The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

garya2414 wrote:They can't call another fans forum and spout more false promises and bull s*it and expect the fans to dig deep in their pockets.

I think by the nature of the statement, the false promises and bullsh*t is over, but it looks like the Beasants will cowardly not even be there, I wouldn't have thought KC will lie to us and pretend to us everything's fine but then again he only owns the land doesn't he, not the football club, don't we really need to hear from the Beasants themselves what they plan to do to get out of this if they even have a plan. But its a positive thing that its been called, even if it is just 'we're f*cked'.

Annoyed I can't be there though, as it'll be very interesting no doubt, can't see how we're going to get out of this but we'll need to find some hope in the meeting.

I hope to attend at some stage but 6pm is tricky for anyone who is working! Why so early?

I think a great deal of explaining about what the hell has happened and why, needs to take place before there is any hope of financial support from fans. Personally I find it hard to imagine myself parting with any money if the Beasants remain at the helm.

Trek wrote:5) How much money have Steve and Liam Beasant personally taken out of the Football Club and paid to themselves or close members of their family?

/Have they taken money from the club and invested it to start up PBDevs?

As has been said earlier on this thread, and on the Creditors one, we need to go into that meeting fully prepared to "stand up and be counted". Let's not spend too much time looking at what has gone wrong - we need to focus on how we can move on from here.

If we assume there isn't likely to be money forthcoming to clear all current debts, then the next "least worst" option is a CVA.

Assuming there is a desire to agree a CVA with the creditors, and as part of that plan work out how we can continue in order to satify the terms of the CVA (and thus remain in the Conference, albeit with a 10 point deduction next season), we need to be ready with validated ideas / or confirmed pledges which accept we might have to go via a CVA / 10 point penalty.

For the CVA to be accepted the various parties, including the creditors, the conference and the FA would need convincing R&DFC can operate viably for the next 3 seasons - so we need to convince them there are a significant number of fans who would be prepared to purchase season tickets under a new regime.

Similarly we need to demonstrate how we can help the club keep its costs down to a minimum, with pledges of time or skills, and also how we can help the club to raise significant funds from other sources - sponsorship / advertising / events etc - and these need to have real credibility.

We have four days or so to get our acts together - so suggestions on how we do this are vital.

Formic wrote:For the CVA to be accepted the various parties, including the creditors, the conference and the FA would need convincing R&DFC can operate viably for the next 3 seasons - so we need to convince them there are a significant number of fans who would be prepared to purchase season tickets under a new regime.

I would suggest a holding account if we go down the route of season ticket sales. The Trust would be the logical people to set this up. It secures the money there, helps towards convincing the creditors and means there is no risk of the money being lost for those who commit to it.

Formic wrote: We have four days or so to get our acts together - so suggestions on how we do this are vital.

Someone needs to know the current total football club debts, including VAT, owing to creditors for starters. Who has been doing the accounts? For Steve Beasant to make a crass statement saying he doesn't know how much VAT is outstanding beggar's belief.
Perhaps it has suited the Beasants not to have someone with rudimentary accountant skills keeping at least a simple receipts and expenditure account.
Reminds me of the McRitchie debacle at the Cobblers back in 1993. :evil:

Excellent posts Chris and Tony and I think you have summed it up.

I am willing to go and work at the Club again voluntary if the Beasants are out and, depending on the outcome of Tuesday, I may look at suspending my legal action against the Club but that too is dependent on Beasants being out of Nene Park. I am sure others will be willing to give their time to help.

I am sure other debtors will help us too BUT and its a big one I think the fans, local businesses and trusts are going to have to work hard together to try to raise some funds. There is a big tax bill to pay and as I see it we need to sort that before we can think about moving forwards. The question is can we do that ? It will involve a lot of hard work in a very short space of time. I think a call to Kiddy may be worthwhile as I understand they raised £300k in a very short space of time. And I know before anybody says it about their catchment area etc etc.

I just think we all need to give it some serious thought. Maybe there is nothing else we can do and its the end of the Club but I hope that's not the case.

In the absence of accurate figures I would base your assumptions that RDFC currently owe approx £750k. I understand Andy Shutlar was in charge of the finance side but had no financial background.

At this point in time is it in the interests of the Beasants to own this football club? Would they sell it for a quid and ride off into the sunset? Or because of PBDevs are they just going to drive the club into the ground?

We just need to do whatever it takes to get these two out, and via FB/Twitter/Radio Phone-ins/whatever, just get some publicity on this whole saga fast.

I think you will find they can be removed lets focus our efforts on saving the Club as time is short

Hi, this is my first post so please be gentle but I have been involved with the club since the start

The developements over these last weeks and months really hurt, so much so that I have had to join and post! I can imagine my dear, dear friend Mr Joyce will be turning in his grave

Revenue to the club can be greatly affected in a number of ways just on a match day. I know that we do not all have deep pockets but even paying to park in the car park (both home and away fans) instead of the grass verges or the road to the medial centre, buying a programme, paying the correct entry price instead of trying to convince people they are under 16 (again both home and away fans) all adds up!

If I am not mistaken a £1000 was raised for Dale by sales at the Kiddy game - this was wonderful to see but this is more than was raised by the average sales on a normal game

I know that much of what I have said may seen a little "after the horse has bolted" and in fact may not be relevant moving forward if there is no season this coming August. However, moving forward these smaller things will help. This is also an aspect that every fan can be involved with in a small way

On another point I have had to email Steve Beasant this morning and can confirm he responded within 20 mins!! With the answer I expected but at least he did communicate!!