Arthur Thomas was the majority share holder was he not? It may not be appropriate due to the recent passing of Arthur but I thought the fans in mass numbers could possibly put forward buying the shares should the family consider this option.

Buying existing shares isn't an option, think about it and I am also sure the family of AT would give the shares away. The key is getting rid of the PG's/DL's to stop new cash meeting old debts. AT was a very honourable man, upon his business difficulties I understand he settled his PG on the overdraft in full which I believe was 60% of the total.

Our current problems are built around lack of cash, our structures are not attractive to investment and without cash increasing we will continue the circle of slow death

Oh and finally How do we get the ball rolling - we have the supporters group to build it around -LISA

So you suggest that LISA buys the shares as an independent entity and the members LISA contributions pay for shares?

I am saying we have a well established supporters group with 300+ members which would be a logical catalyst, are you saying LISA should buy shares with member contributions?

That's correct Mr C, but if the fans are tipping in £100k plus per annum the one man would be doing the same to maintain majority shareholding. 1) can you see that happening? 2) Would it be a bad thing?

The fans/LISA could make a donation to the Thomas family for the shares then we would be majority share holders & push to sell them to a wealthy benefactor possibly?

Great idea let the fans own the club have a clear out at the top form a new board a board than can set a budget that is realiistic by that I mean not one that thinks the crowds will increase rather than decrease and thats the only reason we as a club have money problems yet again spending more than we are earning if that means cutting players money along with the staff and coaches so be it but sooner have a club that is financially stable than one that every season has finance problems

and how do you cover outstanding PG's/Loans ? AT knew what he was doing, and that the shares had no value, I am also confident they would be given away now to the right person.

Realistic as in defeatist? ie less with subsequent income drops due to product on display.

We need to increase cash to provide a better product that generates more cash - we need the BoD to fund £100k pa min to kick start a transformation and the fans are the best way to find that cash

In reply to Leyther Geezer, I think selling them on to a single wealthy benefactor defeats the purpose of it mate, I think the point is that we the fans are that wealthy person between us all.

If we have one single investor and he goes pop or loses interest, we're screwed. If we have 500 fans we're far stronger.

On the point of LSV, I don't see what difference it would make to them if we were fan owned, as long as they got their rent does it matter to them? Surely a stronger financial footing for their tenants could only be a good thing for them.

I understand the negatives of a main share holder but if a the right person was keen & was millionaire that would be hard to refuse (live in hope)

Interesting topic this one which I stumbled across this morning and one which I have discussed with Trevor recently.

I cant or wont go in to infomation which I'm aware of on a public forum but i will add to this thread by stating one thing that it is not yet know at this stage what the feelings of Mr Thomas estate are regards the shares nor the the other shareholders of which there are quite a few but having been party to some Infomation recently regards the clubs financial position I personally am of the opinion that something along these lines needs to happen for the long term good of the club.

As the head of a local business who has recently started to support Rob Parker with a few bits of sponsorship and having held a few meetings with the CEO to establish if i can add any value to the current set up I have stated to Trevor my willingness to get involved with a complete new board made up of similar like minded businessmen but have also stated I would only do so if the Current shareholder situation were dealt with.

I do have my own views on how this could happen and they seem to concur in many ways with those of Mr C and Maurice above.

Anyone seriously interested in being part of a fan owned club feel free to PM me.

PS Lisa and the TDC need to be a driving force in any new set up IMO.

I'm all in favour of this and I voted for it (or something similar) in the early days of LISA when Maurice was head honcho. Don't Rochdale Hornets run on this model? I expect ours to be a bigger operation than theirs, but would the same model work for us?

One question - How do we keep the cash rolling in year on year? As I understand it, there was a good response when LISA was first established but then a gradual dropoff until membership was at a critical point, hence Lynda's membership push last year. Is this not going to happen again?

www.lewesfc.com/ownership-essentials/ I think this is worth looking at again

www.lewesfc.com/ownership-essentials/ I think this is worth looking at again

I think it's easier to get people to pay on a rolling basis at £x per month rather than find 12 times that once a year. I also think this would help keep membership rolling.

If someone asked me for £700 once a year i'd always have to say no. But if the asked for £60 per month I could afford that.

I've never been involved in the past or never been a LISA member (but will sign up if someone tells me how) so I won't comment on the past but will say if fans are owning shares and have a voice and have proper board representation on a new forward thinking business minded commercially astute operational board then I think it can work.

I have stated this to Trevor and know of a few guys like myself who while not willing to bankroll the club with millions would be willing to get involved.

Blimey! Lewes FC pull in nearly £300,000 per year from the fan ownership!

FC United of Manchester are building a stadium part funded by a fan share issue which has raised major funds. A share issue could save our club from possible extinction and give it the best possible platform to grow from and build a stable model around IMO.

Me too jonny, but LISA subsciptions were made on a monthly basis and it didn't prevent a big dropoff.

I don't think people understood how important LISA was until we nearly went pop.

The LSV is one big weight around the neck at the moment of the club from what I can see.

I don't know what the current agreement is with LSV but I feel it would need addressing with them imeadiatley and its also my opinion new ways of generating match day income streams need to be found as the present donation/ raffle ticket mentality seems to be very poor also from what I have seen and this IMO is by product of being at LSV.

LSV is Soul less venue with ignorant staff and this while I appreciate this is going off topic it is not helping get new or lapse fans through the gate.

Blimey, are we going for a new stadium too??????

Lisa could be a massive part of a new set up IMO and it seems without LISA we would not still have a club from what I've seen a heard so a massive pat on the back needs to given to all concerned.

Jonny i applaud your ideas , and sincerity to make the club a success , but some of our fans quibbled about paying 18.00 for 2 matches recently , now you want them to pay £60.00 a month , it wont happen , its like trying to plait FOG .