The Newcastle United Supporters Trust has launched one of the most ambitious fan initiatives attempted in English football as they bid to buy a stake in the Magpies on behalf of the fans.
The NUST today launches The 1892 Pledge- a long-term, fan-led attempt to raise enough money to buy a stake in United when Mike Ashley sells the club to new owners.
Supporters are being asked to pledge money to give the Trust enough capital to enter into negotiations with any new or prospective new owners to buy a minimum of a 1% stake in the club to ensure supporter representation at the club
There’s no timescale, with the Trust saying they are in it for the “long haul” as they bid to raise a minimum of £3million to get them around the table with potential new owners.
Could West Ham supporters have a similar ambition to own 1% of the club? If the club is valued at around £500m that would need about £5m for a 1% stake.
That would need 50,000 West Ham supporters to pledge £100 each, harder than you think but we could see a West Ham Supporters Trust one day have that aim.
Last year, John Harris sadly passed away, he and his family own 1.4% of West Ham and his son Daniel sits on the board, perhaps they could be persuaded to part of 1% of their shareholding to a newly formed trust to get a fan representative on the board.
500m lol
If I was that family and someone offered me 5 million for 1% I’d bite their arm off. I’d also be happy to buy a tiny share in West Ham for £100 but then I’ve no doubt it would become a new bond scheme situation and like in the past you will always have those that would object to it. And as we know among West Ham supporters perhaps as you would expect in the DNA of a working class club born of an iron workers union, there are a minority who will object to absolutely anything whatever it might be.
Dream? Seems like someone is looking to head up a ‘charity’, gaining perks and privileges of a position that they can not afford themselves. Sounds more like Newcastle Unite union.
COYI