MyFC votes in favour of Fleet deal

MEMBERS of MyFootballClub have today approved the takeover of Ebbsfleet United, with over 95.9% (17,368 of 18,112 participants) voting in favour of going ahead with the deal.

In the second vote, over 95.86% (17,152 of 17,891 participants) voted in favour of allowing Liam Daish to continue with any plans he has for the January transfer window.

As a result of the positive vote by members, the 27,278-strong community will soon have the opportunity to decide whether the club should employ a new kit manufacturer. If so, members will then be able to select home and away shirt designs.

Members will also be invited to put themselves forward for the Trust Board. An article will be posted explaining the election process, and scoping out the role.

The team selector at the website will also be going live, so that people can start to familiarise themselves with it. As previously announced, members will start to control team selection in March 2008.

MyFC have posted statistics to show that around 1,700 members have already committed to membership beyond year one, which is extremely promising. For any current fans who are MyFC members and wish to do the same, you can extend your membership, by clicking on the link on the Ebbsfleet United website www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

All monies for subsequent years have been ring-fenced unless members vote to do otherwise.

Back on the pitch, Burton Albion visit Stonebridge Road on Saturday (3pm).

Article courtesy of www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk


The article below is courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk/sport


MEMBERS of fans' website MyFootballClub have approved the takeover of Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet United.

More than 18,000 members cast their votes in the past week on the £635,000 takeover, with 95.8% deciding on the purchase of the Kent club.

Fleet manager Liam Daish was backed by the same percentage of members to carry out any plans he has for the January transfer window.

MyFootballClub has 27,278 members who had until Wednesday to cast their vote.

MyFootballClub creator Will Brooks said: "We believe it is the first community website takeover of its kind in the world, not only in football."

In November MyFootballClub announced it had reached agreement with Ebbsfleet - formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet until last summer - to buy control of the club.

Each of its members have paid £35 to provide a £700,000 takeover pot and, should the majority back the move to acquire a 75% controlling stake, all will own an equal share in the club.

When the deal goes through, MyFootballClub will assist manager Liam Daish - whose job title will change to "head coach" - with funds for the January transfer window.

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

The first "internet" team selection is scheduled for March.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the club," said Brian Kilcullen, who will take over as interim chairman from club chairman Jason Botley.

"It's been great to see Ebbsfleet fans and new supporters from around the world coming together, both at Stonebridge Road and online."

Daish's contract will be extended by a year to the end of the 2008/09 season as part of the deal and the Ebbsfleet boss backed the buyout.

"This will enable us to carry on at this level," Daish told BBC Radio Kent.

"I don't envisage getting £20,000 for a player, but I hope to be able to get a couple of bodies in and secure the players who are here already.

"Barring John Akinde everybody's contract is up at the end of the season. It will secure the services of these players and help them to push on to the next level."

But Daish urged members not to treat team selection as a computer game.

"They're dealing with a bunch of players whose livelihoods are at stake. They support their families with what they earn here, they don't earn anything else," he added.

"As long as everyone takes it as seriously as the players, and I and the coaching staff do, then I don't see any problem."

MyFootballClub members unable to attend Ebbsfleet's matches will have to familiarise themselves with the squad via the website.

A free match highlights package is to be made available to members along with a player statistic and analysis facility.

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

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

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.