sammytroot

Dick Campbell ,at a recent function,made it abundantly clear that it would be difficult to attract players to EF for the reasons you mention.1 Players he might be interested in would require to drop down a division and 2,Financial. EF could not pay the wages that eg Arbroath could offer.

Think that Calum Hambrook is the 4th player signed up.

EF fans now being allowed in covered enclosure at Stenhousemuir.Common sense prevails.

Fair comment. In the meantime,perhaps the club could allow advertising events which are to be held at Bayview on the EFFC website.

There is a report in today's Courier giving an update on the proposed fans takeover of EFFC. The salient points are: 1.Mr Rankine backs the move and an agreed share price has been agreed. It is hoped that the change in ownership can be in place by the commencement of next season 2.Talks have been held between the EFSS and both the Board and Management of EFFC with a desire from EFSS to retain the experience and skills of the current EFFC Board. 3.There are proposals to add to the stadium structure 4.There is a desire to continue youth development 5.Financial arrangements to support the bid are almost in place. Fans are advised to look at www.eastfifesupporterssociety.co.uk or East Fie Supporters Society Facebook page. Personally I would like to see a Statement from EFFC Board giving their thoughts on the takeover,

Stuart Malcolm.

Thought that the EF defence was absolutely immense against a physical 1 dimensional Bonnyrigg,in a match played on an absolute bog of a pitch. Absolutely no question that there is now a togetherness between management and players which has been sadly lacking in recent weeks. The new management team deserve great credit for turning it around whilst at the same time quickly realising that Alan Trouten is more effective up front/no.10 than a holding midfielder.

I think the BOD deserve great credit for getting this deal over the line. Priority for this season for DC to ensure EF do not get relegated. A low threshold I know,but important.

The lender would also require to know that there is enough interest within the EF community for any loan to be repaid. An opportunity to get rid of the principal shareholder who has absolutely no interest in EF and who in the past has asset stripped the club,by purchasing the land at a knock down price. I would encourage those who have an interest in EF to take advantage of this opportunity. As I said in an earlier post ,I really do think that to the EF Board should give an opinion 1 way or another.

I would have thought that as things stand at present and subject to the loan being approved, that any payments made by supporters would be ring fenced to repaying the loan. ie for that purpose only . There would appear a willingness by Rankine to sell his shares. Why then has the EF Board not made a Statement on the proposed fans takeover? The club's principal shareholder wishes to sell. Do they have a counter proposal? Personally I do think that the take-over is the way forward. Publicity is key to driving this forward and I really do think that access to the EF website, local councillors endorsing the takeover or at least informing the wider community on social media, and press releases would increase public awareness. A fans meeting may however be the first port of call. There are many well documented problems at all levels within the club. The fans have control of ridding the club of Mr Rankine.

East Fife Supporters Society are now appealing to fans via their Facebook page. A one time opportunity to get Rankine out of the club.

Excellent news that Rankine has indicated that after 20 years he has indicated that he wishes to sell his shares to the EF Supporters Society at the price offered by the Society. Hopefully his desire is actually legally agreed in writing and the supporters give the green light for the takeover to take place.

I think fans in general, probably complain when things are not going well at their respective clubs. In EF's case this season, there have been concerns shown by the majority of complaining fans of the potential demise of the club to the Lowland League. Personally ,as a fan , I think that those complaints/concerns are justifiable. With regard to the potential takeover, I personally find it strange the Rankine has neither said yeh or ney to the offer. The sum involved is not exactly astronomical and the fact that he has not said yeh would hazzard my guess as being neh. Fans I have spoken to seem quite happy to commit to a pledge but only if the Society is successful in its bid. Their argument is : why shouid I pay for something that may not happen.? Again I know fans who would consider an upfront lump sum payment should the bid be successful. Personally I do think that the EF Board should give an opinion. The club has been on a downward spiral in recent years and I personally wish the bid to be a success,

Rankine owns 52% of the club .The asset value of his company is just over £300k. My understanding is that an offer has been made by the Supporters Society but that an acceptance/rejection of that offer has yet to be made by Rankine. Again ,I understand that finance is in place. In his 20 years of ownership,he has yet to put in 1 penny towards the running of the club.

For pity's sake,somehow or other, Rankine has got to get out of our club.

Firstly I hope that you are correct with your opinion that EF will be safe from relegation this year. Secondly ,I completely agree that the club will not turn the corner from the downward spiral of recent years until the owner is gone. It is now 11 months since a group of supporters met and gave authority for the Supporters Society to contact both the Owner and potential funding partners. Since then , precious little information has emanated from the Society although there have been whispers that an offer has been made to the owner who has yet to reply ,one way or another, whilst the funding is in place. As a supporter , I am heartened by the figures recently issued by EF Community FC which show that there is a current membership of 620 Registered Players and 1162 Recreational Players, the largest in the East Region. . When you add the players of EF Woman and Girls , and the players of EFFC , you can see the numbers under the EF brand. Again as a supporter, I appreciate the work undertaken by Fifers For The Community and their role in the Community, and their ability to attract various organisations to use Bayview. My question is , why with the above numbers and structures in place, the club is unable to attract a large proportion of EF Community players , and their parents to watch EFFC? With regard to the Board of Directors, there appears to be a lack of enthusiasm with regard to the possibility of a takeover. Why is this? Do they collectively not have an opinion one way or another? One of the few positives this season has been the work of the Commercial Team in actually reaching out to the business community and being able to attract new investment. When is the Chairman and the BOD going to raise their collective heads above the parapet and actually reach out to the Levenmouth Community and tell it as it is. The Commercial Team has and brought dividends to the club. In general there is a complete lack of enthusiasm emanating from Bayview. Over to you Mr Chairman.

Go to www.eastfifefc.info

As an EF fan,can I personally thank your manager for not starting Orsi and Tony Wallace. I thought the EF players put in a shift today with Brian Easton outstanding. Really need one of our central defenders back to release McManus back into midfield. For me there were too many crosses from Dumbarton got into the box, whilst there was a lack of support up front for Fash. A good 3 points however,and hopefully a step in the right direction.

Please note that the minutes applause was additionally for 2 fans who had supported the club for 50 plus years.

Pretty poor performance from Elgin ,actually.

Match off

Pitch inspection 11am

Tonight's under 20 game is off because of frozen pitch. Must be doubts about tomorrow's game.

My view is that there needs to be a root and branch clear out at certainly ownership and BoD levels,to try and reverse the downward decline in the club's fortunes. As things stand at the moment, the current BoD are to announce a loss of £53 k for the year to 31 May 2023.The BoD are also seeking re-election at this meeting. There is therefore no imminent change of direction at this level. My view is that the senior board members are culpable of not reaching out to the wider Levenmouth public and selling the EF brand within the community.A phrase I have used for years and which was relayed by a Board Member to me several years ago."They Ken whaur we are". The efforts of Fifers For The Community, East Fife Community Club,EFTV and the EF Commercial team just show what can be achieved when reaching out to both fans and the wider community. At ownership level, it does appear that there is to be a fans buyout. The current owner appears to want to sell while there does not appear to be a buyout proposal from the BoD. There are many fans that I know who wish to effect a buyout by making monthly contributions to make this happen.Unfortunately there appears to be a lack of information from the EF Supporters Society which would encourage such supporters to actually commence making these payments. Over to you EF Supporters Society. The current BOD deserve great credit in saving the club several years ago. Unfortunately that was then. At managerial level,I can understand the opinion of some fans who wish Dick Campbell and Pink to be appointed.But John Young and Rab Douglas as a package.? The next 2 home games will determine Greigs future.

I think he scored 1 goal in the 8-0 trouncing of Stranraer. He was too young and did not get enough game-time to form an opinion.