Player Pledge Is Back For 2007/08

Last updated : 12 August 2007 By Bournemouth Co-Ordinator
From the point of view of Jeff Mostyn and Steve Sly, they had to be certain that Playershare provided good value towards what they were trying to achieve.

To cut a long story short, an agreement was reached in July and this was ratified by a Playershare EGM on 8 August. For most purposes, the scheme will work in exactly the same was as before. There are a few minor changes, however:

- The company is now allowed to support the youth team squad as well as the first team. It is not envisaged that this will be a regular occurrence, but given the importance of the youth team set-up to the club, it does seem important that Playershare should be able to help if required.
- The method by which we loan money remains as before, but there have been changes to the way that we invest in future player transfers. The amount we will receive will be lower than before, but it had already been agreed by the shareholders that the previous scheme was too generous to Playershare.
- On the plus side, the new scheme should ensure that Playershare does receive what it is entitled to. In the past, we have been due significant sums that the club has been unable to pay.

On balance the changes should work to the benefit of Playershare, and that in turn should hopefully mean that it will be easier than before to raise the money that we require. Certainly Jeff and Steve are delighted that the company will continue, and whilst the proof of the pudding will always be in the eating, there is s good spirit between the club and Playershare which augurs very well for the future.

Kevin Bond is as appreciative of what the scheme can do as Sean was and has already said many nice things about us in the press. He is always willing to come to our shareholder meetings and to answer questions very honestly. Our shareholders don't get much for their money (apart from the warm feeling of knowing that their money has and does make a difference to the way that the team plays) but one thing Kevin can give in return is a bit more inside knowledge than is generally known. That he has been very willing to do at the three meetings so far.

The Exiles have always been good supporters of Playershare - either as shareholders of by pledging money via Playerpledge - and I hope that our regular supporters will remain, and will be joined by even more of you!

Playerpledge is being re-launched for the new season and an application form is attached to this article, which gives details of where the form should be returned to. If anyone prefers to send an e-mailed version, please feel free to send it to me at nick.douch@virgin.net.

If anyone wants to become a shareholder, (and remember you only need to buy one share for £100 now) and to get an invitation to our meetings with Kevin - the next is likely to be in December - you can contact me on the above e-mail or by phone on 01442-824743. And of course, if you are already a shareholder and want to add to your shareholding, you can do that in multiples of £100.

Finally when you are able to make the game, don't forget to visit the Playershare raffle - run by Paul Frank and his team - which is outside the club shop for the hour before kick-off. They are always pleased to relieve you of those "oh so heavy" pound coins!

Here is the link to the Player Pledge Application form.