For the last 12+ months Stephen Pearce has had to endure a torrence of abuse.
The one thing that sticks out for me is that he didn't just walk away from the mess MM made. He's stuck around to see the club get back on its feet, he's just got on with doing what needed to be done even though a big proportion of the support was singing his name to be removed from the club and he's now openly said he wants to stay and see the club be successful.
I think it's time we stop any abuse towards him and see him for what he actually is. He seems a good guy with our interests at heart and if we are to become a force again, he wants to be right behind us steering the ship.
MM must have been a nightmare to work with so for him to stay at the club during those years must say a lot about SP and what he thinks of DCFC.
Time we cut him some slack and probably appreciate what he's been through to get the club back to where it is now.
It’s nice to see that the minutes are taken and released by a supporter group instead of waiting for the club to check them and not release them sometimes resulting in questions asked that we couldn’t answer.
In my opinion this is one reason why the forum stepped away. I’m encouraged by the change of tact and openness by our new owner and Pearce.
I was at the meeting, too, as a representative of RamsTrust Board (elected on Wednesday night!)
Obviously my first meeting, but I agree that there appears to be a much more positive culture within the club from what has been reported on previously, we chatted together for quite a long time after the formal meeting was held. It felt like the building of new relationships.
Apart from a short embargo to allow us all to sleep last night, we were told we could report anything that was said and there would be an open atmosphere. No questions were frowned upon or dismissed and dare I say it, there was a lot more dialogue and many less "speeches" than I witnessed from the previous filmed meetings.
One of the things I am very pleased about personally is the possibility of the reinstatement of Fans Forums. Like many things mooted, it might not happen overnight but the club is moving in a positive direction. There's still a lot to do but a promising start.
Bring on the safe standing!
Really like what I'm reading. The club has been toxic for so long, and it look like DC is trying to bring back some integrity and instil a better culture.
Morning all..
In the absence of a DCFC fans representative at the meetings I thought it would be helpful to upload the minutes to here. My personal thoughts are below.
Many of you know my issue with Stephen Pearce. I have been very vocal on that for various reasons. However, Charlton away we had a catch up and with Dave. A line has been drawn between us which Dave very much initiated. He is as much responsible as Dave for saving our club and I think we need to recognise that.
Last night Stephen came across a very different man. Confident. Comfortable. Relaxed. Clear to see the shackles of Mel have been removed and he can be his own person. Mixed in with the ethos and culture that Dave has I fully trust SP to take us forward. He knows that he has points to prove and is up for that challenge. He has my backing.
A few other points i would like to add. Safe Standing, you know I have been campaigning for 15 odd years!!! Looking like some kind of movement with this and going forward expect there to be some news over the next few months.
South Stand - raised about bar wait times and requested that the bottle bars return particularly for half time. This is lost revenue. Left with SP to sort. I have also raised, as i have done for years, that we should be aiming to replicate a Bristol City / Lincoln kind of area. This was always the idea with the Fan Park but somewhat slipped to the side. Would be great to have a culture where fans can turn up early, have a few drinks and enjoy it. Same after the game as well, get the Yard and South Stand concourse open for an hour.
Really positive meeting and refreshing that we are discussing issues and points that the charter group was setup for! Big thanks to the guys at BAWT for drafting up the minutes.
Minutes of SCG Meeting 22nd September, 2022
Present: DCFC - David Clowes, Stephen Pearce, Punjabi Rams, DCFC Disabled Supporters Club, RamsTrust, DCFC Supporters Club, Black and White Together, Derby County Collection, Nick Webster, RamsActive
The club has been reviewing and assessing the managerial position since DC took over and Liam Rosenior has been fantastic. They have a great relationship. The club has a duty of care towards Liam's career as someone taking his first steps in managing and what might happen to Liam if it didnt work out played a part in the decision.
Paul Warne brings experience and now is his time for a big job at a big club. Other clubs were after him, both those with and those without a manager currently.
DC liked how he treats players, journalists, encouraging everyone to get the best out of themselves.
There is nothing to read into the title of Head Coach – there is no plan for Technical Director/Director of Football – it is just commensurate with Head of Recruitment, Head of Academy, which they will move their focus to now. They see these three roles working as a team.
Paul Warne spoke to the players on Wednesday evening and will do press next Tuesday.
With regards to the players we signed and his style, Paul is adaptable, but he was after some of our players in summer. His teams are running teams and he is happy with players he has.
DC will speak to Liam and other coaching staff on Monday when they return from a short break, but they were aware of the situation before DCFC approached Rotherham to speak to Paul Warne.
The club is well within the business plan agreed with the EFL, so there is a buffer. They sent the EFL the recruitment strategy, by player and position, and all was signed off, no problem. It is a two-year plan, with a review after 12 months, but we can’t currently spend transfer fees or loan fees.
The plan was done on a worst case scenario., so season ticket sales coming in over the figure in the business plan really helped.
The club is now debt free.
Two sell-on clauses were sold for short term cash during administration, but others remain.
The first accounting year will end on 30th June, 2023, so filed by March 2024.
The club will look into a non-Away member Season Ticket holder category after away members and before general sale for away tickets.
They will look at Roadriders again, but once the cost of hiring a bus, putting a steward on them and some covid restrictions still are factored in, it is likely to still be prohibitive.
They will also look at the possibility of beambacks for sold out away games.
The club now has a very good relationship with the EFL and other clubs, including Wycombe, Middlesbrough, and Rotherham.
The Yard is now open again on matchdays. They are looking at projects for the Back Yard in the close season.
Stephen Pearce has a point to prove. If everything he was accused of was true, the administrators or the due diligence of bidders would have found something. He wants to take club forwards.
The board will expand in the next 12-18 months, but a new chair will be appointed soon.
David Clowes said he is categorically not looking to flip the club.
The club is researching a Shadow Board. They have spoken to Joe Blott, of Spirit of Shankly, the only one in place currently. The club eill circulate details, but the idea is the responsibility of the club to a Shadow Board would be written into the Articles of Association.
There is a change in culture in the club, and DC wants to be open and transparent within the limits of running a business.
It was commented the club is losing money due to lack of staff at concessions. The club has longer term plans, but acknowledges short term improvements can be made. The Bristol City model was mentioned as an example.
Re safe standing- the club met with the safety advisory group and the Sports Ground Safety Authority. The rake is a concern, but are pricing up potential phased equivalent of safe standing. Not railed seating but barriers. The top 9-10 rows in south stand and away area are the difficult areas, but the club wants to be an early adopter.
The club wants the sponsorship to match the new culture, keen not to have betting or crypto on the front of shirts. If not, they could have had it done weeks ago. But they also don't want to devalue the shirt for next or future seasons, so better to go no sponsor, if so. But the club has decided to go with a national charity to protect the value of the brand. However, it could be that the club asks for funds raised to be used locally.
They are also discussing the logistics of having the option to buy a sponsorship logo for replica shirts, like a number or players name, with possibility of part going to the charity.
With regards to the stadium, there is a long CapEx list, which the club will be working through in order of priority over next 18 months.
DCCT and DCFC Women separate board of Trustees, but the club is trying to bring them closer. DCFC Women have been training on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Moor Farm, but changing rooms are difficult. But now th3 club is making a dedicated women's hub for sole use, branded etc. Good for board meeting, analysis and with dedicated changing facility too. It will be finished in a couple of weeks. They will continue to play at Mickleover.
It’s a massive mistake. The whole of the footballing community has effectively been ‘silenced’, prevented from showing their respect. What a spectacle we could have put on. Once the opportunity has passed it is too late. The moment will have gone.
I'm not a supporter of the monarchy but whether you are or are not, you can't but admire the class and dignity with which the Lady carried out her royal duties, occasionally at what appears from the outside, to have been at the expense of her own personal happiness.
Sad that there's been one or two insensitive posts but hardly surprising.
Talk about perfect timing!
Even taking away the late win (why would you!) that was a cracking game to show off to a couple of neutrals.
Decent attendance. Cracking atmosphere from both sets of fans, and a well fought entertaining game where both teams could walk off with heads held high. ?
The only thing missing was a new Rams shirt apiece from the club shop, but you can always bring them again in the autumn! (That’s the official release date, I believe! ?)
Lovely day for it indeed. Well done! ??
I'm so utterly delighted by this result. Shows what the club are all about. Resilient to the last.
Hopefully this is the kind of victory that ignites a winning streak.
Despite having not had the rub so far we are in the playoffs and processing in the cup.
Considering where we have come from, it's an amazing place to be.
Really looking forward to going to the match today with my boys. This is what it's all about. Without David Clowes stepping in it wouldn't be happening. Thank you very much Mr Clowes?
BarrowRam got a reaction from mozza in v Peterborough (H) - Predictions
