What this means is that Playershare can concentrate on doing what it is supposed to; raise money so that it can be used to improve the team's strength – either when there is an opportunity of a new player or when it is forced by injury. Over the four seasons that Playershare has been in existence, the list of players that have played for the club because of the intervention of Playershare is now far too long to mention, and although many have been loan players who have returned to their club, several have become permanent signings – and Playershare has generally been instrumental in providing some or all of the transfer expenses as well.
One problem has always been that it has been difficult for Playershare to get all the money it should from outgoing transfers because of the club's difficult financial situation. However, during the close season, we agreed with the club that the money we will receive for the transfer of James O'Connor will be returned to the club so that there will not have to be a reduced budget for this season. Recycling transfer money in this way has always been an aim of Playershare, and we are pleased that we have been able to reach agreement with the club and support the team in this way.
All in all, things are looking very positive – but there is of course always a minor fly in the ointment!! We always need more money. Although the money for transfers helps, for the manager to be able to achieve what he wants, there has to be an influx of new money every season. Since we started four seasons ago, the new money (not counting recycled transfers) amounts to just over £300,000 – far more than any of us envisaged when we started out. But we need to keep it coming.
The Exiles have always been great supporters with a good number of you joining Playerpledge. If you haven't done this yet – or you have forgotten to renew for this season - an application form appears on the Exiles website – and we'll even accept the form back by e-mail!
Those of you that manage to get to home games will know that the Playershare raffle – run by Paul Frank – will be happy to relieve you of your money from its table just outside the club shop. What some of you may not have realised is that there are a number of unique team related items like key fobs with the player's photo built in, to the latest offering – an autograph sheet with players' pictures printed on it. These are all made by another exile – David Buttery – from what can only be a sweat shop in Peterborough given the amount of stuff that he has produced in less than a year!
But I have kept the best bit until last. When Playershare was initially set up, for various reasons which need not detain us here, the minimum initial shareholding was set at 10 shares – or an investment of £1,000. In some ways that made the company look a bit more exclusive than we would have liked. So, at our last AGM, a resolution was passed reducing the minimum shareholding to one share – or an investment of £100. So what do you get for your investment; well to be honest in material terms not a lot! You do get the chance to have shareholders' meetings with the management team a couple of times a year – but that's about it. However, what you do get is a deep inner satisfaction that the money you have invested enables the club to have players that would not otherwise be possible. Cardiff was clearly the high spot for that – but since then there have been many other moments for shareholders to savour.
So if you would like to become a shareholder – and join this unique company which looks to take more money off you rather than returning it to you – please contact me direct. My e-mail address is nick.douch@virgin.net, my telephone number is 01442-824743 and my address is 8 Station Road, Tring Herts HP23 5NG (Oh I forgot to mention that I am an Exile too!). I look forward to hearing from you!
If you want to help PlayerShare, through Player Pledge, then please click on the link for the application form.