For clarity, Matt is right. The committee were fully supportive of the legislation, went to lengths to discuss it with the Council and I took the lead in applying for it. Mark was chair and took plenty of stick
Now some members were against it - they set up a new forum Yellow Voice - I know who set that forum up and who funded it. They may have been rather annoyed that there had been a lack of consultation or because it pissed off people who felt they could buy it and f**k this football club over - I point in the first instance to London Welsh - they were in discussions about buying it from Firoka and retaining the club as landlord - like Wasps did at Coventry. Despite the dogs abuse, we did what was right by the Trust, fan-base and football club. When people began to understand it, when we became the first body to apply and succeed in an ACV listing, when loads more clubs followed suit, the significance became apparent.
To this very day, it was a great achievement by that committee. Had it been open for discussion, Firoka would have had the heads up to fight it, after all, FK took us to tribunal and committee members were summoned to the man himself. But make no mistake, the credibility of this Trust was enhanced immeasurably, FK started to talk to us (he hadn't in the previous 5-6 years) & relationships were formed and nurtured.
We as a Trust, now speak to Firoz weekly. Depsite everyone having an opinion on him, Jem will vouch for this, he is a thoroughly nice guy and an exceptional businessman who believe it or not, will help this football club move forward. Tiger & Co have spoken to him, with introductions from our Supporters Trust.
To end, I would do it all again and not change a single thing of our strategic thinking. The element of surprise, helped us to make the first ever successful application. I find it funny now, how everyone thinks what a great idea/principle the ACV Right To Bid is.