Vote Old Skool 4 the future! (DHST 2015 elections)

[Dulwich Mishi]

For those who don't know me, I suspect a lot of you will though, as I've been supporting The Hamlet for over four decades- my name is MISHI MORATH. I am one of the candidates standing for election to the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust Board this month.

The election addresses go out tomorrow, with the voting forms to members.

If you haven't joined, even if you don't want to vote for me personally, you can only cast your vote(s) by joining by the 9th, which is tomorrow.

Even if you think that 'voting doesn't change anything' please consider doing so:

This is how you can sign up:

http://dhst.org.uk/join/

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I'd love you to vote for me...but don't take my word for it...this is what the Secretary of Wessex Leaguers Fareham Town said:

" If you don't get voted in, I'd demand a recount. I can't think of anyone anywhere who has done more in the country to keep their clubs name out there, remember the proud history of your club and that's without all the actual jobs at the ground on a non-matchday. Vote Mishi "

 

[darryl]

Mishi, seeing how you've clashed with trust people on this board in recent months, do you think you can work with whoever else is elected?

And isn't there a conflict of interest with the (brilliant) work you've done on the club's football committee?

All respect to you - but is being both poacher and gamekeeper really the right thing to do?

 

[Cyclodunc]

What's your campaign budget Mishi?

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

Mishi, seeing how you've clashed with trust people on this board in recent months, do you think you can work with whoever else is elected?

Not at all. To be part of something you don't all have to be 'singing from the same hymn sheet'...I wouldn't expect Dennis Skinner or Jeremy Corbyn to be bosom pals with Tony Blair or Ed Milliband, using a political analogy, but they are still working for the same aim. I wouldn't so much call it 'clashed' as a 'difference of opinion on some matters', but I also work with people on the Football Committee who I might not be best mates with...all I have ever done I do for the better of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club. I also work very well with some DHST Board members, as individuals, with the independent "INTER CITY 125" campaign, which I help lead, & which is fund-raising for the trip to Germany in 2018; a group, where we also discuss the community initiatives I help lead. Initiatives that can only become stronger by me being part of both Board & Committee.

And isn't there a conflict of interest with the (brilliant) work you've done on the club's football committee?

Not that I can see. I believe that being elected on the Trust Board can ONLY STRENGTHEN the work I do on the Club Committee, by having a greater knowledge of how the Trust works, as we all aim for the ultimate goal of a Supporter owned Football Club.

All respect to you - but is being both poacher and gamekeeper really the right thing to do?

I don't see myself as a poacher...I have always been supportive of the Trust movement. I was a founder member of the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust when it was established at the turn of the century, and have spoken as an individual at other launches of Supporters Trusts & supported supporter led campaigns in the past-the most recent being when I travelled up to Hitchin Town, last season, with two members of our Trust Board, to show support for their campaign to save their historic ground. That certainly wasn't 'poachers' & 'gamekeepers' both supporting Hitchin Town together, but SUPPORTERS of Dulwich Hamlet working together, one who just happens to be on the Football Committee.

I am also a member of the Fisher FC Trust, so am not against them at all.

And, further Andy Greig, who is standing for election for the DHST Board, having been co-opted back on after he forgot to stand in time last year, is also on the Football Club committee.

Former DHST Trust chairman Mick O'Shaughnessy also served on the Football Committee for many years; & former DHST Board member Andrew Tucker also served on both. So I think it is TOTALLY the right thing to do for me to stand for election to the DHST Board, as we all hopefully strive to have a Supporter led Club in the not too distant future. Something I hope to be part of...if that is the wish & will of our fans.

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

What's your campaign budget Mishi?

My 'campaign budget' is simply...

love from the bottom of my heart for our great Football Club. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[AndyDHFC]

You mention above about being on the Trust Board strengthening your work on the Committee? I am not sure why this is. Why do you think it will do so?

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

You mention above about being on the Trust Board strengthening your work on the Committee? I am not sure why this is. Why do you think it will do so?

Because it will give me a strong mandate to work with both. It will be much quicker to implement community initiatives by being a part of the Trust Board, cutting out the 'middle wait' of things having to be ratified by the whole Trust Board at their next meeting, for example, if I am directly serving on that Board.

I will also be able to see & understand things better from a Trust perspective much more by involved in the DHST Board. By being a part of it, learning how they operate, I will be able to play a constructive part of making the Football Club Committee more understanding & supportive of the Trust Board, as they, and thus all of us, work towards striving to a fan-owned Club.

I also believe it will be a positive learning curve for both the Trust Board & the Football Club Committee, which will bring both sides much closer than we are, as I give the Trust Board more understanding of how the Football Club is run & vice versa.

 

[AndyDHFC]

Thank you.

 

[darryl]

Thanks for your detailed reply, Mishi.

I take all the points you've made, but it still does strike me as odd that when there are so many new people with a variety of skills to offer the trust that someone such as yourself that's done so much inside the tent would want to commit yourself outside the tent too.

I can see the appeal of someone who is a direct link between the club committee and the trust, but if others think that is a good thing, I do wonder if it's right for that person to be someone who is one of the club's best-known fans who already has a string of considerable achievements behind him.

In short, if you've achieved a lot already in a more official role, would it not be better to concentrate on that rather than dilute your efforts with the trust?

I guess we will have to agree to disagree though - so the best of British luck to you

(Managed to press "send" a bit too early on this - the perils of writing posts at a bus stop while a drunk bloke is trying to have a chat...)

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

And there's the rub...you see I don't envisage it as an 'insider or outside the tent' thing.
I am now entering my fourth year on the Football Club Committee, but am first and foremost a supporter like yourself and all other candidates for the Trust Board.
As for being one of the "club's best-known fans", well that's not a label I use, but I believe that could be a positive advantage for the Trust, as if I am that well-known I could certainly accentuate the positives of our Trust to some of our fans who might still be sceptical of it, and be more able to pursuade more of our fans to join, and thus make our Trust even stronger.
Having learnt so much about community work, in my Football Club Committee role, I believe that will strengthen by becoming part of the Trust Board & working even closer with the DHST Board as part of it, rather than from the outside, which will also help me understand the Trust & board members more by being part of it, while we all work toward unifying toward a Supporter owned Club in the not too distant future.
I certainly do not believe I am diluting my efforts...I would not be applying to join the Trust Board if I felt it would be to the detriment of my work on the Football Club Committee, and believe one role can complement the other to strengthen Dulwich Hamlet in the local community, as we all work together, which hasn't always happened in the past.
I would not be standing for the Trust Board if I did not believe I had the time and commitment to do justice to a role on it, if elected.
I am sure others who have served on both in the past would agree that it's not a dilution of roles.
Thank you for responding, anyone else who wants to put further questions my way I am happy to answer.

 

[gareth taylor]

And there's the rub...you see I don't envisage it as an 'insider or outside the tent' thing.
I am now entering my fourth year on the Football Club Committee, but am first and foremost a supporter like yourself and all other candidates for the Trust Board.
As for being one of the "club's best-known fans", well that's not a label I use, but I believe that could be a positive advantage for the Trust, as if I am that well-known I could certainly accentuate the positives of our Trust to some of our fans who might still be sceptical of it, and be more able to pursuade more of our fans to join, and thus make our Trust even stronger.
Having learnt so much about community work, in my Football Club Committee role, I believe that will strengthen by becoming part of the Trust Board & working even closer with the DHST Board as part of it, rather than from the outside, which will also help me understand the Trust & board members more by being part of it, while we all work toward unifying toward a Supporter owned Club in the not too distant future.
I certainly do not believe I am diluting my efforts...I would not be applying to join the Trust Board if I felt it would be to the detriment of my work on the Football Club Committee, and believe one role can complement the other to strengthen Dulwich Hamlet in the local community, as we all work together, which hasn't always happened in the past.
I would not be standing for the Trust Board if I did not believe I had the time and commitment to do justice to a role on it, if elected.
I am sure others who have served on both in the past would agree that it's not a dilution of roles.
Thank you for responding, anyone else who wants to put further questions my way I am happy to answer.

maybe mishi could be the new leader of the labour party !

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I'm not a member of the Labour Party....haven't been for many years, certainly way pre-Blair times...

 

[AndyDHFC]

I think part of the problem in the past has been that too many people (both in the Trust and the Club) have seen it precisely as 'inside' and 'outside' the tent, and therefore in opposition to each other, as opposed to two entities who bring different perspectives to achieving the same goal: a community based and thriving DHFC! The last couple of years it appears this is starting to change and hopefully this election can be part of that ongoing and positive development in the way in which the club, fans and community view each other.

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I wish I had been that articulate, AndyDHFC
Being 'outside' the tent, as I have been, does make it easier to be constructively critical....but the change in our Club as a whole over the last two or three seasons has been amazing. It is way past time for us all to pull together & build our community links & aim for a supporter owned Club TOGETHER.
I, for one, hope to involved in Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, whether that be the Trust, the Football Club, or a UNITED supporter-owned Club for the rest of my life, if I am allowed to, and the fans want me to be a part of it all.
I have never been more excited about the potential future of our great Club...regardless of if elected to the Trust Board; if still on the Football Committee; if elected onto a future fan owned Club...I will do whatever I can to help the Club that I love as I have done all my adult life, in so many ways.
Being voted onto the Trust Board will help me do that.

 

[tonysingh]

I have a question.

The Trust and Club have, at times, had a rocky relationship at times and the relatively recent friendlier stance on both sides is very welcome. how do you intend to build upon that to ensure the Club and Trust work together for a sustainable future for DHFC?

 

[gareth taylor]

I wish I had been that articulate, AndyDHFC
Being 'outside' the tent, as I have been, does make it easier to be constructively critical....but the change in our Club as a whole over the last two or three seasons has been amazing. It is way past time for us all to pull together & build our community links & aim for a supporter owned Club TOGETHER.
I, for one, hope to involved in Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, whether that be the Trust, the Football Club, or a UNITED supporter-owned Club for the rest of my life, if I am allowed to, and the fans want me to be a part of it all.
I have never been more excited about the potential future of our great Club...regardless of if elected to the Trust Board; if still on the Football Committee; if elected onto a future fan owned Club...I will do whatever I can to help the Club that I love as I have done all my adult life, in so many ways.
Being voted onto the Trust Board will help me do that.

this clubs needs to be united not divided !

in these tough times fans should stick together !

 

[EDC]

this clubs needs to be united not divided !

in these tough times fans should stick together !

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I have a question.

The Trust and Club have, at times, had a rocky relationship at times and the relatively recent friendlier stance on both sides is very welcome. how do you intend to build upon that to ensure the Club and Trust work together for a sustainable future for DHFC?

As I mentioned above, I am really pleased and excited about the potential for the Club - more than I can remember being in my 40 plus years as a supporter. I want to bring as many joint initiatives as possible - which seems a natural way to build to a supporter owned club - and think my experience in the community with the Club, as well as having helped the Trust organise successful Community Days in its first few years provides a good basis to look at what we can do together, and what is more appropriate to be done separately but supported by the other. I think it is vital that the Trust Board & the Football Committee have people sitting at each others tables, so we can all work closer together to jointly build the only way forward for our Club...which is a Supporter owned Club.

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

Just to reassure people that I'm not just around at election time...

Many judge the integrity & dedication of their Members of Parliament by their attendance records.
In my three years of serving on the Football Club Committee I am proud to have had a 100% attendance record at all monthly meetings.

I intend to do the same if elected to the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust Board.

Based on the DHST Board minutes over the last year only TWO of 13 representatives who served for all, or part, of last year since the 2015 Trust AGM managed that. Two members went to less than half of the meetings, while two more failed to be at 40% of them.

Whilst recognising everyone has other commitments, my Football Club Committee record demonstrates the amount of time and dedication I intend to bring as a member of the DHST Board, if elected.

 

[darryl]

I'm sure nobody doubts your dedication, Mishi, but is it really wise to be taking jabs at the people you'll have to work alongside?

(And if the football club committee and trust met on the same night, which would you choose? )

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I'm not taking jabs at anyone, hence no mentions of names, I would never sink that low. It wasn't my intention to take jabs at people...it was simply a general observation to emphasise my commitment.

And if they were on the same night I would hope one of them was moved...they have never clashed in the past, so hopefully they won't in the future.

 

[darryl]

But you've just compared the current trust board's attendance unfavourably with your current attendance in the football committee. If I was on the trust board now, and not standing for election, how do you think I'd feel?

(I'm a journalist who's dabbled in politics, so please don't mistake this for a personal dig. But as you've made this an election special, my inner Vincent Hanna from Pig Traders' Weekly comes out )

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I'd think that anyone currently on the Trust Board wouldn't be offended with what I posted, especially as I posted: "Whilst recognising everyone has other commitments, my Football Club Committee record demonstrates the amount of time and dedication I intend to bring as a member of the DHST Board, if elected."

I would like to think they would also be pleased that a candidate is willing to make such a commitment to give up spare time as much as I hope to to help promote & participate in the Trust, if elected.

I would also like to think that I'm they'd be appreciative of the fact that I take time to read their previously published Board minutes, which is where I took the information from, it's nothing new...they have already put it in the public domain.

To finish, without wishing to repeat myself, my comments were aimed at highlighting how committed I will be to any role on the Trust Board, if elected. Nothing more, nothing less. It wasn't meant as a 'dig' at any individuals, hence no names mentioned, just a general stating of facts, as previously published by the Trust.

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

The voting has now closed, for the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust Board elections. Results will be announced at the AGM next Tuesday evening. Regardless to if I am elected or not...a big thank you to all who voted, and a bigger thank you to all who voted for me.
If I am elected...thank you.
If not...I gave it my best shot...

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I'd like to thank everyone who voted me in the Supporters' Trust Board elections last summer.
It has been great working on the Trust Board over the last ten months.
Thank you to everyone who had faith in me...

 

[Scutta]

I'd like to thank everyone who voted me in the Supporters' Trust Board elections last summer.
It has been great working on the Trust Board over the last ten months.
Thank you to everyone who had faith in me...

Pleasure to work with you and thank you for all your hard work! x

 

[Fingers]

I'd like to thank everyone who voted me in the Supporters' Trust Board elections last summer.
It has been great working on the Trust Board over the last ten months.
Thank you to everyone who had faith in me...

Likewise Mishi, thanks for all you have done for the Trust.

 

[EDC]

I'd like to thank everyone who voted me in the Supporters' Trust Board elections last summer.
It has been great working on the Trust Board over the last ten months.
Thank you to everyone who had faith in me...

Are you going somewhere?

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

No! The Trust Board have a policy of not speaking for or against the new ground until the poll of members. I simply proposed a motion whereby Board members could speak, in a personal capacity, in favour...but this was defeated.

The reason given, was the Trust Board do not want to be seen to influence the poll, and wish to remain impartial, so to maintain the integrity of the vote.

I think I've got that right, apologies if it's not quite right.

I chose to step down as I clearly support the proposals, whilst accepting there is still a lot of work and pressure to be put to get what we want, as fans.

I would not be able to do this if I was on the Trust Board. And my views in supporting the scheme in principle, as a Club Committee member, could be seen as breaking Trust Board policy.

I stood down, on the principle that I wish to speak in public and support campaigning for the proposals. I still fully support the Trust an individual member and support fan ownership of our Club in future.