Stephen thompson to step down

[PortugueseFrank]

A majority shareholder can still run things without being on the board.

He can appoint any board he wants.

If it's Mike Martin as new chair then that a continuity appointment. As ST's business partner in United FC Group and supposedly 2nd largest shareholder in United now.

So words of caution. It's not a for sale sign. It could well be a way to try and head off talks of season ticket boycotts or at least people saying they won't come back.

I'd expect the new board to spin it as a new start for season ticket sales with reality that ST is still majority shareholder behind the scenes ultimately still in control.

The for sale signs aren't up.

And while we have a power vacuum and months of speculation to follow until the end of the season it further adds to the benefits of an amalgamated fan group.

The "new" board which wilk unkikeky be new at all should be afforded no honeymoon.

A United fans group becomes more ***** with each new development both on and off the pitch.

[RogerTheAlien]

Why would Mike Martin buy shares In a failing company? surely any businessman wouldn’t.

People apparently wanted to buy the club? again why would you buy a club who’s In real trouble? I don’t think we’re there yet.

[PortugueseFrank]

And he may decide to return after a period of absence.

Bearing in mind he has some legal disputes ongoing at the moment. He may wish to retreat further from public eye to sort out his personal life.

Wee Jim returned after the Barnes punch.

I'll stay cautious.

Edit to add:

The concern is that this will not lead to any real change. It could also be a long game where MM achieves his dream of being Chairman. ST departs to resolve his legal and personal issues then returns as CEO with Martin staying on as chair.

[PortugueseFrank]

Received the following member update from an FU member. Doesn't look good·

"Jump Before Pushed"A Member Update
We (along with the Fed and the Foundation) are finalising an open letter
intended to go to the Club very, very shortly. The letter expresses a motion of
no confidence in Stephen Thompson and requests that he steps down, with
immediate effect, to be replaced by an independent CEO, who would
conduct a root and branch investigation of alt things operational within the

Club.
It would appear that the Club have gained advanced notice (presumably via
Arab Trust who were canvassed by the Foundation, in good faith, during
preparations for the release of the joint statementlopen letter.)
The existing regime is attempting to launch a countermeasure in attempt to
placate the fans and maintain any vestige of power that they possibly can.
They intend to announce that Mr Thompson will step down as Chairman and
will be replaced by Mike Martin, with immediate effect.
This will not provide any opportunity for the independent review that is now
so critical to the wellbeing of our beloved Club, in essence it will be"more of
the same"and may be seen as the last desperate act of the"self-
preservation society"
Do not, therefore be at all surprised by this announcement from the Club
within this week and, no doubt, the attempted positive spin that it will be

wrapped in.
Do not, however, think that we are accepting of this desperate
countermeasure and we will continue to press for real change within the

Club.
No member should now be in any doubt that, as a group, we are having a
VERY significant impact and we must maintain and continue the drive for
positive change. Another positive that our members should note is that now
the Foundation have realigned themselves and can see that by working
together we can be effective.
Fans United, we're getting there! "

[TerryTheTerror]

They intend to announce that Mr Thompson will step down as Chairman and
will be replaced by Mike Martin, with immediate effect.

That's not what has happened.

[PortugueseFrank]

One thing is certain Stexit won't be a smooth ride.

[Skolcorner]

Not celebrating yet. Could ST and MM be desperate enough to get their money back by selling their shares to an aggressive bidder who had an agenda for the club at odds with the majority of fans. They contemplated doing the same to the Jets after all.

[ahlltanyirhide]

That's not what has happened.

Aye but don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story though

[Arabdad]

The old analogy about rats leaving sinking ships springs to mind. Hope I'm wrong.

[PortugueseFrank]

There's lots of uneccesarily hyperbole in their member update and that clouds the points they are making.

Id also like to see proof before believing insinuations about the trust leaking any letter. It's not simply a case of taking things at face value considering FU's animosity towards the Trust.

I also don't think they should be congratulating themselves yet.

Nothing has changed. And if Martin is chair then nothing changes. It's a shuffle of the pack for appearances if anything.

Good to see them talking about what can be achieved working together. Will they or any of the groups try to take the lead and United the groups?

There is so little noise from any of the groups on this.

Im beginning to believe they're just as interested in their own agendas as they accuse ST of being.

On whole. Today has left me feeling little has and will be achieved.

The vacuum is there to fill if United fans Unite and take a grip of events.