MyFootballClub agrees Ebbsfleet takeover

quarryman

Who?!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7089473.stm

Fans' community website MyFootballClub has agreed a deal to take over Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United.

The 20,000 MyFootballClub members have each paid £35 to provide a £700,000 takeover pot and they will all own an equal share in the club.

Members will have a vote on transfers as well as player selection and all major decisions.

"We are united in believing this is a great opportunity," Ebbsfleet chairman Jason Botley told BBC Sport.

"This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress."

The deal is expected to be completed in a few weeks after a due diligence process and the website will purchase a 51% controlling stake, while also having the option to buy the club outright in the future.

The takeover is a landmark for English football, given the website's stated intention of involving the members so radically in the running of the club, particularly with team selection.


Picking 11 players and formations isn't a precise science

Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish

After the takeover goes through the current board will stay in place, as will manager Liam Daish, although his title will change to head coach.

Daish insisted that he was happy for fans to have an input on team matters.

"Picking 11 players and formations isn't a precise science and luck often plays its part," stated the Ebbsfleet boss.

"During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn't start games. Now they can have their say.

"My job won't change that much. As a club, we'll select the starting 11 players and formation together.

"But just as before, what goes on at the training ground and in the dressing room on the day of the match is down to me.

"It's the supporters' money that finances this club and pays my wages and those of the players.

"So there's a good argument for them having a say in what players they want to see."

Ebbsfleet were formerly Gravesend and Northfleet but the club's name was changed in May in a bid to tap into the regeneration of the area.

They are currently ninth in the Blue Square Premier, six points off a play-off place for entry to the Football League.

Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish
Daish played for Portsmouth, Birmingham and Coventry and has five caps for the Republic of Ireland

And Ebbsfleet's push for a spot in League Two will receive a boost as some of the funds raised by MyFootballClub members will be available in the January transfer window.

MyFootballClub members will be given the option to vote on who the club should buy.

Daish added that he was fully behind the radical model for the club.

"We all agree we need something extra to take us to the next step," he said.

"As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic.

"As the coach, I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team.

"My assistant Alan Kimble and myself are 100% committed to making this work."

Since the website's launch in April, 50,000 members have signed up, with 20,000 of those paying the registration fee.

The membership subscription is paid annually so new members can join and become owners at any time, adding to the club's finances.

MyFootballClub was approached by nine clubs and looked into seven of those before opting to take over Ebbsfleet.

The Financial Services Authority has approved the setting up of the MyFootballClub Trust to safeguard members' interests in the eventuality of the club running into financial difficulties.


606: DEBATE
Give your reaction to Ebbsfleet's takeover by MyFootballClub

"The MyFootballClub ownership model is an innovative way of funding a lower league club," said Dan Jones, partner at Deloitte and editor of the Annual Review of Football Finance.

"Reports of having raised over £700,000 in 11 weeks suggests it is viable too.

"Deloitte has been following its progress with interest and we're now looking forward to offering our experience in football finance to assist with advice and guidance during the due diligence process."

MyFootballClub creator Will Brooks added: "We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful."

Jessica McQueen, Ebbsfleet United Supporters' Trust chair commented: "Being a Trust, our members understand the MyFootballClub concept immediately.

"We very much look forward to working with the MyFootballClub members for the benefit of Ebbsfleet United."

Dave!

cool idea... fair play.

_blank_

Worst idea ever.

What manager will work under them circumstances?

_blank_

http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/faq.php

“No manager… you serious?”
Absolutely. In England we’ve had over 120 years of managers picking teams, so for one football club to try something new isn't being hasty.

Our Head Coach will be in an enviable and unique position. He will be able concentrate on coaching and getting the best out of players, without being accused of picking the wrong team or formation.

He can guide members on which players and formations may work, however, ultimate responsibility rests with the members. He will also benefit from a substantial transfer budget – something that is unheard of in the lower leagues.

20,000 Idiots picking the team.

Nice.

“How will the team be picked?”
The Head Coach will brief members. This will include a review of the previous match, reports from the training ground and views on the forthcoming opposition. He will also give his thoughts on players, their form and fitness, as well as possible selections and tactics.

Members will then submit their preferred 11, formation and tactics. A database will calculate the most popular choice. This will be handed to The Head Coach to instigate.

Fúck sake.

“How will players react to being picked by thousands of members rather than a manager?”

It will inspire them. Having the backing of tens of thousands of members will be the ultimate motivation. Don’t forget, personality clashes between managers and players are common in football and often lead to poor performances. Our club will not suffer from this. Players will know that if they play well then they should get picked.

Yeah, inspired.

OhNoYouDidn't

I agree with Des.

This is Ole Ole monkeys who are consumers of football rather than fans.

Xavi6

DesF wrote: »

Worst idea ever.

What manager will work under them circumstances?

Would you not consider it Des? Weekly polls to help you choose your Bordeaux XI?! Imagine the fun!

Dave!

Who cares? They're a piece of sh*t team anyway, they'll take the money and like it.

Pighead

Yeah can't really see how this is going to work. How are the 20,000 people going to watch the players in action. Pretty sure the Sky Cameras haven't shown to many of theri games recently. Setanta show Non League games but i'd guess Ebbsfleet might be on the box once maybe twice in a season.

So the fans are gonna have to pick the team relying on news reports and heresay. What if the centre forward is being a cnut in training. Hasn't turned up for any training sessions all week but due to his spectacular overhead kick the week before he's unanimously voted in for a start.

Nope, its madness!

_blank_

DaveMcG wrote: »

Who cares? They're a piece of sh*t team anyway, they'll take the money and like it.

WTF?

Yeah, and ManYoo have always been at the pinnacle of football. :rolleyes:

MrJoeSoap

Imagine boards.ie buying a club...

I'd have Pighead as manager. If all the members threw in a tenner we might get close to a million. If it was an Irish club we'd make the Champions League within a decade.

[/DREAMING]

_blank_

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Imagine boards.ie buying a club...

I'd have Pighead as manager.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I'm disgusted. I really am.

BOHS

Not a bad idea as a bit of a joke or even just to give a lower league team a leg up financially but I really cant see how the team selection is going to work. As Pighead said unless they are going to show all the matches via there website how will anybody know who to pick!!??

prendy

go to their website...its well organised.
the manager keeps a blog(of types) where he indicates who is playin well in training each day.
the members then vote on their team of choice.
loads of teams approached them but im alittle suprised they went for someone non-league.
i suppose with the backing they will be able to provide in January they should make the play-offs.

Lister1

Yeah can't really see how this is going to work. How are the 20,000 people going to watch the players in action. Pretty sure the Sky Cameras haven't shown to many of theri games recently. Setanta show Non League games but i'd guess Ebbsfleet might be on the box once maybe twice in a season.

Plans are to make highlights available through the website and the manager(Liam Daish ring any bells!) will make recommendations. There are forums in place where decisions can be discussed between members before they make a call on it so members wont be making blind choices.

I signed up myself a few months back and look forward to playing a part in the clubs future. Don't knock it till you have tried it...

Benedict XVI

Lister1 wrote: »

Plans are to make highlights available through the website and the manager(Liam Daish ring any bells!) will make recommendations. There are forums in place where decisions can be discussed between members before they make a call on it so members wont be making blind choices.

I signed up myself a few months back and look forward to playing a part in the clubs future. Don't knock it till you have tried it...

Yea I remember Liam Daish, this is the first time I have heard his name in yaers, 5 ROI caps.
Was he late Charltom era or early McCarthy ?.

Anyway this is a stupid idea, god help them

One Cold Hand

BOHS wrote: »

Not a bad idea as a bit of a joke or even just to give a lower league team a leg up financially but I really cant see how the team selection is going to work. As Pighead said unless they are going to show all the matches via there website how will anybody know who to pick!!??

All they need is three guys with video cameras at the game. Edit it together and send it to the members. Also sounds like the Head Coach will be reporting and discussing with the members how the players are getting on in matches and training.

It's a very interesting idea I think. It could be a complete flop, but it's interesting!
Also I reckon could've bought a team in a higher division but they bought a lower div as their 700,000 will go further, thus will see more of an improvement. This is just a hunch...

Xavi6

Picking players based on video footage hasn't done Sven any harm

Mr Posh

I have mixed feelings

I think it’s a great idea but only for a select teams like AFC Wimbledon or a team which is about to go out of business.

I don’t think we should be messing about with people teams they’ve followed seriously for years, but AFC would be perfect, a team who where shafted and had there team stolen from them, this way they could get the support of the football community to get there team back in the leagues.

Posh

ecoli

in terms of transfers however i feel there is a flaw as not enough knowledge for up coming potential and scouts made obsolete onli bigger names will be seen by most members

Ronan|Raven

I weep for humanity.

Skittlebrau

quarryman wrote: »

Who?!

Gravesend until May of this year. Currently 9th in the Conference.

DesF wrote: »

What manager will work under them circumstances?

No manager. The current manager Liam Daish is behind the idea and will become Head Coach.

Pighead wrote: »

How are the 20,000 people going to watch the players in action.

The website will have either live or delayed video footage of all matches and training sessions. In addition the Head Coach will report and advise regularly.

Benedict XVI wrote: »

Anyway this is a stupid idea, god help them

Stupid, possibly, only time will tell. Innovative definitely. If it does all go belly up and obviously doesn't work the club will be sold on in a much better financial position that it is currently.

ecoli wrote: »

in terms of transfers however i feel there is a flaw as not enough knowledge for up coming potential and scouts made obsolete onli bigger names will be seen by most members

Which is why recommendations from scouts will be vital.


There's obviously a lot of risk with such an untried venture as this but I've been intrigued about it since I heard about it.

The doom merchants predicting disaster with such certainty make me smile. You guys should do the lotto if you can predict the future so well.

The board, coaching staff and supporters trust are all behind the idea or at the very least prepared to try it.

At the very least the financial position of a struggling club will be assured for a few years.

OhNoYouDidn't

Skittlebrau wrote: »

The doom merchants predicting disaster with such certainty make me smile. You guys should do the lotto if you can predict the future so well. .

Its not so much certainty that it will fail as being offended by the 'X-Factorisation' off football like this. To, literally, play with a football club that people have put their hearts and souls into is a step to far into the commercialisation of the beautiful game for most fans. If you want to tinker, play football manager. If you want to vote in something you are barely qualified to have an opinion on, stick to the reality TV.

Skittlebrau wrote: »

At the very least the financial position of a struggling club will be assured for a few years.

A strawman argument. Money could have been given to the club in any number of schemes without turning it into a real life video game. When interest wanes and this falls apart, you cant hit the reset button. You have destroyed a football club.

How much are the organisers taking from this venture?

_blank_

Skittlebrau, how would you feel if it was YOUR club that this was happening to?

Liam Daish had a choice, go with this, or go on the dole.

Skittlebrau

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

I If you want to vote in something you are barely qualified to have an opinion on, stick to the reality TV.

A strawman argument. Money could have been given to the club in any number of schemes without turning it into a real life video game. When interest wanes and this falls apart, you cant hit the reset button.

Short of winning the lottery that's not going to happen. A club like Ebbsfleet will not attract this level of investment from a businessman looking to make a profit.

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

You have destroyed a football club.

In your opinion but not the opinion of the people already closely associated with the club so why make a comment like that when you are barely qualified to have an opinion on it.

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

How much are the organisers taking from this venture?

That won't be released until the deal is signed and all the figures are made available to members but it won't be the millions that the skeptics think. 7.50 of every 35 pounds is held for admin costs and the rest is held by the club trust for the club. From the admin cash, over 200,000 has been spent on legal fees alone in getting it off the ground.

Skittlebrau

DesF wrote: »

Skittlebrau, how would you feel if it was YOUR club that this was happening to?

Liam Daish had a choice, go with this, or go on the dole.

Honestly, if my club was in a similar league position without any realistic option of progress without massive investment I'd welcome it with open arms. Obviously I'd have concerns but I'd welcome it.

OhNoYouDidn't

Skittlebrau wrote: »

Short of winning the lottery that's not going to happen. A club like Ebbsfleet will not attract this level of investment from a businessman looking to make a profit. .

Who mentioned businessmen? This venture could have been done in a thousand collective guises without the gimmickery of randomers picking the side and trivilaising the club to a plaything for an internet club.

Skittlebrau wrote: »

In your opinion but not the opinion of the people already closely associated with the club so why make a comment like that when you are barely qualified to have an opinion on it. .

As a member and active volunteer of Shamrock Rovers and the 400 club who took Rovers from a worse financial situation I am more qualified then most.

Skittlebrau wrote: »

That won't be released until the deal is signed and all the figures are made available to members but it won't be the millions that the skeptics think. 7.50 of every 35 pounds is held for admin costs and the rest is held by the club trust for the club. From the admin cash, over 200,000 has been spent on legal fees alone in getting it off the ground.

So the organisers get their payday regardless of the success or failure of the venture. As I suspected.

DerekD Goldfish

Its irrelevant how well ebbsfleet preform as a result of this even if they win the CL it still a stupid idea.
The principal behind it is stupid duel managment rearely works whta makes you think 20,000 people making decisions for a bit of fun will work?
Hell I can only imagine the mess Pats would be in if season ticket holders picked the team and they actually watch most of the games most people involved in this are just doing this for a laugh and have no interest in ebbsfleet you may as well be getting a headless chicken to make the decisions.

OhNoYouDidn't

DerekD Goldfish wrote: »

most people involved in this are just doing this for a laugh and have no interest in ebbsfleet.

Best post on the thread.

Debate closed.

John_C

There was a study done about a hundred years ago by a man who got lots of photographs of different people around the world and merged all their faces into one. The idea was that this is what mankind would evolve into after many generations where faster transport meant that there would be more cross cultural marriages and the differences between the races would even out. The result was that, when averaged out, mankind looks like an indian girl.

I was on a web page once that allows you to do the same for yourself. It has a lot of photos and you can pick which ones to merge. I conducted my own experiment by first selecting all the hot girls and added their faces together, the result was a really hot girl. Next, I selected all the 'less hot' girls and added their faces together. To my surprise, the result was a medium to hot girl, not the less hot girl I was expecting.

I think this new club will give us a similarly interesting result. Will 20,000 idiots average to some really idiotic decisions or will they cancel each other out and give us a moderately intelligent result? The experiment I did with the girls' faces says that this might work but the results of democracy indicate otherwise.

OhNoYouDidn't

John_C wrote: »

There was a study done about a hundred years ago by a man who got lots of photographs of different people around the world and merged all their faces into one. The idea was that this is what mankind would evolve into after many generations where faster transport meant that there would be more cross cultural marriages and the differences between the races would even out. The result was that, when averaged out, mankind looks like an indian girl.

I was on a web page once that allows you to do the same for yourself. It has a lot of photos and you can pick which ones to merge. I conducted my own experiment by first selecting all the hot girls and added their faces together, the result was a really hot girl. Next, I selected all the 'less hot' girls and added their faces together. To my surprise, the result was a medium to hot girl, not the less hot girl I was expecting.

I think this new club will give us a similarly interesting result. Will 20,000 idiots average to some really idiotic decisions or will they cancel each other out and give us a moderately intelligent result? The experiment I did with the girls' faces says that this might work but the results of democracy indicate otherwise.

but you did your experiment on the internet, you didnt melt any real faces in your inqury.

unlike this jokeshop of an idea.

Skittlebrau

Didn't you hear? This debate is closed

The almighty "member and active volunteer of Shamrock Rovers and the 400 club" has spoken. :rolleyes:

OhNoYouDidn't

Skittlebrau wrote: »

Didn't you hear? This debate is closed

The almighty "member and active volunteer of Shamrock Rovers and the 400 club" has spoken. :rolleyes:

Mock all you like, but I put my money and energies into keeping my football team alive and into the best run club on the island.

I'm not taking that from a bloke who is trying to sell this farcical idea and probably destroy a club that has been around since the 40's for a laugh.

You and this idea have zero credibility.

Ronan|Raven

Skittlebrau wrote: »

Didn't you hear? This debate is closed

The almighty "member and active volunteer of Shamrock Rovers and the 400 club" has spoken. :rolleyes:

At least he has some damn idea about the realites that a football club faces unlike 19,800 of the tossers involved in that glorified version of reality fantasy football.

Skittlebrau

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Mock all you like, but I put my money and energies into keeping my football team alive and into the best run club on the island.

I'm not taking that from a bloke who is trying to sell this farcical idea and probably destroy a club that has been around since the 40's for a laugh.

You and this idea have zero credibility.

To be honest I couldn't give a monkeys what you think about my credibility. All I was doing was giving a counter-argument and pointing out that it could work.

And I'm not trying to sell anything, it's doing that perfectly well on its own.

The fact remains that the people most closely associated with the club (board, coaching staff, supporters trust) think that it's a viable option for thier club. I'm happy to defer to your judgement on Shamrock Rovers as you obviously know more about the club than I do and likewise I'm happy to defer to their judgement on Ebbsfleet.

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

At least he has some damn idea about the realites that a football club faces unlike 19,800 of the tossers involved in that glorified version of reality fantasy football.

I'll assume that you include me in the 200+ members that aren't "tossers" lest this thread degenerates into complete personal abuse.

It's already handbags stuff and it's getting old.

Ronan|Raven

Nah it's ok I wouldnt want you to feel left out.

OhNoYouDidn't

Skittlebrau wrote: »

.

And I'm not trying to sell anything, it's doing that perfectly well on its own.

.

Your signature says otherwise

Skittlebrau

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Your signature says otherwise

Yeah I know. It says that I'm open-minded enough to at least accept the possibility that innovative ideas might work and it provides a link for like-minded people who may feel the same way.

What it doesn't do is try and ram my ideas down other people throats', assume my point of view is the only one that could possibly be right or even try and persuade them to sign up.

OhNoYouDidn't

Skittlebrau wrote: »

Yeah I know. It says that I'm open-minded enough to at least accept the possibility that innovative ideas might work and it provides a link for like-minded people who may feel the same way.

What it doesn't do is try and ram my ideas down other people throats', assume my point of view is the only one that could possibly be right or even try and persuade them to sign up.

there are innovative ideas and there is trivilising running a football club down to the level of a cross between a computer game and big brother.

how am i ramming my view down anyones throat? if anything you are ramming your 'innovative idea' down the fans throats. those that actually go to the aptly named graveyard.

Skittlebrau

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

how am i ramming my view down anyones throat?

Did I say you were? Don't be so defensive.

Peyton Manning

Observe some of the member names on that website.

baldarse
tommy two studs
cant b arsed
americantwat

These people are running a football club?

This is a joke, and nothing else.

_blank_

Archimedes wrote: »

baldarse
tommy two studs
cant b arsed
americantwat

Skittlebrau

Skittlebrau

You actually made me smile with that one Des.

Archimedes, are you seriously reduced to attacking user names to make a point? Would you prefer people called themselves Plato, Socrates etc? Would that put them on par with yourself?

KdjaCL

Skittlebrau wrote: »

You actually made me smile with that one Des.

Archimedes, are you seriously reduced to attacking user names to make a point? Would you prefer people called themselves Plato, Socrates etc? Would that put them on par with yourself?

Just because you are possibly included in that doesnt it mean its not something that can be pointed and laughed at, to most its a joke.

I dont think he was attacking user names just pointing out the fact these people now run a football club for a tenner.


kdjac

Skittlebrau

KdjaCL wrote: »

Just because you are possibly included in that doesnt it mean its not something that can be pointed and laughed at, to most its a joke.

I dont think he was attacking user names just pointing out the fact these people now run a football club for a tenner.


kdjac

I've got no problem with people who are against the idea. I welcome logical and well thought arguments against it. Anything to fuel intelligent debate on the venture can only be a good thing.

That was an obviously lame attempt to disparrage some members purely on the basis of their user name. It's just a lazy dig, there's no thought behind it.

"to most it's a joke" - quite possibly true but it doesn't make it so. To a lot of people the Eircom League is a joke but we both know that's not true.

There's already quite a few genuine Ebbsfleet fans signed up to this. Some had joined before the club was announced, more after. Their reactions vary from being delighted to being anxious but they all think that their club will be in a better position as a result.

Surely these fans (along with the board, coaching staff and supporters trust who are all behind the idea) are the best people to judge whether it's worth trying or not.

Of course, it could all go belly up. Only time will tell on that one, but these people are willing to give it a go.

KdjaCL

I dont think you fully get the the fact he posted internet user names and the context that they now own a football club.

All lower leagues are a joke to fans of the big leagues, thats not up for debate here what is that an internet joke has bought a real football club with fans.

Your EL point is actually more profound that you think, if all the PL fans on here bought into the irish version of this www.yourfootba...somfin.ie (there is one not sure of exact website) if the boards.ie PL fans bought st pats......


How could i say to them as a fan who didnt buy into this joke tell them that Murphy is a better right winger than Fahey and al tho faheys set pieces are brilliant his overall contrib is poor. But i go to every match most u21 matches but somehow some dude with the "vote yes" button has more control over my club cos he paid a tenner and yet i pay a tenner every week but this clown has more say in how my club should be run.

its a funny joke and i honestly feel sorry for ebbsfleet fans even if there is only like 12 of them, its their club thats getting "pwned" "loled" etc: by an bunch of internet people.



kdjac

Skittlebrau

KdjaCL wrote: »

I dont think you fully get the the fact he posted internet user names and the context that they now own a football club.

its a funny joke and i honestly feel sorry for ebbsfleet fans even if there is only like 12 of them, its their club thats getting "pwned" "loled" etc: by an bunch of internet people.

kdjac

Of course I get it. However I think you're missing (or conveniently ignoring) the underlying point that was implied.

Do you feel sorry for the Ebbsfleet fans who support the idea or just the ones that agree with you?

KdjaCL

Skittlebrau wrote: »

Of course I get it. However I think you're missing (or conveniently ignoring) the underlying point that was implied.

Do you feel sorry for the Ebbsfleet fans who support the idea or just the ones that agree with you?

I feel sorry for both, there is no win win situation here. Their club is saved for now but would have been saved if they dropped a league or too and kept the name.

in real football who do you support? < i hope you answer ebbsfleet!

kdjac

OhNoYouDidn't

Skittlebrau wrote: »

Do you feel sorry for the Ebbsfleet fans who support the idea or just the ones that agree with you?

sorrier for the ones who do support the idea myself.

Do you plan on ever going over to London to watch your 'team'?

Skittlebrau

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Do you plan on ever going over to London to watch your 'team'?

Well firstly the deal isn't finalised yet. It mightn't get past the due dilligence process so I don't have a "team" as you put it as of yet.

Secondly, it's a bloody long and expensive flight from Melbourne so the chances are slim.

Peyton Manning

Skittlebrau, I was not having a cheap dig, I was completey serious regarding the usernames. I dont know the workings of this deal inside out, but Im assuming a lot of it will involve the use of the internet where they can cast theyre decisions regarding the team, formation etc. I just feel theres a distinct loss of credibility when a serious tactic is recommended by somebody called Cant B Arsed...

You say its not a joke to those involved. Im sure Baldarse isnt taking it all too seriously.

Skittlebrau

Archimedes wrote: »

Im sure Baldarse isnt taking it all too seriously.

But you're not though. You're just assuming that based on a username. All you can assume is that he/she doesn't take the choosing of usernames seriously. It's hardly the same thing.