Taunton Iron Cider wrote: September 9th, 2023, 9:30 am

Chepstow'sFine wrote: September 9th, 2023, 9:28 am

Taunton Iron Cider wrote: September 9th, 2023, 4:33 am If, as many seem to prefer, Mr Buttress and his consortium were also to acquire Newport County, then my concern would be which gets priority, Newport or the Dragons?.
Both are currently loss making (not forgetting of course that RP also runs at a deficit) and with money finite, I don’t see how they can afford to sustain this position over the medium term without eventually having to sacrifice one to save the other. The question then would be which one!

It’s a fair point but the model is clearly Bristol Sport. The centre of which is a STADIUM. I bet you that’s in the offing…

Yes but that is a plaything for a billionaire.

pembsexile wrote: September 9th, 2023, 10:42 am

Taunton Iron Cider wrote: September 9th, 2023, 9:27 am

Stan A. Einstein wrote: September 9th, 2023, 5:48 am

Taunton Iron Cider wrote: September 9th, 2023, 4:33 am If, as many seem to prefer, Mr Buttress and his consortium were also to acquire Newport County, then my concern would be which gets priority, Newport or the Dragons?.
Both are currently loss making (not forgetting of course that RP also runs at a deficit) and with money finite, I don’t see how they can afford to sustain this position over the medium term without eventually having to sacrifice one to save the other. The question then would be which one!

Morning Dave, you're up early too I see.

I'm not sure I agree with your analysis. I can't say you're wrong as I don't have the figures but I would hsve thought that with both codes combined a lot of work being presently duplicated would no longer need to be. Whilst the playing and training staff would be different either the administration would if not quite be halved certainly considerably reduced. Conversely used properly rather than cut jobs perhaps far greater work could be done in marketing and developing both the rugby and the football.

Thoughts?

Brendan I don’t really have a strong opinion either way, although on balance I would probably opt for a consortium that did not involve the Dragons for the reasons mentioned. There are undoubtedly synergies to be gained in merging all the operations of both Teams, but I guess my unease is over which code would be given financial priority from a finite pot?

What we need is financial security over the long term, and who can provide that? Of course as we have absolutely no idea who is behind any bid then that question can’t be answered right now. However for reasons I can fully understand there is an eagerness from the Dragons Board to secure the whole of RP, so when all possible value has been extracted from the sale of perceived surplus areas, would they then act like venture capitalists and look to move on? Football is rife with such activity, Yeovil being a current example.

Like most supporters I will wait to see what is on the table, but I do agree with most other views that all the options should be aired with Trust members and not presented as take it or leave it fait accompli. Huw Jenkins and David Buttress working together would be my dream ticket.

You raise some interesting points but I’m not sure what you mean about financial priority. Even if a merger were to go ahead with co ownership of RP, surely we would still be responsible for the operational and financial side of football matters? I do think merging would be a good idea (certainly in the RP sense) but obviously Rugby and football are different sports.

Where I would have difficulty is if an entity evolved - say Newport Athletic (call it what you like) which fully combined the Rugby and Football sports. There would obviously have to be operational separation, but, then there would be a question to answer regarding where the money goes. I don’t think we are anywhere near that yet though. Unless I have missed something. As you say, like most supporters I wait to see what is on the table. Where my uncertainty rumbles is the deafening silence from Jon Pratt. Where does he fit in?

What I do know is that prior to the meeting the details on the proposal will be sent to all Trust members along with details of how they can have their vote (via proxy if needed) if they cannot attend.

Chepstow'sFine wrote: September 9th, 2023, 10:48 am

Taunton Iron Cider wrote: September 9th, 2023, 9:30 am

Chepstow'sFine wrote: September 9th, 2023, 9:28 am

Taunton Iron Cider wrote: September 9th, 2023, 4:33 am If, as many seem to prefer, Mr Buttress and his consortium were also to acquire Newport County, then my concern would be which gets priority, Newport or the Dragons?.
Both are currently loss making (not forgetting of course that RP also runs at a deficit) and with money finite, I don’t see how they can afford to sustain this position over the medium term without eventually having to sacrifice one to save the other. The question then would be which one!

It’s a fair point but the model is clearly Bristol Sport. The centre of which is a STADIUM. I bet you that’s in the offing…

Yes but that is a plaything for a billionaire.

Steve Lansdown is a self-made businessman, he's not Sheikh Mansour.

Notice is hereby given that a Special General Meeting of the Newport County AFC Supporters’ Trust will be held on Thursday 28th September at 7.00 p.m.at Rodney Parade, Newport NP19 OUU.
The purpose of the Special General Meeting is to consider and vote on the following extraordinary resolutions:
1 THAT subject to the completion of the necessary processes with the English Football League, Trust members agree to the proposal to transfer a majority shareholding in the Club to the preferred bidder on the terms as set out in their investment proposal, this shareholding to come from the shareholding the Trust has in the Club; and
2 THAT authority be delegated to the Board to agree the detailed terms of the transfer with the preferred bidder, provided that such terms are materially consistent with the investment proposal.
At the meeting Trust members will be given an update on the process of engaging with potential investors in the Club and will receive a presentation from the bidder who is preferred and recommended by the Board of Directors, before being invited to vote on the extraordinary resolutions. Following the vote, and the announcement of the result, the next steps in this process will be explained.
Trust members will be notified of the identity of the preferred bidder, with a summary of their proposal, not less than three days in advance of the meeting.
If any Trust member is not able to attend the meeting in person and would like to appoint a proxy voter to vote on their behalf, then please read the following. Trust members can appoint another person to attend and vote on their behalf. This person can be a fellow Trust member or another person.
The email/written confirmation must include your full name, address and Trust membership number, and the full name and address of the person you are appointing, and whether you are instructing the proxy to vote for or against the resolution or will leave the decision on how to vote to their discretion. Please identify whether this person is themselves a Trust member, or not, and include their Trust membership number if applicable. Alternatively, you can appoint the Chair of the Meeting to vote on your behalf by following the same appointment process, again with an instruction to vote for or against the resolution or to use their discretion. All proxy appointments must be received by the Trust by 5.00 p.m. on Monday 25th September to be valid.

Members are requested to pre-register to attend the meeting by emailing
This is to help us plan the layout of the venue and manage attendance on the night. We advise members who have pre-registered to arrive at 6.30 p.m. so that we can register everyone and seat them in good time for a prompt start.

We encourage Trust members to check that the Trust has their current contact details. All communications will be made by direct email and by public announcement.

The Trust is holding drop-in sessions at the forthcoming home matches against Barrow (16th September) and Bradford City (23rd September). We will have a table in the marquee which is behind the open terrace, and will be there in attendance from 1.30-2.45 p.m. on both days. We will be available to provide updates and answer your questions. We will also issue a Frequently Asked Questions note, based on the questions we are already beginning to receive, in due course.