Now is not the time for recriminations, mud slinging or finger pointing.
Yes, things need to change, lots of them but the only thing that matters over the next 11 days is getting us to a position where there is still a club to make those changes to.
Me neither, shame - I wanted to attend, but have to head off straight after the match tomorrow. If someone could post on here afterwards that'd be great.
Moo, if its allowed or even wanted i can video or audio record any statement or announcement or meeting and upload either video or audio or part of it or none and just do a transcript from it.
Is the meeting to be run by Barrie and Barry or is this just supporters meeting? If its Barrie or Barry then obvioulsy a transcript or audio or video is more relevant or useful on the websites or possibly press.
Would be handy if someone who knows whats due at the meeting pmmed me to let me know either way.
__________________
Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
I will be attending the game as a life long supporter, but unless I see or read otherwise I will not be attending this open meeting nor putting money into a bucket.
From the club website and from reading posts here from those with a bit of inside knowledge, I still have no idea what is really going on, exact figures on what is owed, how we got into this position, what is needed to carry us through a season and what impact that has for the next 2-5 years, what are the next steps and what role does the club see for its fans? I don't even know who is hosting this open meeting and what influence it has.
All the club website has said is "meanwhile the club remain optimistic that everything can be resolved with the backing of those who wish to see The Wings not only survive but prosper in the future." This sounds all very religious, but not quite of this century. I wish it to survive and prosper but what is the clear situation and what are the options, for the club and for me?
I will be very interested in the detail in any handout letter on in the match day programme - however late in the day this communication has come.
I am sorry but if I personally was in this position I would not want or expect my friends to chip in. I was happy to get in trouble with the wife for my donation on the wall for the floodlights, but that was a different and unfortunate situation (although it really came out of minimal maintenance), but if the club are relying on "those who wish to see the wings survive" then the communication - which can cost nothing - needs to get better. We are no longer in this world of bailing out those who take their eye off the ball and I cannot believe people are writing in here criticising the Council for not stepping in and helping more. Although I don't live in the Borough of Bexley, I would be pretty naffed off if my Council bailed out the local football team when it quite clearly isn't doing enough for itself to exploit opportunities.
The club has been sponsorless for a good few years now, there has been no significant commercial developments on site, there has been no pressure put on Erith and Belevedere to consider what they could do with their housing development pay-off from their ground (I am sure there must have been something put in place by the FA, Local Authority or Sports Council at the time to ensure they find a new ground eventually), etc etc...
This posting will come across as someone swiping from the sidelines, but I do understand how hard it is to run a club such as welling and I have full sympathy for what the Hobbins family must be going through at the moment, but if the club needs help - it needs to be clear what it wants otherwise someone like myself feels completely alienated.
Come on you wings - As a simple lad, I will sing up for you guys tommorrow (oh, today) as always, and help where I can, when I have the full picture.
Dickie D X
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Bringing the spirit of Ransom to our play-off efforts!
That is one of the questions - who's meeting is it? Is there a chance of a full picture? There is nothing on the Official website about it. I only want to spend my time usefully as this web forum is good enough for us fans to bounce ideas around. If it is the clubs meeting, or some official supporters group I will be there, if not, or if I don't hear otherwise I will leave at 4:50after our win to do my usual 100 mile trip back home and read the posts on here later.
This is what I am saying - there is no clarity or driven focussed plea from the top. I am also sure a lot of fans and other interested parties will not know about this meeting as they might not be engaged in forums like this.
If it is something where we have an official top table with management representatives from WUFC, lets shout about it from the roof tops, put it over the tannoy, tell the bloke standing next to you (I've just seen the message on facebook - well done) and lets get down and dirty to drive change together - and ultimately back to being a stable club I thought we were.
Come on you reds!
__________________
Bringing the spirit of Ransom to our play-off efforts!
Dickie D does make a lot of sense here. Like many I will be happy to do what I can but we need to know the exact situation we are in in terms of complete transparancy eg how long have the present creditors been outstanding not just the HMRC and income v expenditure. Only then can we see the clear picture not just saving the day for now only to be in a similar situation in a couple of months.
A clear way forward needs to be outlined be that a stock option or whatever. Fair play for organising but it needs some structure otheriwse I fear that emotions may make what is a good intention achieve less in terms of the outcomes.
I can see Dickie D's point, but I'd rather give something to the club now to help us out of the immediate mire.
As Dickie says, though, we do need some visibility of the longer-term issue. We certainly don't want the same situation to crop up again in a year or two. But, as I said, let's get ourselves out of this problem first, then worry about the longer-term stuff. I'm not sure we've got the time at the moment to debate all the ins and outs of the problem.
I agree 100% with Moo. I believe that HMRC are looking for a club to wind up to use as a deterrent to others allowing debts to build and we are the club currently in the firing line.
I have made a donation to the club and I hope others follow suit quickly. I think that if they don't receive another substantial payment soon we may all be wondering in a couple of months which team we can watch for the rest of the season.
That is one of the questions - who's meeting is it? Is there a chance of a full picture? There is nothing on the Official website about it. I only want to spend my time usefully as this web forum is good enough for us fans to bounce ideas around. If it is the clubs meeting, or some official supporters group I will be there, if not, or if I don't hear otherwise I will leave at 4:50after our win to do my usual 100 mile trip back home and read the posts on here later.
This is what I am saying - there is no clarity or driven focussed plea from the top. I am also sure a lot of fans and other interested parties will not know about this meeting as they might not be engaged in forums like this.
If it is something where we have an official top table with management representatives from WUFC, lets shout about it from the roof tops, put it over the tannoy, tell the bloke standing next to you (I've just seen the message on facebook - well done) and lets get down and dirty to drive change together - and ultimately back to being a stable club I thought we were.
Come on you reds!
Dickie both Barrie Hobbins and Barry Hobbins (piggy to his mates) will be at the meeting. This meeting was only arranged last night so has not been advertised on the official website.
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh When the Wingssssss
I had to be away straight after the game as well. Doesn't mean that I don't want to help and will be very interested in the proposals that come out of the meeting.
I would say that most of the proposals made at the meeting were things that had already been said on the forums, but at least Barrie got to hear them. Hopefully he'll take some of it on board and act. I'll let someone else list all the important points that were raised at the meeting.
It's honestly a bit hard to say. There was a queue of people putting their names down for player sponsorships etc. though and i think some people had the money with them. £100 for a players shirt, £40 for shorts and £15 for socks if i remember correctly.
Oh and some bloke was filming the meeting, not sure if it was James or JGFC.
-- Edited by Dogme on Saturday 14th of August 2010 07:34:19 PM
Russ was taking pledges and money for the sponsor a kit and people had good ideas, was a great turn out for the meeting that was only called late last night on the forum by Russ. It was a fairly positive meeting and there is hope.
I have recorded it with the permission of Barrie, Barry and Russ and Matt and will edit that to include the statement from Barrie and key Questions and opinions from the supporters present and the key issues. Meeting went on for 2 hours!. The press were present too.
I will upload it over the next day or so. Aiming for late tonight and will post it embedded in the new forum section, simply titled Welling United Appeal for now.
It was agreed that for now ( I spoke to Matt Mein), a temp forum section will be opened until any trust is launched that can then have their own forum and site. For communication purposes and for others to respond to the meeting video and raise questions or suggestions to Russ and Matt and the supporters or club.
Russ and Matt have accounts on here and will be available to contact on the forum or by PM when it is up and running and also to make statements and post the latest as well as it going up on the Official Site.
-- Edited by JgFc on Saturday 14th of August 2010 08:33:33 PM
__________________
Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
I will be attending the game as a life long supporter, but unless I see or read otherwise I will not be attending this open meeting nor putting money into a bucket.
From the club website and from reading posts here from those with a bit of inside knowledge, I still have no idea what is really going on, exact figures on what is owed, how we got into this position, what is needed to carry us through a season and what impact that has for the next 2-5 years, what are the next steps and what role does the club see for its fans? I don't even know who is hosting this open meeting and what influence it has.
All the club website has said is "meanwhile the club remain optimistic that everything can be resolved with the backing of those who wish to see The Wings not only survive but prosper in the future." This sounds all very religious, but not quite of this century. I wish it to survive and prosper but what is the clear situation and what are the options, for the club and for me?
I will be very interested in the detail in any handout letter on in the match day programme - however late in the day this communication has come.
I am sorry but if I personally was in this position I would not want or expect my friends to chip in. I was happy to get in trouble with the wife for my donation on the wall for the floodlights, but that was a different and unfortunate situation (although it really came out of minimal maintenance), but if the club are relying on "those who wish to see the wings survive" then the communication - which can cost nothing - needs to get better. We are no longer in this world of bailing out those who take their eye off the ball and I cannot believe people are writing in here criticising the Council for not stepping in and helping more. Although I don't live in the Borough of Bexley, I would be pretty naffed off if my Council bailed out the local football team when it quite clearly isn't doing enough for itself to exploit opportunities.
The club has been sponsorless for a good few years now, there has been no significant commercial developments on site, there has been no pressure put on Erith and Belevedere to consider what they could do with their housing development pay-off from their ground (I am sure there must have been something put in place by the FA, Local Authority or Sports Council at the time to ensure they find a new ground eventually), etc etc...
This posting will come across as someone swiping from the sidelines, but I do understand how hard it is to run a club such as welling and I have full sympathy for what the Hobbins family must be going through at the moment, but if the club needs help - it needs to be clear what it wants otherwise someone like myself feels completely alienated.
Come on you wings - As a simple lad, I will sing up for you guys tommorrow (oh, today) as always, and help where I can, when I have the full picture.
Dickie D X
If the tax money isn't paid there won't be a Club and you'll have to find something else to do on a Saturday. Attending the meeting might have given you some answers. 100 or so people took the trouble to make that effort.
Russ was taking pledges and money for the sponsor a kit and people had good ideas, was a great turn out for the meeting that was only called late last night on the forum by Russ. It was a fairly positive meeting and there is hope.
I have recorded it with the permission of Barrie, Barry and Russ and Matt and will edit that to include the statement from Barrie and key Questions and opinions from the supporters present and the key issues. Meeting went on for 2 hours!. The press were present too.
I will upload it over the next day or so. Aiming for late tonight and will post it embedded in the new forum section, simply titled Welling United Appeal for now.
It was agreed that for now ( I spoke to Matt Mein), a temp forum section will be opened until any trust is launched that can then have their own forum and site. For communication purposes and for others to respond to the meeting video and raise questions or suggestions to Russ and Matt and the supporters or club.
Russ and Matt have accounts on here and will be available to contact on the forum or by PM when it is up and running and also to make statements and post the latest as well as it going up on the Official Site.
-- Edited by JgFc on Saturday 14th of August 2010 08:33:33 PM
Nice work JGFC and as an added bonus I got to clock eyes on you for the first time after all these years. You really do exist!
No its an illusion. I had managed 2 home friendlies before today and the cover is blown and some away ones and got to pvr last season here and there, and if it hadnt been for those pesky kids i'd have gotten away with it.
If anyone asks... i dont go to the games still, ok?.
__________________
Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
It's honestly a bit hard to say. There was a queue of people putting their names down for player sponsorships etc. though and i think some people had the money with them. £100 for a players shirt, £40 for shorts and £15 for socks if i remember correctly.
Socks a tenner so some youngsters may be able to afford something. Whole kit £150.
It would be good if this was included in the programme as it might encourage people not there to participate.
No its an illusion. I had managed 2 home friendlies before today and the cover is blown and some away ones and got to pvr last season here and there, and if it hadnt been for those pesky kids i'd have gotten away with it.
If anyone asks... i dont go to the games still, ok?.
Just a quick reply to say thanks to all those who attended at such short notice. The player kit sponsorship raised just shy of £4,500 (so far). I'll put the grid up tomorrow but to recap:
Very positive to start to the short term action. Well done to Matt and Russ for setting up the meeting and to all those who took the time out to attend especially those who have already sponsored kit.
-- Edited by bruno on Sunday 15th of August 2010 12:22:59 AM
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YOUTH are the future
****
"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
I would just like to say well done to Matt & Russ who took centre stage last night who in my mentally unstable mind did a good job.
I would like to say well done also to the 'Hobbins' in which it must have been very emotional entering into a new chapter of the club's history.
On a lighter note; I do feel that Russ and Matt could have worn evening suits and bow ties, and also the cameraman would have got a better view if he was suspended from the ceiling.
The bottom line is. From now until the 25th August we (the club and supporters) need to raise as much money as possible. A figure of around the £20,000 mark was mentioned. This may keep the taxman quiet for a while.
Going forward, further meetings will be arranged to look at a long term solution for what looks like could be a long term problem.
Barry Hobbins has made it clear. The club has tried to compete in this league on a players budget of £4,500 per week. With poor crowds and a very very poor commercial side the club makes losses most weeks.
This club needs financial backers A.S.A.P. If the crowds don`t improve and the commercial side doesn`t start to bring in revenue, we are looking at Ryman league football.
Crowds like the one we had on Saturday will not be good enough to keep the club in business. FACT.
All Welling United supporters should realize. If you think this financial problem is all going to go away soon. YOU`RE WRONG.
Every person who supports this club. Every person who takes any sort of interest in the clubs results should now start attending home games.
The only thing that will sort the financial problems out is MORE revenue...FACT
I can't honestly see the attendance figures rising to 800+ every game unless we get promoted. And of course we might very well not get promoted unless the attendance figures go up. You just have to look at the numbers that turn up on bank holiday monday's, boxing day and new years day, and for pre season friendlies to see that there is an interest in the club out there, just not enough to make it a regular thing for these floating supporters. Somehow, we have to find a way to hook these supporters on the club, and get them to keep coming back.
As you can see there's still plenty of scope for those who couldn't make the meeting. If we can fill the whole grid we'll be up to about £8,000. Send me a message on here or e-mail russ(at)winningisnteverything.net and I'll deal with the requests in the order they are received. Alternatively find me behind the goal at Dover on Tuesday - for those who don't know who I am, ask around or look out for someone in a black training top bearing the initials RP.
There are a lot of people who have LARGE OPINIONS.. week in! week out!.. Who`s names are not on that grid.................. SHAME ON YOU. ....... PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MONTH IS!!!
Also Russ/ Matt. I can`t remember when the next update /meeting was arranged for. Was it Thursday 19th. August?
-- Edited by Spurfect on Sunday 15th of August 2010 11:35:33 PM
There are a lot of people who have LARGE OPINIONS.. week in! week out!.. Who`s names are not on that grid.................. SHAME ON YOU. ....... PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MONTH IS!!!
Also Russ/ Matt. I can`t remember when the next update /meeting was arranged for. Was it Thursday 19th. August?
-- Edited by Spurfect on Sunday 15th of August 2010 11:35:33 PM
I would point out that the name you go by on here is not necessarily the name you post your donation by. And, despite the fact that the way of the modern world is that you should grandstand on everything, there are still some people in the world who prefer that only they and the people directly affected by\in charge of a situation know about what they are doing to influence it. and they are just as important at this time as anyone who does not mind their name being used.