I’m in

Interesting isn't it Harry something I pointed out to a fan who was moaning back in 2007/8/9 when Arthur Thomas was in charge , and similarily with Derek 2 years ago , the actual cost of a match ticket in these seasons has been around £ 60 quid a time , 2/3rds of that subsidised by the relevant owners at that time

Just a bit of perspective

As am I.

Count me in .

Well we can all say we'll dib in if we want, because that ain't going to happen in a million years

Just reading the last few posts

Is this possible?

Can LRLFC sell some sort of "shares" to the fans, say 51% or so.

Just throwing it out there, I have no idea how these things work "I am but a simple man"

Now I would be up for that

Col, I've never been a talker, always a doer,I've raised funds in a few ways in the past for the Club, and will do whatever it takes to raise revenue for the Club I love.

Over the past couple of years I think fundraising has slipped because a lot of fans myself included have felt , Derek's the Owner, he pays the money out ,let him do it,I'm ready to do owt needed to help out.

Me too, but only if I can be in sole control!!

And there we have the issue

For LRLFC , read ' Sporting Club Leigh ' that's the ltd company that currently operates as Leigh Centurions , I assume the majority of shares are currently owned by Derek

Now if Derek wanted to he could have a share issue meaning a set number of shares are made available for new investors to purchase

The problems then arise when the club then needs more money to operate , ie pay some bills , in theory all the shareholders then are obliged to ' cough up ' a set amount per share

Now then ' when some are willing/want to , and others aren't able/want to , you have a problem

For stress free running of a club , no more than 2 primary shareholders will work long term , and in theory they both need to be rich enough for their investment to be incidental to their affluent lifestyle ( essentially just a hobby )

Alan ,from the wink I realise your wit

,one thing about Leythers is they don't give in, when the Blackpool Mafia tried to ruin us the fans rallied and raised cash, we have been down before , I've worked with a few great fundraisers in the past Lynda Pike being one of the best, I think when new investors are found, and they will come forward, it should be a case of What we can do for the Club?

I was never a fan of one bloke in charge,and got tired of hearing how Derek was the Owner ,does anyone know what's happened to Mike Latham or Steve Openshaw?Are they still with us ?We need answers then folk will start doing what is needed to help the Club.

Thanx mate

It makes more sense now

Like I said - not being thick or owt - didn't know how the share thing works.

Cheers

No worries , every time we hit a problem we see the suggestion of becoming a ' community club ' with fans buying into the club , or a ' trust ' taking over

In theory it is the perfect solution , shared responsibility , shared cost , but in reality outside of German football you won't find a successful fan owned club in any proffessional sport , it just doesn't work

It is a distinct possibility yet

"[iShould the worse happen and the contractual liabilities force the Club into liquidation then I give my word I will ensure that a community Club is formed and give it a cash injection to ensure it can operate and establish itself going forward with no liabilities and no involvement from me whatsoever".[/i

What you really need is someone buying the whole of the LSV, lets say that costs £122m and the "someone" buying that also wants half of the club! They then place the rest of the shares up for grabs for the present investors interested.

Bonus all round, no complication with the LSV or the Council,and free rent.Plus major investment when required.

Tell you what Atomic

I'll just check my bank balance - nope not got 122 Million pound, thats blown the LSV then.

Be nice to win the Euro Lottery though.

Hi Ian,

I saw Mike there on Sunday and assume he was still responsible for the match day magazine. (i got a little alarmed when we didn't have one for the previous game) Both he and Steve are still in the 'Who's Who' on the club website.

Thanks Alan

it just seems nothing being said about the folk still in charge.

Heads and parapets come to mind!

To say 51% of shares to the fans would drive away private investors or should I say major shareholders with financial weight. Imagine putting in the largest individual sums only to be overruled by maybe 1000 fans !

Also remember that shareholders will be called upon to invest again & again & again, this isn't a one drop deal solves all IMO *though I concede that I have zero business management acumen*.

I agree, no more than two major shareholders running the club. If there’s more there will be fall outs & disagreement s. We’ve had some great times over the past few years with Derek at the helm, but we now need stability. It’s no use an investor coming on board with the sole aim of super league - no matter the cost then leaving if it doesn’t work out. Perhaps we need someone to spend a reasonable amount of money & we become a mid to upper championship team (like featherstone, Halifax, batley) with no real chance of super league. BUT with long term stability.

But it would be nice to get someone in that has both..plenty of money that wants to build a strong first team and building a academy/reserves

While I agree some stability is probably what we need , the issue with the ' no real chance of SL ' is what that can do to your fan base , and therefore your income going forward , as has been alluded to by Derek and others who are familiar with the ' deal ' , the less fans that come through the door , the more the LSV costs you

A dilemma

Watch this space..

Happy to be your general manager on 12K part time , but I want 30 grand marketing ' kitty '