A lot has been discussed about the worst case scenario happening, and a phoenix club emerging.
One thing we've failed to critique is if the club survives, then for it to grow again, there also needs changes to support it going forward.
Best case scenario, new owners come along, pump money in and everything is rosey. In reality, even if that occurs, which appears slim right now, there should be changes to ensure it doesn't fall to another owner that abuses the club and doesn't engage with its supporter base.
I'm positive that day will come, whether it's with Ron surviving March 1st and selling up eventually, or as a phoenix club. Either way, we have to change, and be smarter and stronger in our approach.
For any business to grow, it needs healthy challenge, and supporters groups in the past have shown how powerful/influential they can be, with the right people challenging the owner respectfully. From day one, Ron has managed to play people, dodge supporters groups and has shown a total lack of respect to and for them. He has been ambitious, which I have no issue with, but he has not had sufficient business acumen, integrity and financial backing to match that ambition.
When new owners come along, we need to have learned by our mistakes in researching and liaising with them. Respecfully, we need to as a fan base, lay the cards and terms on the table from day one, ensure a voice is regularly heard, and not accept availability to engage only on their terms. We are the stakeholders that ensure money rolls in, and without fans, you have no club. It's not disrespectful to challenge, it's healthy if you want it to function correctly and grow.
If you had a pet and went away, and left it with someone to look after, that's what you would expect. If they abused it, you would never trust them again, and be extra cautious in choosing who looked after them in the future.
The same goes with our club. Its been misused, and we need to ensure that never happens again. If new owners are afraid to engage and be challenged, then they are not suitable. If they are accepting, you have growth.
in terms of Ron, I'm all for the protesting, respectfully, but protests none the less. With protests come mental pressure, and we need to keep pressing. They say press till it hurts, and when it hurts, then press some more. It's the only way to push him out. Everyone has a limit and we need to ensure our voice is continually heard. Ron must know how we feel about him running our club. He does know, more than ever now, but he really must continue to know until he's gone.
Let's get past March 1st, then play it right so that we know what direction our club is going.
We have an amazing fan base, and good people inside the club like Tom, Stan and Kev, who bring much to our future. Let's build on that.
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