Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Time to go]

We are pleased that Saturday’s successful supporter’s action is being recognised publicly by the Chairman. We again want to place on record our thanks to the protesting supporters on the day for their exemplary behaviour which was a credit to the Club, and we also wish to acknowledge the overwhelmingly positive reaction of our fellow supporters as we left the ground. This was a huge source of encouragement as we took such drastic action, as were the countless messages of support we have received since Saturday.
 
It is now time for the Chairman to stop hiding behind the pretence that the supporters who left the ground do not represent the wider view. And if he does genuinely believe what he is saying then he should get out and speak to people – people who do not have their own, and his interests to protect. The football club we all support is falling apart, on his watch.
 
As for the offer made by the Chairman, we would question why Grahame Rowley only wants to get ‘around the table’ with supporters who left the ground? Why would he not also meet the supporters who walked to the exit in solidarity, but stayed to watch the game? Why not the many supporters who held up Rowley Out cards as we left? Why not the numerous supporters who applauded the fans as they left the ground? Why not the hundreds of supporters already staying away while he remains in his current position?
 
29? We are sorry Grahame, you are going to need a much bigger table.
 
Within the club statement that appeared in the match day programme this past Tuesday (for the 3-1 defeat by Nuneaton Town), the Chairman appears to be suggesting that we sit together to discuss how we can keep him in his current position. There is a clear refusal to accept reality. All of these “grievances” have been raised before at various meetings and summarily dismissed, or in some cases made worse.
 
Nothing has changed.
 
Let’s be clear, if Grahame wants a meeting but none the less fully intends to stay on then there is no point in a meeting.
However, while we accept we have no right to speak for the majority of the fans who are pushing for change, as a group we would welcome the opportunity for a meeting with the Chairman to discuss the following agenda points:
 
i ) Building bridges with supporters
 
We discuss a public apology, from Grahame Rowley, for his comments about supporters (in both the Non-League Paper and the official match day programme) after the departure of Neil Young. This should include an explanation regarding his lack of communication in the weeks that followed, as well as an apology for the way the clubs social media volunteers were treated during this past Saturday's home game against Stalybridge Celtic. We will of course draft this, to be signed by the Chairman and then published on the official website, and as the lead article in the match day programme. This to be available for release to the press at our discretion.
 
ii ) Future of the Chairman
 
We work on a joint public appeal for a new chairman to come forward, one who has the required skills necessary to lead a football club. And, if required, we would be available to play our part to ensure a smooth handover. The current Chairman has long tried to play up a sense of reluctance,   and has previously indicated he would stand aside if someone else would come forward. Now is the time for action. Common ground can be found here.
 
iii ) Shareholding
 
A share issue equivalent to 51% of current ordinary voting shares, to be approved at next Board meeting. If not, then Grahame Rowley is to agree to an EGM for this to be put forward to a vote of current shareholders. The club is strangled and held back by the fragmented nature of the shareholding. It is widely acknowledged that there are a number of significant shareholders with little active interest in the well-being of Altrincham Football Club. There is no way we can properly move forward without this being addressed.
 
iv ) Accountability
An immediate end to the constant attempts to spread the blame for poor managerial appointments onto the fans. Supporters should be able to get behind Neil Young, and welcome Jim Harvey to the Club, without the risk of being held culpable in the decision if it does not work out. The Chairman has ultimate responsibility for ensuring the role is advertised correctly, the Chairman has responsibility for reviewing the candidates, the Chairman has responsibility for interviewing the candidates, and the Chairman has responsibility for the appointment. The continual denial of this highlights the complete lack of accountability that exists at Altrincham FC, as it sinks to the lowest level in it's history.
 
Finally, we would like to note on record that there is little doubt that the infrastructure of the Football Club has been improved by the current Chairman. But unfortunately, it is also abundantly clear that he is not the best person to get the most benefit out of the facilities and resources available. The selling of a player to a Premier League club, increased match day bar revenue, and the financial benefits of various cup runs over the past few seasons, should not lead to the lowest point in 114 years for Altrincham FC. The greatest gift we can give to the community is a successful football club, and the current imbalance between the relative performances of both aspects of Altrincham FC needs to be addressed. Grahame Rowley has taken us as far as he can. A Chairman should be decided by a person’s suitability to the role, not based on time given to the club on a voluntary basis. That said, we of course appreciate every single hour given by every single volunteer for Altrincham FC.
 
For the current time, the match-day action from supporters will continue, for this season and beyond. Regardless of the upturn in fortunes on the pitch that one would expect to accompany the drop to the lowest ever level that the club has played at. In spite of the thinking within the boardroom, the unpopularity of the current Chairman is not intrinsically linked to the current league position. It would appear to run far deeper than that within the fan base.
 
A further concern we have with the continued chairmanship of Grahame Rowley is the effect on season ticket sales, and therefore commercial activity, for next season. A number of supporters have already indicated that they will not be renewing their
season tickets under the current leadership, not re-joining vital fundraisers such as the patrons scheme, or will not be attending home games altogether. This issue needs addressing now to give us the strongest possible budget for next season as we begin the process of rebuilding Altrincham FC.
Next season is going to be one of the most important in the clubs history. It is essential that we don’t start it in the same position as we are now, where such a divide exists between the Chairman and the clubs hard core support.
For the good of the Football Club, and as a fellow Altrincham fan, we again call on the Chairman to announce his intention to stand aside and allow us to move forward united.
We await a positive response.

[dingo]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

[JMF]

why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

Dialogue is ongoing.

[Mausoleum Alty]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

Mr Rude strikes again

[jiminlondon]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

You do realise that criticising a persons written language is the last refuge of someone who has lost the argument

[Ballers]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

Well, no one paid a penny for most of the shares so it wouldn't take too long I guess.

[dingo]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

You do realise that criticising a persons written language is the last refuge of someone who has lost the argument

Some would say the argument was lost when twenty odd people left the ground early last Saturday!!

[taxi Phil]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

You do realise that criticising a persons written language is the last refuge of someone who has lost the argument

Some would say the argument was lost when twenty odd people left the ground early last Saturday!!

You lost YOUR argument earlier this week. I'm amazed you've had the courage/stupidity to reopen your wounds when they'd almost healed.

[jiminlondon]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

You do realise that criticising a persons written language is the last refuge of someone who has lost the argument

Some would say the argument was lost when twenty odd people left the ground early last Saturd

In a nutshell
Do you not realise yet that this is half the long term support?

[Spring]

Probably pure coincidence:

DINGO

1. a wild or half-domesticated dog with a sandy-coloured coat, found in Australia.


2. Australian informal   .. a cowardly or treacherous person.

Origin : from Dharuk din-gu ‘domesticated dingo’; the noun dates from the mid 19th century and alludes to the treachery popularly associated with the dingo.

[andrewflynn]

It's not about Dingo.

I hope the carefully compiled statement reflects the wider view that the group are trying to represent.

[Bob]

Good point about a share issue. I've no idea who else suggested one in the questionnaire but I felt it would encourage new people to put some decent money in, and it would force the hand of the existing shareholders. 

[dingo]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

You do realise that criticising a persons written language is the last refuge of someone who has lost the argument

Some would say the argument was lost when twenty odd people left the ground early last Saturday!!

You lost YOUR argument earlier this week. I'm amazed you've had the courage/stupidity to reopen your wounds when they'd almost healed.

Didnt realise I lost the argument, funny thing about the vocal minority when it matters I.e the strategic review / last Saturday you don't really turn up, yet from behind the baracades you are all bravado and big statements Respect to those who had the courage to walk out even though I don't agree with them.

[Spring]

Apologies Fabio U was wrongly trying to bring some levity into what is a very serious issue.

I suppose I was so stunned by the strength of feeling in the response that I have not yet fully taken it in. It needs a lot of reflection and one hope it will evince a response from the Chairman and not result in further non-communication like Twittergate.

[dingo]

What a load of rubbish, its like child wrote it. why don't you save some money and offer to buy the other shareholders out etc, do it properly if it is to be done.

You do realise that criticising a persons written language is the last refuge of someone who has lost the argument

Some would say the argument was lost when twenty odd people left the ground early last Saturd

In a nutshell
Do you not realise yet that this is half the long term support?

Show me some evidence to back up this statement. No didn't think you could....