
Originally Posted by
chimpster
One of the most sensible things I've heard in ages.
To keep the club afloat, we need to launch a coherent Save Ramblers appeal, pull out all the stops and hit the town from all angles. A big push on the club lotto, cheap ground sponsorship offers sent out to every business in the town, cheap clubhouse rental offers (for parties etc.), early booking for Xmas parties, a 'half-way' more afforable version of the 2k membership deal (e.g. 750 for 2 years), a benefit gig, a 50/50 benefit match vs. City, race night, poker classic, golf classic, hire out the pitch to other clubs (one-offs or long-term ground share), bucket collections, throwing wet sponges at Hendo, sponsored walks, sponsored balancing an egg on your head, whatever it takes to raise a few euros and get us through this season. Every idea should be considered seriously.
Perhaps more importantly, we have to look at the basic structure of the club, in order to attract the larger investment we need to survive longer term. Our constitution is totally out of date and has been holding us back for years. As a members club (rather than a limited company), not only are we seen as a high risk for banks, but he we extremely unattractive to any potential investors. Without the liberty to develop the club themselves, anyone who may come looking at us as an investment will be viewing it simply as a means of stripping assets and dissolving the club in order to get at the land.
Unfortunately I won't be there tonight, but I would strongly advocate that now is the time to re-invent Cobh Ramblers. My vision is for a limited company combined with a strong supporters club. To keep the fans closely involved there would be two or three non-executive Directors on the Board who are elected annually (or every two years) by the Supporters Club membership. Also, certain activities (e.g. the bar, fundraising, away travel, community liaison, etc.) could be devolved to the Supporters Club. At a later date, share options could be made available with Supporters Club members getting first option.
This would provide us with a coherent management structure, it would elminate this one-season mentality for Board/Committee members and it would make us investible in hard times like the present. If we get through this, we have to learn from it and make the necessary changes to stop it happening again. Its time to wake up and move into the 21st century lads.
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