Ebbsfleet/MyFootballClub

I like this idea alot & may take the plung later this month. I noticed a small article in yesterday's Times newspaper & it all seems
above board...thoughts guys?

Taken from http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/


Welcome to MyFootballClub


For the first time in football history, fans have the opportunity to buy and then take control of a professional football club – both on and off the pitch.

Every MyFootballClub member will have an equal say in team selection, player transfers and the running of the club.

Members will own the club through their MyFootballClub Trust, and together they will attempt to guide their football club to success.


Buying the football club

The most popular club, as voted for by MyFootballClub members, and the one that most closely meets the following criteria, will be purchased:

    * 51% or more of the football club shares can be bought.
    * There is none, or a manageable debt.
    * The club has the potential to reach the Premiership.
    * The size of the stadium and the availability of public transport.
    * The club is amenable to our approach.


Owning the football club

When you pay your membership fee, you will become a member of the MyFootballClub Trust. Your Trust will purchase a controlling interest in the football club, in effect making you a joint owner of your football club.


The membership fee

The MyFootballClub membership fee is £35. £27.50 will go towards purchasing a football club, buying new players and other club expenditure. £7.50 will go towards the administration of the MyFootballClub Trust and the building and management of the MyFootballClub website.

Paid my £35

Website agrees Ebbsfleet takeover

By Alex Perry and John Sinnott

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7089473.stm

Fans' community website MyFootballClub has agreed a deal to take over Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United.

The 20,000 MyFootballClub members have each paid £35 to provide a £700,000 takeover pot and they will all own an equal share in the club.

Members will have a vote on transfers as well as player selection and all major decisions.

"We are united in believing this is a great opportunity," Ebbsfleet chairman Jason Botley told BBC Sport.

"This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress."

The deal is expected to be completed in a few weeks after a due diligence process and the website will purchase a 51% controlling stake, while also having the option to buy the club outright in the future.

The takeover is a landmark for English football, given the website's stated intention of involving the members so radically in the running of the club, particularly with team selection.

After the takeover goes through the current board will stay in place, as will manager Liam Daish, although his title will change to head coach.

Daish insisted that he was happy for fans to have an input on team matters.

"Picking 11 players and formations isn't a precise science and luck often plays its part," stated the Ebbsfleet boss.

"During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn't start games. Now they can have their say.

"My job won't change that much. As a club, we'll select the starting 11 players and formation together.

"But just as before, what goes on at the training ground and in the dressing room on the day of the match is down to me.

"It's the supporters' money that finances this club and pays my wages and those of the players.

"So there's a good argument for them having a say in what players they want to see."

Ebbsfleet were formerly Gravesend and Northfleet but the club's name was changed in May in a bid to tap into the regeneration of the area.

They are currently ninth in the Blue Square Premier, six points off a play-off place for entry to the Football League.

And Ebbsfleet's push for a spot in League Two will receive a boost as some of the funds raised by MyFootballClub members will be available in the January transfer window.

MyFootballClub members will be given the option to vote on who the club should buy.

Daish added that he was fully behind the radical model for the club.

"We all agree we need something extra to take us to the next step," he said.

"As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic.

"As the coach, I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team.

"My assistant Alan Kimble and myself are 100% committed to making this work."

Since the website's launch in April, 50,000 members have signed up, with 20,000 of those paying the registration fee.

The membership subscription is paid annually so new members can join and become owners at any time, adding to the club's finances.

MyFootballClub was approached by nine clubs and looked into seven of those before opting to take over Ebbsfleet.

The Financial Services Authority has approved the setting up of the MyFootballClub Trust to safeguard members' interests in the eventuality of the club running into financial difficulties.

"The MyFootballClub ownership model is an innovative way of funding a lower league club," said Dan Jones, partner at Deloitte and editor of the Annual Review of Football Finance.

"Reports of having raised over £700,000 in 11 weeks suggests it is viable too.

"Deloitte has been following its progress with interest and we're now looking forward to offering our experience in football finance to assist with advice and guidance during the due diligence process."

MyFootballClub creator Will Brooks added: "We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful."

Jessica McQueen, Ebbsfleet United Supporters' Trust chair commented: "Being a Trust, our members understand the MyFootballClub concept immediately.

"We very much look forward to working with the MyFootballClub members for the benefit of Ebbsfleet United."

So DM Osbon,

Will we see you taking over from Rafa one day

Just remember who your friends are eh!!

So DM Osbon,

Will we see you taking over from Rafa one day

Just remember who your friends are eh!!

Would you like that?

I was interested in this when it first started out in April but as the club we(hehe sounds funny) have bought is the team that use to be Gravesend, I was definitely in!

My mum's family come originally from Gravesend, Kent so it's a nice way to put something back into the area. The team as it is now, Ebbsfleet Utd are 6 points from a playoff place into top flight football.

I plan to go to a few games this season now as it's only a short journey done the M25 for me.

Well that depends on how well you do at Ebbsfleet United 

Promotion would be nice this season but I feel Rafa will be in his job for sometime to come

Promotion would be nice this season but I feel Rafa will be in his job for sometime to come

I hope he will.

In Rafa we trust.........For Sure

In Rafa we trust.........For Sure

Or should that be "In DM we Trust"

Sky Sports news are covering the story if anyone is interested more...just interviewed the chairman of Ebbsfleet Utd

Cool idea I may even be tempted to invest in football myself, if we all chipped in £35 it would take 12,857,143 of us to buy Liverpool (based on the figure that Hicks and Gillet have paid inc the new stadium fund)

Who's in?

Hi AJ, how are you today?

Count me in for LFC, imagine how good that would be, to say you owned a tiny bit of Liverpool, it would only be a tiny bit too wouldn't it?

Hi AJ, how are you today?

Count me in for LFC, imagine how good that would be, to say you owned a tiny bit of Liverpool, it would only be a tiny bit too wouldn't it?

Yeah that would be a nice feeling no matter how small...members of MyFootballClub are only allowed 1 share each of Ebbsfleet Utd...

Hi AJ, how are you today?

Count me in for LFC, imagine how good that would be, to say you owned a tiny bit of Liverpool, it would only be a tiny bit too wouldn't it?

Hey MsG I'm good thanks hows u?

It would be great to own a lil bit of the best club in the world, we could get JD to administer...... the website! how cool would that be?

Ahh well done DM Obson! I hope it works out!!

Cardiff City are setting up some sort of trust, it's quite complicated, but basically you can pay minimum of £12 a year for membership, Supporters Trust I think it's called, and I think the Trust as a whole owns some shares, although I'm not sure, and you can get your feelings across to the board and stuff. Also it helps out the club.

So erm DM.  You're 'sort of' a shareholder in Ebbsfleet.  Best get on to Rafa to arrange a friendly.

So erm DM.  You're 'sort of' a shareholder in Ebbsfleet.  Best get on to Rafa to arrange a friendly.

Now that's a great idea...ah...your being sarcastic

Ahh well done DM Obson! I hope it works out!!

Cardiff City are setting up some sort of trust, it's quite complicated, but basically you can pay minimum of £12 a year for membership, Supporters Trust I think it's called, and I think the Trust as a whole owns some shares, although I'm not sure, and you can get your feelings across to the board and stuff. Also it helps out the club.

I think anything that allows the supporter to be closer to the club is a good thing. It may not work out but then again it may be the best thing that has happened to Ebbsfleet Utd...we shall see.

Are you going to buy into Cardiff then Nicola?

DM - There was a full page about Ebbsfleet in today's Daily Mail, did you see it?

I think I may do, even if it's just £12 for the year for now

DM - There was a full page about Ebbsfleet in today's Daily Mail, did you see it?

No I didn't but I understand there were articles in most newspapers about the club. The ones I know of are in the Daily Star & The Times.

Am sure this will be in the news more when the January transfer window opens.

Oxford will mash Ebbsfleet at the weekend

Oxford will mash Ebbsfleet at the weekend

Ah I hope this hasn't stepped on your toes drawde too much. What do you make of all this? Am keen to know what a rival team support feels...

SACK THE BOARD!

So, any plans for a change in the manager if you lose at Oxford?

Or even give him a vote of confidence?

As we will be 51% of the club certain decisions will be effected by the MFG.com but that is a few months away hopefully around the time of the January transfers. The legal paperwork has still to be completed.

I believe MFG.com will have a representative on the board at Ebbsfleet Utd

Ah I hope this hasn't stepped on your toes drawde too much. What do you make of all this? Am keen to know what a rival team support feels...

I feel It's a great idea, fans taking the club from the corporations. It's a really good idea, and I have bags of respect for the people that take part. A bit more spotlight on the clubs in the Conference is always nice. Good luck to Ebbsfleet.

As long as it's not at our expense.

We'll beat you

First game since announcement turns out to be a 0-0 draw...looks like EU had the better of the game :

First game since announcement turns out to be a 0-0 draw...looks like EU had the better of the game :

Well at least they didn't get beat DM

Aww, we really need to get winning.

I intend to go to the home games that I can as it's a short journey on the M25 for me but this weekends game I can't make as I'm off to Somerset to visit family.

It does seem to be grabbing peoples imagination which I think football should be all about...getting fans of football involved

MyFootballClub big day out

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7100608.stm

MyFootballClub creator Will Brooks

It was like a blind date.

TheFerret, Loosegooner, England1966 and around 75 others, each exchanging awkward but knowing glances, in a pub close to Oxford United's Kassam Stadium ground.

From Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and Cirencester they had come, eager to get a glimpse of Ebbsfleet United, the team they had invested their £35 in, in action against Blue Square Premier league rivals Oxford.

After a little Dutch courage, this fraction of a community of more than 23,000 football fans worldwide began to mingle.

For several months, these MyFootballClub members had spent hours each day pondering whether a club owned and managed by thousands could really prosper.

The same conversation was repeated across the pub, that of re-kindling love for the game and a unique opportunity to get close and personal with a football club.

During this week after the website's proposed takeover of Ebbsfleet was announced, the world's media have also had their say.

In the main it has been positive, hopeful that it could work.

Even Ian Holloway, in his column on these pages, calling it an "absolute load of old poppycock" somehow felt like an endorsement.

At the ground, we sat with the Ebbsfleet supporters, with the club's directors dotted around.

Four long-lens cameras were trained, not on the action on the pitch, but at this unlikely rendezvous in the stand.

Reporters from all the major national newspapers were out in force as well.

Voyeurs perhaps, but they were not alone as a crowd of 4,655 people had turned up.

Presumably some MyFootballClub members felt it a bit too forward at this stage to sit with the Ebbsfleet fans.

It was quite a relief when the football started.

Reports from the club's training ground and treatment room during the week was of Ebbsfleet's players with a spring in their step.

It showed during the game, though the 0-0 scoreline betrayed what was an entertaining match and one which most agreed Ebbsfleet deserved to win.

By all accounts, Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish was in jovial form during the post-match media conference.

He told the assembled hacks his wife has become a MyFootballClub member, and that she's looking forward to giving him advice online.

If anyone can make this planned union between fans, players and coaching staff work, it is Liam Daish. He is both bright and brave.

The feeling of goodwill appears to be spreading. A Texan has phoned up and sponsored a player for £500.

This week, film crews from Russia, China, Sweden, Holland and the United States plan to visit the training ground.

At this stage, everyone must remember it is a deal in principle.

But should everything go to plan, myself, 23,000 new owners and the club's staff will be doing our utmost to ensure there are no broken hearts.

For our second date, we are invited back next Saturday to Ebbsfleet's place at Stonebridge Road.

First home win in a few weeks...

Ebbsfleet 2-1 Stafford

Ebbsfleet survived the first-half dismissal of Chukki Eribenne to record an impressive win over Stafford.

United looked in real trouble when Eribenne was shown the red card for violent conduct in the 37th minute.

And then Neil Grayson put Stafford ahead five minutes after the restart with a low right-footed strike.

But 10-man Ebbsfleet equalised in the 58th minute through a superb George Purcell shot and on 86 minutes Stacy Long's smart finish proved the winner.

Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Hawkins, Smith, McCarthy, Opinel, McPhee, Bostwick, Long, Purcell (Barrett 84), Eribenne, Moore.
Subs Not Used: French, Liam Coleman, Akinde, Starkey.

Sent Off: Eribenne (37).

Booked: McCarthy.

Goals: Purcell 58, Long 76.

Stafford Rangers: Loach, Sutton, Daniel, Sangare, Murray (Grayson 45), Potter, Humphrey, Flynn, Street (Draper 80), McNiven, Smith (Phil Robinson 79).
Subs Not Used: Alcock, Ingram.

Booked: Sutton.

Goals: Grayson 50.

Att: 1,055.

Ref: S Beck (Essex).
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7099660.stm

Sugar I thought Stafford had a point then as well, I see Robinson is still player/manager there then no wonder we are in a relegation position.  :'( 

Any updates DM?  I hear that the fans no longer 'pick the team' is that correct?

Apparently there were 25,000 of these members at Wembley for the FA Trophy win. Superb.

It was an excellent game as well 

hey, nice to find another MyFC member here! i paid the 35 pounds and became a member on march 2008

FA Trophy Final was nice, i was really pleased to see the Fleet winning it!

I just discovered there's a Brazilian project with the same idea of (and inspired by) My Football Club. they are still in process of getting members for the idea and will then try to buy a club. I hope it works! Would be amazing to own 2 clubs one in England, one in Brazil! And I would be able to travel and watch my own club here, which would be nice. Watching Ebbsfleet is far more difficult, for obvious reasons

What's happening with this DM?