicks and thats what this stinks of. Load of nonsense.

What is this membership by the way? And what do those initials stand for? Clearly being a life long fulham fan in a family that spans 4 generations of fulham dating back to 1948 isnt enough to have been educated on this membership yet

You keep banging on about the 4 generations etc but you should realise that a lot of people on this forum have put a lot more time, effort and money into Fulham supporting  than you have.Did you support back to the Cottage? put money in the buckets? go to the meetings at the town hall and the pub in Putney? stand outside the ground in the peeing rain trying to sell tee shirts and suffering the abuse of some so called fans? Do you have a brick on the mantle piece? if you have to ask what brick then that means you don't  have one, The people who are now FST do it for the good of the club from the supporters point of view, they have earned their place,  not just to be in an exclusive club which you say stinks? Before you ask I am not a member of FST.

Being 26 no I did not do those things..... did my mum and grandad attend every meeting in an attempt to save the cottage? Yes they did. Does my grandad have a brick? Yes he does. I dont recall ever being told they stood in the rain selling t shirts and its too late to ask now. Ill ask my mum that one and get back to ya.

Again you refer to this braveheart save the cottage group as if im ignorant to it all. Would it not cross your mind before writing to think 4 generations? 66 years of fulham? Maybe just maybe the first couple of generations were there with me??? Because they were.

But rather than bang on about it as if he was more important than me my grandad would educate me and not be on his high horse. How can younger generations respect and appreciate the work you did if you just throw it back in our face.

Like you said you're not a member yourself so I dont see whats your problem with me asking questions about something ive never heard of. Its my club too

Might be worth putting a sticky up on here for FST matters?

I need to rejoin but the form on the website has gone the wrong date on it. Is Brezh still membership sec?

Quote from: Two Ton Ted on September 26, 2014, 10:56:32 AM
Might be worth putting a sticky up on here for FST matters?

I need to rejoin but the form on the website has gone the wrong date on it. Is Brezh still membership sec?

ignore the date it's for 14/15

Part of the issue was inability to change some pages but that membership form does work.

Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

In a roundabout way those questions are basically what I asked and I was just told about how I wasnt there in the old days and how others have put more effort and time into fulham than myself. 

Maybe I should be more formal in future lol

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

Burt great questions and all of them reasons why I stood to be on the committee.
We had our first meeting as a committee since I was elected at the start of September.
We met the club yesterday and will be having regular monthly meetings with the club from now on. This is a great step forward from the rather random meetings that went before.
Our remit is a changing one,  it started as getting Fulham back to the cottage and has become more supporter related in being members of various national organisations while also keeping in touch with club and trying to raise any concerns fans had.
We will be looking for input from ALL fans on the type of organisation Fulham fans want representing them and what's important to you guys,  and how we can help in anyway.
I'm still new so of the info you ask..meetings etc.. I'm not sure if it's a set number to have or on an as and when basi. But we are always in touch and have had informal meetings before games.
I know this all sounds a bit vague and I'm sorry about that,  but all I can ask is a little patience in what we are doing and I'm sure come the new year we will be able to push on as an organisation and as Fulham fans together.

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 12:19:51 PM

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

In a roundabout way those questions are basically what I asked and I was just told about how I wasnt there in the old days and how others have put more effort and time into fulham than myself. 

Maybe I should be more formal in future lol

just be clear that I responded to your questions and I was not the one who told you about old days etc.

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 12:31:32 PM

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

Burt great questions and all of them reasons why I stood to be on the committee.
We had our first meeting as a committee since I was elected at the start of September.
We met the club yesterday and will be having regular monthly meetings with the club from now on. This is a great step forward from the rather random meetings that went before.
Our remit is a changing one,  it started as getting Fulham back to the cottage and has become more supporter related in being members of various national organisations while also keeping in touch with club and trying to raise any concerns fans had.
We will be looking for input from ALL fans on the type of organisation Fulham fans want representing them and what's important to you guys,  and how we can help in anyway.
I'm still new so of the info you ask..meetings etc.. I'm not sure if it's a set number to have or on an as and when basi. But we are always in touch and have had informal meetings before games.
I know this all sounds a bit vague and I'm sorry about that,  but all I can ask is a little patience in what we are doing and I'm sure come the new year we will be able to push on as an organisation and as Fulham fans together.

Thanks Mike.

It will be interesting to see how this all evolves.

Feel free to continue with posting the updates, and if you need any views or inputs prior to any FST meeting then I am sure you will find a lot of people on here willing to give their opinion  :dft011:

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 12:19:51 PM

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

In a roundabout way those questions are basically what I asked and I was just told about how I wasnt there in the old days and how others have put more effort and time into fulham than myself. 

Maybe I should be more formal in future lol

Sorry Danny on long threads I am occasionally guilty of jumping to the end rather than starting from the beginning  :dft011:

Essentially this feels like a good thing - any channel of communication between the club and its supporters is key, and if this can be done through the likes of the FST then all well and good. Not sure why there would be argument about that sort of thing. Looks like I need to go to pages 1 and 2 to find out  :airfix:

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 12:33:51 PM

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 12:19:51 PM

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

In a roundabout way those questions are basically what I asked and I was just told about how I wasnt there in the old days and how others have put more effort and time into fulham than myself. 

Maybe I should be more formal in future lol

just be clear that I responded to your questions and I was not the one who told you about old days etc.

I appreciate that you answered the questions and im actually impressed at how informative/helpful you're being. My points could've been interpreted as abrupt but you didnt bite so thanks.

Maybe I shouldve pointed out it wasnt you that got a bit funny but to clarify I appreciate your responses.

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 01:00:48 PM

Quote from: dannyboi-ffc on September 26, 2014, 12:19:51 PM

Quote from: Burt on September 26, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Interesting stuff...

MJG, it would be useful to understand:
1. What the purpose of the FST is. Role, remit, mission, aims, etc. etc.
2. Who is on the main committee?
3. How often do you meet as a committee?
4. Formal links with the club (if any)?
5. How you encourage participation from the grass roots.

Many thanks.

In a roundabout way those questions are basically what I asked and I was just told about how I wasnt there in the old days and how others have put more effort and time into fulham than myself. 

Maybe I should be more formal in future lol

Sorry Danny on long threads I am occasionally guilty of jumping to the end rather than starting from the beginning  :dft011:

Essentially this feels like a good thing - any channel of communication between the club and its supporters is key, and if this can be done through the likes of the FST then all well and good. Not sure why there would be argument about that sort of thing. Looks like I need to go to pages 1 and 2 to find out  :airfix:

No need to apoligise, your questions were better anyway. I didnt really ask direct questions as such but my intent was there.


My only query was having to pay to be a member when were all supporters. I agree its a good thing to have a group working so closely with the club.

I wouldn't want to be a member of any club that would accept me as a member.

...Burt beat me to it with his list of questions. I know several members of the FST, both current and former, I have been asked to join to apparently add influence, not sure how or why, but the questions mentioned by Burt I have asked time and time again, directly to members and via the almost dormant facebook page, and I have always received vague, non-commital answers, and when repeated to one prominent member I got the politicians reply that you have already stated your position and have made it perfectly clear - but you hadn't and that was the reason for asking again!

The BTTC, of which I was a member, was a worthwhile organisation with a clearly defined purpose and goal and helping funding this goal was a natural response.

One of the only responses to what the FST did was that you had a signed Johnny Haynes shirt that the FST donated to the club now hangs in the Haynes place cafe. Very laudable but not sure how that represents the fans.

Re the charges, I have said this all along, I don't mind becoming a member but object to pay £10 a year without knowing how that money is being used, and for what end game.

This is not a dig at you MJG as I know you are trying to get such matters raised and discussed, and I know how hard it is to organise and put together a group of people for whatever purpose.

At the end of the day are you now trying to be the supporters voice like a supporters club, along with your other (?) raison d'etre..?

Quick answer is we are looking at all things trust related.
I have my own ideas as does everyone. But we are looking at things and even today I have been working on the subject of the future... In between watching the golf...to discuss things as a committee.

Boy, I would like to ask Mr Mackintosh a few questions.   I really hope you were not all very PC.  Fulham Football Club has been a car crash for 3 years now.   Khan has seemed totally out of touch.  Senior Management have made cock up after cock up.  I would be VERY interested to hear how they can justify themselves.  Fulham fans are so nice, I bloody hope it was not a cup of tea and pats on the back and some really searching quesitons asked.  Mackintosh has a lot to answer for.   Would be delighted to give you some questions for him, if you did not ask during this meeting..  Q1.  Mr Mackintosh, what do you do as our CEO and how do you rate your performace last year !!!!

...trust is a two way thing...

Quote from: FulhamStu on September 26, 2014, 02:04:52 PM
Boy, I would like to ask Mr Mackintosh a few questions.   I really hope you were not all very PC.  Fulham Football Club has been a car crash for 3 years now.   Khan has seemed totally out of touch.  Senior Management have made cock up after cock up.  I would be VERY interested to hear how they can justify themselves.  Fulham fans are so nice, I bloody hope it was not a cup of tea and pats on the back and some really searching quesitons asked.  Mackintosh has a lot to answer for.   Would be delighted to give you some questions for him, if you did not ask during this meeting..  Q1.  Mr Mackintosh, what do you do as our CEO and how do you rate your performace last year !!!!

Assuming the anwer to Q1 was correct, I would then ask   Q2.  How are you going to fix it because it seems to be getting worse not better.

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 02:05:17 PM
...trust is a two way thing...

it certainly is and totally agree.

Quote from: FulhamStu on September 26, 2014, 02:04:52 PM
Boy, I would like to ask Mr Mackintosh a few questions.   I really hope you were not all very PC.  Fulham Football Club has been a car crash for 3 years now.   Khan has seemed totally out of touch.  Senior Management have made cock up after cock up.  I would be VERY interested to hear how they can justify themselves.  Fulham fans are so nice, I bloody hope it was not a cup of tea and pats on the back and some really searching quesitons asked.  Mackintosh has a lot to answer for.   Would be delighted to give you some questions for him, if you did not ask during this meeting..  Q1.  Mr Mackintosh, what do you do as our CEO and how do you rate your performace last year !!!!

Those type of questions would guarantee that there'd be no more meetings.

If FST wants to be taken seriously as a supporters organisation that supporters would want to be part of they should be reporting back on this meeting to ALL of us as a matter of urgency.

Tony you are right about the first part of your answer.
With regards second part please remember that
1)we had meeting only yesterday and the report of it is still being written
2)we have responsibility to our paid members firstly to give them the report of meeting

3) I'm fully aware of the requirements to report back quickly, as already stated I work within the membership industry and know how important that I'd and we will get better at this and certainly my aim is the FST is for All Fulham fans.

4) all going well we should have something up on the site later for public consumption.

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 01:56:25 PM
...Burt beat me to it with his list of questions. I know several members of the FST, both current and former, I have been asked to join to apparently add influence, not sure how or why, but the questions mentioned by Burt I have asked time and time again, directly to members and via the almost dormant facebook page, and I have always received vague, non-commital answers, and when repeated to one prominent member I got the politicians reply that you have already stated your position and have made it perfectly clear - but you hadn't and that was the reason for asking again!

The BTTC, of which I was a member, was a worthwhile organisation with a clearly defined purpose and goal and helping funding this goal was a natural response.

One of the only responses to what the FST did was that you had a signed Johnny Haynes shirt that the FST donated to the club now hangs in the Haynes place cafe. Very laudable but not sure how that represents the fans.

Re the charges, I have said this all along, I don't mind becoming a member but object to pay £10 a year without knowing how that money is being used, and for what end game.

This is not a dig at you MJG as I know you are trying to get such matters raised and discussed, and I know how hard it is to organise and put together a group of people for whatever purpose.

At the end of the day are you now trying to be the supporters voice like a supporters club, along with your other (?) raison d'etre..?

The one thing I still haven't seen, what does the £10.00 go towards? I'm in the same boat and I'm not entirely sure how the fee is justified. This isn't be having a go or a dig, but asking for the justification for the fee.

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 02:32:26 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 01:56:25 PM
...Burt beat me to it with his list of questions. I know several members of the FST, both current and former, I have been asked to join to apparently add influence, not sure how or why, but the questions mentioned by Burt I have asked time and time again, directly to members and via the almost dormant facebook page, and I have always received vague, non-commital answers, and when repeated to one prominent member I got the politicians reply that you have already stated your position and have made it perfectly clear - but you hadn't and that was the reason for asking again!

The BTTC, of which I was a member, was a worthwhile organisation with a clearly defined purpose and goal and helping funding this goal was a natural response.

One of the only responses to what the FST did was that you had a signed Johnny Haynes shirt that the FST donated to the club now hangs in the Haynes place cafe. Very laudable but not sure how that represents the fans.

Re the charges, I have said this all along, I don't mind becoming a member but object to pay £10 a year without knowing how that money is being used, and for what end game.

This is not a dig at you MJG as I know you are trying to get such matters raised and discussed, and I know how hard it is to organise and put together a group of people for whatever purpose.

At the end of the day are you now trying to be the supporters voice like a supporters club, along with your other (?) raison d'etre..?

The one thing I still haven't seen, what does the £10.00 go towards? I'm in the same boat and I'm not entirely sure how the fee is justified. This isn't be having a go or a dig, but asking for the justification for the fee.

I did cover this earlier and like any organisation we require funds to actually run, as well as have money in case we need to use that for any reason in relation to fan or club related activities.
The finances are presented at an AGM to members like any organisation.

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 02:38:23 PM

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 02:32:26 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 01:56:25 PM
...Burt beat me to it with his list of questions. I know several members of the FST, both current and former, I have been asked to join to apparently add influence, not sure how or why, but the questions mentioned by Burt I have asked time and time again, directly to members and via the almost dormant facebook page, and I have always received vague, non-commital answers, and when repeated to one prominent member I got the politicians reply that you have already stated your position and have made it perfectly clear - but you hadn't and that was the reason for asking again!

The BTTC, of which I was a member, was a worthwhile organisation with a clearly defined purpose and goal and helping funding this goal was a natural response.

One of the only responses to what the FST did was that you had a signed Johnny Haynes shirt that the FST donated to the club now hangs in the Haynes place cafe. Very laudable but not sure how that represents the fans.

Re the charges, I have said this all along, I don't mind becoming a member but object to pay £10 a year without knowing how that money is being used, and for what end game.

This is not a dig at you MJG as I know you are trying to get such matters raised and discussed, and I know how hard it is to organise and put together a group of people for whatever purpose.

At the end of the day are you now trying to be the supporters voice like a supporters club, along with your other (?) raison d'etre..?

The one thing I still haven't seen, what does the £10.00 go towards? I'm in the same boat and I'm not entirely sure how the fee is justified. This isn't be having a go or a dig, but asking for the justification for the fee.

I did cover this earlier and like any organisation we require funds to actually run, as well as have money in case we need to use that for any reason in relation to fan or club related activities.
The finances are presented at an AGM to members like any organisation.

Ah ok, cheers, didn't see it posted before! Still not really sure as the AGM runs for members and im not, so im naturally none the wiser.

Quote from: FulhamStu on September 26, 2014, 02:04:52 PM
Boy, I would like to ask Mr Mackintosh a few questions.   I really hope you were not all very PC.  Fulham Football Club has been a car crash for 3 years now.   Khan has seemed totally out of touch.  Senior Management have made cock up after cock up.  I would be VERY interested to hear how they can justify themselves.  Fulham fans are so nice, I bloody hope it was not a cup of tea and pats on the back and some really searching quesitons asked.  Mackintosh has a lot to answer for.   Would be delighted to give you some questions for him, if you did not ask during this meeting..  Q1.  Mr Mackintosh, what do you do as our CEO and how do you rate your performace last year !!!!

You are clearly angry with Mr Mackintosh and say "Mackintosh has a lot to answer for" yet in your Q1 you want to ask "Mr Mackintosh, what do you do as our CEO . . .".

Yet another person who is quite happy to rail at Mackintosh when, like the rest of us, you have no idea what if any part of the "car crash" he might be responsible for.

I'm sure if the trust hadn't been so secretly formed an fof member would have designed a website free of charge.

Quote from: premFlem on September 26, 2014, 03:21:06 PM
I'm sure if the trust hadn't been so secretly formed an fof member would have designed a website free of charge.

well it was not secretly formed and came from the BTTC organisation.
Out of interest does anyone think this website runs for free?

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:24:05 PM

Quote from: premFlem on September 26, 2014, 03:21:06 PM
I'm sure if the trust hadn't been so secretly formed an fof member would have designed a website free of charge.

well it was not secretly formed and came from the BTTC organisation.
Out of interest does anyone think this website runs for free?

No. But it also doesn't charge £10 to use it.

Edit: That wasn't meant to be shirty!!!! Just like I said, still not sure what the £10 is for.

...assuming you have one hundred plus members at £10.00 per head that is £1,000.00 for administration of members, and associated with this sending out e-mails to members, booking a meeting venue a couple of times a year, looking after the website, printing a leaflet to issue at games to the fans say twice a year, for a non-profit organisation seems a lot of money, but I know it may not be as simple as that.

If you have less than 100 members then it is difficult to know how the FST can hold itself as representative of say 12,000 fans.

If a fee is necessary, surely if it was dropped to say £5.00 you should more than double your membership as long as there was more transparency of what FST stands for and does and has achieved after all these years of existence?

Again I am not trying to give you a hard time MJG, I appreciate you have put your head above the parapet in declaring your membership of the FST, but these are the usual concerns raised, and rarely, if ever properly addressed.

I know the questioning on here may be irksome, but it is more civilised than the mauling the FST endured on tiff...

The £10 membership fee hasn't changed since BTTC days. It's a nominal sum which covers printing, postage, website hosting, meeting rooms etc  and to be frank I'm amazed football fans, who spend £45+ a piece of nylon with the clubs badge on, quible it. No one is going to get rich on it.

And no, I'm not on the committee but am a lapsed member.

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 03:32:19 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:24:05 PM

Quote from: premFlem on September 26, 2014, 03:21:06 PM
I'm sure if the trust hadn't been so secretly formed an fof member would have designed a website free of charge.

well it was not secretly formed and came from the BTTC organisation.
Out of interest does anyone think this website runs for free?

No. But it also doesn't charge £10 to use it.

Edit: That wasn't meant to be shirty!!!! Just like I said, still not sure what the £10 is for.

look back at what I have said before... Website.. Membership fees for national organisations... Leaflets and printing .. Postal costs... And various other sundries.

Let's play worse case scenario.
Khan runs club into ground and we have Portsmouth situation. Funds may be required to get some kind of action going with fans support. Be it banners, the shirts, legal fees,  anything. Now I'm not saying that what's going to happen,  but you see how other clubs.. And as we did back in the 80's... Get fans to work together. A lot is free time and effort but somewhere money has to be used. That's partly what any funds we have at the time could be used for.

I go back to a point earlier about people now expecting everything to be free. I'm as guilty as anyone,  be it downloading movies music for free,  using Twitter and forums.. Which in their own way are clubs... But free ones.

BTTC ?

Amazingly, that's the 3rd abbreviation used on this website today that I haven't understood !

Anyhow, it's good to know that some supporters are willing to give up free time to establish or revive a line of communication with the club.  I hope that the FST can grow and prosper.  £10 doesn't buy much these days and organisations don't run on fresh air ;  Two Ton Ted's comment on this is well made.

LBNo11 we are not a million miles away from wanting the same things.
I'm happy to answer questions as I have today,  I don't want the FST to be seen as some elite organisation or secret club. I want us to be fully representative of all Fulham fans. How we will do that is being looked at over the coming months.

You all know me on here.. All I can say is that if I have anything to do with it,  the trust will be the place fans turn to with issues and information regarding fans and Fulham.

BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/

Quote from: Fulham1959 on September 26, 2014, 03:51:59 PM
BTTC ?

Amazingly, that's the 3rd abbreviation used on this website today that I haven't understood !

Anyhow, it's good to know that some supporters are willing to give up free time to establish or revive a line of communication with the club.  I hope that the FST can grow and prosper.  £10 doesn't buy much these days and organisations don't run on fresh air ;  Two Ton Ted's comment on this is well made.

...BTTC stands for Back To The Cottage, when we were pushing Mr Fayed to return us home from the place in W12. I paid out more than my fair share as a member to try to achieve that goal, which obviously we did, but once we returned to Craven Cottage the BTTC was somewhat left to wither on the vine but became the FST.

Re £10.00 not being a lot, some cannot afford to attend matches, and £10.00 is a lot out of personal disposable income, especially if students and OAP's or unemployed, and these people may have valid points to make to any fans group that represents the fans....

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:57:18 PM
BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/)

...and still Friends Of Fulham is not shown in the links..!

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:55:37 PM
LBNo11 we are not a million miles away from wanting the same things.
I'm happy to answer questions as I have today,  I don't want the FST to be seen as some elite organisation or secret club. I want us to be fully representative of all Fulham fans. How we will do that is being looked at over the coming months.

You all know me on here.. All I can say is that if I have anything to do with it,  the trust will be the place fans turn to with issues and information regarding fans and Fulham.

Firstly, I'm happy that people can discuss it so openly and not be berated for it. I think it's important for all organisations to state what exactly you actually pay for. As for the argument that we want something for nothing, the problem for me was, I felt I might pay for nothing, which again, we've cleared up. I think its also very important for people before signing up to ask these questions, otherwise you can get ripped off as many groups have done so before.

Thanks for answering honestly about this, I hope you understand teh questions asked are more for education purposes than accusations.

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 04:12:01 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:57:18 PM
BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/)

...and still Friends Of Fulham is not shown in the links..!

neither is Vivaelfulham which I write for. As said before issue with site have meant we have not been able to make changes. But all this is on a to do list.

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 04:12:50 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:55:37 PMLBNo11 we are not a million miles away from wanting the same things.
I'm happy to answer questions as I have today,  I don't want the FST to be seen as some elite organisation or secret club. I want us to be fully representative of all Fulham fans. How we will do that is being looked at over the coming months.

You all know me on here.. All I can say is that if I have anything to do with it,  the trust will be the place fans turn to with issues and information regarding fans and Fulham.

Thanks for answering honestly about this, I hope you understand teh questions asked are more for education purposes than accusations.

Totally understand and when I joined it was tenner to find out more if I was honest. But to repeat myself that's why I ended up standing for committee,  so that people like yourself can be reached by the trust and hopefully join in the long run. Be it for a tenner,  a fiver or who knows... even for free.

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 04:15:33 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 04:12:01 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:57:18 PM
BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/)

...and still Friends Of Fulham is not shown in the links..!

neither is Vivaelfulham which I write for. As said before issue with site have meant we have not been able to make changes. But all this is on a to do list.

...I appreciate that, as well as the fact that we have similar thoughts on issues...

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 04:15:33 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 04:12:01 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:57:18 PM
BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/)

...and still Friends Of Fulham is not shown in the links..!

neither is Vivaelfulham which I write for. As said before issue with site have meant we have not been able to make changes. But all this is on a to do list.

I saw you had problems with people paying and no correspondence of confirmation occurring too. Is that still apparent or has it been fixed?

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 04:18:53 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 04:15:33 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 04:12:01 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:57:18 PM
BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/)

...and still Friends Of Fulham is not shown in the links..!

neither is Vivaelfulham which I write for. As said before issue with site have meant we have not been able to make changes. But all this is on a to do list.

I saw you had problems with people paying and no correspondence of confirmation occurring too. Is that still apparent or has it been fixed?

that was discussed at last meeting and was an issue which I hope is sorted.  If you have joined and not heard anything back, please message me your full name and email address and I'll pass it on.

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 02:32:26 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 01:56:25 PM
...Burt beat me to it with his list of questions. I know several members of the FST, both current and former, I have been asked to join to apparently add influence, not sure how or why, but the questions mentioned by Burt I have asked time and time again, directly to members and via the almost dormant facebook page, and I have always received vague, non-commital answers, and when repeated to one prominent member I got the politicians reply that you have already stated your position and have made it perfectly clear - but you hadn't and that was the reason for asking again!

The BTTC, of which I was a member, was a worthwhile organisation with a clearly defined purpose and goal and helping funding this goal was a natural response.

One of the only responses to what the FST did was that you had a signed Johnny Haynes shirt that the FST donated to the club now hangs in the Haynes place cafe. Very laudable but not sure how that represents the fans.

Re the charges, I have said this all along, I don't mind becoming a member but object to pay £10 a year without knowing how that money is being used, and for what end game.

This is not a dig at you MJG as I know you are trying to get such matters raised and discussed, and I know how hard it is to organise and put together a group of people for whatever purpose.

At the end of the day are you now trying to be the supporters voice like a supporters club, along with your other (?) raison d'etre..?

The one thing I still haven't seen, what does the £10.00 go towards? I'm in the same boat and I'm not entirely sure how the fee is justified. This isn't be having a go or a dig, but asking for the justification for the fee.

I would imagine general expenses such as printer inks, paper, envelopes, stamps etc  etc.

Also, I think this is a voluntary organization, and it's likely that the 'officers' use their own phones
and other things at their own cost ?

Can I join as a woman?

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 04:20:47 PM

Quote from: FFC1987 on September 26, 2014, 04:18:53 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 04:15:33 PM

Quote from: LBNo11 on September 26, 2014, 04:12:01 PM

Quote from: MJG on September 26, 2014, 03:57:18 PM
BTTC... Back to the cottage http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/ (http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/about-us/)

...and still Friends Of Fulham is not shown in the links..!

neither is Vivaelfulham which I write for. As said before issue with site have meant we have not been able to make changes. But all this is on a to do list.

I saw you had problems with people paying and no correspondence of confirmation occurring too. Is that still apparent or has it been fixed?

that was discussed at last meeting and was an issue which I hope is sorted.  If you have joined and not heard anything back, please message me your full name and email address and I'll pass it on.

Well, it lets you pay your 16 bucks and gives you a receipt number, so thats a good start!!!

So, what else am I expecting to receive Mike? Email, letter, complimentary first team (signed) shirt, personal invitation? Just kidding mate.

Look you lot, if we sign up for FST, then we'll all be backing a group of people that (finally) have an official direct line to the club and that cannot be a bad thing, can it? Yep 10 quid can sound a little expensive, and its not to be coughed at, but its also just the price of 3 pints (if my recent memory serves me correctly - though I was a little sozzled by the time the match started) so its not exactly mind-numbing either.

The same goes for FoF, we need funding as well, so I agree, everything costs money, and somebosy has to pay, but the more that pay, the cheaper it can be and the service can be better.

OK then, rant over, back into my box with the medication.   :wine:

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 05:40:00 PM
Can I join as a woman?

Nope, but you can join as one of the Fulham Faithful    049:gif

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 05:40:00 PM
Can I join as a woman?

Do you have a multiple personality disorder? Or just a grammatical one?  :005:

So how long until we can hear about the meeting with the CEO. please?

Can't see why this isn't funded by the club. I'm sure there would be more than enough applicants to be apart of this club free of charge just to help. The keeping of knowledge from the fans who haven't got a membership stinks. I've never had a ST and haven't done anything notable to help the cause but I have been a member for a few years and get second dibs on tickets after ST holders. Why should I get preference on information when ST holders clearly provide the club with more than I do.
MJG you strike me as a really nice guy with nothing but the club and it's fans as your motive so I am not aiming any critism at you. Unfortunately positions of information or power lead to a distancing from those who don't have it, which I'm sure isn't a situation you are happy with knowing from your posts that that is the last thing you want. It does strick me that information that loyal supporters are straining to hear is being held back as wrong. I really appreciate your continued answers on this tread as you have stuck your neck out and answered many questions put to you and never hid from any question.
No slight on you but a lot of what your saying is very politician and you are withholding information from people that care. When is that ever right. Having ardent supporters being kept from the truth can only damage IMO. I'm not blaming you for any of this just saying that the system stinks. Oh and a season ticket should mean membership. No extra cost included. That doesn't benefit me but I'm shocked that for £10 a year I get information before a £400 a year odd fan doesn't.
  Thank you for you openess, all be it guarded and let's hope for everyone's sake that we can all hear about our club in a transparent way from here on in. I won't be holding my breath but feel with more people like you in influence it may happen

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 05:40:00 PM
Can I join as a woman?

No ,women are banned from FST, well to be fair only women who ask stupid questions ;-)

Quote from: Barrie on September 26, 2014, 06:33:15 PM
So how long until we can hear about the meeting with the CEO. please?

Good question.......even a summary would be nice?
Thanks in advance

Fair play to MJG , for, as LB says, sticking his head above the parapet .

He's already said he's new to the committee so may not have all the answers .

My take on FST.

I joined the supporters club committee around the time of BTTC.

I got toldBTTC was an umbrella  branch of the supporters club who then broke away and took the supporters clubs members data base.

The BTTC was an important part of our history as they were the main voice for getting us back to the Cottage,although I don't think it was purely down to them why we returned, that's taking nothing away for all their hard work.

The supporters club were a totally different type of group and catered more for the fans, ie with discounted away travel etc

With member numbers dwindling and committee members having very busy work loads in their day jobs, the supporters club basically folded.

I was basically last man standing and carried on for the next few years, just answering fans e mails
Mainly overseas fans.

When Tommy Guthrie joined the club, we had a person inside the club whom fans could e mail and I helpedTommy when he first started with certain things.

The thing that's always put me off FST is the secrecy behind it all.

Maybe if they were a bit more open and active, then I'm sure membership could rise

I do feel we need a fans voice and I have seriously thought about getting the supporters club going again, but its a big job and you'd need a few like minded people to give up their free time to hp.

Sadly I have very little free time so probably couldn't commit to it

Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on September 26, 2014, 06:28:37 PM

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 05:40:00 PM
Can I join as a woman?

Do you have a multiple personality disorder? Or just a grammatical one?  :005:

Not sure what you mean

Openness is something we are very keen on promoting.
It's not a club run thing and some people would not want to be part of anything which is not independent of the club... So you can't really win.
A report will come out, but I'm not the one who's publishing it on the site,  so once again please be a little patience.

Quote from: SouthfieldWhite on September 26, 2014, 07:12:59 PM
Fair play to MJG , for, as LB says, sticking his head above the parapet .

He's already said he's new to the committee so may not have all the answers .

My take on FST.

I joined the supporters club committee around the time of BTTC.

I got toldBTTC was an umbrella  branch of the supporters club who then broke away and took the supporters clubs members data base.

The BTTC was an important part of our history as they were the main voice for getting us back to the Cottage,although I don't think it was purely down to them why we returned, that's taking nothing away for all their hard work.

The supporters club were a totally different type of group and catered more for the fans, ie with discounted away travel etc

With member numbers dwindling and committee members having very busy work loads in their day jobs, the supporters club basically folded.

I was basically last man standing and carried on for the next few years, just answering fans e mails
Mainly overseas fans.

When Tommy Guthrie joined the club, we had a person inside the club whom fans could e mail and I helpedTommy when he first started with certain things.

The thing that's always put me off FST is the secrecy behind it all.

Maybe if they were a bit more open and active, then I'm sure membership could rise

I do feel we need a fans voice and I have seriously thought about getting the supporters club going again, but its a big job and you'd need a few like minded people to give up their free time to hp.

Sadly I have very little free time so probably couldn't commit to it

What sort of things did the supporters club do in tandem with the club?

I have personal ties with a certain foreign supporters club so am interested to see what sort of relationship you had with Fulham. I think there's a lot of potential for a revival of a supporters club, what with the current climate of discontent with fan culture and status in the UK.

Quote from: Putney on September 26, 2014, 08:19:44 PM

Quote from: SouthfieldWhite on September 26, 2014, 07:12:59 PM
Fair play to MJG , for, as LB says, sticking his head above the parapet .

He's already said he's new to the committee so may not have all the answers .

My take on FST.

I joined the supporters club committee around the time of BTTC.

I got toldBTTC was an umbrella  branch of the supporters club who then broke away and took the supporters clubs members data base.

The BTTC was an important part of our history as they were the main voice for getting us back to the Cottage,although I don't think it was purely down to them why we returned, that's taking nothing away for all their hard work.

The supporters club were a totally different type of group and catered more for the fans, ie with discounted away travel etc

With member numbers dwindling and committee members having very busy work loads in their day jobs, the supporters club basically folded.

I was basically last man standing and carried on for the next few years, just answering fans e mails
Mainly overseas fans.

When Tommy Guthrie joined the club, we had a person inside the club whom fans could e mail and I helpedTommy when he first started with certain things.

The thing that's always put me off FST is the secrecy behind it all.

Maybe if they were a bit more open and active, then I'm sure membership could rise

I do feel we need a fans voice and I have seriously thought about getting the supporters club going again, but its a big job and you'd need a few like minded people to give up their free time to hp.

Sadly I have very little free time so probably couldn't commit to it

What sort of things did the supporters club do in tandem with the club?

I have personal ties with a certain foreign supporters club so am interested to see what sort of relationship you had with Fulham. I think there's a lot of potential for a revival of a supporters club, what with the current climate of discontent with fan culture and status in the UK.

one of the things FST do is that they belong to the two major supporters organisations.. Supporters direct and the football supporters federation.
Subject such as safe standing,  price of tickets,  club compliance, fans on boards, keeping a clubs traditional name and colours is a hot topic. 
Lots of things that relate to fans and clubs and how it affects us today and tomorrow are being looked at.

Be it a supporters club,  a trust or a special interest group,  they can do many things. When I was part of the FFC supporters club we had strong communication ties with the board . we worked on organising travel,  Quite nights etc. The one thing I can tell you and SW covered,  it takes a lot of time and effort to organise and run.

Quote from: Barrie on September 26, 2014, 06:33:15 PM
So how long until we can hear about the meeting with the CEO. please?

I'm hoping for another jumbo sized flag - it worked a treat last season.

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 07:56:44 PM

Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on September 26, 2014, 06:28:37 PM

Quote from: Berserker on September 26, 2014, 05:40:00 PM
Can I join as a woman?

Do you have a multiple personality disorder? Or just a grammatical one?  :005:

Not sure what you mean

Nothing sinister Mrs B, on your original reply you said "can I join as a women" (plural!!) :)

The Jumbo flag was on top of my seat the whole of the Doncaster game

Bit pissed off with the FST tonight, been out all day today at a wedding, get home check my e-mail's nothing from the FST (of which im a member) log on to this thread, hoping for news of the meeting, again nothing !
Were'nt we promised something today ! So what happened ?
Same thing happened after the last meeting !
Sorry guys but the passing on of news must be improved, the supporters trust, sadly is as shambolic as every other aspect of our club at the moment,
Somebody sort it out ! :046:

Well done to MJG for his responses and the attitude he shows.  It would be good to make Fulham Supporters Trust more visible and communicative to supporters at large.

I am one of those who has retained my £10 membership standing order since BTTC days, since that seems a price worth paying for retaining a body that's  plugged into the national network of Supporters' Trusts -- some of which are really substantial organisations. If nothing else, it's an insurance policy -- that if crisis times did recur (think mid-80s to mid-90s) then there would be an existing setup that could form the basis of a rearguard action, drawing on connections with the wider football world.

So that motive suffices for me to maintain a membership that began when the movement was formed (reacting to news of the ground's sale to a property developer). Without that background, would I have been attracted to join in the years after return to Craven Cottage? Probably not. It would have needed more visible action, additional reasons. If more can now be expected, then great. I see absolutely no downside and good luck to everyone prepared to put in the time.

Dan Crawford has just published the details of the meeting on Twitter, I have no idea which part of it is the good news that MJG alluded to that were all supposed to be happy with, maybe he can clarify his comments on saturday .

I can't quite fathom why so many have a 'downer' on the FST. They don't claim to represent Fulham fans as a whole, just their members. The same as a previous poster, I have maintained my membership as habit, and simply as an insurance policy for when things with this great Club of ours invariably go tits up!

By popular request, here is a copy of earlier tweet..

A delegation from the Fulham Supporters' Trust Board – compromising of Mike Gregg, Dan Crawford, Lorcan O'Connor and Neil Springate – met with Fulham Football Club's chief executive officer Alistair Mackintosh and director of communications and marketing Sarah Brookes at Motspur Park on Thursday morning.

Prior to the Trust delegation posing a series of questions to the Club, Mr. Mackintosh suggested that a regular monthly meeting be held between the Club and Trust. This was agreed and the Trust looks forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with the Club.

Ground redevelopment

The Club are committed to continuing with the plans to increase the capacity of Craven Cottage.

A River Works Licence was obtained earlier in the year. Port of London Authority (PLA) consulted extensively with river users and other interested parties and received a range of expert advice. The PLA is preparing detailed river works licence conditions.

Youth Team set-up

Alastair Mackintosh said the post-relegation cost-cutting has not significantly affected the Club's youth team set-up. He said that the only change is a greater focus on selecting and developing youth talent from the London area, although this does not mean that the Club will cease to try and attract leading talent from overseas. Owner Shahid Khan is very keen to promote the youth academy. The youth set-up was integral to the team's long-term development and the Club is continuing to try and tie down the cream of our young talent to new or extended contracts.

Fulham Football Club Board of Directors and Planning

The Club was considered to deficient at Board level of those sufficiently acquainted with Fulham FC's history, in particular after the departure of Mark Collins and the sad death of Dennis Turner, both of whom were keen fans. Would this 'fan representation' be restored? Alistair Mackintosh said that the composition of the Board was to be examined by Shahid Khan.

Nothing had changed with regard to long-term planning and Shahid Khan intended to remain in charge for a long period. His investment thus far has not placed any debt on the Club. A return to the Premier League is intended and as soon as possible, but this could take longer than was envisaged. Shahid Khan wishes to invest in the infrastructure of the Club and would support the incoming manager with resources. In terms of marketing, the 'synergy' between Fulham Football Club and the Jacksonville Jaguars would continue and this would also include mutual sponsorship and links within sports science.

The fans' concerns with the possible linking of the Club with any permitted UK franchise team from the NFL were raised. Alastair Mackintosh said he was unaware of any intentions of Shahid Khan in this regard.

Manager's position

As has been reiterated in the press reports since Magath's sacking, the Club are not in a rush to replace Felix Magath and this may give Kit Symons a chance to prove his capabilities. In turn, Symons would be one of the names considered prior to the appointment of a permanent manager. In response to a question from the Trust, Alastair Mackintosh indicated that the use of a director of football was a possibility.

Alastair Mackintosh said that there be a review of what has happened following the appointment and subsequent sacking of Magath.

Away travel

Unlike the previous season, where the Premier League had demanded of clubs that monies be spent promoting the interests of travelling fans, no such recommendations or demands were made by the Football League. Sarah Brookes agreed to examine the possibilities of assistance for travelling fans for certain mid-week away fixtures where long distance trips were needed.

(As an aside, the 20.00 kick off for the match versus Doncaster Rovers on 23 September 2014 was the Club's decision in conjunction with the police.)

The Fulham Foundation

The Trust felt that more coverage of the excellent work of the Fulham Foundation was needed. Exposure for the Foundation's efforts had proved difficult, even more so now that the Club had been relegated. Its promotion required great effort by Club staff to place stories about the Foundation in the local papers. The Club's younger players were particularly supportive of the Foundation's projects and participated readily.

Ticketing

The Trust reported that there had been many complaints about on-line ticket purchases, in particular the slowness of the electronic booking system. Sarah Brookes said that the ticket provider, C360, was a 'stand alone' organisation and, whilst the Club's systems could handle heavy usage during ticket purchase, that of C360 could crash. Ticket office staff are looking at the best way to work with this system and the Club's representatives recognised the likelihood of further problems ahead of popular away fixtures, such as Brighton, in the future.

Good news on the academy, given the recent rumour that it had been heavily cut.

 A slightly more comprehensive version of the public report is being emailed to Trust members.

If some people don't think that news on the stand,  youth setup,  Khan's commitment and  the managerial setup is good news then I'm not sure what will please some people. None of its earth shattering but as I said all along we would get it on the site and sent out.

By the way people who are volunteers for any organisation do have to work,  so I don't think generating a report we are all happy with,  putting it on the Web and sending out to members within 36 hours is too bad. But then that's just me view on things.

look, i feel that everyone that is passionate enough to write on this forum about fulham the team that they love, are showing the desired passion to consitute enough to make themselves members of this group without paying the £10, by creating this air of mystery which is only avliable to those that pay the fee is creating an etlist group which is bullocks, we take the time and the space to document the emotion drain that supporting a club entails we're all on a level, let us know what was said in the interview, we deserve to know. money is no object, its very unfulhamish to create a class that is more deserving. the baring of the club has a direct impact on how i feel, and how alot of people feel, thats what matters.

Quote from: MJG on September 27, 2014, 06:54:20 AM
A slightly more comprehensive version of the public report is being emailed to Trust members.

If some people don't think that news on the stand,  youth setup,  Khan's commitment and  the managerial setup is good news then I'm not sure what will please some people. None of its earth shattering but as I said all along we would get it on the site and sent out.

By the way people who are volunteers for any organisation do have to work,  so I don't think generating a report we are all happy with,  putting it on the Web and sending out to members within 36 hours is too bad. But then that's just me view on things.

Thanks for putting the basic details of the meeting on here, it seems the club is trying to pull in the right direction. Did they give a date they expect the work to start on the riverside?

I still dont understand the membership etc and id need more information before signing up, you have just told me basically what was said so whats the point of receiving a more detailed version via email? I read what I needed to anyway without being a member. That doesnt take anything away from the fact you've taking over from bttc but were back at the cottage now so I still find it confusing.

Considering you all have jobs outside of the organisation, the fact you do this voluntary and im assuming have families too, means I think you made a good effort getting a report out so quickly. So well done to all involved, im grateful even if im still a bit ignorant to it all.

Before meetings would it be possible to PM yourself to suggest a question im concerned with or do I need to be a member to do that?

Its the way of the world today,we want everything yesterday and for free!Thanks should go to everyone who has given up their time for free just their love and concern for our great club

MJG - my concern is over retaining the best of the youngsters if we don't get a  quick return to the PL. Was there any direst discussion of that, or just did they hope to tie them down with suitable contracts?

Quote from: Holders on September 27, 2014, 08:01:36 AM
MJG - my concern is over retaining the best of the youngsters if we don't get a  quick return to the PL. Was there any direst discussion of that, or just did they hope to tie them down with suitable contracts?

Not sure if you have seen my thread about asking questions on contracts etc.  That came from a discussion on retaining the younger players. The club are looking at doing everything they can to keep players they see as the future... Within the boundaries that league rules allow with regards contract lengths.
So yes they are planning on doing what they can,  but let's be realistic,  in football players move on and we are like any club. Good offers come in I find it hard to see how club could say no to offers which are too food to turn down.

Good feedback from the meeting... It does beg more questions but it is good to see more transparency around the FST and the commitment of the club to be more collaborative.

As someone else has mentioned, being part of the FST is probably quite time consuming and on top of day jobs etc. so the people concerned should be commended for their commitment.

And thanks to MJG for being open around it all, and keeping us updated.

Quote from: e4b on September 27, 2014, 07:46:56 AM
Its the way of the world today,we want everything yesterday and for free!Thanks should go to everyone who has given up their time for free just their love and concern for our great club

Well yes. Inclusive of travelling time to Motspur this looks like a half-day's commitment during the working week, followed by a write-up that's swift by any reasonable standards.

If they are going to start having these meetings monthly, the commitment increases accordingly, but is to be welcomed. Privileged access for paid-up members to news of such meetings is neither necessary or productive. As two of us have explained on here, it's not what we're paying our ten quid for.  (And my inbox does not currently contain anything new from FST -- a statement of fact rather than complaint -- so I'm reading it first on here like anyone else.)

Quote from: b+w geezer on September 27, 2014, 08:24:39 AM

Quote from: e4b on September 27, 2014, 07:46:56 AM
Its the way of the world today,we want everything yesterday and for free!Thanks should go to everyone who has given up their time for free just their love and concern for our great club

Well yes. Inclusive of travelling time to Motspur this looks like a half-day's commitment during the working week, followed by a write-up that's swift by any reasonable standards.

If they are going to start having these meetings monthly, the commitment increases accordingly, but is to be welcomed. Privileged access for paid-up members to news of such meetings is neither necessary or productive. As two of us have explained on here, it's not what we're paying our ten quid for.  (And my inbox does not currently contain anything new from FST -- a statement of fact rather than complaint -- so I'm reading it first on here like anyone else.)

I know the abridged version went up late last night on the site and I'll look into the emails and come back to find out about them.

I'm going to join on Monday when I get paid. I think it's important as many people as possible join as they have the club listening to them now.

Also thanks to MJG for his patience answering questions on here, and I agree with him that fitting voluntary work with working full time in a proper job is difficult as I do that and it's not easy.
I know £10 seems is alot, but as a treasurer of a branch of a organisation I can tell you money is soon eaten up on running costs.  I presume each year they produce accounts where members can see where the money is spent so it will all be transparent anyway.

Fans must be united

Why can't the club publish the results of the meeting on the official website after the meetings? No expenses, and everyone finds out what is going on?

Just one question, does Concessions mean older or younger membership? Apologies if I missed it but all I could see was Concession and no explanation as to who qualifies.

Quote from: Peabody on September 27, 2014, 11:11:07 AM
Just one question, does Concessions mean older or younger membership? Apologies if I missed it but all I could see was Concession and no explanation as to who qualifies.

Membership fees are £10 per year for adults and £5 per year for concessions (juniors and senior citizens).

Thanks for that

Quote from: MJG on September 27, 2014, 11:13:52 AM

Quote from: Peabody on September 27, 2014, 11:11:07 AM
Just one question, does Concessions mean older or younger membership? Apologies if I missed it but all I could see was Concession and no explanation as to who qualifies.

Membership fees are £10 per year for adults and £5 per year for concessions (juniors and senior citizens).

092.gif Does 64 and three quarters constitute a senior ? 092.gif
I assume so as I just joined for $8 (ish)

It's hardly a fortune is it  ?    (about the cost to watch one sixth of a match)

The academy HAS had a big cost cut, that's why we have lost 3 valuable members of staff from it.

It's not just London and Surrey we need to scout in, it's all over the world.

If we lose Catergory 1 status , our academy will be in big trouble.

We should be giving more money to the academy, not cutting it.

We are limiting our options just concentrating mainly on London and Surrey, which is also swamped by other clubs scouts including the likes of Norwich, Southampton and Brighton to name 3