Monday Nights Meeting with Paul Casson

[Gazza]

Come on guys. Honestly what is the point in worrying about the distant future if Paul Cassons plans get voted in and his ultimate dream does not work out in many years to come? If this does not happen there will be no longer term future (well not one worth protecting) just for the sake of voting against his takeover. There is no way things on or off the field can progress as things stand and that's not being unfair to the current board, just FACT. At some point somewhere, someone else will need to step in, so whilst we have someone who has a local connection who is in a position to do this why not take the opportunity. What happens when (and it is when, not if) things reach the stage when we do need some urgent investment just to survive at all, at any level? So someone with much less credibility, with no real interest in Barrow AFC and who really does have an ulterior long term motive and really does want to build houses on Holker Street and we have no option to go with it or die completely. This is our big chance, so please, please let's not blow it now !

[Gordon]

I'm pretty sure a good few of your questions have already been answered. I read somewhere that PC has had to show his proof of finances and has done so (I'm sure someone can confirm that). He did also say that whilst it was unlikely that many (if any) of the current BoD would be retained - he did not completely rule this out. I believe that it he thinks that any of the BoD could bring anything to the new regime then he will retain them (personally I'd like to see Pete stay on in a supporters rep role as he has done a fantastic job since joining the board).

His plans sound decent to me and as he himself stated - whichever way we look at it there are risks. We have to decide which is the bigger risk. I think we are treading water as a club right now, the potential takeover may just breathe new life into the club.

Fair point. if anyone can clarify or point me towards the answers it might sit more easily with me.

You must admit thought that without seeing any formal plan we might be jumping the gun a bit.

Can anyone going Friday let us know what comes out at this open meeting? I'm probably expecting too much but hopefully more details will come out.

[McMark]

It's the good old chicken and egg theory all over again!

[xerxes]

So really then, if everyone is behind it (well, assuming any lingering concerns or questions are put to bed)... the only real concern is that some legal red tape 75% thing might knacker the whole thing up?
Seems stupid if (and it seems so, providing all is answered) virtually every person to a man (or woman) wants this thing to happen.

The "legal red tape 75% thing" is there for a good reason - to prevent carpet-baggers taking over a company. I am not suggesting Paul Casson falls into that category, but we should not underestimate the difficulty of achieving a 75% vote, despite the seeming majority on this forum who seem to be in favour.

Apathy is likely to play a large part. There will be members who have set up a Standing Order when the membership scheme was first set up, who aren't really that interested but have just left the Standing Order in place. There are also some dissenting voices. So a lot of hard work is necessary to ensure the necessary votes. It's designed to be that way for the company's own protection.

[DaveC]

Can we do a yes/no poll about would you vote for Casson's takeover bid please?

[Jonty]

*Pass a Special Resolution-

A Special Resolution is a resolution passed by 75% of the members present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a general meeting. (Can be as simple as a show of hands by 75%+)

Not less than 21 days notice specifying the intention to propose the special resolution must be given to the members.

then result is to be filed with a competent authority (such as the registrar of companies in the UK), within 15 days of being approved.

That's the key point "present in person or by proxy" - so not 75% of total of all members required.


*Jonty disclaimer- don't take my word for it- check it yourselves- there's plenty on it out there.

[JimmyCrabstick]

Can we do a yes/no poll about would you vote for Casson's takeover bid please?

Would be of some interest if it was a members only poll otherwise it would be pointless.

[boyliegladbach]

Can we do a yes/no poll about would you vote for Casson's takeover bid please?

Would be of some interest if it was a members only poll otherwise it would be pointless.

Or have
member yes
Member no
Non member yes
Non member no
Undecided
Not arsed

[John Very Little]

I haven't Shaun but I know of a number who will await the formal proposal and the board's recommendation (and perhaps take note of who the proposed directors are to be) before making their mind up.

I really hope you are joking!
It 'beggers belief' that such Negativity actually exists within our own fan base!
..."Who the proposed directors are to be"...
Well; it can be safely assumed that it' ll be none of the present bunch! :flag:

What's up with Peter Garbacz who regularly posts on here?
One thing you need to bear in mind is that there a fair number of members who live away that weren't in attendance at Paul Casson's meeting on Monday night and won't be aware of the details of the presentation and associated Q&A's. Therefore I assume many of these will presumably decide how to vote when they see the proposal that they get sent through the post?
Do you expect people to vote for the proposals when they don't know what they are? I think you're wrong to have a go at anyone before they know what the proposal they're voting on actually consists of?

[K-Man]

I really hope you are joking!
It 'beggers belief' that such Negativity actually exists within our own fan base!
..."Who the proposed directors are to be"...
Well; it can be safely assumed that it' ll be none of the present bunch! :flag:

What's up with Peter Garbacz who regularly posts on here?
One thing you need to bear in mind is that there a fair number of members who live away that weren't in attendance at Paul Casson's meeting on Monday night and won't be aware of the details of the presentation and associated Q&A's. Therefore I assume many of these will presumably decide how to vote when they see the proposal that they get sent through the post?
Do you expect people to vote for the proposals when they don't know what they are? I think you're wrong to have a go at anyone before they know what the proposal they're voting on actually consists of?

I think I'll be voting yes however like you say I wasn't in attendance Monday. So I'll wait until I see the proposal from what I've heard of people I trust then it all points towards yes.

[Bluey VIII]

I went to the meeting on Monday with a fairly open mind and no particular preference either way.

After the meeting I was fairly well convinced that PC does have more than a fleeting interest in the club and has a good motivation for making us successful. Whilst his 2, 5 and 10 year plans do seem a bit vague and he didn't seem keen to go into to much detail, they do provide at least 1.5 years more than the current BOD seem to have.

It'll be a 'yes' vote from me. However, I understand that under the clubs constitution a 'no vote' will equal a 'No' vote so it could be difficult to get this through unless PC can somehow convince the more passive members to vote, or he can get more of his supporters to become members??

[kikka]

Surely a 'no' vote is not a viable option if we want to perpetuate football at this or a higher level in the town.

The existing board did a remarkable job when they first came in , but for years now have been either unable or unwilling to inject , or generate, sufficient capital to make it a progressive company. Things have stagnated.

There is a chance that Paul Casson can and will get the ball rolling again - so I really cannot understand the reluctance of any member to support his plans.

A 'no' vote ( or even failing to vote if you are a member ) is almost certainly a nail in the coffin of the club.

So come on folks - let's go for it . It's a risk for sure - but it's better than the alternative. It gives us a chance. :flag:

[Ilford Mouse]

Here's an alternative scenario.

Current BoD recommend acceptance of PC's offer but resolution fails to achieve 75% approval.

BoD resign en masse and call in their directors' loans (and St.Andrews Engineering loan) pushing the club into administartion and disarray.

PC then buys the assets from the administrator and takes over the club in a much messier way than the planned and structured takeover being proposed.

However it may be that some dodgy scouse "business man" has his eye on the ground and outbids PC, the club folds completely and we have to adopt Holker Old Boys as our home town team.

I'd rather take the smoother route by hitching up to PC's wagon now.

[mikeyb]

Can we do a yes/no poll about would you vote for Casson's takeover bid please?

Good idea.

Straw Poll - http://bit.ly/1fsRAWf

I'll submit as a new topic too. [MODS NOTE - No need for that just keep it in one topic]

[boyliegladbach]

Can we do a yes/no poll about would you vote for Casson's takeover bid please?

Good idea.

Straw Poll - http://bit.ly/1fsRAWf

I'll submit as a new topic too. [MODS NOTE - No need for that just keep it in one topic][MIKEYB NOTE - OK]

Seems to allow same person to keep voting.