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[Uncle Globnasty]

Has anything progressed with this?

GR asked for a meeting and I presume this agenda has been put forward by the group?

Has there been any response? I suspect not.

I feel a point of no return has been reached as the man can no longer leave with any dignity in tact.....the time has long since gone when that could have happened. We have a police commissioner here in Ireland who's position is totally untenable, the police (Gardai) no longer have any credibility under her watch and still she clings on pathetically.....all too familiar.....the power hungry clinging onto their 'precious' with no regard to popular or indeed logical opinion. Sad.

[Leon]

We are pleased that Saturday’s successful supporter’s action is being recognised publicly by the Chairman. We again want to place on record our thanks to the protesting supporters on the day for their exemplary behaviour which was a credit to the Club, and we also wish to acknowledge the overwhelmingly positive reaction of our fellow supporters as we left the ground. This was a huge source of encouragement as we took such drastic action, as were the countless messages of support we have received since Saturday.
 
It is now time for the Chairman to stop hiding behind the pretence that the supporters who left the ground do not represent the wider view. And if he does genuinely believe what he is saying then he should get out and speak to people – people who do not have their own, and his interests to protect. The football club we all support is falling apart, on his watch.
 
As for the offer made by the Chairman, we would question why Grahame Rowley only wants to get ‘around the table’ with supporters who left the ground? Why would he not also meet the supporters who walked to the exit in solidarity, but stayed to watch the game? Why not the many supporters who held up Rowley Out cards as we left? Why not the numerous supporters who applauded the fans as they left the ground? Why not the hundreds of supporters already staying away while he remains in his current position?
 
29? We are sorry Grahame, you are going to need a much bigger table.
 
Within the club statement that appeared in the match day programme this past Tuesday (for the 3-1 defeat by Nuneaton Town), the Chairman appears to be suggesting that we sit together to discuss how we can keep him in his current position. There is a clear refusal to accept reality. All of these “grievances” have been raised before at various meetings and summarily dismissed, or in some cases made worse.
 
Nothing has changed.
 
Let’s be clear, if Grahame wants a meeting but none the less fully intends to stay on then there is no point in a meeting.
However, while we accept we have no right to speak for the majority of the fans who are pushing for change, as a group we would welcome the opportunity for a meeting with the Chairman to discuss the following agenda points:
 
i ) Building bridges with supporters
 
We discuss a public apology, from Grahame Rowley, for his comments about supporters (in both the Non-League Paper and the official match day programme) after the departure of Neil Young. This should include an explanation regarding his lack of communication in the weeks that followed, as well as an apology for the way the clubs social media volunteers were treated during this past Saturday's home game against Stalybridge Celtic. We will of course draft this, to be signed by the Chairman and then published on the official website, and as the lead article in the match day programme. This to be available for release to the press at our discretion.
 
ii ) Future of the Chairman
 
We work on a joint public appeal for a new chairman to come forward, one who has the required skills necessary to lead a football club. And, if required, we would be available to play our part to ensure a smooth handover. The current Chairman has long tried to play up a sense of reluctance,   and has previously indicated he would stand aside if someone else would come forward. Now is the time for action. Common ground can be found here.
 
iii ) Shareholding
 
A share issue equivalent to 51% of current ordinary voting shares, to be approved at next Board meeting. If not, then Grahame Rowley is to agree to an EGM for this to be put forward to a vote of current shareholders. The club is strangled and held back by the fragmented nature of the shareholding. It is widely acknowledged that there are a number of significant shareholders with little active interest in the well-being of Altrincham Football Club. There is no way we can properly move forward without this being addressed.
 
iv ) Accountability
An immediate end to the constant attempts to spread the blame for poor managerial appointments onto the fans. Supporters should be able to get behind Neil Young, and welcome Jim Harvey to the Club, without the risk of being held culpable in the decision if it does not work out. The Chairman has ultimate responsibility for ensuring the role is advertised correctly, the Chairman has responsibility for reviewing the candidates, the Chairman has responsibility for interviewing the candidates, and the Chairman has responsibility for the appointment. The continual denial of this highlights the complete lack of accountability that exists at Altrincham FC, as it sinks to the lowest level in it's history.
 
Finally, we would like to note on record that there is little doubt that the infrastructure of the Football Club has been improved by the current Chairman. But unfortunately, it is also abundantly clear that he is not the best person to get the most benefit out of the facilities and resources available. The selling of a player to a Premier League club, increased match day bar revenue, and the financial benefits of various cup runs over the past few seasons, should not lead to the lowest point in 114 years for Altrincham FC. The greatest gift we can give to the community is a successful football club, and the current imbalance between the relative performances of both aspects of Altrincham FC needs to be addressed. Grahame Rowley has taken us as far as he can. A Chairman should be decided by a person’s suitability to the role, not based on time given to the club on a voluntary basis. That said, we of course appreciate every single hour given by every single volunteer for Altrincham FC.
 
For the current time, the match-day action from supporters will continue, for this season and beyond. Regardless of the upturn in fortunes on the pitch that one would expect to accompany the drop to the lowest ever level that the club has played at. In spite of the thinking within the boardroom, the unpopularity of the current Chairman is not intrinsically linked to the current league position. It would appear to run far deeper than that within the fan base.
 
A further concern we have with the continued chairmanship of Grahame Rowley is the effect on season ticket sales, and therefore commercial activity, for next season. A number of supporters have already indicated that they will not be renewing their
season tickets under the current leadership, not re-joining vital fundraisers such as the patrons scheme, or will not be attending home games altogether. This issue needs addressing now to give us the strongest possible budget for next season as we begin the process of rebuilding Altrincham FC.
Next season is going to be one of the most important in the clubs history. It is essential that we don’t start it in the same position as we are now, where such a divide exists between the Chairman and the clubs hard core support.
For the good of the Football Club, and as a fellow Altrincham fan, we again call on the Chairman to announce his intention to stand aside and allow us to move forward united.
We await a positive response.

Hmm...

[Ginrail]

Who ever thought the situation was repaired? The fact is Grahame Rowley is not capable of being Chairman he has blundered from error to the next and the club will never be repaired with this man at the helm. Trying to have closed door meetings to split the opposition to his tenure is a good tactic but only for him. Perhaps an empty ground will wake up him to reality and now is the time to protest as their is no further need to encourage this group of players or yet another manager who has failed. Appointing internal number two's never works.

[cheshire cat]

What's going on at Leicester then?

[taxi Phil]

Bob Paisley anyone ? But then Matt Doughty is no Bob Paisley.