Tekel Towers » Fans united statement

Arab_plumber · 30/3/2017 11:04 pm

On 28th March Stephen Thompson gave an in depth interview to BBC Scotland covering his time at United and the current position the club finds itself in.

As members of Fans United we have been seeking some clarity regarding on and off field matters for some time, so it was with interest that we listened in to what Mr Thompson had to say.

We note that he -

1 Stated clearly that he is willing to listen.

2 Is looking to move forward together with all those who care about United.

3 Wants to know what fans groups, like ours, would like to have happen so that positive talks can take place.

4 Does not want to meet with multiple people from multiple groups.

In response we would like to reiterate that we have made attempts to meet with Mr Thompson.

We now represent an increasing number of fans who primarily want to know that the club's future is safe and that there is a clear plan of action to get us back to financial and football success.

We may not be in a position to make a formal offer for the club but at the very least we expect the club to be willing to provide reassurance as to the financial strength of the club and clarity as to how we can get back to enjoying good football towards the top end of the Scottish game.

If Mr Thompson can evidence that he has robust plans which we can believe in then that will give many the reassurance they currently need.

If, however, he continues to refuse to meet with representatives of Fans United then we will continue to pursue all available options to drive positive change at the club.

On the back of this latest interview with the BBC we will make further attempts to get round the table with Mr Thompson in the manner that he seeks and will report back on progress.

blackandtangerine · 31/3/2017 6:56 am

Canadian Arab wrote:
The tone of this statement is a bit better than previous statements (although it still contains a form of ultimatum, which I think isn't advisable under the circumstances).
My question is, if ST has stated that he doesn't want to meet with multiple people from multiple groups, why are FU still saying they want to arrange a meeting with him? It seems to me that Thompson would be most likely to agree to meet with either (a) a single group that's formed by all the various "action groups" coming together, or (b) a group of individuals that each represents one or more of the various action groups.
So are FU making attempts to bring everyone together so the group that speaks to Thompson can truly claim to represent the majority of our support? Or are they taking the lad Affshore's stance and claiming that anyone not joining their group to stamp their feet and have a tantrum is clearly a spy from the Thompson camp?
Hopefully not the latter, as that would be pointless. And immature.

Your not getting the point that he really doesnt want to meet anyone. The goalposts will always be shifted as he wont answer the questions that folk want answered.

Tangy · 31/3/2017 8:38 am

FU are in a great position now.

The way I heard it was that he doesn't want too sit down in front of 20 FU members, who are all baying for blood but he will sit down with a few sensible members.

FU can now nominate 2 or 3 members to put forward and try to arrange a meeting. If in the worst case scenario, he rubbers it, well you have ammunition to get people on your side. If he goes through with a meeting then you get the chance to meet him and get reassurances. Win win

1 word of warning though... I'm sure he also mentions about how the reps conduct themselves. So I'd suggest speaking calmly, in a respectful manner and dress appropriately. No point in being in there in your best adidas and jeans if he has a suit on

I think if it gets into some sort of shouting match or swear words are thrown around, he will revert back into his box - and as FU care as much about the club as the rest of us do (and ST for that matter) then that's not in any bodies best interests.

Positive news though

PatReilly · 31/3/2017 9:08 am

Might I respectfully suggest that, if Fans United are organising the folk to meet ST, they don't choose any individuals who are taking an aggressive stance towards the bloke?

It's only my opinion, but that wouldn't be very helpful.

And I note Fans United have made contact with STV: I don't think that will turn out well.

Arab_plumber · 31/3/2017 9:26 am

Pat obviously we'd send guys who are non aggressive but ask the pertinent questons

Why shouldn't we be on STV questioning the pack of lies Thompson has put out there?

We still have far too many fans who believe he's doing a good job.

There are some very clever and wealthy guys on board now, our group has rapidly expanded since going public, we're absolutely delighted with the guys we've brought in.

31/3/2017 9:39 am

Arab_plumber wrote:
Pat obviously we'd send guys who are non aggressive but ask the pertinent questons

Why shouldn't we be on STV questioning the pack of lies Thompson has put out there?

We still have far too many fans who believe he's doing a good job.

And here's where I have a problem - if you want to engage with him publicly calling him a liar may not quite be the way to go.

Any meeting should go ahead without preconceptions otherwise it'd be a waste of time

Tangy · 31/3/2017 9:39 am

Arab_plumber wrote:
We still have far too many fans who believe he's doing a good job.

AP- really can't be assed with an argument but is this actually true?

I'd suggest that most people aren't particularly happy with the direction the club is going but are yet to be convinced by any alternative? (Currently nobody has an alternative) As it stands, FU still have not posted a vision for the future either with ST at the helm or without him. I think once that is done, you may well see a large rise in support.

Arab_plumber · 31/3/2017 10:45 am

Tangy wrote:
Arab_plumber wrote:
We still have far too many fans who believe he's doing a good job.

AP- really can't be assed with an argument but is this actually true?

I'd suggest that most people aren't particularly happy with the direction the club is going but are yet to be convinced by any alternative? (Currently nobody has an alternative) As it stands, FU still have not posted a vision for the future either with ST at the helm or without him. I think once that is done, you may well see a large rise in support.

Basing this on the Arab angry page on FB,still plenty people arguing we're wrong and stick with him and he'll turn the ship around.

Arab_plumber · 31/3/2017 10:48 am

scarpia wrote:
Arab_plumber wrote:
Pat obviously we'd send guys who are non aggressive but ask the pertinent questons

Why shouldn't we be on STV questioning the pack of lies Thompson has put out there?

We still have far too many fans who believe he's doing a good job.
And here's where I have a problem - if you want to engage with him publicly calling him a liar may not quite be the way to go.

Any meeting should go ahead without preconceptions otherwise it'd be a waste of time

Here's the deal...he won't meet us he's absolutely no intention of meeting us the whole Stephen Thompson statement and interview was about one thing and one thing only

SELLING SEASON TICKETS

We will be calling him out on the meeting though don't worry

Tangy · 31/3/2017 10:58 am

never seen that page and its a closed group, so not bothering to join up....certainly theres not many on here who would think its going well.

I think there are a number of folk who haven't completely closed to door on ST running things however, if there are changes at the club.

I can see that FU are open to that idea too, from the stuff they have put out already....which is good. It may be that we need to stick with ST for a while yet - so if thats the case, then we will all need to pull together.

blackandtangerine · 31/3/2017 1:12 pm

Tangy wrote:
FU are in a great position now.

The way I heard it was that he doesn't want too sit down in front of 20 FU members, who are all baying for blood but he will sit down with a few sensible members.

FU can now nominate 2 or 3 members to put forward and try to arrange a meeting. If in the worst case scenario, he rubbers it, well you have ammunition to get people on your side. If he goes through with a meeting then you get the chance to meet him and get reassurances. Win win

1 word of warning though... I'm sure he also mentions about how the reps conduct themselves. So I'd suggest speaking calmly, in a respectful manner and dress appropriately. No point in being in there in your best adidas and jeans if he has a suit on

I think if it gets into some sort of shouting match or swear words are thrown around, he will revert back into his box - and as FU care as much about the club as the rest of us do (and ST for that matter) then that's not in any bodies best interests.

Positive news though

You really think turning up in suits is gonna make things better 🤣

annanarab · 31/3/2017 1:13 pm

shedboy wrote:
Arab_plumber wrote:
Tangy wrote:

AP- really can't be assed with an argument but is this actually true?

I'd suggest that most people aren't particularly happy with the direction the club is going but are yet to be convinced by any alternative? (Currently nobody has an alternative) As it stands, FU still have not posted a vision for the future either with ST at the helm or without him. I think once that is done, you may well see a large rise in support.

Basing this on the Arab angry page on FB,still plenty people arguing we're wrong and stick with him and he'll turn the ship around.
Not seen that - but if so that is astonishing.

Im on the site. My perception is that there are very few (miniscule amount) of supporters backing ST. The vast majority want him gone/gone quickly - a significantly large proportion are highly abusive with every post. Its quite a scary read at time

PatReilly · 31/3/2017 1:43 pm

Arab_plumber wrote:

Why shouldn't we be on STV questioning the pack of lies Thompson has put out there?

Fans United won't be setting the agenda for any coverage which STV might offer. One of the first things the STV employees who are tasked to look at this as a story will do will be to look at the social media accounts of named individuals on the Fans United committee. If they don't get dirt there, they'll move on to contributors on the FB and Twitter pages of the organisation.

I know 'Angry Arab' is not part of Fans United, but using that as an example, (and STV may well choose to use direct quotes from there and present them as Fans United work), it might not reflect well on the disenfranchised support. As annan says above

annanarab wrote:

- a significantly large proportion are highly abusive with every post. Its quite a scary read at time

STV Group owes United's fans nothing, and it's more likely any contact with them will result in ridicule.

TheShed · 31/3/2017 1:45 pm

I'm not getting how folk think from his statements/interviews he wants to meet any of the fans groups.

Didn't he basically say he would be willing to meet someone with the correct funding?

We all know, as does he, that none of the fans groups are in that position, yet.

TheShed · 31/3/2017 1:47 pm

PatReilly wrote:
Arab_plumber wrote:

Why shouldn't we be on STV questioning the pack of lies Thompson has put out there?

Fans United won't be setting the agenda for any coverage which STV might offer. One of the first things the STV employees who are tasked to look at this as a story will do will be to look at the social media accounts of named individuals on the Fans United committee. If they don't get dirt there, they'll move on to contributors on the FB and Twitter pages of the organisation.

I know 'Angry Arab' is not part of Fans United, but using that as an example, (and STV may well choose to use direct quotes from there and present them as Fans United work), it might not reflect well on the disenfranchised support. As annan says above

annanarab wrote:

- a significantly large proportion are highly abusive with every post. Its quite a scary read at time

STV Group owes United's fans nothing, and it's more likely any contact with them will result in ridicule.

Pat, how do you suggest the group get there message out to the wider audience?

You don't want news journalists, you don't want TV.

It's not all gonna come from places like this and flyers at games, which folk often won't see.

PatReilly · 31/3/2017 2:11 pm

TheShed, it's up to Fans United how they go about their business. If they think they can trust the media, that's their choice.

But if it's advice as to how to progress that you are asking about, I'd suggest

a) cut out the abuse, especially towards board members, which is ongoing.

b) continue to approach the board seeking reassurances and face to face contact. Unlike many fans, I think the board will be receptive.

c) instead of skirting around offering snippets suggesting that wealthy individuals and ex players are involved, get these names into the open.

I honestly believe the board has changed in viewpoint over the last couple of weeks, and not only because of the season ticket campaign: they are shocked that so many have been in contact stating they won't renew, and giving reasons for this.

As supporters/customers we have the power to effect change, however the main groups in revolt presently (Fans United and the fledgling Foundation) have not laid their cards on the table as yet. I'm still unsure of the means and measures that these groups will utilise to move forward, and I spend quite a bit of time trying to gain that information. At the same time, I wouldn't trust the media to accurately provide me with the plans of these organisations.

Tangy · 31/3/2017 2:21 pm

blackandtangerine wrote:
Tangy wrote:
FU are in a great position now.

The way I heard it was that he doesn't want too sit down in front of 20 FU members, who are all baying for blood but he will sit down with a few sensible members.

FU can now nominate 2 or 3 members to put forward and try to arrange a meeting. If in the worst case scenario, he rubbers it, well you have ammunition to get people on your side. If he goes through with a meeting then you get the chance to meet him and get reassurances. Win win

1 word of warning though... I'm sure he also mentions about how the reps conduct themselves. So I'd suggest speaking calmly, in a respectful manner and dress appropriately. No point in being in there in your best adidas and jeans if he has a suit on

I think if it gets into some sort of shouting match or swear words are thrown around, he will revert back into his box - and as FU care as much about the club as the rest of us do (and ST for that matter) then that's not in any bodies best interests.

Positive news though
You really think turning up in suits is gonna make things better 🤣

I think presenting yourself as professional certainly won't hurt - both in the way you act and dress. Do you?

You think your best 2 stripe and a tatty pair of jeans is the way to go into a meeting regarding a business which turns over several million pounds a year?

TheShed · 31/3/2017 2:25 pm

A lot of folk won't spend the time Pat, a lot of folk just read papers or watch to for their news. The groups don't have a choice but to use them if they want to succeed in getting the message out that they want to put out.

a) I agree, but there seems to be a confusion that an individuals opinion on here or elsewhere is representative of Fans United as a group, it isn't. As far as I'm aware FU haven't abused anybody.

b) yes, but I'm not as optimistic as you.

C) I'm sure that will happen when they feel the time is right. But that needs to be done thru the media so folk all find out, rather than drip fed from individuals imo.

TheShed · 31/3/2017 2:26 pm

Tangy wrote:
blackandtangerine wrote:
Tangy wrote:
FU are in a great position now.

The way I heard it was that he doesn't want too sit down in front of 20 FU members, who are all baying for blood but he will sit down with a few sensible members.

FU can now nominate 2 or 3 members to put forward and try to arrange a meeting. If in the worst case scenario, he rubbers it, well you have ammunition to get people on your side. If he goes through with a meeting then you get the chance to meet him and get reassurances. Win win

1 word of warning though... I'm sure he also mentions about how the reps conduct themselves. So I'd suggest speaking calmly, in a respectful manner and dress appropriately. No point in being in there in your best adidas and jeans if he has a suit on

I think if it gets into some sort of shouting match or swear words are thrown around, he will revert back into his box - and as FU care as much about the club as the rest of us do (and ST for that matter) then that's not in any bodies best interests.

Positive news though
You really think turning up in suits is gonna make things better 🤣

I think presenting yourself as professional certainly won't hurt - both in the way you act and dress. Do you?

You think your best 2 stripe and a tatty pair of jeans is the way to go into a meeting regarding a business which turns over several million pounds a year?

What you wear means nothing in business, what you say and more what you do are what matters.

avonrep · 31/3/2017 2:52 pm

TheShed wrote:
Tangy wrote:
blackandtangerine wrote:
You really think turning up in suits is gonna make things better 🤣

I think presenting yourself as professional certainly won't hurt - both in the way you act and dress. Do you?

You think your best 2 stripe and a tatty pair of jeans is the way to go into a meeting regarding a business which turns over several million pounds a year?

What you wear means nothing in business, what you say and more what you do are what matters.

What you wear and what you say?

RRDH · 31/3/2017 4:51 pm

Not convinced meeting with Thompson should be a goal at this point. Let's just say you "wear a suit ", play nice and professional, I don't think he'll do anything but cajole you. You're not going to get the chunt to lower his asking price.

I think that's ultimately folly. I'd focus on making his position uncomfortable. Start by doing things on your terms and force him to ask you for a meeting (if thats an end goal).

Last edited by RRDH (31/3/2017 4:53 pm)

avonrep · 08/4/2017 12:15 am

Just for clarity, the "We have 700 members through social media" you talk of on Mad, is that 700 different members or 700 times some people have joined the various outlets FU have up and running, in other words is there double or triple counting as some people I know have joined facebook, twitter & the web site, does that count as 1 member or 3?
I'm sure for the sake of transparency and lucidity you can put me right, thanks in advance.

Affshore · 08/4/2017 3:10 am

http://www.fans-united.org.uk/minutes-of-committeesteering-group-meeting-no-2-5-april-2017/

Facebook

To quote ' As an aside, but related, a poll on our Facebook page noted that 65% of thosevoting felt Fans United should not attend the meeting if Stephen Thompsondoes not attend.'

Last edited by Affshore (08/4/2017 3:12 am)

blackandtangerine · 08/4/2017 6:58 am

Tangy wrote:
blackandtangerine wrote:
Tangy wrote:
FU are in a great position now.

The way I heard it was that he doesn't want too sit down in front of 20 FU members, who are all baying for blood but he will sit down with a few sensible members.

FU can now nominate 2 or 3 members to put forward and try to arrange a meeting. If in the worst case scenario, he rubbers it, well you have ammunition to get people on your side. If he goes through with a meeting then you get the chance to meet him and get reassurances. Win win

1 word of warning though... I'm sure he also mentions about how the reps conduct themselves. So I'd suggest speaking calmly, in a respectful manner and dress appropriately. No point in being in there in your best adidas and jeans if he has a suit on

I think if it gets into some sort of shouting match or swear words are thrown around, he will revert back into his box - and as FU care as much about the club as the rest of us do (and ST for that matter) then that's not in any bodies best interests.

Positive news though
You really think turning up in suits is gonna make things better 🤣

I think presenting yourself as professional certainly won't hurt - both in the way you act and dress. Do you?

You think your best 2 stripe and a tatty pair of jeans is the way to go into a meeting regarding a business which turns over several million pounds a year?

Sorry tangy i just saw this.

If yer going in to buy the club then fine fair enough a suit would be appropriate however if its fans groups going in to meet thompson then nowt wrong with a nice paul and shark shirt and a pair oh diadora borg elites on yer feet. Sambas and a pair oh wranglers and a ramones tshirt would just be wrong😉

Last edited by blackandtangerine (08/4/2017 7:05 am)

blackandtangerine · 08/4/2017 7:03 am

avonrep wrote:
Just for clarity, the "We have 700 members through social media" you talk of on Mad, is that 700 different members or 700 times some people have joined the various outlets FU have up and running, in other words is there double or triple counting as some people I know have joined facebook, twitter & the web site, does that count as 1 member or 3?
I'm sure for the sake of transparency and lucidity you can put me right, thanks in advance.

If you go on Facebook and search fans united the link to their facebook page comes up. Beside that it tells you how many facebook members they have . Its currently saying 688.