The newcastle kb..ros...bre...uni... The newcastle re-brand!?

[Opinionated]

From Newcastle KB United / Newcastle Rosebud United / Newcastle Breakers / Newcastle United and finally the Newcastle United Jets.
Now we find ourselves as a city in a familiar position, asking the question, what does football look like in Newcastle?
The Tinkler reign is over and if its one thing we are good at as a city its to have a whine dust ourselves and move on.

Its clear we have tried many models of football in this city! And we find ourselves here again, i believe now is the time to adopt what some of the biggest Clubs in the world have made a successful model! in fact a whole nation in the Bundesliga in Germany have achieved with huge success. The overseas owners is a fairytale to difficult to get right! local businessmen have their flaws! Falling short of giving Con a ring and submitting again to the reign of shiny gold jerseys and a Club named more after Williamtown then the whole city! We probably need to look at something different! Learning from Brisbane and not heading to south Asia should be heeded!

My hand is up to see the 17,000 odd fans that turn up to a Home match from time to time put in <$600 for a share in their club. The potential 10.2m raised would purchase a 51% share in the Club putting the club literally in the hands of the city. At a Jaffas fundraiser earlier this year at the Sunny Side Andy Harper and Mel McLaughlin very briefly discussed the Members owned option for our cities footballing future, They where onto something. No one individual or business would be able to own for then 49% share of Newcastle's Professional Football Club! It would finally mean the city and its club would be at unity not run by certain "footballing" experts or even "business men" the club would be ours and we would be the Clubs!

One thing is for certain this city deserves a football club that both engages the community and presents the world game on and off the pitch. Maybe its time for this city to put its money where its heart is and become the club we have only dreamed of!

[tha_hauss]

Problem is that Tinkler has killed the passion in most people. I seriously doubt you would get 17,000 people to part with $600 right now. I can almost guarantee you won't.

IMO, now is not the time to float community ownership, but it would be good to seek out an owner who is willing to build supporter ownership over time, in instalments. Maybe in increments of 10% of the club, as capital is needed for purchasing facilities etc. I don't have an opinion on the ideal split. To me, any owner that is willing to have supporters on the board of directors is an improvement on where we are, and an indication they are willing to work with other people. It is going to be hard to find someone with deep pockets who will settle for 49%.

[Opinionated]

This still places us in hands of a person/persons with goals, ambitions and priorities other then football and the city... Since we sit back an expect our football to be brought to us! The hunger is in the city it just has to be called upon to stand up. The overlord ownership doesn't work for this city and never has.. We will always bight the hand that feeds us because we complain about the food. We need to feed ourselves. Its now or never. You have to find someone who wants to do that from the get go. I'm all for business ownership but 100% power doesn't work here and should have to!

[tha_hauss]

Okay, well if you want 100% community ownership, you are going to have to present yourself to the FFA as a viable management group, and quickly.

[tha_hauss]

It is not just hunger that is needed. The people who make decisions in management need to be strategic in managing long term and short term objectives, they need to have open communication channels with supporters, business community & football community. And they need to be able to pull in sponsorships - which I believe will only be possible if the Jets become palatable in bigger consumer markets eg. Sydney & Melbourne - not as their favourite team but as their second favourite team.

IMO, having majority supporter ownership does not guarantee this. So the ideal model is negotiable. It is the type of people that matter. The only way I can see it helping us is if having majority supporter ownership is something that appeals to people in making us their second favourite team, much like people like the myths behind FC Barcelona.

[q-money]

lel who in their right mind would ever let a bloke like MFKS near a club

[Opinionated]

Im not saying the fans run the Club.. they own it! The management is the same as any successful business or organisation you employ the right people for the Job. You have CEO's managers board remembers all of that! Becoming marketable in other cities is a great idea but you have to win over your own city before you go for others.

Ps look up who owns FC Barcelona.

[Opinionated]

much like people like the myths behind FC Barcelona.

Wiki: Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, English and Catalan footballers led by Joan Gamper, the club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalanism, hence the motto "Més que un club" (More than a club). Unlike many other football clubs, the supporters own and operate Barcelona.

[Frodo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fan-owned_sports_teams That's a Wiki list of "Fan-Owned Sports Clubs"

This is a model that can definitely work, not sure if it's something we could make work this quickly but definitely something i'd love to happen in the near future.

[Opinionated]

lel who in their right mind would ever let a bloke like MFKS near a club

Surely he can be no more insane then Con or Tinks...? does MFKS have the coin?

[Opinionated]

Okay, well if you want 100% community ownership, you are going to have to present yourself to the FFA as a viable management group, and quickly.

Can we CC in Gallop in this?

[plague]

Im not saying the fans run the Club.. they own it! The management is the same as any successful business or organisation you employ the right people for the Job. You have CEO's managers board remembers all of that!

Yeah but who employs your management team?
Somewhere along the line your owners need to make decisions and if you have a few thousand of them they will immediately form factions/alliances that preserve their best interests.
It's human nature.

You'll be shocked how much your average Joe expects out of his $600 investment.

[plague]

lel who in their right mind would ever let a bloke like MFKS near a club

I'd bring him in him, wait til he inevitably turns up in the suicide vest demanding the return of Griff, and once that happens send him back to the looney bin to live out his days.

[tha_hauss]

Yeah but who employs your management team?
Somewhere along the line your owners need to make decisions and if you have a few thousand of them they will immediately form factions/alliances that preserve their best interests.
It's human nature.

You'll be shocked how much your average Joe expects out of his $600 investment.

What he said.

There is so much ego and arrogance in football. It is not your typical business. People are attracted by the power to lord it over the thing that so many people love. Imo to find a humble owner who talks to people is priceless. If they let supporters join the ownership model, even better.

[tha_hauss]

Wiki: Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, English and Catalan footballers led by Joan Gamper, the club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalanism, hence the motto "Més que un club" (More than a club). Unlike many other football clubs, the supporters own and operate Barcelona.

It is more their symbolism for Catalan culture that makes them so attractive at their core. Plus the whole Total Football style which made them a truly international club. A combination of parochialism for who they are and an openness to the world. I'm sure the ownership model plays a part in the myth. I'm just not sure how much.

[Frodo]

With the players salaries being covered by the TV deal surely there is only a couple of $million in operating costs a year at your average HAL team? If this can work in the lower leagues of English football surely it could work here.

[tha_hauss]

With the players salaries being covered by the TV deal surely there is only a couple of $million in operating costs a year at your average HAL team? If this can work in the lower leagues of English football surely it could work here.
The risk is installing inexperienced people who make costly mistakes. How much of the jets loss is down to the sacking of branko and jason culina?

[Opinionated]

Yeah but who employs your management team?
Somewhere along the line your owners need to make decisions and if you have a few thousand of them they will immediately form factions/alliances that preserve their best interests.
It's human nature.

You'll be shocked how much your average Joe expects out of his $600 investment.

We'll his share in the Club is just like owning 600 work of a million dollar company.. He can expect all he likes by the reality is he is just one voice.. the Problems you are posing are all solved in the normal share holder scenario of any millions of publicly owned companies world wide.

[Opinionated]

again.. the Problems you are posing are all solved in the normal share holder scenario of any millions of publicly owned companies world wide....

[Opinionated]

Name a humble football club owner?

[Opinionated]

It is more their symbolism for Catalan culture that makes them so attractive at their core. Plus the whole Total Football style which made them a truly international club. A combination of parochialism for who they are and an openness to the world. I'm sure the ownership model plays a part in the myth. I'm just not sure how much.

Its silly to compare the marketing and culture of FCB to Newcastle... One thing that you can take from FCB is that the passionate fans combine with healthy investors do a great Job at keeping the Club one of the best and most liked in the world

[plague]

We'll his share in the Club is just like owning 600 work of a million dollar company.. He can expect all he likes by the reality is he is just one voice.. the Problems you are posing are all solved in the normal share holder scenario of any millions of publicly owned companies world wide.
Yeah but you're asking for this dude to invest his coin (and to keep reinvesting his coin in a loss making business) yet now don't want to give him any say.

So tell me how these things are solved in publicly listed companies?

You have offered up a sweeping generalisation.

[plague]

With the players salaries being covered by the TV deal surely there is only a couple of $million in operating costs a year at your average HAL team? If this can work in the lower leagues of English football surely it could work here.

Not entirely true.
Stadium leases, catering contracts, let alone management and player recruitment need to be dealt with by real pros otherwise you're getting screwed.
Let alone having people on board to woo corporate and casual fan support.
These revenues and costs will fluctuate massively depending on who's doing the deals.

Could def break your club in a heartbeat.

[Opinionated]

Yeah but you're asking for this dude to invest his coin (and to keep reinvesting his coin in a loss making business) yet now don't want to give him any say.

So tell me how these things are solved in publicly listed companies?

You have offered up a sweeping generalisation.

Most people realize that owning a stock means buying a percentage of ownership in the company, but many new investors have misconceptions about the benefits and responsibilities of being a shareholder. Many of these misconceptions stem from a lack of understanding of the amount of ownership that each stock represents. For large companies such as IBM (NYSE:IBM) and General Electric (NYSE:GE), one share is merely a drop in the pond. Even if you owned $1 million worth of shares, you'll still be a small potato with very little equity in the actual company. So what does this mean? Let's take a look.

VIA: http://www.investopedia.com/

continue reading: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/03/070303.asp

[plague]

Thank you for that.
I had no idea.
Except for owning my own company and being a shareholder in a football club already.

But ta.

Now.
Can you please explain how your community model actually works.

You want average Joes to invest thier $600 right?
No majority owner right?

Who appoints the board/management?
Who makes decisions and how?
How are losses covered?

Just asking for more detail.
'tis all I'm asking.

[tha_hauss]

Newcastle used to have a small value stock exchange. Not sure if it is still running but it would be interesting to float our own football team on our own stock exchange.

[plague]

VIA: http://www.investopedia.com/

continue reading: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/03/070303.asp

Nah, didn't feel like downloading your dungeons and dragons game. Cute graph tho.

You really need to contact Mr Boz and ask him about lemon party.

[Opinionated]

Thank you for that.
I had no idea.
Except for owning my own company and being a shareholder in a football club already.

But ta.

Now.
Can you please explain how your community model actually works.

You want average Joes to invest thier $600 right?
No majority owner right?

Who appoints the board/management?
Who makes decisions and how?
How are losses covered?

Just asking for more detail.
'tis all I'm asking.

The Frodos link to wiki afew post earlier gives you a good idea. Essentially its a democracy voting in and employing of CEO's etc is done by voting according to your ownership share. This isnt a new thing. Bayern, Man u, Barca and many other clubs do it. As my post says its actually the rule in Germany no one club can be owned by one business more then 49%

[tha_hauss]

The Frodos link to wiki afew post earlier gives you a good idea. Essentially its a democracy voting in and employing of CEO's etc is done by voting according to your ownership share. This isnt a new thing. Bayern, Man u, Barca and many other clubs do it. As my post says its actually the rule in Germany no one club can be owned by one business more then 49%

Only 25% of ManU is publicly listed, the rest is owned by the Glazer's who have a separate class of share with higher voting rights. The control of the club truly rests with them. Even then, it is not "democratic" as the more shares you have the greater the voting rights, not one person, one vote.

The issuing of shares and voting rights will be quite technical. If you limit the shareholding to $600 per person, you severely restrict your ability to raise capital. Like you said, we ain't Barcelona. And consortiums/factions may still be able to exercise control of the club on the basis that a lot of people will not exercise their right to vote.

If you allow people to buy as much of a stake in the club as they can afford then you are conceding that a single shareholder can (and probably will) gain control of the club.

Which way do you want to go?

[parksey]

newcastle wildcats

make it happen dave

[plague]

The Frodos link to wiki afew post earlier gives you a good idea. Essentially its a democracy voting in and employing of CEO's etc is done by voting according to your ownership share. This isnt a new thing. Bayern, Man u, Barca and many other clubs do it. As my post says its actually the rule in Germany no one club can be owned by one business more then 49%

You can't use United as an example on how to run things when it's run the exact opposite way in which you would like.

Anyway looks like we've come full circle.

Imma let you all go at it and I'll keep reading.
This stuff actually really interests me and I'd be one of the people willing to invest. It's interesting stuff.
It's also not as straightforward as some would think.

[Opinionated]

<$600 = Greater then 600...
The idea being 10.2 would be a min... its just an example of buying power.

[Opinionated]

newcastle wildcats

make it happen dave

Zac Efron to coach?

[Opinionated]

Only 25% of ManU is publicly listed

Using Man U as an example for plague to get how it works in shares. :)

[MFKS]

Not knocking the idea Opinionated as I agree with fan ownership.

Your method though has a few holes.

This $600 we 17000fans are coughing up may well then give us a licence to run the club.

Being that there is no money to be made in Football Club ownership and clubs run at a loss where are we getting the money to keep funding the club each year??

17000 members is ambitious I will scale it down to 10000 just to be a fraction more realistic

Considering clubs are running at losses lets just budget for $1000000 loss a year.

That would require every one of our 10000 members to contribute $100 each year.

Hell that ain't much I can spare it and would be happy to contribute. Issue will be getting the other 9999 fans who some are elderly unemployed kids families etc to all chip in the $100

Not gonna be that easy when you consider not everyone will have an attachment to the club or belief in ownership like me

I do feel we should start as a goal of trying to get 10-20% get the thing up and running. In time raise money and increase the stake.

[Opinionated]

This $600 we 17000fans are coughing up may well then give us a licence to run the club.

Being that there is no money to be made in Football Club ownership and clubs run at a loss where are we getting the money to keep funding the club each year??

17000 members is ambitious I will scale it down to 10000 just to be a fraction more realistic

Considering clubs are running at losses lets just budget for $1000000 loss a year.

That would require every one of our 10000 members to contribute $100 each year.

Hell that ain't much I can spare it and would be happy to contribute. Issue will be getting the other 9999 fans who some are elderly unemployed kids families etc to all chip in the $100

Not gonna be that easy when you consider not everyone will have an attachment to the club or belief in ownership like me

I do feel we should start as a goal of trying to get 10-20% get the thing up and running. In time raise money and increase the stake.

No doubt and i agree with your assessment i went of a high number and taking in that you may get a greater level of investment from some then others. The idea does hinge of a Bayer / Volkswagen concept in Leverkusen and Wolfburg respectively (and most of bundesliga) in that in a happy scenario you have a big company/consortium willing to go big with 49% which can usually swing the vote and keep the club healthy/sponsor.

[Opinionated]

Con Constintine 1.0 and Nathan Tinkler 2.0 walk into a bar.. Both successful businessmen both love football and newcastle.. they look at eachother and say hey lets give some money to a football club and let the people get involved.. they put up 6mil each for 4 years.. the fans raise 13mil... that 25mil should get us going.... for four years.

[MFKS]

No doubt and i agree with your assessment i went of a high number and taking in that you may get a greater level of investment from some then others. The idea does hinge of a Bayer / Volkswagen concept in Leverkusen and Wolfburg respectively (and most of bundesliga) in that in a happy scenario you have a big company/consortium willing to go big with 49% which can usually swing the vote and keep the club healthy/sponsor.

Going big should be the end goal not the start up goal.

Our start up goal should be to get the foot in the door get the model functioning correctly and then expand from there.

No point buying 50% and everyone is happy paying the money each year. What happens though in 5 years time when people lose interest??

You have a lot of issues as you still have the bills to pay.

Have a look at Ebbsfleet United who sold shares to fans. Might be a slightly different method but still fan ownership and was also high profile.
Interest was great to start with but dropped off year by year quickly

[plague]

Using Man U as an example for plague to get how it works in shares. :)
I'm sorry I didn't realise it was me that defined an 85-15 split as a democracy.
Good luck with the rest of your sums.

Ta,
Plague.

[Opinionated]

I'm sorry I didn't realise it was me that defined an 85-15 split as a democracy.
Good luck with the rest of your sums.

Ta,
Plague.

Welcome back to the chat you just left... I love that you have gone from not knowing what a share is.. To now being an expert on stake holders shares and democracy. Impressive.

Ta,

[Opinionated]

Going big should be the end goal not the start up goal.

Our start up goal should be to get the foot in the door get the model functioning correctly and then expand from there.

No point buying 50% and everyone is happy paying the money each year. What happens though in 5 years time when people lose interest??

You have a lot of issues as you still have the bills to pay.

Have a look at Ebbsfleet United who sold shares to fans. Might be a slightly different method but still fan ownership and was also high profile.
Interest was great to start with but dropped off year by year quickly

MKFS you've got me in, I like, start low percentage work it up over time. Ok let's do it.. Did someone end up getting Gallop CC'd in on this?

[plague]

Welcome back to the chat you just left... I love that you have gone from not knowing what a share is.. To now being an expert on stake holders shares and democracy. Impressive.

Ta,
Well someone has to be.

[tha_hauss]

MKFS you've got me in, I like, start low percentage work it up over time. Ok let's do it.. Did someone end up getting Gallop CC'd in on this?

I said that right at the start of this thread! :facepalm:

[Opinionated]

You said it like a doosh. Mkfs was open and offered good examples.

[tha_hauss]

Oh my God. Good luck to you in your endeavour.

[plague]

Mkfs was open and offered good examples.

Well, that's the sealer for me.


All the best.

[goaliepersempre]

Austria salzburg top

[parksey]

i like the cut of opinionated's jig

[Opinionated]

{tips hat}

[Opinionated]

Well, that's the sealer for me.


All the best.

Are you actually leaving the thread this time? You've made more come backs then Caravella.

[hawk]

i like the cut of opinionated's jig

his jib isn't bad either

[Beeen]

promote that man

[snake]

can imagine mkfs and his pal down at jets hq doing their sums on a brand new abacus, balancing them sheets :rof:

1m loss per year ffs

[MFKS]

can imagine mkfs and his pal down at jets hq doing their sums on a brand new abacus, balancing them sheets :rof:

1m loss per year ffs


Was only throwing a round figure out there

Probably reality is it is closer to 2-3million a season.

Hard to tell what it would actually be with competent management with news of crazy debts emerging today

[Frodo]

A long term goal of 51% community ownership should be our aim. Start of with 10% and work our way up. I wonder how long the FFA would keep the place running for if they liked the idea or if we would have to find a buyer willing to be involved with us?

I read a bit about the Green Bay Packers and some points made sense to me. Instead of selling everything off to advertisers they have kept tickets prices down and make enough money by selling out most games.

NOW, i understand we won't be selling out Hunter Stadium anytime soon but if we kept prices down and could increase our attendance to about 17,000 every game we should hopefully be getting close to balancing the books.

[plague]

Are you actually leaving the thread this time? You've made more come backs then Caravella.

I got confused when they changed the thread title to 'Dawn of Justice'.
Compulsive viewing now.

[plague]

Was only throwing a round figure out there

Probably reality is it is closer to 2-3million a season.

Hard to tell what it would actually be with competent management with news of crazy debts emerging today

Yeah biggest problem speculating on losses is that anyone from Tinkler to FFA can throw a figure or and they'd be right from a certain point of view.

Just need to look at NCC justifying their special rate variation and how they fudged their way (legally) to get it to know.

It would be nice to know the actual operating losses on the joint. Would give us all a good starting point.

[Jeterpool]

Are you actually leaving the thread this time? You've made more come backs then Caravella.

Terrible example. Bridges would have been a better choice.

If plague was changing his views and going round and round then yes, Caravella would have been that player

[plague]

Terrible example. Bridges would have been a better choice.

If plague was changing his views and going round and round then yes, Caravella would have been that player

Neither example is particularly flattering Jeterpool!!!

I was thinking John Farnham.

[Jeterpool]

Neither example is particularly flattering Jeterpool!!!

I was thinking John Farnham.

Johnny is making a comeback to these forums the last few days. Getting some mentions!

Also sorry :blush: my bad. ha ha

[MFKS]

Yeah biggest problem speculating on losses is that anyone from Tinkler to FFA can throw a figure or and they'd be right from a certain point of view.

Just need to look at NCC justifying their special rate variation and how they fudged their way (legally) to get it to know.

It would be nice to know the actual operating losses on the joint. Would give us all a good starting point.

That is really why it is imperative we as fans get a foot in the door with ownership. Even if we are holding 10% we are then entitled to know the clubs financial position and once that happens it is then public knowledge as to how much a HAL club is costing to run.

It also then allows the fans to hold the club accountable and we have less of these one way shows of arrogance lies and bullshit that fans have had to endure with previous owners.


Worst case scenario we really need to take the opportunity here and get ourselves a 10% stake whilst the opportunity is available

[hawk]

That is really why it is imperative we as fans get a foot in the door with ownership. Even if we are holding 10% we are then entitled to know the clubs financial position and once that happens it is then public knowledge as to how much a HAL club is costing to run.

It also then allows the fans to hold the club accountable and we have less of these one way shows of arrogance lies and bullshit that fans have had to endure with previous owners.


Worst case scenario we really need to take the opportunity here and get ourselves a 10% stake whilst the opportunity is available

it then means we can chat using some facts instead of guessing

[Frodo]

Fury Unveil Community Ownership Model


Mick Eisenhut (Keith Eigeland/FQ)
North Queensland football fans now have something they can truly belong to and be a part of – Northern Fury.

The club has revealed its 2014 membership options – and there are much more than game tickets, a car sticker and lanyard on offer.

For two categories– Fury Foundation and Fury Forever – members also have an ‘ownership’ stake in the club.

“Northern Fury belongs to North Queensland,” said Chairman Rabieh Krayem. “And by that, we don’t just mean buying a ticket to games but actually having a say in the club by voting for the Board of Directors.”

Krayem said the community ownership model is one that has been used overseas but has not previously been used in Australia.

“Other clubs have looked at this model from time-to-time, but it’s not been implemented. We were on the verge of introducing this at North Queensland Fury three years ago before we were axed from the A-League.”

There are many clubs with the community ownership. The most prominent is the highly successful Bundesliga – or German football league – where at least 51% of every club must be owned by members.

“Our view is that a football club is a community resource and is has to endure and be sustainable into the long-term,” Krayem said.

“By having a community-based model of ownership linked to membership, members can be certain that being an ‘active’ and ‘passionate’ fan really means something.

“Northern Fury is an important part of the North Queensland community. We want to contribute to the development of football in this region for a very long time and this is how we think we can best do this.”

Krayem said introducing the new membership structure was part of the Fury’s longer term aspirations to be part of national competitions.

The top range memberships – Fury Foundation Members at a cost of $1,000 – also offer the chance to stand for the Board, with half the directorships expected to be up for election every second year.

The first three Fury Foundation Members have already been purchased by State Minister for Local Government, David Crisafulli, Mayor of Townsville, Jenny Hill and the Federal Member for Herbert, Ewen Jones.

“We’re inviting anyone and everyone who wants to help us build Northern Fury into an integral part of the national sporting landscape, and who can afford it, to become a Fury Foundation Member,” Krayem said.

For those who still want to influence the future direction of the club, Fury Forever members are also able to vote for the Board of directors at a cost of $135 or $250 for families.

The other membership categories include:

• Fury for Everyone - $79 concession / $99
• Fury Junior Army - $45, and
• Fury Far & Wide - $30 for those who live outside of Townsville.

“We hope that everyone who has an interest in the future development of football in North Queensland, or who just want to see a strong, community club in the region for the future benefit of our children and their children, will join us.

“We welcome anyone living in North Queensland, or members of the North Queensland diaspora living throughout Australia or the world to be part of something bigger with us.

“Fury is forever, and for everyone,” Krayem said.

Details of the membership packages and inclusions are available for purchase at www.northernfury.com.au or by calling Northern Fury on 07 4778 2352.

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-9385-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=28090006

[Opinionated]

I got confused when they changed the thread title to 'Dawn of Justice'.
Compulsive viewing now.

Welcome back to the conversation again. Can't stay away. Must be love :3

[Opinionated]

Good Find Frodo! Does anyone know how this went? I personally wouldn't want ownership of a football club that's name is a far better movie about 1 amazing world war tank killing machine then a football club! I find anyone playing in light green all season hard to take seriously. But non the less good on them for having a go. Did it work?

[Opinionated]

For me the biggest point is if Newcastle is to re brand and re-establish a football team it has to capture the community from the start. It needs to be something the people can not only support but engage with from the senior citizens to primary schools. The brand and the culture that the club represents need to be one with the city. There is no better time now then to engage a members owned club while we are still in the A-league and the ffa is behind us.

[The Dunster]

. The brand and the culture that the club represents need to be one with the city.

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/04/30/1226900/688345-974f0c6e-cb6b-11e3-9189-cbcdb705af69.jpg

[plague]

Welcome back to the conversation again. Can't stay away. Must be love :3

yeah you've already said that hey.

[Opinionated]

yeah you've already said that hey.

No no last time i said.. Are you going to stay away...? This time im saying welcome back. :gent:

[Beeen]

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/04/30/1226900/688345-974f0c6e-cb6b-11e3-9189-cbcdb705af69.jpg

Mr. Michael Bridges, owner of the star hotel

[plague]

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2014/04/30/1226900/688345-974f0c6e-cb6b-11e3-9189-cbcdb705af69.jpg

Holy shit look at that number plate.
Keep
Biraz
Forever
355 (which is the number of goals he let in from high crosses).


Uncanny.

[q-money]

jet fuel can't melt ford falcons

[plague]

jet fuel can't melt ford falcons

@RealAlexJones

[MFKS]

THE leader of the Squadron supporter group, Grant Furner, believes any new ownership model must incorporate the Newcastle and Hunter community if the Jets hope to reconnect with the region they represent.

A Football Federation Australia delegation met on Thursday with Northern NSW Football officials and other key stakeholders in Newcastle to start planning the Jets' flight path after FFA's decision on Wednesday to strip Nathan Tinkler of his A-League licence.

Furner is president of The Squadron, administers newcastlefootball.net, and co-hosts the "Jetstream" podcast on that website with fellow fan David Keating.

In a blog titled A New Dawn Begins Now, which appears in full at newcastlefootball.net, Furner has urged the game's powerbrokers to steer clear of "pursuing a single-entity ownership model" for Newcastle's football club.

"The long-suffering supporters need to be re-engaged with the club, and questions are already swirling on social media only hours after the licence was stripped from HSG," he wrote.

"Will the club still be called the Jets? Will United finally be returned to the club name? Will red and blue be the club colours or will gold return?

"All good questions - and a simple (yet complex) solution exists to both engage the supporters and answer these and other questions.

"A community ownership component can and should be a part of this club going forward. There is simply no better way to get the wider community re-engaged and invested in their club by allowing them to have a say in its future, and be involved in its future structure."

Born and bred in Newcastle, Furner has spent the past 15 years living and working in Sydney running a courier and flat-pack assembly business but returns to Newcastle for home games.

He started attending Jets games in 2006-07, the second season of the A-League.

He joined The Squadron soon after and spent seven years as their drummer. He has been president for the past two seasons.

Furner told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday that his blog was based on "stuff that I've been mulling over for a long time".

"There's always been some level of something never really clicking at Newcastle," Furner said. "It's like Newcastle has always threatened to take off but has never been given a proper go.

"It's always been run on the smell of an oily rag, and in recent history it's always been a club that one person has run and it's never really properly connected with the footballing community to the extent that it should have.

"In the early days of Tinkler, we were hoping that was going to be the case, that it was going to get better, but 18 months in you realised it wasn't going to work out and it's been a long, slow decline until what happened yesterday happened.

"From The Squadron's point of view, we'd always been pushing the club to engage more with the supporters. That was never really taken on board ... because they chucked it in the too-hard basket."

When Tinkler attended the Jets' last home game of the season against Sydney FC on April 17, he mingled with supporters in The Squadron, but Furner dismissed it as a publicity stunt.

"I was there in The Squadron bay, as I always am, but was not interested in being part of the PR campaign. A lot of the senior Squadron members stayed up the back away from it," he said.

"My thoughts when Nathan decided to throw his hat back into the ring and take over were that, while words were good, we wanted to wait and see what happens because he'd owned the club for four years and only now he's finally taking an interest.

"We weren't saying anything negative or being openly hostile ... but we were basically thinking, 'Well, it's good that he's decided to become involved, but let's see what happens and see whether he puts his money where his mouth is,' and obviously that hasn't happened."

He was confident the Jets by any name could fly high again.

"Even with all the crap that's gone on in the past 18 months, there's still 10,000 members and people still want to be involved," he said.

"I was always confident there was going to be a team that remained in Newcastle, and it's great that the FFA confirmed that."
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