The Trust seems to have made a big impression

[avvenalaf]

From Weekender.........

The chairman thanked the club’s fans for their loyalty throughout the season. He acknowledged the three Sligo Rovers supporters’ clubs based in north Sligo, south Sligo and Dublin.
He highlighted their valued presence at home and away games plus their fund-raising efforts.
Toolan encouraged Sligo Rovers fans in Sligo town to mobilise themselves into a tangible group.
“I would like the people in Sligo town to set up a supporters’ club. As chairman [of Sligo Rovers FC] I am a bit envious of the supporters’ clubs that are already there in Sligo town for the English Premiership clubs and for [Glasgow] Celtic. We have actually no supporters club within Sligo town and I feel that there could be one or two set up.”

[1 9 2 8]

No offence to them but they have done fúck all this season in raising funds for the club considering that they are based in the biggest urban area where Sligo Rovers gets its support from. I haven't heard much from them since the fanzine which was meant to be monthly or bimonthly AFAIK

[Redzer]

Toolan is right. The Trust has no affiliation to Rovers. It's time at least one supporters club was formed. Only problem is it could cause tension between the two groups. Is the Trust still active? Like 1928, I havn't heard much from them.

[sligo1]

Redzer,
Where exactly does Michael Toolin say that "the Trust has no affiliation to Sligo Rovers"?
Redzer,Rogue Trader and 1928-if you feel that strongly about setting up a Supportors Club in Sligo, why dont the 3 of ye get together and set one up?Better still,are the 3 of you members of the Trust and if you are,then you should be able to let us know what they are at.
If you are not,why not?
Maybe the public of Sligo town dont want a Supportors Club/Trust and just dont have any interest?
Out of curiousity,what exactly have the other clubs done that the Trust haven't done?
As far as I can see,the management committee dont want anybody associated with Sligo Rovers that tend to ask too many awkward questions.
Hopefully somebody from the Trust can let us know what they are up to.

[sligo1]

That's not an excuse Rogue Trader-if you really wanted to join the Trust,what was stopping you going to one of their meetings and join up there and then?They have stated a few times on the site that anybody can join on the night and they even had an open night and a few presentation nights where forms were readily available.Carrying on from my point earlier,if you were really interested in joining the Trust,you would have done so.The 2 people from the Trust on the site are Gary and Alan kearins-did you ever let them know that you got no form or was it one of them that didnt send out the form?
As far as the club being run professionally,far from it.
How much do you think you would raise on a table quiz by the way?

[Redzer]

Redzer,
Where exactly does Michael Toolin say that "the Trust has no affiliation to Sligo Rovers"?

The trust has been saying they have no affiliation, not michael toolan. The trust have been pushing it's total independance from Sligo Rovers since its foudation. It is not answerable to Sligo Rovers, and the money collected by the trust does not necessary end up with Rovers, unlike the supporters clubs.
Is the trust still alive or dead, thats all I want to know?
If its dead then we should set up a supporters club.

[Rory H]

If its dead then we should set up a supporters club.


its something that would be great to be involved in..we have a regular group who travel on buses so to make it offical would be good...

[DonalE]

its something that would be great to be involved in..we have a regular group who travel on buses so to make it offical would be good...

As always Wildrover, i'm with ya on this one.

[feo123]

the bit o'red foot.ie supporters club

[Rory H]

i dont know why the trust never took off because they had some great ideas....id like to hear what there future plans are...

[gustavo]

Not sure really why they havent been as vocal of late but i know one of the main members is based in Dublin now so that probably affected things

[SligoBrewer]

im in with wildrover as well..that group would definetly get things going...

[sligo1]

Redzer:

In my opinion you are wrong to say the Trust is not affiliated with Sligo Rovers, you say they are independent of Sligo Rovers but what is wrong with that? In what way are the other 3 supporters clubs affiliated with Sligo Rovers that the Trust isn’t?

In relation to money collected by the Trust, you say that it doesn’t necessarily end up with Rovers unlike the Supporters Clubs-if it doesn’t go to Rovers where does it go and what proof have you got of same?

Is the Trust still dead or alive-well seeing as nobody from the Trust has replied yet,it doesn’t look too promising.

You said that if the Trust is dead ,that you would get involved in setting up a Supporters Club in the town-why are you not a member of the Trust?If the Trust is finished for whatever reason,will you organise a meeting to set up a Sligo town branch and if so when will it be?
Maybe somebody can answer this one for me-there used to be a Supporters Club in town-did the Trust form from this?If they didn’t, what happened that club?

Rogue Trader:

If you are living in Dublin, then the obvious choice of supporters club to join is the Dublin branch.

Are you saying that there were no forms available the night your friends went to the Trust meeting?I think the Trust has being going for over 2 years now so was it a case that they went to one meeting or there was no forms available at any meeting they went to?If that’s the case,I cant understand why as the Trust have being saying that you could join up at any of their weekly meetings.

You said that supporters clubs should be raising money through table quizes etc to help fund the Rovers.In your next post,you said that the main aim of a supporters club should be social and then after that to raise money.

How much did the table quiz you were involved in raise for Sligo Rovers?

In relation to buses, they did organise buses but if interest isn’t there, what do you expect them to do?

As far as the club been run professionally,far from it-another statement without foundation
Rogue Trader, I’m hardly going to make a statement I cant back up but if you think Sligo Rovers is run professionally,then I’m afraid your idea and my idea of “run professionally” is obviously a lot different.
A couple of quick examples:
1. The extension of Don O’Riordan’s contract.
2. The appointment of a Commercial Manager without advertising the post.
3. A friend of our manager (that everybody loved and could do no wrong) was appointed.At the time,the main thing I remember was that the Committee/Connor saying that he could help out with the coaching-should be nothing to do with the role of a commercial manager.
4. What exactly has he done?One of our main sources of income is our Lotto-he comes along and offers a % to anybody who will come and sell the lotto for the club.So if you are already selling the Lotto for the Club for free ie the good of the club, then why should you keep selling it if other people are now getting paid to sell it? As the Lotto is the main source of fundraising for the South and North Sligo branches of the supporters clubs,then this major incentive will eventually affect the fundraising of these branches and in turn the clubs main source of income.
Hopefully the committee will put a stop to this if they haven’t already.
5.The general lack of advertising and promotion of the club.
6.We have a PRO ( a nice man ) but what actually does he do?

You say there are a lot of good lads in the Trust,so who are they and lets see can they continue with the Trust or start up a supporters club in town.

Wild Rover;
Why are you not a member of the Trust?

I don’t think there is any real interest in Sligo Rovers in the town.If the Trust is gone, I don’t think a supporters club will make any difference.
Maybe it is down to the people in the Trust-if different people were involved then maybe it might work but I doubt it.

It’s over to you now Redzer to set it up.

[Red&White Rover]

6.We have a PRO ( a nice man ) but what actually does he do?


set up the Junior Reds program for kids this season to great success, and as well as Benny the Bull...

[1 9 2 8]

then why should you keep selling it if other people are now getting paid to sell it? As the Lotto is the main source of fundraising for the South and North Sligo branches of the supporters clubs,then this major incentive will eventually affect the fundraising of these branches and in turn the clubs main source of income.
Hopefully the committee will put a stop to this if they haven’t already.
AFAIK the supporters clubs that sell lotto tickets hand the commission for selling tickets back to the club.

[1 9 2 8]

Second of all your missing the point the we were told the the applications were being sent out via the post. As well as that my friends have attended a number of these meetings and still we wait. I mean if you can get lads the forms to join will then no wonder the trust seems to have fallen by the way side. If i am told something i for one usually tend to believe what i am being told, i have no times for games.

..and these are the guys who wanted to run our club:rolleyes:

[akearins]

Just after reading the thread on the Trust (was actually an Athlone fan I know who told me about it) and hopefully I can answer some questions posed.

First off the TRUST is still alive, and we accept fully that things have gone quiet but that is largely due to lads who have been involved from the start moving or changing jobs etc..and other commitments they had to tend to and we are down to the bare bones. In fact we have only 3 working members at present.

As for a supporters club in town well many have come and gone in the past and it was to stop this trend that the trust was established to try and maintain a body of support for the club that could be maintained. This is one of the major reasons we set up the trust as a co-op.

Also remember one of the first steps that the trust took was to seek a mandate from supporters and Sligo Rovers management to go ahead and set up the trust. At that meeting we set out our stall for all and members of management including the chairman were present and gave us their full backing (not one person voted against the trust that night)

I read where supporters are looking for trust application forms to be posted out to them. There is an application that can be downloaded on the website if supporters are really interested. Only last week we had out first life time membership subscribed too by a supporter in London.

Also opinions of others on the forum are not the views of the TRUST but individuals. I think great credit should be given to any body that raises funds for the club through whatever means. Those selling of lotto tickets on the town especially deserve great credit for giving up their free time to do so.Only when you try and raise funds will you really know the effort it takes and a lot of the time its a thankless job.But we are not in it for that.

Also someone mentioned that the trust raise money and do not hand it over to the club. Absolute rubbish. Remember the trust is the only one of the supporters bodies legally obliged to produce accounts.We have a bank account and if anyoen wants a copy of the stament just PM me.

As for the affiliation issue. The trust is an independent body. I cannot see the problem with this especially from the club .As mentioned earlier when we sought a mandate it was strongly emphasised that the trust would be independent form the club and again club members were in attendance and voted in favour of this.
Also why should the club have an issue with any body of supporetrs affiliated or indedendent if they are attempting to help the club in any way.
The club did not bring up any affiliation issues when the trust handed over over €3000 to them.
And at one managemt committee meeting one member rightly stated why should they have a problem with any supporetrs body if they "raised €10, sure isnt it €10 more than if they never existed"

In the beginning we met quite regularly with club officials, we outlined our plans and they expressed what they expected from us. One point we kept emphasising was that being independent we could maybe tap into revenue which for one reason or another club had overlooked or maybe some previous sponsors who had fallen out with the club may feel more comfortable donating indirectly through the club via the trust. Bottom line was that all money only raised would return to the club. But what we wanted was to take annual bills and pay them directly e.g previously the town supporters club paid the bus for half a season. This is the sort of thing the trust wanted to do so when we returned to sponsors we could tell them hand on heart that’s where your money went to.
Sad but true, sponsors sometimes want to know where their donations went too.

Finally. The trust will be meeting tomorrow evening in the City Hotel at 6.30pm (we can wait until 7pm if too early) and I would invite anyone interested to come along. The trust is not a dictatorship and anyone who wants to join and may have ideas of what they want to do with the trust are free to express their views at the meeting.
The trust can be the body that the club needs in town, but cannot operate without supporters being involved.
So please come along.
Rememebr the trust belongs to Sligo Rovers supporters.

P.s.At present there are 5 of the present management committee members who are members of the trust.Anyone who wants applications forms then pm me and I will psot them no worries.

[Guts&Glory]

Just after reading the thread on the Trust (was actually an Athlone fan I know who told me about it) and hopefully I can answer some questions posed........

Fair Play Alan, dont think anyone can dispute the above.

Having being involved in supporters clubs and raising funds for SRFC as well as Junior clubs for 20 years I know how tough it is trying to get money raised and keep peoples interests in supporters clubs.

In my time I have been involved/member of in 5 seperate ones alone in town all of which dissolved due to lack of interest by Sligo people.

I think a few lads need to get their facts in line before they comment which you have done in your reply.

Keep up the good work.

[akearins]

Trust meeting will now be at 7pm(not 6.30 as previois;y stated) in the city hotel Quay street this evening..

Look forward to seeing some new faces maybe...

[akearins]

Trust meeting held last night and only one new face turned up...

Talk is cheap

[Rory H]

i couldnt make it...was too short notice..ill be there next week

[akearins]

Good stuff wild rover, try and drag along some more supporters.Meetings tend to be only 45-60 mins.

[Rory H]

i will..is it thursday?

[akearins]

Will be Tuesday 7pm in City Hotel

[sligo1]

Rogue Trader:

Trust Membership
I’m sorry that I have missed the point that “you didn’t receive an application form when you asked for one twice”
Alan from the Trust has come on and said that he will send you out an application form if you send him your details.He has also said that you can download a form from their site as well.So now Rogue Trader,you have 2 ways of getting an application form and should have no real excuse of not joining the Trust now,so out of curiousity have you sent on your details or downloaded the form?
In February of this year,you enquired about the Dublin Supporters Club.Alan replied to you that the Trust were contacted in assistinhg the set up of the club.
In July of this year,you started a tread titled “Supporters Trust Still Going?”Alan Kearins and Gary replied to you.Your reply to Gary was “Thanks Gary for the reply-just wondering as I am not living in Sligo”
At no time did you mention application forms,not getting them etc
To sum this up,you didn’t get an application form but now have 2 ways of getting one.
So hopefully you will join the Trust and help them support and raise funds for Sligo Rovers which really at the end of the day is what it should be all about.

Dublin Supporters Club
“How do you know I’m not a member of the Dublin Supporters Club already?”
Let’s assume you are a member of the Dublin Supporters Club-so as a member can you tell us how much money was raised for Sligo Rovers from the Table Quiz you were involved with?

Commercial Manager
“In regards to the commercial manager how do you know that is has not been advertised ? You would want to be careful coming out with a statement like that.”
Can you tell me where it actually was advertised?It wasn’t in both local papers,or in any other regional paper to the best of my knowledge.

It will be interesting to see how much the Commercial manager actually raised after you take into account the costs associated with the camps plus his wages and expenses.Hopefully these camps are a good source of revenue and can be built on in years to come.

Lotto
“Just read the whole thing and i have to say what complete nonsense my god your saying that supporters club members who sell Lotto tickets in their area should not get any credit are you for real”
I never said their shouldn’t get credit for selling lotto tickets-anybody who raises money for Sligo Rovers whether it is 1 euro or 1,000 euro should be praised and encouraged.
The point I was making was as the Lotto is the main source of income for the Club and is the main source of fundraising for the North and South Sligo Supporters Club,I didn’t think it was appropriate to come out and offer commission to people to sell it.This is my opinion only.
Are people getting paid to sell the Lotto?

So that’s it Rogue Trader,let’s get behind the Trust and in turn Sligo Rovers and encourage these lads and not always be putting them down or criticising them.
At the end of the day,the more money we can raise for Sligo Rovers by whatever means will help ensure that we stay in the top division and entice better players.

Redzer

Trust
It looks like the Trust is still there and seeing as there is 5 of the Management Committee of Sligo Rovers members of the Trust(which I didn’t know), is it now not time to join the Trust and get things rolling in Sligo Town as you are willing to do with a Supporters club?

Money Raised
In relation to money collected by the Trust, you say that it doesn’t necessarily end up with Rovers unlike the Supporters Clubs-if it doesn’t go to Rovers where does it go and what proof have you got of same?


So Rogue Trader,Redzer,1928,Wild Rover and everybody else who has the interests of Sligo Rovers at heart,why don’t we put all our differences aside and channel all our energies into Sligo Rovers and not into each other.

[Guts&Glory]

Here, Here Sligo1

Too much attacking of people who are actually raising funds for the club and doing it off their own back without looking for PR or praise for thier efforts.

As for the Lotto and commission % from sales issue - from day one that the Lotto was set up in the early 90's, during McStays reign, the ticket sellers have always been allowed to keep value of 2 tickets for themselves as commission for selling them.

However no one I know actually ever kept the money as they wanted it to go to the club.

Again the sale of the Lotto tickets were done by people giving up their free time over the last 12 years of the club lotto - people doing something for their club behind the scenes.

[Redzer]

Originally Posted by sligo1

In my opinion you are wrong to say the Trust is not affiliated with Sligo Rovers, you say they are independent of Sligo Rovers but what is wrong with that? In what way are the other 3 supporters clubs affiliated with Sligo Rovers that the Trust isn’t?

"I am not wrong, the trust is not affiliated.
Nothing wrong at all with been independent, and I never said there was anything wrong with them been independent. That is the decision they made at the beginning.
The difference is the supporters clubs are registered official supporters clubs to Sligo Rovers, whose accounts are audited annually by the clubs accountants. 100% of money raised goes to the club. There contribution is generally acknowledged at the clubs AGM."

In relation to money collected by the Trust, you say that it doesn’t necessarily end up with Rovers unlike the Supporters Clubs-if it doesn’t go to Rovers where does it go and what proof have you got of same?

"I cannot answer that question. They have said on a number of occasions that they have running and other charges, because it is some sort of company. But out of curiosity I rang a member of the South Sligo to find out how much they have raised in 2006.
He told me he hasn’t got an accurate figure yet, but in lotto sales alone they have collected in the region of €25-30.000. That money has gone to the club. They have other fundraisers which is paying of a loan of €10.000 which they borrowed to buy a tractor and equipment for the all-weather pitch. They are presently working on their annual calender. He told me this money is expected to be able to be offered to the new manager for new players in the new year.
How much has the trust raised, perhaps you can find that out?"


You said that if the Trust is dead ,that you would get involved in setting up a Supporters Club in the town-why are you not a member of the Trust?

"Because it is a company, I am not satisfied 100%, that the money I give will go to the club .It was stated at the last AGM, and I don’t want to keep bringing this up, but you ask the question. Rovers were told when they asked the trust for money, that they had a cheek in asking the trust for money. So when people give money to the trust they should be aware where the money goes. If a country supporters club, and I don’t want them to feel I have anything against them, but if they can rise €30K plus a year, where or what are the trust doing with the money? All I can see is a figure of €3.000 been given to Rovers from the trust. Please correct me if I am wrong, and I will apologise."

If the Trust is finished for whatever reason,will you organise a meeting to set up a Sligo town branch and if so when will it be?

"No. I would no good organising that, but an invitation to the supporters clubs for advice might not be a bad idea."

Maybe somebody can answer this one for me-there used to be a Supporters Club in town-did the Trust form from this?If they didn’t, what happened that club?

"Yes, more or less the same people are involved with the trust."

[Guts&Glory]

As per my earlier post above, there have been 5 different supporters clubs in the town at different stages over the last 15-20 years.

Every time the club was doing well a club was created and it had a bit of impetous however like attendances at the showgies when times were bad interest fell and the clubs disbanded.

Running Supporters clubs (and the lads in the trust) operation is something you have to experience before you can truely comment on how difficult they are to operate and keep going in times adversity and lack of interest.

[Redzer]

Redzer

Trust
It looks like the Trust is still there and seeing as there is 5 of the Management Committee of Sligo Rovers members of the Trust(which I didn’t know), is it now not time to join the Trust and get things rolling in Sligo Town as you are willing to do with a Supporters club?

Money Raised
In relation to money collected by the Trust, you say that it doesn’t necessarily end up with Rovers unlike the Supporters Clubs-if it doesn’t go to Rovers where does it go and what proof have you got of same?


So Rogue Trader,Redzer,1928,Wild Rover and everybody else who has the interests of Sligo Rovers at heart,why don’t we put all our differences aside and channel all our energies into Sligo Rovers and not into each other.

Actually I am surprised that 5 MC are members!!!!:confused: Who are they?
I have answered the money issue in my last post. Like i said they seem to have running costs, legal fees. etc not like supporters clubs. €3K to Rovers is sweet fanny adams, but hopefully that will improve.
Maybe if there is a positive response from the AGM, which should be happening soon, then I will put my energy behind the trust.

[SligoBrewer]

ill be there nxt week! again too short notice...
im tryin to volunteer for the lotto for the club... ny idea how i might go about it? any age limit as well?

[DonalE]

ill be there nxt week! again too short notice...
im tryin to volunteer for the lotto for the club... ny idea how i might go about it? any age limit as well?

I would't trust you with the money :D

[geezer]

anyone that has made an effort to set up a trust, a supporters club, should be commended not fired at by people who talk a lot and dont do. If you really expect these clubs to succeed and in turn your club take your finger out of your behind and do something. It doestnt matter if there is 100 diff support clubs, the more the merrier, but supporters also need to get smart and not be used by the suits in club just to get money when things are tight. if clubs are contributing they should be earning rights as well and have a true say in their clubs. if they only contributed 1000 euro its something more than the moaners ever will

[akearins]

"Because it is a company, I am not satisfied 100%, that the money I give will go to the club .It was stated at the last AGM, and I don’t want to keep bringing this up, but you ask the question. Rovers were told when they asked the trust for money, that they had a cheek in asking the trust for money. So when people give money to the trust they should be aware where the money goes. If a country supporters club, and I don’t want them to feel I have anything against them, but if they can rise €30K plus a year, where or what are the trust doing with the money? All I can see is a figure of €3.000 been given to Rovers from the trust. Please correct me if I am wrong, and I will apologise."

At for last years AGM for anyone who was not there a question was asked "How much money was raised last year from supporters clubs".The treasurer outlined what the 2 supporetrs clubs rasied but then for some unknown reason began to say that the trust gave €3000 but wasnt sure if they ahd donated all money rasied to teh club as he said he was not allowed see the accounts.This was untrue, firts off he never requested to see them if they did the trust would not have a problem allowing them to see them.As one shareholder said "ye were ambushed".

Now waht really needed to be asked was Why the club felt they needed to do this,I mean how could anyone say this was done in the best interest of the club what good came from it.What happens when you go to a potential sponsor who herad what hapened, all it done was sew seeds of doubt in peoples heads and meant raising money for the club was made more difficult.

Also no one said "they had a cheek to ask for money" but unfortunately this is all the club seems to care about, money.What about supporetrs and their concerns on non money issues, wheh do the club ever listen to them.

Why has the club never once come out and try and encourge supporters to get involved in the trust in town which inevitably will help the club in the long run.

[Redzer]

Actually just read over the thread and it does not look too good on us as supporters if we are fighting with ourselves to be honest wiould not mind seeing thisa one locked.
I would look the opposite way RT. I believe it can only benefit supporters to have debates. It's hardly fighting among ourselves. For some reason if you question or say the slightest negative remark about the trust, a few people will go straight for your throat.
They should be able to debate issues without having to personalise things.
Whether it’s a supporters club or the trust, we as contributors should be able to question their organisation. After all they have a responsibility to be forthright if they are raising funds in the name of Sligo Rovers Football Club.
All involved are doing a difficult and at times a thankless job, and without them the club would be a hell of a lot worse off.
Getting back to the beginning of this tread, it is obvious that a second supporters group in the town would only cause bitterness and tensions. That should not be the case. The trust is very different to a supporters club. For various reason the trust is not everybody’s cup of tea. At the moment you don’t have a choice. There should be no reason both groups could not work together for the good of the club. In fact there is no reason you could not be member of both.
A town this size can easily afford to have a few different groups, for example they could be based in areas like the political ward system. E.g.: North Ward Supporters etc.
The trust should change it’s outlook, that if you are not with us then you must be against us. That is not the case.

[akearins]

"They should be able to debate issues without having to personalise things.
Whether it’s a supporters club or the trust, we as contributors should be able to question their organisation"

No problem debating or answering any questions posed by supporetrs towards the Trust, however havibg it on a forum doesny give the opportunity to fully explain or answer supporetrs queries.So in future if supporetrs want to question the Trust simply drop down to our meeting and discuss any issues face to face.
Kinda strange how the deabate about what the Trust does or doesnt is such a hot topic,I mean I havent heard of any recent fund raisers by other supporeters bodies but am not going to qusetion if they are doing anything that theri perogative so why are so many supporters so quick to question the Trust??

Meeting tomorrow evning in the city hotel 7pm.All welcome

[Redzer]

So in future if supporetrs want to question the Trust simply drop down to our meeting and discuss any issues face to face.

Here you are again, dictating what we should and shouldn't discuss on this forum. Sorry mate, but if it's an issue that effects Rovers supporters, there's absolutly no reason why it cant be discussed here.

[geezer]

Real madrid, barcelona, spurs, northampton all great clubs with good supporters trust. The trust concept is frowned upon by people in the fai and at "suit level" at the clubs. The reason for this is that the ethos of trusts is very clear and the constitution of trusts the most democratic process in football. It has a clear mandate and support in the Uk at government level fo very good reason and the reasons are "community and the club" not quick profit for a few fat cats. or in eircom league circles a way to hide cash from the tax man. I would say to the people at the trust keep doin what you do, create links with all the supporters clubs and politicians and integrate into the community. It takes years and dont be discouraged by fall off at meetings etc from time to time, in fact sometimes this can be the most productive time. Begrudgers are always lying in the grass, but if you stick to trust principles it will grow, be real and will sustain over the long term.
Supporters need to understand that a club belongs to the city/county and its not a plaything.

[1 9 2 8]

Ya but Rovers are a co-op so their will never be anyone trying to take over us for a "quick profit". We are a community club at the AGMs it's one man one vote I think their is a limit on the amount of shares you can buy in the club as well (not sure though) SRFC the peoples club:D

[sligo1]

Alan Kearins

Can you name the 5 members of the Management Committee that are members of the Trust?

Can you tell us how much the Trust gave Sligo Rovers in 2005 and 2006?

In relation to queries about the Trust,you or somebody from the Trust should be prepared to answer any questions about the Trust.There could be people reading this that are thinking about joining and need a few points clarified.There are also people on here that aren't living in Sligo and therefore cant get to your meetings to ask any questions they feel they need answered.We all work long hours and I'm sure it's hard sometimes to log on here and try and defend the Trust.So chin up.

Redzer

Are you a member of the South Sligo Supporters Club?
If not,would you be able to find out roughly how many members they have and how many are members of the Management Committee?Also,when were they formed?

By any chance,do you know if any of the lads on here are members of the Dublin Supporters Club?

Rogue Trader

Are you a member of the Dublin Supporters Club?
If possible,could I get a "Yes" or "No" answer please?

[Ash]

From a complete outsiders point of view with little or no interest in SRFC etc,
but with an interest in Trusts and Supporters Clubs in general, I find it amusing
that the people demanding answers on a public forum not associated with the
Trust are the ones hiding behind internet alias!

[Rory H]

From a complete outsiders point of view with little or no interest in SRFC etc,
but with an interest in Trusts and Supporters Clubs in general, I find it amusing
that the people demanding answers on a public forum not associated with the
Trust are the ones hiding behind internet alias!

so do i..hope we can have this debate in the city hotel later today!

[Redzer]

From a complete outsiders point of view with little or no interest in SRFC etc,
but with an interest in Trusts and Supporters Clubs in general, I find it amusing
that the people demanding answers on a public forum not associated with the
Trust are the ones hiding behind internet alias!

Internet names like Ash for example :D
Seriously, all the questions asked by Sligo1 are legitimate and deserves answers, even if it's on a forum. I dont see why they should not be answered.
It's not as if we are disclosing state secrets. All that information should be in the public domain. The more information out there will create less suspicion, and lead to greater trust among supporters.

[Ash]

Internet names like Ash for example :D

No imagination on my behalf so I use my actual name.


All that information should be in the public domain.
The more information out there will create less suspicion, and lead to greater trust among supporters.

True, but from my own experience and involvement with Supporter Clubs its better to
have these questions asked and answered in a more structured and official capacity
and environment to ensure that everyone understands exactly whats going on.

When all the issues are raised and answered then a statement can be released into
the public domain with all the correct information.

Personally I find this approach far more constructive and gets the job done better than
ranting anonymously on a forum.

Its easy to have a hidden agenda when people hide behind the mouse!

[akearins]

No problem Sligo1.If anyone has any questions for the trust send them to info@thebitored.org and we will answer them.

As members of the trust management committee members may or may not want their names or details given out.Also on the application form there is an option that allows members decide if their information can be passed onto third parties.I do not have these forms in front of me so not sure if they checked this option or not.But I do not tell a lie when saying that ther are 5 members of the management committee who are currnet members of the trust.2 actually joined after the clubs last AGM, and we are glad to have them as members.Also 2 are also members of 2 other supporetrs clubs.

p.s"Here you are again, dictating what we should and shouldn't discuss on this forum. Sorry mate, but if it's an issue that effects Rovers supporters, there's absolutly no reason why it cant be discussed here"

And absolutely no reason why if supporters have any issue with the Trust that they be man enough to ask the questions face to face and stop hiding behind aliases....

[DonalE]

Went to The Trust meeting tonight,was impressed with what was being said and the work they are doing. Fair play to them.

[SligoBrewer]

went to the meeting and i must say well done 2 all involved!
i will be back next week wit my application form.
:D

[Rory H]

i went too and really enjoyed it.i think people who debate so strongly like the above posts really should go talk to them as well....its a lot easier to discuss a point in person than on a forum...

a lot of things were discussed last night and a lot of positive things for the future were mentioned.ill be downloading the application form later today,will bring it in at meeting next week

[Mr A]

That's an interesting point from 1928, and one I was wondering about myself. Given that the club has a co-operative structure and is democratic anyway, is there any real need for a supporters trust in Sligo? Surely if people want to influence what happens at SRFC they have the avenue to do it from within?

[Bravo]

Would I be correct in saying that, in some ways the mood of this “discussion” reflects issues relating too and perceptions of the Club from different quarters?
Sligo Rovers Chairman afik is or was a prominent/founder member of the South Sligo supporters Club and the vice-Chairman has or had similar affiliations to the North Sligo Supporters club? And this trend seems to be homogeneous throughout the Clubs hierocracy, Thus the overwhelming propagandist support for these two supports clubs at the expense of some cheep shots at the Trust.
Because of this, the perception of a lot of people is that the club is a closed Shop and they are accountable to nobody. Therefore the Trust was a great Idea, too elevate fears, encourage people to support Rovers through a forum that was, run by supporters, not accountable to the club & an apparently well structured organisation, yet formed to benefit the club. Relative to supporters clubs the fundamentals of the trust are novel in LOI circles & unfortunately this has been used as a Rod to beat them.