Since the first meeting in the Cross Bar a few weeks ago, when Paul Hornby outlined his interim plans for the club, it was clear that there was an opportunity for us, as a Trust, to act as a conduit and representation so we could all have a greater say and control in the running of Barrow AFC.
The following day, our AGM directed the Trust Board to go and look at options and come to a decision regarding this. We have sought to do this with openness and transparency and have looked at a great deal of information:
• Emails, messages and comments from supporters
• An widely advertised open meeting with supporters where the way forward was discussed
• Advice from Supporters Direct
• Further meetings and e-mail conversations with Paul Hornby
• Consultation with local businessmen with direct experience of involvement in buying a football club
• Financial and legal advice from a Company Secretary and Chartered Accountant
• Discussions with individuals within the support who may be interested in contributing to a Trust led supporters share
Using this information, we then held a Trust meeting, open to all, last Thursday to vote on three options. The link to the minutes of this meeting are here:
Minutes of Open Meeting on Thursday 8th November
As you can see, from this we decided to pursue the option of purchasing a 10% stake in the club (£50,000) through donations from Share Contributors, a proportion of this coming from our funds. We aim to launch this option on Saturday, all being well.
We are well aware of the challenges and questions this will raise and are working hard to address them, again with ongoing professional advice, in time for the launch. Organising any fan-led investment in the football club we all support, is a huge responsibility. The terms and conditions of the purchase of shares in the Club, as between the Club, the Trust and contributing supporters, will be further discussed, defined and documented in advance of the launch.
At this point in our history, we believe the opportunity to take some control over the club’s affairs on your behalf was simply too great to turn down.
We hope you will agree and join with us in investing in the club we follow, in the community we all follow, for the benefit of all. Let’s do this together for the good of Barrow AFC. Be part of it.
All Bluebirds are Blue.
Steve Herbert
Chairman
Bluebirds Trust