Fans' community website MyFootballClub has agreed a deal to take over Blue Square Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United.

 

The 20,000 MyFootballClub members have each paid £35 to provide a £700,000 takeover pot and they will all own an equal share in the club.

 

In a landmark for English football, members will vote on player selection, transfers and all major decisions.

 

"We are united in believing this is a great opportunity," Ebbsfleet chairman Jason Botley told BBC Sport.

 

"This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress."

 

The deal is expected to be completed in a few weeks after a due diligence process and the website will purchase a 51% controlling stake, while also having the option to buy the club outright in the future.

 

The takeover is unprecedented in English football, given the website's stated intention of involving the members so radically in the running of the club, particularly with team selection.

 

 

After the takeover goes through the current board will stay in place, as will manager Liam Daish, although his title will change to head coach.

 

Daish insisted that he was happy for fans to have an input on team matters.

 

"Picking 11 players and formations isn't a precise science and luck often plays its part," stated the Ebbsfleet boss.

 

"During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn't start games. Now they can have their say.

 

"My job won't change that much. As a club, we'll select the starting 11 players and formation together.

 

"But just as before, what goes on at the training ground and in the dressing room on the day of the match is down to me.

 

"It's the supporters' money that finances this club and pays my wages and those of the players.

 

"So there's a good argument for them having a say in what players they want to see."

 

Ebbsfleet were formerly Gravesend and Northfleet but the club's name was changed in May in a bid to tap into the regeneration of the area.

 

They are currently ninth in the Blue Square Premier, six points off a play-off place for entry to the Football League.

 

 

 

And Ebbsfleet's push for a spot in League Two will receive a boost as some of the funds raised by MyFootballClub members will be available in the January transfer window.

 

MyFootballClub members will be given the option to vote on who the club should buy.

 

Daish added that he was fully behind the radical model for the club.

 

"We all agree we need something extra to take us to the next step," he said.

 

"As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic.

 

"As the coach, I look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team.

 

"My assistant Alan Kimble and myself are 100% committed to making this work."

 

Since the website's launch in April, 50,000 members have signed up, with 20,000 of those paying the registration fee.

 

The membership subscription is paid annually so new members can join and become owners at any time, adding to the club's finances.

 

MyFootballClub was approached by nine clubs and looked into seven of those before opting to take over Ebbsfleet.

 

The Financial Services Authority has approved the setting up of the MyFootballClub Trust to safeguard members' interests in the eventuality of the club running into financial difficulties.

 

"The MyFootballClub ownership model is an innovative way of funding a lower league club," said Dan Jones, partner at Deloitte and editor of the Annual Review of Football Finance.

 

"Reports of having raised over £700,000 in 11 weeks suggests it is viable too.

 

"Deloitte has been following its progress with interest and we're now looking forward to offering our experience in football finance to assist with advice and guidance during the due diligence process."

 

MyFootballClub creator Will Brooks added: "We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful."

 

Jessica McQueen, Ebbsfleet United Supporters' Trust chair commented: "Being a Trust, our members understand the MyFootballClub concept immediately.

 

"We very much look forward to working with the MyFootballClub members for the benefit of Ebbsfleet United."

 

Source: BBC Sport

 

Good or bad idea then? :o

 

Some of it is a good idea but I think having a say in team selection is a STUPID idea :blink: Are they all gonna watch the players week in, week out and how they perform in training? Do they know how they can fit in to their style of play? etc.?

Ebsfleet :lol:

 

oh well I'm glad I steered clear for I'd want a refund :lol:. They were trying for Leeds at one point

Thank god.

 

They were after York City at one point :lol:

 

And yeah, I bet some fans who have paid are going to take the biscuit, maybe it'll work, we'll have to see. And you cannot make money from Football clubs anymore, anyway.

They were never trying for Leeds. Some people talked about it but it was never a serious proposition.

 

I'm a member of this site and think Ebbsfleet are an interesting choice. It was always likely that the club chosen would be in the Conference. The main complaint among members is that they are a southern based side which means a lot of them will find it very difficult to attend home games. But the size and shape of the country always meant that a lot of people would be disappointed like that. At least the Conference is a national league which gives members a chance to go to away games if they're a long way from Kent.

 

I'm hoping that the vote on team selection willl include a "go along with what the manager says" option. After all, he's paid for his expertise.

Thank god.

 

They were after York City at one point :lol:

 

And yeah, I bet some fans who have paid are going to take the biscuit, maybe it'll work, we'll have to see. And you cannot make money from Football clubs anymore, anyway.

The idea isn't to make money. Any profit will be invested in the club. The rules state that very clearly.

They were never trying for Leeds. Some people talked about it but it was never a serious proposition.

 

I'm a member of this site and think Ebbsfleet are an interesting choice. It was always likely that the club chosen would be in the Conference. The main complaint among members is that they are a southern based side which means a lot of them will find it very difficult to attend home games. But the size and shape of the country always meant that a lot of people would be disappointed like that. At least the Conference is a national league which gives members a chance to go to away games if they're a long way from Kent.

 

I'm hoping that the vote on team selection willl include a "go along with what the manager says" option. After all, he's paid for his expertise.

 

I just think the whole idea of it's terrible. I hope for Ebbsfleet's sake there's a "go along with the manager" option or else they're gonna find themselves in a deep mess. Members of the site being able to have a say in all major transfers is a bad idea too, as unless you've actually been to watch the specific players actually play football a few times then you'll have no real idea of what you're buying and I wouldn't have thought the way the club's run now is a very attractive option either.

 

I just think there's just gonna be too much conflict between everyone, as everyone will have different ideas and opinions and there's might not be in the majority. I could be proved wrong though, but who knows.

The idea isn't to make money. Any profit will be invested in the club. The rules state that very clearly.

Then the novelty will wear off in two to three seasons after the annual £35 subscription fee.

My Nephew is at the youth academy here and the guy I work with is the coach for the Youth Team. It is actually going pretty well and they have over 35,000 members signed up so far from all over the world.

 

They also are in the final of the FA Trophy on 10th May so it can't be all bad. I just secured my tickets and I can't wait!

i got tickets too :) the whole of gravesend is gonna be there for sure :))

i think its a good idea

I see you are a Gills fan.

Do you remember Ian Docker? That is the guy who works with me.

Nice. Yea im gills but support the ebsfleet as they are local too

They were never trying for Leeds. Some people talked about it but it was never a serious proposition.

 

I'm a member of this site and think Ebbsfleet are an interesting choice. It was always likely that the club chosen would be in the Conference. The main complaint among members is that they are a southern based side which means a lot of them will find it very difficult to attend home games. But the size and shape of the country always meant that a lot of people would be disappointed like that. At least the Conference is a national league which gives members a chance to go to away games if they're a long way from Kent.

 

I'm hoping that the vote on team selection willl include a "go along with what the manager says" option. After all, he's paid for his expertise.

 

 

The idea isn't to make money. Any profit will be invested in the club. The rules state that very clearly.

Wem-ber-ley, Wem-ber-ley, we're the famous Ebbsfleet United and we're going to Wem-ber-ley :D

Ebbsfleet have won the FA Trophy 1-0 :w00t:

LOL at Torquay. Haven't won a thing this season :D

 

Weird thing is that York (the team I support) were in the semi-final of this. We lost, obv.

Come on you Fleet - a great day out at Wembley today :yahoo:

Come on you Fleet - a great day out at Wembley today :yahoo:

Do you go to many Ebbsfleet matches by any chance? Would be strange to see some other non-league fan, which makes them a complete idiot.

LOL at Torquay. Haven't won a thing this season :D

 

Weird thing is that York (the team I support) were in the semi-final of this. We lost, obv.

 

Ironically it should have been a York vs Ebbsfleet final too, but alas no.

Do you go to many Ebbsfleet matches by any chance? Would be strange to see some other non-league fan, which makes them a complete idiot.

As I live in Dorset, no. I used to live in Woking and was a season ticket holder there (and saw them win the FA Trophy three times in four years) so I still follow non-league football closely. If you want to call me a glory-hunter for going to Wembley but not to other matches, that's up to you.