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Post by Mark Sennett on Jul 17, 2014 12:05:12 GMT
Following on from the recent Board changes at Oxford United, OxVox are pleased to confirm that we will be meeting Daryl Eales and Mark Ashton on Tuesday 22 July. While Mark and Daryl have already met and introduced briefly themselves to myself and Simon Bradbury, this will be the first opportunity that the Trust Committee will be able to meet formally to discuss a number of questions and clarification from the membership. We would like to invite all oxvox members to contact the committee on chair@oxvox.org.uk with the questions that you would like raised and answered and we will be pleased to relay them to Mark and Daryl. We will document the meeting and send out our notes to the membership in the subsequent days. Questions that are already set to be asked include: Shareholding breakdown - we will be asking who if anyone is the majority shareholder of OUFC Current level of OUFC debt Who debt is owed to Plans for stadia purchase How many of the board are paid and what is the cost Vision on/off pitch and plan of action to achieve this Request a fans forum (already been requested and will chase this up) If you're not an oxvox member you can join anytime before tuesday and send us a question and we will ask it. You can join online at www.oxvox.org.uk
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Post by tomoufc on Jul 17, 2014 12:55:13 GMT
Good work guys.
Here are my questions:
What is the total playing budget this season? What is the breakdown for transfer funds available and the wage budget?
Do OUFC have an option on the Kassam Stadium, that means that we have a right to buy for a set price?
What is the aim for this season? Promotion? Play-offs at a minimum?
What plans are in place to increase attendances?
What plans are there to improve the 'match day experience'?
Will the board consider promotional offers, such as kid of a quid?
What plans are there for youth development?
I could go on...
I'm an OxVox member. Let me know if you want me to confirm this by email.
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Post by Mark Sennett on Jul 17, 2014 13:50:13 GMT
Good work guys. Here are my questions: What is the total playing budget this season? What is the breakdown for transfer funds available and the wage budget? Do OUFC have an option on the Kassam Stadium, that means that we have a right to buy for a set price? What is the aim for this season? Promotion? Play-offs at a minimum? What plans are in place to increase attendances? What plans are there to improve the 'match day experience'? Will the board consider promotional offers, such as kid of a quid? What plans are there for youth development? I could go on... I'm an OxVox member. Let me know if you want me to confirm this by email. Thanks for this please can you email me so i can check your membership details.
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Post by sarge on Jul 17, 2014 15:25:56 GMT
already emailed my short list of Qs
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Post by oufcyellows on Jul 17, 2014 15:40:41 GMT
I would hope they ask a few questions themselves . Like how can we improve relations with the fan base
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Post by Si Bradbury on Jul 17, 2014 16:05:26 GMT
I would hope they ask a few questions themselves . Like how can we improve relations with the fan base To be fair to Mark Ashton, that's what he has been asking in those brief discussions to date. They want to improve (I'd say repair) the communication and involve all the fans/community moving forward.
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Post by johnnyboylager on Jul 17, 2014 16:29:20 GMT
My advice for what its worth.
Go with very simple direct straightforward questions, ones that it is very difficult to give a woolly answer to.
Otherwise you will run the risk of coming out of the meeting feeling good, but having got no answers.
They are bound to put on a charm offensive, don't get sucked in.
go looking for specific questions answered and don't be fobbed off.
Good luck, I am sure we will all be very interested to hear what they have to say.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2014 18:38:19 GMT
I read with interest that Myles has been appointed to the OxVox organisation.
Given his #teammethven stance and his very negative reaction on this forum to our new owners it appears as though they are going to be up against someone who they will do very well to convince that they are anything but demonic. Many will believe that such an anti-stance is what's needed from a fan's trust.
I wonder if he'll attend the meeting with holy-water and a crucifix?
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Post by Mark on Jul 18, 2014 6:41:16 GMT
The original press release tells you there is no majority shareholder so that's a wasted question.
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Post by Mark on Jul 18, 2014 7:09:06 GMT
What is the new ownership structure of OUFC ? Ensco 1070 seem to be all of the new consortium. Has this company bought shares in OUFC from WPL, or shares in WPL? What is the ownership structure of Ensco? What investment is Ensco putting into the club to :- A) cover current annual losses running around £1MM B) pay off any of the WPL debt C) look at stadium purchase and/or move? D) cover the new executive directors' pay? E) cover cost of takeover with paying off waddock etc. F) increase or maintain playing squad?
What are the plans for the youth development? With Eales as a 20 year veteran of venture capital and a Birmingham city fan, why Oxford, and what does he aim to get out of club ownership? What shareholder agreements are there between Ensco and WPL for any potential full takeover/ debt repayments? Will the club be borrowing money outside of Ensco to finance this? And for Sarge/Junior:- What's the profit share on a pint of beer that they won't be drinking anyway.
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Post by Mark Sennett on Jul 18, 2014 7:46:41 GMT
Actually it's not a wasted question. No party currently has more than 50% we are told. But we do need clarity on who has the large shareholding especially as further shares could be issued in future. Furthermore is there an agreement in place for a rolling addition of shares for the new investors. So on day one it might be 45% each but what about 6 months, 1 year or 2 years down the line.
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Post by Mark on Jul 18, 2014 8:09:26 GMT
Actually it's not a wasted question. No party currently has more than 50% we are told. But we do need clarity on who has the large shareholding especially as further shares could be issued in future. Furthermore is there an agreement in place for a rolling addition of shares for the new investors. So on day one it might be 45% each but what about 6 months, 1 year or 2 years down the line. Well it's the wrong question if we already know there is no majority shareholder - still ask it if you want to be referred back to the press release telling you there is none. Ask the ownership structure, or who has the largest shareholding if that makes any difference, or what the voting arrangements are in the new board of directors. What are the board's plans to make the club break a long term success without need for funding of losses? Who will fund the club's current annual losses, seeing as WPL have paid for the last 8 years, and how long can this go on, pending any 'profit' on the stadium, and how long have they planned for this to be achieved? What will happen to the club if the stadium redevelopment doesn't happen for whatever reason? Is there a long term plan for the football side of matters? Clearly to stop losses, OUFC need to increase revenues and/or cut costs. Success and enjoyable games on the pitch leads to increased crowds and revenues, but will costs be cut elsewhere like the youth development for the short term? Is the license on the Kassam stadium being renegotiated, and for what terms? We are told that ownership of stadium revenues is key, how will this be achieved without putting the club further into debt, the cost of financing would eat up those revenues?
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Post by pottersrightboot on Jul 18, 2014 9:44:24 GMT
It's good you're meeting them so soon, well done.
If you turn it into the Spanish Inquisition they might tell you to take a running jump. (Slappy, do you honestly think they are going to answer all the questions you have tabled?)
Especially as in the run up to the takeover there was a lot of anti Ashton stuff, some of it from Oxvox committee members .
Keep it friendly, talk about how club and supporters trust can work together.
I guess the general point to make is that we have seen a lot of promises in the past, some of which not backed up by actuality. We've gone past the stage of being seduced by a bright little power point presentation once a season. Ask for two fans forums a year.
BTW what do they intend to do with the 12th Man fund rump monies?
That little issue was HORRENDOUSLY handled by Lenagan. Please make that point.
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Post by sarge on Jul 18, 2014 13:05:50 GMT
I would hope they ask a few questions themselves . Like how can we improve relations with the fan base To be fair to Mark Ashton, that's what he has been asking in those brief discussions to date. They want to improve (I'd say repair) the communication and involve all the fans/community moving forward. Hold the promised Fans Forum asap ....simples! ( as insurance selling meerkats apparently say)
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Post by bazzer9461 on Jul 18, 2014 13:19:09 GMT
To be fair to Mark Ashton, that's what he has been asking in those brief discussions to date. They want to improve (I'd say repair) the communication and involve all the fans/community moving forward. Hold the promised Fans Forum asap ....simples! ( as insurance selling meerkats apparently say) Would be good sarge
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Post by Mark on Jul 18, 2014 16:36:59 GMT
It's good you're meeting them so soon, well done. If you turn it into the Spanish Inquisition they might tell you to take a running jump. (Slappy, do you honestly think they are going to answer all the questions you have tabled?) Especially as in the run up to the takeover there was a lot of anti Ashton stuff, some of it from Oxvox committee members . Keep it friendly, talk about how club and supporters trust can work together. I guess the general point to make is that we have seen a lot of promises in the past, some of which not backed up by actuality. We've gone past the stage of being seduced by a bright little power point presentation once a season. Ask for two fans forums a year. BTW what do they intend to do with the 12th Man fund rump monies? That little issue was HORRENDOUSLY handled by Lenagan. Please make that point. Well if the questions don't get asked now, they are surely key to the future of the club in footballing terms. So hopefully Oxvox will see it in themselves to put those questions, even if it puts them in an initial antagonistic position. Do you think Eales as part of LDC have invested for 20 years without stakeholders in the companies asking questions about their futures?
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Post by finlandia on Jul 18, 2014 16:53:46 GMT
Have the Yellow Army met with them yet? I thought that I'd read that they were going too? Just wondered what the response was?
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Post by John Lennon on Jul 18, 2014 17:07:24 GMT
Have the Yellow Army met with them yet? I thought that I'd read that they were going too? Just wondered what the response was? I've met both Darryl Eales and Mark Ashton. We have briefly discussed what the Yellow Army is about, and both are keen to work with fans to improve the match day experience. I gave my personal view on how things have been, and I'm confident that things will improve, so the experience of being an Oxford United supporter gets better. I'm hoping we will meet Mark Ashton next week to fully explain about the Yellow Army, and how we think the club and fans can work together. I also would like the idea behind the Yellow Army to be explained to the fanbase too, as I don't think it has come across as it's actually intended. I've always intended the Yellow Army to be the fans, not a fans group. Hopefully now we have a chief executive who listens and wants to improve the things we do, everything will become clearer. OxVox are the only fans group, and they will be asking the big questions to our new chairman and chief executive. I know Mark Sennett has been clear with Eales and Ashton about transparency, and as a member of OxVox, I am confident they will challenge Eales and Ashton on the important issues.
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Post by stokeu on Jul 18, 2014 18:59:50 GMT
I don't think it's the chief exec's job to communicate about the YA. It's the leaders, they need to generate a spitit of inclusivity instead of where they are now.
There's really only a very few questions need asking?
- What are you doing about buying the stadium - What investment are you making in the team - Red sauce or brown on a bacon sandwich - What can you get Kassam to do about the stadium catering - What are you going to do to get more supporters in the stadium on match day
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Post by bazzer9461 on Jul 18, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
I don't think it's the chief exec's job to communicate about the YA. It's the leaders, they need to generate a spitit of inclusivity instead of where they are now. There's really only a very few questions need asking? - What are you doing about buying the stadium - What investment are you making in the team - Red sauce or brown on a bacon sandwich - What can you get Kassam to do about the stadium catering - What are you going to do to get more supporters in the stadium on match day As long as the minutes of the meeting between the board and Oxvox are published on here.
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Post by oufcyellows on Jul 18, 2014 19:13:56 GMT
I don't think it's the chief exec's job to communicate about the YA. It's the leaders, they need to generate a spitit of inclusivity instead of where they are now. There's really only a very few questions need asking? - What are you doing about buying the stadium - What investment are you making in the team - Red sauce or brown on a bacon sandwich - What can you get Kassam to do about the stadium catering - What are you going to do to get more supporters in the stadium on match day As long as the minutes of the meeting between the board and Oxvox are published on here. Might be , but will go out to members first I should think.
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Post by bazzer9461 on Jul 18, 2014 19:28:53 GMT
As long as the minutes of the meeting between the board and Oxvox are published on here. Might be , but will go out to members first I should think. Probably....But as they represent OUFC fans I would hope they would informus asap.
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Post by oufcyellows on Jul 18, 2014 19:31:20 GMT
Might be , but will go out to members first I should think. Probably....But as they represent OUFC fans I would hope they would informus asap. Join then
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Post by bazzer9461 on Jul 18, 2014 19:41:34 GMT
I read about it on here thanks
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Post by oufcyellows on Jul 18, 2014 19:51:03 GMT
I read about it on here thanks Then in all fairness u have no say in what or when or even if they do it.
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Post by bazzer9461 on Jul 18, 2014 21:04:31 GMT
I read about it on here thanks Then in all fairness u have no say in what or when or even if they do it. Well I all fairness I thought they represented the fans so if I ask a question as a fan of OUFC am I not elite enough to have a civil response?!
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Post by oufcyellows on Jul 18, 2014 21:31:49 GMT
Then in all fairness u have no say in what or when or even if they do it. Well I all fairness I thought they represented the fans so if I ask a question as a fan of OUFC am I not elite enough to have a civil response?! Then why do people pay for membership, u want all the benefits of being a member but without having to put ur hand in ur pocket. They do very often put things on here, but it's questions from members that will be asked , and I dare say the answers given , will be given to members first .
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Post by bazzer9461 on Jul 18, 2014 21:35:50 GMT
That's fare enough so they can be posted the next day then?
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Post by oufcyellows on Jul 18, 2014 22:03:57 GMT
U will have to ask a committee member in that, but again if they r what would be the point of paying to be a member ??
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Post by chappers on Jul 20, 2014 23:07:34 GMT
That's not the role of a supporters trust, their responsibility is to represent the fanbase in a responsible way, for the betterment of the club as well as the whole fanbase, it's not meant to provide benefits for its membership. This is a very important time for OUFC and this information should be disseminated as far and wide across the fanbase as possible to ensure responsibility for the answers given by the board. Hiding the answers within the ST isn't about building bonds into the community and fanbase in general or increasing transparency within the club.
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