Developing MCT/GMFC Board Situation

[CM48]

7 hours ago, TRVMP said:

I think the hounding of Dalrada is massively premature. We don't know what the terms of their agreement are and we don't know what demands, if any, they have made. Their only public statements so far have been 100% positive.

IF it turns out that they're trying to hold the majority shareholder to ransom then obviously that's a problem but right now we've only heard, officially, from one side. The implication from that side is that they're trying to resolve it, trying to find a middle ground. I believe that Dalrada deserve the chance to demonstrate a similar commitment before they're written off, and that includes their stance - whatever it might be - on board members etc.

Frankly speaking though, they're a sponsor. They're not corporate stewards of the club. I don't think they owe a statement. I do think, however, that the GMFC Board owes a statement at this point. The embargo was already a sign that standards were slipping, and this is even more grave than that. They need to clarify the communication lines with the major shareholder of the club - namely, us fans (those of us who are paid up MCT members at least) - and explain why the embargo was swept under the carpet.

I want fan ownership to succeed and I want each member of the board to succeed. I don't think there needs to be a statement every time someone coughs at Cappielow. I don't think we need to air dirty laundry in public all the time. But this current situation needs far more clarity than it has, and for me that's down to the GMFC board failing to remember its duty to its major shareholder.

Yes to all of this. I think we all want fan ownership to succeed because if it doesn’t who knows what happens to us. And I don’t think public confrontations help anyone either, but things are out there now.

I’m not saying we should hound Dalrada, but with everything that’s being put out just now it might be good to hear something from them? Surely there’s nothing wrong with asking?

Maybe that Dalrada post about standing with the club was a confirmation that they’ll be backing us no matter how this plays out?

Let’s hope so as the money they’ve contributed has been very welcome. 

And as someone else has said this should be a time for announcing contract extensions and early bird season ticket offers.

For the first time in years our Player of the Year is signed up for another season, it would be great to just be looking forward to seeing a squad being assembled to try and get a fast start after the summer.

[RossMcC1874]

All this uproar and to top it all off Bearne was so pish he got sent on his way. 

Note to club don't try and sign worthless jobbers under 23 or any age for that matter. 

[vikingTON]

2 hours ago, SassenachTon said:

I also agree that hounding Dalrada is completely unfair. They’ve pumped a shiteload of money into Morton, and I can’t think how they could possibly have been any more supportive. 

A: By recognising that when representatives of MCT - not Dalrada - are seen to be not fulfilling their brief, that they have no business intervening to influence that internal MCT process. Regardless of whether the representatives involved are 'trusted' club board members (why would any replacements be inherently untrustworthy?) or just big mates with Dalrada's executives. 

They and other parties have a right to respond and clarify the situation, but  there is a clear issue raised by MCT's version of events about staying in their lane. If you want to argue that it's worth accepting such a compromise then feel free to do so, but let's not pretend that the claimed events outlined are in fact a prime example of supporting community ownership. 

[Greacen2000]

The exact meaning of this passage is important - 

The board of MCT has subsequently been notified officially that the continued backing of GMFC sponsors Dalrada is dependent on those representatives, and the current club chair, remaining on the board at Cappielow.

Officially notified by whom - the GMFC board or Dalrada?  If it’s the former then (assuming the MCT version of events is true), it needs to at least be taken with a pinch of salt.  If on the other hand it is definitely coming from Dalrada (as opposed to an empty threat being raised in an attempt to maintain power) then there needs to be an effort to make sure they understand the reasons behind the proposed removal of Barr & Robinson, and discussions to try and align all 3 parties in a way that allows the sponsorship to continue without compromising fully accountable MCT representation on the board.

[HamCam]

As expected no-one is covering themselves in glory in this debacle. While Dalrada are the main sponsor of the club the tail should not be wagging the dog hence they should understand it is not appropriate they dictate all who should be on the GMFC Board. At the same time it is somewhat ironic to find MCT being furious at finding their reps on the GMFC Board kept them in the dark on the EUFA issue while they themselves have spent much of their existence struggling with communication and transparency. With goodwill and a common goal both sides should have been able to sort this out like grown-ups rather than allowing their mates to leak one-sided stories that encourage the usual curtain twitchers to add 1 plus 1 to get 3. Without Dalrada or MCT pulling a rabbit from the hat we are realistically only able to operate as a part-time club - I have spent enough years watching Morton in the seaside leagues. If the main protagonists are really only interested in what is good for Morton I can but hope they see the bigger picture and get round the Boardroom table and sort something out. 

I might add I am a fan and a shareholder but not a member of MCT. 

Edited May 8 by HamCam

[Jamie_M]

A statement given to the Tele late this afternoon read: “The GMFC board have engaged the MCT board on a way forward today.

"We are unable to make further public comment at this time.”

 

TELE

Edited May 8 by Jamie_M

[TRVMP]

I get that they can't air all the laundry but it's absolutely not good enough to give such a grudging statement. They can't work a "constructively" or "positively" or "to clear the air"? It's like they're just going through the motions and see the MCT Board as a nuisance. We're the majority shareholders!

[irnbru]

Has anyone got the constitutions for both sides? If a majority of MCT board members vote to remove their reps on the club board then they should probably just accept it and discussions would be with Dalrada. 

[Pedrodelawasp]

Keen to see a resolution to all of this asap.

Would be pretty concerned if the description of the sponsorship being predicated on certain persons retaining their places on the board, essentially undercutting MCT.

Would also be pretty unimpressed if that had been either exaggerated or invented to circumvent MCTs right to choose its representatives freely.

Speaking of being unimpressed - how about the Tele’s photoshopping of the cracks over Cappielow for their article?

[Mr.Blue]

Let's hope that this can all be resolved asap and we can begin to plan ahead for next season. So much uncertainty already with Dougie and now Millen. Add to that the players out of contract and now the boardroom drama. 

A plea to anyone involved on this debacle regardless of involvement with MCT, The Board and Dalrada. Swallow your pride, get round the table and put the best interests of the club and the fans first. 

[dunning1874]

15 hours ago, Jamie_M said:

A statement given to the Tele late this afternoon read: “The GMFC board have engaged the MCT board on a way forward today.

"We are unable to make further public comment at this time.”

 

TELE

So as well as this extremely brief non-update which has the club looking like it's further lacking in transparency on top of the issues raised in the MCT statement, we also had Tom Tracey confirming his own resignation from the MCT board via the Tele. Before getting to the content I think there's a pertinent criticism of MCT that they didn't confirm the rumours that some of their own board had resigned in their own statement. Their own transparency is also under scrutiny here.

https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/25148258.tom-tracey-plea-forget-egos-take-morton-forward/

Having taken everything in the MCT statement at face value I'll do the same here. It's clear from this that not everyone on the MCT board felt calling for resignations of their representatives after finding out they'd failed to communicate the embargo was the right thing to do, and thought they could continue to work on improving the processes of communication without getting to that point. That could be a valid criticism that if calmer heads had prevailed and they didn't go for the option of removing their representatives it didn't need to come to this stand-off with the boards seemingly at war, Dalrada potentially walking and the manager and players being left in limbo for planning for next season.

Into the realm of opinion rather than fact now but as we now have people with different opinions not disputing the central issue - the GMFC board including Robinson and Barr knew about the embargo and the MCT board didn't - that fact could lead you down either road. There's the road the remaining MCT board members are seemingly taking, we've been working to improve our communication and accountability, you have completely undermined that effort by not telling us about this so the MCT reps on the GMFC board have lost our trust and have to go. Then there's what appears to be Tom Tracey's stance here, that we've been working to improve our communication and accountability, that evidently hasn't improved, we need to carry on working on that process with the people still in place to find out why and fix it. Those are both entirely defensible positions to take which can be an honest difference of opinion on the right approach.

I do think there's an elephant in the room we can't escape here though. Tracey opens with "family reasons" as the cause of his resignation but then goes into a description of the MCT board's actions that forced him to think his resignation was the only option, describing one of those actions as "the last straw". So evidently not family reasons in the way people usually use the term then, this isn't wanting to spend more time with family or another personal reason - he's gone because he disagrees with the actions of other MCT board members.

He's also spot on about people forgetting egos and working together to find a way through this, this shouldn't be about anything other than what's best for Morton and personalities and egos shouldn't come into it, so I'm loath to bring up anything other than the material facts of what both boards have done and what needs to be done to resolve it. When he's raised family reasons himself though before listing several complaints with how the MCT board have acted in trying to remove two GMFC directors, I don't think we can avoid at least questioning the relevance of the fact that one of those directors is his own son-in-law.

Maybe he would still be saying the same thing regardless and fair enough if so - other MCT directors are rumoured to have resigned who don't have family ties to anyone on the GMFC board - but it's a pretty glaring potential conflict of interest here that is naturally likely to incline him towards a kinder view of Graham Barr's actions. When he's quite rightly called for people to put aside their own egos for the good of Morton, implying that others are only acting on their self-interest just now, it's fair to ask if he's doing the same considering that link.

Edited May 9 by dunning1874

[GiGi]

Even forgetting the rest of the current shambles, I'd have thought the resignation of MCT board members would be a matter for membership to know sharply and vote on replacements. 

Hopefully the proposed EGM can happen soon and have the remaining board members explain their actions and poor communication, again. 

[JWC]

Part of the issue is , we have just over a thousand members  . Anyone that gets involved at the club packs it in fast ,Now , even people helping in the background are sickened so there’s not a conveyor belt of people wanting to help, so it’s close to falling on its arse. That’s a red flag for all of us . Is John Laird even in MCT,does he even pay a tenner a month like a 16 year old fan might or is it zero?Then ,with the rest ,the playing at director game is up , the wee club tie gets hung up for the last time . MCT directors on club board are meant to be there for the fans but it’s clear things have been held back . Tom Tracey resigning and not mentioning Graeme Barr is his son in law is fantastic . “Family reasons “ Where are Sam and Graeme’s statements ? Only at Morton can you have something good to get fucked up. I’d hate to end up a pariah if if was a true fan 

[Dirk Gently]

The essential problem that this exposes is that if not enough people who are serious and professional and really care about Morton and Community Ownership come forward, then an organisation like MCT is vulnerable to being led astray by a small cabal of people who have a specific agenda.

If MCT members want MCT to thrive and to properly represent them, more of them need to step up and properly participate - any organisation where there are fewer candidates than vacancies for board members leaves it terribly vulnerable to clusterf*cks exactly like this... 

Edited May 10 by Dirk Gently

[HamCam]

You cannot simply blame MCT members who put their money in month after month for the current debacle. There are many reasons why people would and/or are not in a position to step forward. Sadly many organisations are susceptible to people on an ego trip and/or with an agenda to fill the void - Morton seem to attract them. 

[irnbru]

3 hours ago, HamCam said:

You cannot simply blame MCT members who put their money in month after month for the current debacle. There are many reasons why people would and/or are not in a position to step forward. Sadly many organisations are susceptible to people on an ego trip and/or with an agenda to fill the void - Morton seem to attract them. 

The way I'm seeing it now is the guy who started MCT and made it a success in the first place has recovered from a very serious illness and is seeing people representing it on the club board taking advantage and a free meal and has been a bit gung ho in trying to sort.

Yes, MCT have been poor in comms but there is a huge onus on the club and our representatives to perform and they haven't. 

Edited May 10 by irnbru

[Deego]

5 hours ago, HamCam said:

You cannot simply blame MCT members who put their money in month after month for the current debacle. There are many reasons why people would and/or are not in a position to step forward. Sadly many organisations are susceptible to people on an ego trip and/or with an agenda to fill the void - Morton seem to attract them. 

I upvoted the earlier post as I agree with the sentiment that we need more willing participants. The problem is there’s such a small pool that finding those qualified, and willing people is just unrealistic. It’s one of the reasons I wasn’t in favour of fan ownership for a club our size.

[TONofmemories]

4 hours ago, irnbru said:

The way I'm seeing it now is the guy who started MCT and made it a success in the first place has recovered from a very serious illness and is seeing people representing it on the club board taking advantage and a free meal and has been a bit gung ho in trying to sort.

Yes, MCT have been poor in comms but there is a huge onus on the club and our representatives to perform and they haven't. 

This. Free scran, chance to wear a suit and mingle with utter knobs with money.

Couldn't think of anything worse 

[TRVMP]

2 hours ago, Deego said:

I upvoted the earlier post as I agree with the sentiment that we need more willing participants. The problem is there’s such a small pool that finding those qualified, and willing people is just unrealistic. It’s one of the reasons I wasn’t in favour of fan ownership for a club our size.

The pool of those willing to invest their own money and doing so competently is also pretty small, though. There's no sign the Easdales are even slightly interested, and the Raes, despite two decades of trying, hit the limits of their ability and pockets.

[Deego]

8 hours ago, TRVMP said:

The pool of those willing to invest their own money and doing so competently is also pretty small, though. There's no sign the Easdales are even slightly interested, and the Raes, despite two decades of trying, hit the limits of their ability and pockets.

Indeed. Personally I’d have begged Golden Casket to keep us on.