I'm no expert on the Trust and have tended to stay out of threads discussing them in the past. I'm not even a member of the Trust, so never felt comfortable commenting.

Why aren't they fully behind all of this, though?

Wouldn't the Trust investing £50,000 be a good move on their part at the moment? As I understand it, it would give them a 10% share in the club, and be big push towards achieving you're first target of a quarter of a million. Must be the best way forward for doubters about the Trust trying to save the club. Just a view from an interested outsider.

Too true BP ...we watch and wait

Seems sensible to me.

I must be missing something about The Trust, though - I always view their statements and actions with a puzzled face, yet there is always big pro/con debates on here about what they're up to.

As I say, I'm not a member and I don't know the Taylors/main players, so I'm probably missing facts.

The Trust need to get in early to get double the shares but I think they might miss the boat because they'll have to put it to the members.

The main thing is that they come on board at some point.

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http://twitter.com/Quakerz72

I gather they are in a meeting tonight.

The SD/DSU idea is dead in the water now so I hope they come out in support of the buydarlo one and, at least, immediately advise those who have pledged to their total to redirect their pledges to the buydarlo scheme. (some may have already done so - but maybe there are some who haven't?)

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You Are My Darlo!

we're all in it together!

If you have any nagging questions or concerns contact the CIC direct at contact@darlingtonfc.org and give the directors an opportunity to respond to you.

You can also keep in touch with the CIC on their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/DFCCIC

and you can also use the suggestion box at the retail outlet in the Covered Market.

Trust Statement - 16 February 2012

Like all Darlington fans, we are aware of the proposals tabled by the company Darlington 1883 Ltd.

As we have always said, we will support any viable and workable plan to ensure the continuation of football in Darlington.

We have already received an approach from a representative of Darlington 1883 Limited. We have indicated to them in response to this, in a private email, that we are prepared to enter into discussions about their proposals with the directors of the company.

Obviously more information is required concerning legal and financial details, and the role of supporters, before we can make any recommendations to our members.

We will be saying no more at this time.

can understand their caution especially if they are going to invest 50k - but I would want them to move things along quickly

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“Steve Beaton - The adonis of darts, what poise, what elegance - a true roman gladiator with plenty of hair wax.”
R.I.P Sid Waddell

To be honest The Trust have stuck to their guns in all of this which you can only commend them on, however I believe now is the time to invest the 50k.

I think The Trust want guarantees that they will have a member on the board though - something I don't know whether can be guaranteed. It's up to the shareholders after all.

Should it be up to the shareholders to decide if the Trust should have a seat on the board.

I think so. Thats one of the things you pay your money for.

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To me for our/their 50k + an on going supporters direct/trust involvement tapping into grants and fund raising then one but only one of the six board member can be trust appointed. But that's it everything should be one share one vote because on the trust past performance they are not dynamic enough to run a football club.

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Foes List. none, I love everyone me.

If they put in, the Trust will be the biggest shareholder so far.

Q. If there is a limit of 15% of the total shares, does that limit the Trust's (or anybody else's) input in Phase 1 to £37500 (15% of £250k)?

From my point of view it would be beneficial to have a trust member as part of the time. Their experience and contacts would be invaluable but like I say I dont think its for the various groups to say.

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Can I ask (as suggested above) - why should the Trust or any of its members get votes and a place amongst the directors when the money they might buy this with does not belong to them? I thought they existed as a vehicle for holding onto previous contributions made by a host of nameless fans until that money could be properly used to save Darlington Football Club as and when that was required. I totally support the efforts the Trust have made to find a suitable home for this money and I agree with their caution over putting the cash into the present scheme until it is clear that it will get us all what we want. But surely the Trust only exists as long as their hold on this money exists and after they have thrown it into the pot their work is done and they cease to exist and they get no block voting rights.

So you would expect the same of Duff then? Or the SC, or any other group that purchases shares?

The Trust has members, and it will ultimately be down to them if they purchase shares, and with it voting rights, which the elected Trust board would exercise on behalf of its membership.

In relation to the make up of the DFC board after the Community Club becomes reality, from a personal point of view, I would like to see a board member from the old RG, Trust, Uncovered, & the SC, then have 3 more elected.

Obviously I have no idea if that would work, but I do feel that having these groups represented on the board would give the club a great foundation.

I don't know the make-up of these groups but hazarding a guess that some or most of them can identify their contributors and when shares are purchased on behalf of the group, they can all be consulted on how they will vote, then I do not see this as being the same as the Trust. If the people who make up the Trust were all the people who had contributed to the £50,000 they hold. or if they could consult everyone who paid into the fund, then I would say they had every right to purchase shares on behalf of those people and use their block vote in accordance with the wishes of the group.

The money raised by the Trust came from donations. Once a person has donated to a fund their direct ownership rights to that money ceases i.e. if you put money into a poppy appeal box, you can't dictate what that money is spent on! The money is therefore in the ownership of the Trust for them to do as they see fit [if necessary seeking guidance from their members] within the terms of their constitution. As a member, if consulted, I would recommend that they put the money into 'Buydarlo'. I also think it would be beneficial for Darlington 1883 FC to have a Trust member on their Board of Directors or at the very least on the Board of Trustees, but I guess unless it is already enshrined in the 'Articles of whatever' it will be down to the shareholders of Darlington 1883 FC. The Trust would therefore secure their best chance of a board member by investing £50k at the 2 for 1 stage. Buy my calcs, the 15% threshold only becomes an issue if the total money raised through Buydarlo is less than £417K

But we have to remember, why did the trust go up against the RG to purchase the club? Why did they not get on board with RG for a joint purchase in the 1st place?
Was this there last attempt in owning a Darlington football club, as some made many remarks in regards to them not using the donations for the present Darlo but ring fenced it for a NEW club only?

This is the main thing that irritates me with the trust. They are the most reactive group ever! there is never a pro-active we make the first approach all their statements are "we have not received an approach" or the above. I hope they pledge their money into the fund as it will be much more use there than anywhere else in my eyes!

I think the £250k CVA aspect is probably the lower of the priorities to be honest. We need £250k to pay football creditors first and foremost get that sorted, we will get a CVA agreement in place for the remainder and then we can come out of admin. The next £250k - well some of it on a monthly basis will have to go towards paying off the CVA - basically about £7,000 per month I make it for the CVA (250k over 36months) but more importantly is to get the club 'sustainable' and through to the end of the season!

Well then I hope you're ready for the share raising scheme to fall flat on its arse, because none of the big spenders will be bothering if they get the same in return as someone with a single share. I don't know why you'd use ebsfleet as an example, the myfootballclub saga was a shambles for them.

Bit of a narrow definition of a community club isn't it? One member, one vote.

In practical terms it also means I wouldn't bother investing ore than the bare minimum to buy a share (£100) rather than the larger amount I will invest now.

If we were starting a phoenix club a mutual model of one member, one vote could work given that large sums of money would not be needed to raised. Even AFC Wimbledon, who I view as the leading community club, when they needed to raise significant capital in 2005 did not follow the one member, one vote model when issuing shares in AFCW Plc.

If this share issue is a success there will be broad ownership of Darlington 1883 across the whole community. Darlington fans, whether individually or together in groups like the Trust, DAFTS & DUFF will together have the largest voting block of shares I have no doubt. That alongside the 15% maximum one individual or group can own will ensure that any key decisions will need the broad support of shareholders.

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Robbie Painter - http://twitter.com/RobbiePainter

Unfortunately this is the whole point of shares. The more money you invest, the more you get.

As a trust member I will be voting FOR the trust chucking in their money which will cancel out your vote against.





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2-1 for, as a Trust Member I will vote yes, although only just joined so probably can't vote...

Yeah, will be interesting if they allow new members to vote. Baring in mind, many people have recently joined to have the Trust try takeover the club.

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I dont think they can stop them (could be wrong) the only place they could stop them is running for the trust board (you need to wait 6 months for that).

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How could they refuse their members a right to vote?

I will be voting 'yes' for the Trust to spend its £50,000 on £100,000 (13%) of shares.

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Are the Trust even obliged to open this one up to a vote though. The issue they have now is they have so many new members now, most of which will be in favour of ploughing in their money. Its clear they wanted a bigger role from the start and do it their own way. I'm not convinced they'll want to buy into this and will therefore not give members the option to vote (if they can do that).

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I'd suggest emailing them, darlotrust@gmail.com, to make you views known.

Of course if the current board decide to do nothing then we can just kick them out, appoint a board that will represent members interests and invest the funds in this share issue.

Lets hope we don't have to go through that time consuming process though.

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Robbie Painter - http://twitter.com/RobbiePainter

I don't think the Trust themselves will know what they are planning to do yet. Not too arsed either way whether they invest or not as I think we will raise the capital needed without them. Was just curious whether old and new members would be entitled to vote on the issue that's all.

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