Ebbsfleet chairman praises unique ownership system (From News Shopper)

Ebbsfleet chairman praises unique ownership system

3:28pm Wednesday 10th March 2010

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DUNCAN Holt says he would not swap Ebbsfleet’s unique fan ownership system for a wealthy benefactor because it would give supporters less say.

Fans of top teams such as Manchester United have become increasingly frustrated about the way their clubs are run, but few have suggested an alternative like the one in place at Fleet.

The Stonebridge Road side is the only outfit in the world which is owned by members of a website who pay a yearly £50 fee to influence key decisions like squad selection, transfer policy and club budgets.

Manchester United fans are angry with owners the Glazer family because they claim the Americans have used United as a cash cow to pay off their debts, despite the Red Devils being hugely successful on the pitch.

A group called The Red Knights, comprising City businessmen who support Manchester United, have tried to buy the club and have urged fans to join the supporters’ trust so they can have more say about how the Red Devils are run.

However, maybe The Red Knights and United fans should take a closer look at the way Blue Square Premier club Ebbsfleet operates.

Website MyFootballClub currently has a 75 per cent stake and has owned Fleet since 2008, making them the only club in the world to be owned in this way.

Ebbsfleet chairman Holt told the News Shopper: “What we have is stronger than Chelsea, which is owned by an individual with very deep pockets. I wouldn’t change what we have.

“I would much rather 4,500 passionate fans are having a say in the way the club is run than a couple of businessmen making decisions behind the scenes.”

However, not everything is rosy in the Fleet garden, as it recently emerged just 800 members have so far renewed their subscriptions out of 4,000.

This has left Ebbsfleet scrabbling for cash, requiring between £250,000 and £200,000 to stay afloat.

Holt hopes a vote on the share issue in the coming weeks would allow MyFC to release some of its equity.

He is also determined fans renew their membership and purchase season tickets for next year, which will shortly go on sale, to ensure key players like Lance Cronin and Peter Holmes remain at Stonebridge Road.

Holt said: “We need as many fans as possible over the next few weeks to renew. They will help us keep these players.

“It was clear from the recent fans forum that there was a lot of empathy towards what Liam is trying to do.”

The chairman also considers Ebbsfleet to be within touching distance of Conference survival after Liam Daish’s side recently picked up a vital win against York City, as well as points at Wrexham and Kidderminster.

He said: “We are not safe yet but I believe we are within a few games of safety. We just need a few more points.

“I am not even thinking about relegation.”

Ebbsfleet travel to Crawley Town on Saturday while Luton visit Stonebridge Road on March 20 in highly-anticipated encounter.

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