FORAS - Supporters Trust

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Posting on behalf of FORAS
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Hello all,

Below are details of the Friends Of the Rebel Army Society. Please take the time to read the disclaimer first, then the proposal and finally the application form if you are interested. All questions should be answered in the three documents below.

If the Expression of Interest Form is sent to forastrust(at)gmail.com [@ for (at)] we'll add you to the EoI mailing list straight away.

We're currently trying to put together a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list that will help people to understand the trust. Please send any questions you have (or have had) to forastrust(at)gmail.com [@ for (at)] and we'll be glad to answer them and also publish them so that the next person who has the same question will have a location to source the answer.

Up The Rebel Army,
FORAS.

FORAS Proposal - PDF
FORAS Disclaimer - PDF
FORAS Expression of Interest Form - PDF
FORAS Expression of Interest Form - Word Doc

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The following is copied for the document circulated to FORAS Supporters

Friday, 08 August 2008

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The partial image of our former crest below and the foundation date it highlights should be familiar to Cork City FC supporters everywhere.

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While 'Established 1984' no longer forms part of our crest it reminds us how young our club is and how much it has achieved in a relatively short space of time, not just in terms of League, Cup and European successes but in the contribution those associated with the club have made to Cork and in the community the club itself has become.

It is with our club’s founding date in mind that FORAS will also be
'Established 1984'.

On 1st of September 2008 at 4pm,
1.9.8.4
www.forastrust.ie
will be launched and FORAS will formally accept members to the trust.

FORAS has been a long time in development and a lot of hard work has gone into making sure that it is the correct vehicle to provide the average cork city supporter with influence upon and we hope in time ownership of (partial or otherwise) the club we support. FORAS is a co-operative movement where the collective influence of Cork City supporters can outweigh our individual knowledge, talents, finances and passion for the club we all support. Since it was first suggested, the focus of FORAS has always been the ‘guardianship’ of Cork City FC. It remains our primary goal.

In the coming weeks further bulletins will deliver more information on our complete set of goals and information on why you should become a member and what you'll need to do to join. The website, we hope, will be an invaluable source of information, on FORAS and also on aspects of off-the-field news from Irish domestic Football.

In the interim submit any questions you have to forastrust@gmail.com and we'll do our best to answer all queries within one working day. We're looking to collect all the queries you might have for a frequently asked questions FAQ section of the website, we have received many already for which we are thankful, but we ask that you keep them coming. If you have a question, the chances are that someone has the same question or will have so in the future.

The media in recent months have highlighted the many financial difficulties that League of Ireland Clubs are facing. Much has been made of Eircom's rumoured intention to withdraw their backing from the League of Ireland. While the timing of these rumours is unfortunate should the FAI source separate League and National Side sponsors it should benefit the league in the future. Eircom have done a huge amount of work with the National side, but it is questionable how much of their time and effort was put into domestic football, a sponsor focused solely on the league might help raise it's profile.

However, there's no denying that Sligo Rovers and Galway United along with our near neighbours Waterford United and Cobh Ramblers are facing struggles off the field greater than any struggles they'll face on it. This morning it is Cork City FC that 'The Star' reports owes revenue payments and overdue bills. In that article, Stephen McGuiness from the PFAI confirms that players and staff have had wages delayed. Hopefully our new CEO Pat Kenny has been quick to talk to local press to clear up the issues and we commend that. We hope Mr.Kenny can help to right the ship and bring some stability to the club in the wake of many organisational changes both at Cork City and Arkaga in recent times. All at FORAS look forward to sitting down with Mr.Kenny, offering our support to the club and discussing with him the benefits of including a supporters' trust in the running and ownership of Cork City FC.

Tonight though, we should all focus on football and give our full backing to the players, management and staff who are representing our club in seemingly difficult circumstances. League leaders Bohemians come to Turner’s Cross and we'll be looking to add to our impressive unbeaten domestic run and close the gap to the top of the table. I'm sure we can all agree, top of the table is where we want to be.

Regards,
FORAS Steering Committee

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Friday, 15th August 2008

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The Press release that accompanied the launch of Cork City's crest informed us the warship upon it was a symbol of “the battling nature of Cork City Football Club” and that the rough seas “convey the message that Cork people and Cork City FC will stay strong in adverse conditions and follow our brave nature”. On August 14th the ship filling radio news bulletins was receivership.

The rumour that the club was considering an application to the High Court to appoint an examiner is of concern to us all. Cork city football club is the best-supported football club in the country. It is of major importance to our city and our league as a whole. FORAS, the supporters trust is envisioned to provide a focus so that supporters can play a role as guardians of our club and our club name. Yesterday’s news reminded us of stormy seas that supporters of football in Cork had hoped we’d long since weathered.

While the reported situation is worrying it remains rumour, the club has not confirmed the story that dominated radio news. We are not currently in administration and no examiner has been appointed. Our players have been paid and we know that those behind the scenes are working very hard to find a resolution in Cork City’s interest. In fact, the communication from the club is that we are currently involved in talks with potential new investors. FORAS intends to add it’s voice to these talks.

Next Week, FORAS will meet with the club to discuss the current situation and the opportunities available to FORAS to offer support. We will reaffirm our commitment to the guardianship and long-term future of our club. We look forward to the chance to present our case and welcome the clubs willingness to meet us.

FORAS remains on track to launch on September 1st. However, we aim to provide those supporters who have already expressed interest with a vehicle to contribute funds prior to this date.

While the news concerns us all, we at FORAS have been buoyed by the response from supporters who have been positive in their response to yesterday’s news, with supporters producing ideas and initiatives to show their support by filling Turner’s Cross for our next home League game against Bray, it’s an initiative that all at FORAS applaud and we’ll be active in the build up to that game and on the night to support.

FORAS has seen the numbers subscribing to our Expression of interest list grow by more than 25% this week. For every member FORAS has we grow stronger and our potential influence grows. More details of the structure and costs associated with FORAS will follow next week, but as a quick overview in response to the question that many people have asked;

Membership of FORAS will cost €240 per annum. While a monthly subscription of €20 may be paid, we encourage people who can afford it to pay the full subscription fee up front. We will also be glad to accept once off donations from anyone who wishes to support the Society and the club. ALL Money raised will be used only to support our goals and provide guardianship and long-term support for Cork City FC.

A business membership will cost €1000 and FORAS will work with all businesses who come on board to raise profile among Cork City supporters through our website and our bulletins. We urge the business community in Cork to get behind FORAS and behind our club and in turn we will work with you to ensure that those Businesses that support the club will be favoured by the supporters of it.

[corkboy360]

Soccerlady of the ccfcforum held a five a side tournament yesterday in aid of foras was a great day out and very enjoyable and danny murphy showed his face at the end.As far as i know 1,300 was raised with 300 gong towards the pitches.

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A communication from FORAS

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FORAS News
25 March 2009 18:45
FORAS sponsor Dan Murray for the 2009 season
FORAS are delighted to announce the sponsorship of our Club Captain for the forthcoming Season.
Dan epitomises all that is good about the Football Club we love, leading by example on and off the field,
not to mention his leadership through those dark days in 2008.
This sponsorship is a chance for FORAS to say thank you to Dan and his players for their continued support of the trust, and their sacrifices and efforts throughout last season.

24 March 2009 17:30
Fans’ Group Donate Profits
We would like to give a special mention to the Commandos 84 group who continue to bring colour and atmosphere to CCFC match nights, be that at Turner’s Cross or away games.
Commandos 84 donated the profits from their recent supporter’s bus to Sligo Rovers.
It’s great to see groups of individuals like this contribute to the fundraising cause, Many Thanks!

[corkboy360]

Thinking of joining as soon as I get my funds together.