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We've finished 3rd and played in Cup Finals under that model. 300 grand a year from Erik Barmack isn't going to change anything on the park.

I’ve supported the club for 38 years and attended most weeks since . I joined the well society at the point of it starting and paid a decent wedge for many years as I’m sure many did and still do. I’ve also via business contributed to many club events and sponsorship over the years. On this basis some would say I am pro society and blinded by Motherwell FC being the b all and end all through the majority of my life. I now don’t pay in and don’t have a season ticket or contribute as simply because I have different priorities now alongside the product on the pitch being pretty dross for a good few years and other than KVV there’s not been any real exciting footballers that made me want to contribute or buy a season ticket or pay into the society the past few years - I’ve basically picked when it suited me to go of late. I won’t be alone in this statement and know for a fact I am not alone out the group of us who attend. We have a core loyal support and this is reflected in season ticket holders, attendances, well society payments and attendance at general Motherwell related events run by the club. This has been similar numbers over many many years despite the club glossing it up with free season tickets for kids etc. I am very sceptical that the well society can increase numbers or funds based on the above . I hope I’m wrong but I just can’t see it in this economic climate. Some of the society spins lead with the heart rather than the head in my opinion. I’m also sceptical over local business investment as surely parts of this will have been attempted before by the clubs commercial teams/boards over the years. Again being involved in business I can’t see many coming forward but of course I hope I’m wrong . As I see it the club and society cut their cloth accordingly, we hope for premier league survival year on year but don’t expect much success similar to the last few years or much entertainment on the pitch . This keeps in with the community ethos , promoting the woman’s team and keeping the punching above our weight phrase often used for us. I’m not saying that is right or wrong but it’s where it’s taken us and will continue along similar lines. Youth development is critical to any potential windfalls but you also need a system in place, a structure in place and a 1st team manager willing to not fear playing youth . Something hasn’t clicked with this in the past 5 years with what has come through since turnbull with only miller making notable appearances. Whilst there’s a potential windfall with him money in the bank against him remains zero at present. From the outset the society were pushed to the side and didn’t have the say they should have in the running of the club or the big decisions - I firmly believe it was set up for a former employee to protect himself and his ego. Society monies should never have been passed to the club so easily without proper consultation but how much mis management led to the club needing the society to help. Lets hope any new structure allows a proper say in matters should the society be the clubs future. That say needs to be structured and educated though to be successful . Being a Motherwell fan with Motherwell at heart isn’t the only important thing here - that dance has been done before and part of the reason we are where we are. Yes if we are this small wee community club fighting survival only it will be fine but should we not aspire to be more than that and seek a trophy as success? I’m yet to be fully persuaded at all by the investment proposal either by Erik. There’s little detail in the future , in investment, in where he sees us in a year, 3 years and 5 years but hopefully his response will shed some light and then allow me to cast my vote. Of course it’s a risk but what actually are the potential rewards? So far this whole circus is very similar to the general election . A lot of chat, little action, big buzz words and lacking detail. One thing we can’t have though is a future divide, bitterness and a split in the support . From both sides that’s the way I see this heading at the moment. This is about the club futures not individuals on both sides of the debate .

I'll try to summarise one of the best points I heard from a board member.... At the moment board members are sacrificing time they could be spending with their families or on their careers to contribute to the Society and club. Members are contributing money they have worked hard for. if Barmack's deal goes through any time or money put into the Society will be a free contribution to Erik Barmack making a profit on his investment. Why would anyone want to do that?

He's employed by the Club and I would expect him to take direction from the Executive Board, who hired him. Think you're being overly critical of someone who's position doesn't exist to jump to the tune of the Society, or it's members. This disconnect between WS and Board is everything that's wrong with the current issues we're having.

This is a good example of why the structure of the club needs to be changed. The CEO was recommended to the Executive Board by the WS Board. But he was employed by the Executive Board who are categorically recommending the investment proposal. He could be the biggest supporter of fan ownership and the WS proposal that there is, but it would take a very brave man to speak freely under those circumstances.

The only time I see anything like this is when a company is in serious financial difficulties and someone comes in with a ridiculous takeover/merger offer which is accepted because nothing else is on the table and they're desperate and have no choice which is as far removed from our situation as it can get.

But who employs and is responsible for the CEO? Surely they are the final arbiters of what goes out?

Here's a hypothetical example or two. I own a 4G (or 5G) football pitch company. I invest 50K into the club and lay a practice pitch for cost. In return I get 5 year's free advertising inside Fir Park and 50% of revenue generated by renting out the practice pitch. I'm a sports data company. I give you the equipment and software to use for free. In return, you give me all your player data for free and I combine that with other team's data that I combine and sell to sports scientists, universities, journalists and game developers. I invest 500k for new equipment and faclities in the academy. In return, I get 10% of transfer fees from academy graduates for the next 10 years, capped at 750k.

We continue as we are, raising the money we already do and using player sales, league performance and other income to keep us sustainable. The club is in absolutely no immediate financial danger. The Chairman has said as much publicly. Under the Exec Board's proposal, the safety net of the WS will diminish to practically zero over the course, even with its contributing membership remaining as it is (which it won't). So that the begs the (so far unanswered) question; under Barmack's stewardship, who provides the safety net for the magical £750k funding gap in the doomsday scenario we keep hearing about?

A few we other snippets I had: Tom was also confident that with the "Motherwell men" on the board if the proposal went through there'd be no need for EB to have the deciding vote. Cos he felt the Motherwell men would prevent it. I pointed out it doesn't always work that way as an example, himself. Voted on the WS board to protect and maintain the Society, Only to vote against society's ownership. When I mentioned we'd probably make up the EB money if not surpass it with the sale of Bair and Miller he said, "we'll sell Bair, We're not selling Miller." Before going into the "what if" injury thing. Make of that what you will. Similarly when I asked "what happens to the society if this deal goes through?" Tom gave the ideal scenario where there is the same amount of members contributing and the Society have X amount of money for a back up. I pointed out that I don't think that would be the case as many members, myself included, would stop their contributions. He couldn't fathom this, I was trying to put a point across "why would anyone contribute to something that has moved the goal posts and no longer stands for it's original purpose?" but it was a busy part of the room and the questions were flying at him.

There in lies the problem with a lot of people on here !!!!! A good business will have a plan in place for the worst case scenario Whats the WS plan if we don’t attract all the thousands of new members and fans ???? Even when we’ve being doing well and playing exciting football our fan base barley moves

I'm the same. I'm feeling optimistic after tonight. It was very clear that all the board members against the proposal are well prepared for the vote and moving the Society forward and that they have put a huge amount of time and effort into dealing with this issue. As far as Tom Feeley goes I'll give him some credit for coming out and putting across his position but whenever detailed criticisms of the deal were addressed to him all he could respond with was "I would hope" or telling us to trust Barmack and other non WS board members. Considering that we are talking about the future of the club and millions of pounds of Well Society member's assets 'hope' and 'trust' are nowhere near good enough. There was a point just before I left where Tom Feeley and Sean Baillie were discussing the future of the Well Society if Barmack takes over and the contrast in detail pretty much summed the night up. Sean clearly explained the likelihood of the WS not being able to meet the funding commitments in the deal and the danger of Barmack's marketing of the club leading to match going fans being outnumbered by new online fans in Society votes. All Tom could respond with was 'we'll deal with that in a few years if we have to'.

Sneddon wasnt the worst full back we ever had. We just got him at the end of his career when he was more or less past it. We have had far worse.

No he isnt. He is employed by the football club who are run by the Executive Board. The Well Society are merely the major shareholder. Hopefully after all this is over that will change.

Aye Some people need to wake up to the fact that everything in this proposal is loaded in his favour. Yet there's still some who are saying "but it's money we wouldn't otherwise have" without realising the ramifications or totally dismissing what the WS have published. If I go by my circle of friends who are mostly WS members and who I gauge as a typical cross selection of ages and abilities then I think this will get kicked into touch.

Thanks

I've noticed that many people are saying that if Barmack wins the vote, they will cancel their contributions to the Society. They feel that their funds would essentially be used to finance the day-to-day running of the club under the control of a millionaire American chairman. I understand their perspective and will likely do the same. However, I'm not sure that would disappoint Erik too much, despite what he says. There's the £1.35 million commitment from the Society built into his plan for a reason. I personally believe that much of it is based on him guessing the Society won't be able to meet those numbers, which would effectively cause some sort of forfeit accompanied by penalties. I've asked numerous times what those penalties will be, but have received no concrete answers. I also find his desire to remove the loan that is, I believe, secured against the stadium very interesting. Would I be surprised if the money to cover any shortfall in Society contributions over the six years is claimed via the loan being waived? I would not.

I had a quick skim of the articles of association for the club; there's nothing specific that I can see there (it mainly relates to the role of directors, share sales and purchases etc.) but based on corporate law, any shareholder can call for an EGM at any point; but I think a majority have to agree, so it's not happening without the Society's approval/involvement in it. I do think that will happen, but there's a manner and approach to that which I think needs to be taken. I've said in a few other places that I think the WS Board have really behaved impeccably throughout this; the Exec Board are showing themselves up to be the ones with the immature/flippant attitude, or downright disregard for anything that isn't what they're proposing. There's very much a "hoist by their own petard" feeling to all of this right now; they're doing a good enough job of fucking this up themselves... so let them keep doing it. The reaction on Twitter to the latest statement, for example, is entirely negative from what I've read so far. I'm sure an EGM will follow if it's required; but until it's absolutely necessary, I don't see how the Society can win from calling one right now.

Because there are no doubt formal procedures, timescales, rules etc that need to be followed and other criteria met before such meetings can be called.

He’s employed by the owners of the club the WS

Yep, I was in the same boat. There should also be tickets reserved on the online ticketing portal for your season tickets seats for the two League Cup home games. Like last season on the physical card, I assume, if purchased, that these tickets will also be loaded onto the digital pass.

In much the same way as Barmack will undoubtedly now start talking about some of "his plans" which will be very similar to the plans in the Well Society document. Basically, he had nothing to offer before. But has waited to see what the Society offers so he can nab some of the ideas from it and claim "this is what I actually meant when I was typing a lot but saying nothing on P&B."

McMahon has shown himself to be a bitter, arrogant, condescending prick through this debacle and will now leave his position with a very stained legacy. What a fucking idiot. It's all been entirely unnecessary and avoidable.

Aye. It's basically them saying "we've already thought of this, ner ner ner". I'm sure they are; some of it is business as usual stuff to an extent (season tickets renewals/promotions etc.) but it reads so high and fucking mighty. If they'd "already been doing some of this" we wouldn't be in the fucking mess we're in, you bunch of fucking charlatans.

Aye. Dont let the door hit you on the arse on the way out!

A pathetic 'statement' prompted by many fans pointing out the Club's failure to post the Well Society's plan on the Club's socials yesterday. Get it right fucking up McMahon and cronies, and good riddance when it comes.

The day to day running of the club and dealing with employees is the CEO. If the Executive Board have officially directed Caldwell to bury the plan online that's a huge red flag against them. If he's done it off his own back it's a black mark against him. We'll find out tonight. People at the club beyond McMahon obviously want this to go through. Suzanne Read and Bob Park are very clearly pro Barmack on social media. It's extremely unprofessional but that's their MO.

Only one question to be answered tonight . Who gave Jim McMahon permission to try and sell our club and why is he still there

Older supporters might remember another full back we had (briefly) called Sneddon. Fingers cross Seddon turns out to be a better signing. https://www.motherwellnet.com/database/player-archive/s/alan-sneddon/

None of that sounds great at all… we are now offering free advertising, percentages of our transfers, part of our end of year profits, some of the revenue from renting out our facilities all to try and gain investments. I do look forward to reviewing the business plan in the forthcoming days.

That isn’t quite true. Barmack was criticised heavily for not having any plan at all, and then he didn’t help himself by admitting that he had about 10% of the knowledge needed to create one. He indicated in various conversations some of his ideas as follows: Take one of our home games against either Celtic or Rangers, where we still don’t fill a 13,700-seat stadium, to Wembley Stadium in London. Essentially force the manager and recruitment team to sign and play two Latin American players because it could be useful in securing a sponsorship deal with a tequila company. Aside from that, he suggested implementing an AI system that would take a few weeks to put together and cost about $10,000. So no, it’s not quite the same. The Well Society has put together a proposal that includes action plans, complete with KPIs and projected ROI, in a business plan that will be available shortly. Barmack has produced absolutely nothing so far. If someone asks you for a specific example, just tell them about the strategic investment section of the proposal. The Well Society’s strategic investment plan aims to secure the future of the club by attracting partnerships from companies and individuals who can offer both financial support and specialised expertise. In return, the investors will receive a share of the revenue generated from these projects, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement. This approach ensures the club remains financially robust and operationally advanced without relinquishing any shares or boardroom seats. By leveraging the skills and resources of strategic investors, the Well Society can implement initiatives such as upgrading training facilities, introducing advanced scouting technologies, and creating immersive media content. These projects will not only provide immediate benefits to the club but also generate ongoing revenue and cost savings. Additionally, investors will gain the opportunity to showcase their products and services in a real-world, high-visibility environment, receive valuable feedback and data for further development, and enjoy the brand association with a historic football club, which provides them with the "test case" needed to sell their services to other clubs and companies. The strategy allows for the club’s continuous improvement and financial stability while preserving the fan ownership model, ensuring the values and traditions of Motherwell are upheld. See above.

In my opinion, the only way the WS can generate substantial increased revenue is for investment and not increased members. investors will want something in return for their investment. What are the WS offering in return? Shares/percentage of the club? Is that not the same as EB is offering right now?

I understand what your saying but to play devils advocate, EB was ripped to pieces for not going into the minutia of any plans by some on here. Steelboy im sure wouldnt have been happy until EB was in his kitchen telling him how he was going to spend every single penny. I honestly want fan ownership to win the day but that release is nowhere near enough and as I said, just as bad as EB's but with a bit more emotion.

8 new singings, 1 new loanee, and 2 loans to permanent, all before the pre-season games have finished and the League Cup has started. WTF is going on?! Rhetorical question. The transfer window is open for another 2 months, so, as others note, there will likely be some more movements in and out, particularly once we see how the current crop performs during the cup games. I expect Bair and, lesser so this window, Miller to be sold, some young boys (e.g. Ferrie, Wells, Ross) to go out on loan, and 14 wingbacks to come in on loan.

Wonder how long it’ll take some on here and more likely the media to call him Steve ‘Sneddon’ just like Theo ‘Blair’ and Chris ‘Humphries’ etc. Welcome to the club, great to see another new face in.