Frequently Asked Questions
MEMBERSHIP
Why £35?
To make it affordable for as many people as possible. It's less than most Premiership tickets, and also less than a new football manager computer game.What if the club goes into debt - will I be liable or have to pay anything?
No you won't. The club will be a limited company. So if the club incurs debt which cannot be met from the club's own resources, MyFootballClub members would not be liable for that debt.
In fact, the MyFootballClub model makes it less likely for the club to encounter financial difficulty as it provides a brand new income stream for the club. This would be on top of all the traditional sources of revenue, such as gate receipts, sponsorship, TV income and merchandising. It's also hoped that these sources of income would increase because of the club's increased popularity.
I love English football, but I do not live in England. Can I still join?
Absolutely. Overseas members are positively encouraged. This will also help the club's scouting network.
Can I buy more than one share?
No. It's strictly one share, one vote per member.
What if I don't want to be a member of MyFootballClub in the second year?
Membership fees are annual. If you do not want to continue being a member, there's no obligation to renew.
53,000 were invited to become members. Is this the limit?
No. The principle of any Trust, including the MyFootballClub Trust, is not to limit numbers, and to raise as much money as possible for the 'cause'. Being able to surpass 53,000 will enable the members' football club to become even more competitive.
THE FOOTBALL CLUB
What happens to the current 'behind the scenes' employees of the club once purchased?
The intention is for them to stay. It's important the club retains its identity. Staff and existing supporters will play an important role in conveying the club's values and traditions to MyFootballClub members.
How will the management of the club be structured?
The intention is that the club management will include existing employees and Directors of the club. Above all, management will possess the experience necessary to run the football club, and should be prepared to act in accordance with the instructions of MyFootballClub members.
Who will be on the Board of the club?
New Directors will be appointed, whose role will include ensuring that decisions taken by MyFootballClub members are implemented on a day-to-day basis. A member of the MyFootballClub web team will also be on the Board, as good communication between the website and the club will be crucial to MyFootballClub's success.
What if after the club is bought there's no money left over?
The club will still have all of its traditional revenue streams. New members will also provide further income.
What happens if there is money left over after purchasing a club
The members will decide how to spend it. It could, for example, be used for buying new players. Once the club is purchased, membership fees from new members will be divided into various funds, eg Player Transfers, Stadium, Youth Policy and Community. It will be up to the members to decide what percentage of the money each fund receives.
What if members make the club successful, will they be rewarded?
All profits generated by the football club will be reinvested in the club, meaning members will not be paid a dividend or a share of these profits. This will put the football club on a more secure financial footing, since there will be no shareholders who take money out of the club.
This also means decisions affecting the club will be made purely for the club's benefit, and not by shareholders who have a vested interest. So for example, if there's a great young player at the club who could be sold for a high fee, the decision about whether to sell him will be made by members, not by an owner who wants to make a personal profit.
Can MyFootballClub members sell the club then if they want to?
Yes. It will require a 75% majority to pass such a motion. However, as the club will not be run for members' profit, any proceeds from the sale will not be shared by MyFootballClub Members. This is therefore unlikely to happen in practice. If, however, a vote is passed to sell the club, then proceeds would be given to a charity with similar objects.
Won't the existing fans of the club be unhappy?
A proportion of fans might be, as with all football club takeovers. Others, however, will recognise the benefits of being owned by thousands of football lovers from around the world, rather than a single individual with unknown motives.
MyFootballClub members will all be putting money directly into the club, not looking to take any out, and will be solely motivated by the club's success. No other takeover or new owner will promise that.
THE HEAD COACH
No manager... you serious?
Absolutely. In England we've had over 120 years of managers picking teams, so for one football club to try something new isn't being hasty.
Our Head Coach will be in an enviable and unique position. He will be able concentrate on coaching and getting the best out of players, without being accused of picking the wrong team or formation.
He can guide members on which players and formations may work, however, ultimate responsibility rests with the members. He will also benefit from a substantial transfer budget – something that is unheard of in the lower leagues.
Do members have a say in who the head coach for our team will be?
The current manager will be given the opportunity to become the head coach. Should he decline, then yes, the members will have a say.
BUYING AND SELLING PLAYERS
How will players be bought and sold
MyFootballClub members will be able to suggest transfer targets. As will the Head Coach and club scouts. Deals to buy these players will be done in principle, and then members will vote whether to accept or veto the transfer. The same process will take place for outgoing transfers.
You explain that members would target and sign players. But who would then negotiate?
Like all clubs, ours will have a chief executive. And it will be the chief executive's role to manage the transfer process.
Do members pay for player transfers?
Members will decide how to distribute income from membership fees after the club takeover. This money, and income from other revenue streams, will contribute towards paying for transfers.
THE WEBSITE
Why isn't there a real-time counter showing how many members there are?
During the takeover phase, it is prudent not to reveal how much money the Trust has, so as to protect our negotiating position with football clubs. As soon as a football club has been purchased, the number of members will be made public.
Will you just be the web-interface between members and the Head Coach?
After the takeover, the primary role of the MyFootballClub web team is to provide a website that enables MyFootballClub members to steer the course of the club. This will include smooth communications between members and all key club staff.
Who is behind MyFootballClub?
Will Brooks had the idea in February 2005. In the mid 1990s Will set up a fanzine for London football clubs. He then worked as a writer on Match of the Day magazine for 5 years. More recently he has worked as an advertising copywriter. Many others have helped launch MyFootballClub, providing legal, technical and football advice.
PICKING THE TEAM
How will the team be picked?
How will players react to being picked by thousands of members rather than a manager?
It will inspire them. Having the backing of tens of thousands of members will be the ultimate motivation. Don’t forget, personality clashes between managers and players are common in football and often lead to poor performances. Our club will not suffer from this. Players will know that if they play well then they should get picked.
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS
Won't opposition managers be able to find out team line-ups and tactics, therefore getting an advantage?
No. The MyFootballClub coach will be given members' selection well in advance of the match. It will then be published on the MyFootballClub website an hour before kick-off, the same time as the opposition and other media sources find out.
What if someone intentionally makes bad decisions to affect the club?
Firstly, we think it's unlikely someone would pay £35 to do this, but if they do, we should thank them for providing money to buy players and improve the club. And secondly, a ‘crazy’ vote will not be the deciding vote with tens of thousands voting.
These FAQs were written in March 2007. They are a representation of MyFC before the website had its first member, before the website was launched. New FAQs which are more representative of the current status of the My Football Club Society and Ebbsfleet United will be published in time for the beginning of the 08/09 season.