A tricky one really. I want to trust James Brent. I do trust James Brent, mostly anyway.
The club almost went out of business a few years ago. That is the reason that James Brent owns most of the club. One of the main issues a few years ago revolved around the stadium being redeveloped. Yes, I am sure James Brent has good intentions overall. However, he is a businessman. He also has other projects which, to he honest, haven't exactly gone to plan. He was a banker, yes. Does that mean the club is not at risk with regards to decisions he makes? Our previous chairman was an accountant, don't forget.
A reminder of the types of difficulties a club can face with such a scenario (I appreciate this is very much 'at the end of the scale' and plenty of positive scenarios are out there, we simply wouldn't hear about them).
http://m.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4788111. ... s__United/
It is a shame that James Brent appears to be challenging the AFT (and this statement isn't just an AFT thing). I don't think the people concerned are doing this for publicity. I think they are doing it because of genuine concerns (whether founded or not, and one could argue it is better to be cautious).
I do believe that James Brent would be better served trying to demonstrate why he feels it is better the club owns the stadium. One could argue that he has done that by highlighting the rent vs mortgage argument. However, the way he is doing it doesn't quite sit right with me (personally). The mortgage argument is of course another interesting one. These developments would run into millions of pounds. This would require outside investment. Who would then own the stadium (in reality)? An outside investor with little or no attachment to the club? Could we end up with a situation where we end up with a hotel on the site of Home Park, which offers little benefit to the club (but plenty of benefit to others)?
If these issues don't crop up in the next year or so, what about 5 years time? What about 15 years time?
James Brent could well be a stand up guy who only wants the best for the club. What about the time he decides to pass it on to someone else (stadium and all).
Some people have a lot of (potentially) valid concerns. I think it is right they have the opportunity to air them. I don't buy into the "It is their club, they can do what they want with it". I truly hope that isn't what we have become (and I don't think we have, certainly not at the present time). When we survived going bust by the skin of our teeth I remember a lot of people saying "Never Again" (including some very high profile posters on here).
Did we mean it?
There are, I'm sure, plenty of valid reasons for the club owning Home Park. However, if that is to happen, I hope that the board look to demonstrate that it is the right thing and the purchase is unlikely jeopardise the future of the club at any stage (though quite how they could not I'm not sure).
A dialogue between the fans and the board appears to be more important than ever right now. It is a great shame that such a dialogue seems incredibly unlikely at this present time.
It will be interesting to see how things develop over the next few months.