Comments. Not going to get in to discussion about this, it is my busiest time of the year and i am playing catch up following my operation
- I "pick holes" in someones argument only when i consider what is said is fundamentally wrong. I do this because over a number of years i have spent time, effort and my own money finding out the facts, then doing my best to explain them here so that the average non accountant non high flying businessman City fan can have some idea as to what is going on around their club in as close to laymans language as possible. Such comments/statements of opinion given as "reality" which are not fact confuse general understanding and creates outrage/question that obscures and confuses what really matters.
Look at this thread. The OP gives a valid opinion and it gets hijacked by fans " facts" that are no more than opinion so loses direction. Just because you think you can shout loudest or insult better does not make you right. People have a right to opinion i totally agree. I accept there may be honest and innocent misuse of words but dont then compound it by arguing a point shown to be wrong by the facts that exist. We all want the same thing - SISU gone - There are many ways we all feel we can affect that hopefully and we must each choose how and what suits each fan best. We are supposed to be on the same side.
Dismiss accounts information as audited if you choose but they are the only major sourse of information and fact. Without them we are left with a multitude of opinion and even greater confusion. You might not understand financial statements but others do and try to provide clarification. Do financial statements provide all details or transparency no they dont - but no body here is going to get access to SISU or Otium books and records so the statements are the best evidence available
I am not the only one who has tried to provide facts, knowledge etc, and there have been some good debates and a better understanding because of it. I have met the likes of Fisher and Seppala and both are used to getting their own way and driving a coach n horses through any weakness or misunderstanding. You have to be precise and accurate so that they have no room to dodge the real questions. Whilst there is doubt created by our own misdirection as to what we as fans understand then Fisher & co can misdirect and control debate unchallenged. I accept other fans do not understand all the terms and certainly do not understand all the financial set up, thats fine but do not dress up a personal opinion as cast iron fact with absolutely no evidence to support it simply confuses and misdirects other fans reading it. That damages and weakens the whole opposition to SISU
If we do not know and retain the fundamentals then the actions we can take may well be misdirected and weakened.
When someone comes on here stating as fact something that is actually completely wrong then i may well comment, and i will continue to do so. It isnt to belittle them but to help them understand, because i have years of professional knowledge & expertise i can bring to help. But I am not the only one who can do this and i can be wrong, in which case when evidence comes to light i will hold my hands up to that mistake
If a poster comes on here describing the set up as same entity, owned by SISU, in the same group, ccfc is a subsidiary then we need to understand what they are saying is not correct. If they come on here and say in much simpler language SISU control CCFC - something 99% of fans understand i am going to completely agree with them. SISU have been empowered by the investors to control the CCFC investment. Does that mean all decisions are taken by SISU - no. Does that mean money goes direct to SISU or that CCFC is part of SISU Group - no evidence available to say any money does, and CCFC definitely is not part of the group, it is clients committed investment
Fine if in your opinion there are fees being taken, money being redirected etc ............. but dont dress it it as a statement of fact. There is no evidence available to us that shows this to be happening. We need to go on what we know, what we can prove - then challenge SISU clearly and persistently (same with any other party). It is important that the fans are consistent because TF isnt and therefore our inconsistencies make his job easier.
Do all group situations include the movement of funds by management charges to another company in the group. No. Do a lot of groups do this Yes It does not automatically follow that there will be management charges.
Does a fans money increase the value of Otium. The company is massively in debt, it has more liabilities than assets by many (10s) of millions it has up to 31/05/15 negative cash flows. It is worthless with or without matchday income. What SISU are doing is holding the club to ransom - what they expect for it has no real relationship to value of Otium but what they need to repay shareholders. If Otium is sold it will be the shareholders that get the proceeds (the A-E Funds and ARVO). That will enable SISU to be paid from their 2% priority profit share that was contracted for well before CCFC came along. The fans money funds day to day running it is the player sales that may create profit and cover any shortfall
As it stands from what we actually know and on the evidence available to us to state that SISU are taking money out is an opinion. It could be true but there is no evidence to support that opinion. There is evidence that indicates there are no charges but that doesnt mean there are none
SISU shouldnt take anything - why? If they provide services are they supposed to do it for free just to keep CCFC fans happy? Does it mean they do - no thats just an opinion some hold. Their 2016 Group accounts show turnover made up from other sources - management fees would be indicated by unexplained turnover
How does Fisher get paid? Is he paid direct by ARVO or is he on a finders fee for finding future investors or owners? Who knows. To say there is something hidden in the accounts is an opinion.
Bottom line is we all want SISU to go, Everyone is entitled to an opinion, an opinion is not a fact no matter how reasonable it seems, stick to the facts it makes it harder for TF/SISU/JS (or any other party)
CCFC accounts come out 28/02/2017 - might explain whats going on a bit clearer