1FF up for sale? [Latest Developments]

[JaseTheVillain]

Visible presence I get, but to be fair that's never been my thing ever since we started Jan 2015, I was open that I would handle the technical aspects. Here's a snapshot of what I've done recently in the admin backend, this doesn't even include the server stuff or if anything goes wrong. I'm certainly not sat with my thumb up my arse!
View attachment 6008 View attachment 6009 View attachment 6010

Fair enough, can't argue with that! Apologies if any offense was caused, as you say, perceptions can be misleading. It has seemed recently that the site is quiet and that there is very little presence is all, that was/is my concern.

 

[TractorBoys]

RE: the points you raised about Moderators, Rad can back me up on this- similar to the logs I showed you, I forwarded all recent staff logs to him to review which he has done. It's not a witch hunt, but whether it results in discussions with staff or a shake up (or combo of the two)... again... it is actually being looked at.

To everyone else, and to nip this in the bud. If the site gets sold from underneath you without your prior knowledge, you have my full name and permission to have a go. Until then, just try & trust that we're looking at all the options. I'm not going to hand it to some random fucker.

TB

 

[JaseTheVillain]

A much better response than deleting the thread and hoping it would go away. Cheers, TB. And as stated, apologies for any offence caused by myself if any has been.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

There are various possibilities.

What we aren't going to do is float to them all to a community of 3,000 people- as much as that sounds like a fantastic idea, it won't work.

What is going to happen, is when something is landed on that seems feasible, it will be put to the core userbase and the majority are set against it then it won't be pushed through.

TB

This is scarcely believable because a) there's been no transparency regarding the sale b) you're clearly looking to make a very healthy profit from the site as, by you're own admission, you're looking for $30k for it. If you're offered that sort of money (seems a preposterous notion to me but I'll suspend disbelief for a minute) are you really going to put it to a vote? Hmm.

 

[TractorBoys]

This is scarcely believable because a) there's been no transparency regarding the sale b) you're clearly looking to make a very healthy profit from the site as, by you're own admission, you're looking for $30k for it. If you're offered that sort of money (seems a preposterous notion to me but I'll suspend disbelief for a minute) are you really going to put it to a vote? Hmm.

I've already covered A so I won't bother with that, but B) Yes, for a multitude of reasons. 1FF is a forum- and even if we suspend my moral obligations, the new owner is going to want assurances he's not stepping into a shit storm when he's dropping that kind of investment. The sale would also be subject to escrow clearance- meaning if shit hit the fan shortly after the sale because you guys weren't happy, the sale would just get reversed if the buyer felt it could adversely affect the websites future potential. It's not an 'instant access to money' nor paypal type deal.

Nothing other than a transparent sale once the sale looks possible to go through of a forum of this size would work. Finally, whether I like it or not the sale would have connections to both my name and my LTD company (even though it wouldn't go through it) so I am not about to muddy my reputation over a shady sale. It's that simple.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Yes, to confirm - the moderation positions are currently being 'reviewed' as such - checking back through logs that I have a downloaded a copy of to my PC. The logs give a general run down on how active any moderator is, be that the things you can't see (Stopping spam, moving/deleting posts) or just general postings. I will be looking at those and then 'making some changes' if they are required before March is out.

Just to make a few things abudantly clear;

1FF 'came together' after TFF was randomly, abruptly and quickly closed down without much of a thought for the 'crowd. At that stage I had the website, the time and the interest whilst TB had the time/expertise to ensure that we got to where we are today. Whilst it's understandable that some of you feel like you have been 'left hanging' and the notion that a forum isn't a forum without a decent crowd is totally correct - it doesn't change the fact that without 'our coming together' and in particular TB being will to put thousands of hours into the website off his own back (I'm clueless at most of the very technical aspects involved in hosting/ensure smooth running of a database this big) then there would be no 'community' to be part of/discuss.

To get right to the actual issue in hand. The simple facts are, that since the day myself and TB arranged to 'co-own' this forum, both of us legally/contractually own 50% of this website. There are numerous options on the table, but just because TB is definetely looking to 'sell' his 50% share in this website, that doesn't actually mean that I am leaving, that both of us are just going to hop off and leave the website in the hands of someone who has no connection/isn't aware of anything about the community or that regardless of any sale there's just going to be a clean sweep of new 'admins'.

Whilst I understand the issue of communication is what has annoyed some of you, until anything 'definitive' occured in terms of TB actually signing a dotted line to sell his half, or whatever percentage of the website - then there's not actually a lot to confirm, or discuss or be made aware of.

Just as an FYI - I 'moved' this thread to the staff room - I didn't delete it and that was to give TB a chance to give his opinion on the matter as it's him this affects the most, hence why the thread is now back.

We all need to get ALL of the facts before hounding people out, they aren't always what they seem.

 

[GodsGift]

So what you're basically saying is...we're all ungrateful c***?

 

[JaseTheVillain]

So what you're basically saying is...we're all ungrateful c***?

 

[Magic]

Do TFF have a sell-on fee?

 

[TractorBoys]

We bought them out, remember thefootballforum.net

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Yes, to confirm - the moderation positions are currently being 'reviewed' as such - checking back through logs that I have a downloaded a copy of to my PC. The logs give a general run down on how active any moderator is, be that the things you can't see (Stopping spam, moving/deleting posts) or just general postings. I will be looking at those and then 'making some changes' if they are required before March is out.

Just to make a few things abudantly clear;

1FF 'came together' after TFF was randomly, abruptly and quickly closed down without much of a thought for the 'crowd. At that stage I had the website, the time and the interest whilst TB had the time/expertise to ensure that we got to where we are today. Whilst it's understandable that some of you feel like you have been 'left hanging' and the notion that a forum isn't a forum without a decent crowd is totally correct - it doesn't change the fact that without 'our coming together' and in particular TB being will to put thousands of hours into the website off his own back (I'm clueless at most of the very technical aspects involved in hosting/ensure smooth running of a database this big) then there would be no 'community' to be part of/discuss.

To get right to the actual issue in hand. The simple facts are, that since the day myself and TB arranged to 'co-own' this forum, both of us legally/contractually own 50% of this website. There are numerous options on the table, but just because TB is definetely looking to 'sell' his 50% share in this website, that doesn't actually mean that I am leaving, that both of us are just going to hop off and leave the website in the hands of someone who has no connection/isn't aware of anything about the community or that regardless of any sale there's just going to be a clean sweep of new 'admins'.

Whilst I understand the issue of communication is what has annoyed some of you, until anything 'definitive' occured in terms of TB actually signing a dotted line to sell his half, or whatever percentage of the website - then there's not actually a lot to confirm, or discuss or be made aware of.

Just as an FYI - I 'moved' this thread to the staff room - I didn't delete it and that was to give TB a chance to give his opinion on the matter as it's him this affects the most, hence why the thread is now back.

We all need to get ALL of the facts before hounding people out, they aren't always what they seem.

Don't really get the bolded bit... if you're listing a website for sale externally without the knowledge of the users of said website is that not EXACTLY what you're doing?! The ad does state that you're open to "a full purchase to make you* the exclusive owner".

*mr or mrs no connection/isn't aware of anything about the community

 

[TractorBoys]

Open being the keyword in that sentence, buddy. Emphasis on, 'right buyer', too. Looking at all options, as stated many times now.

Excerpt From Classified
This is unique opportunity to become the new owner of the largest & busiest UK football forum on the internet. For the right buyer, we would be open to a 50% part ownership purchase, or a full purchase to make you the exclusive owner.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Don't really get the bolded bit... if you're listing a website for sale externally without the knowledge of the users of said website is that not EXACTLY what you're doing?! The ad does state that you're open to "a full purchase to make you* the exclusive owner".

*mr or mrs no connection/isn't awareof anything about the community

Use the term 'open' loosely.

Any person interested in the website has been made fully aware it's a 50-50 scenario and that they COULD only be buying 50%, that can then mean they either aren't interested, or want to speak to me to see if I'm interested in this, that or the other. You are assuming that the term 'open' means everything is certain, which would be very presumptious.

 

[Stevencc]

I'm going to put my cards on the table right now.

I'll give you a tenner each.

 

[SALTIRE]

I'm going to put my cards on the table right now.

I'll give you a tenner each.

Keep it for your Lemsip.

 

[Dirk]

I'm going to put my cards on the table right now.

I'll give you a tenner each.

Congratz, steven. Both liked your post, means they approved the deal.
Glorious times ahead for 1FF it seems.

 

[Abertawe]

I back the admin 100%.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Teachers pet

 

[Meadow]

Okay, I understand that Tractor Boys wants out and should be rewarded for the hard work he puts in.

I would like to query the supporter upgrade though. I put a meagre £5 a year to go ad free and it's good value for money. However there's an option to pay more and I'd guess that a fair few have done just that in the belief that they're helping to finance the forum. In reality, the advertising income would appear to render that unnecessary.

I'd welcome admin's comments.

Also, is there anyone in a position to take over Tractor Boy's technical role?

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Maybe I'm being thick but can you explain something to me? You're making around £500 profit a month off of this place? How the hell can you say this when asking for donations?

(All contributions go towards funding the website)

Isn't this disingenuous? I only signed up thinking I was helping this place run, not lining someone's pockets. Maybe naive on my part but there you go.

By the way, what is the process for shutting down an account TractorBoys / Saddlerrad ?

 

[MagpieBee]

Maybe I'm being thick but can you explain something to me? You're making around £500 profit a month off of this place? How the hell can you say this when asking for donations?
View attachment 6011
(All contributions go towards funding the website)

Isn't this disingenuous? I only signed up thinking I was helping this place run, not lining someone's pockets. Maybe naive on my part but there you go.

By the way, what is the process for shutting down an account TractorBoys / Saddlerrad ?

Especially as the supporter element was set up in the first few days after the main influx of joiners when the old site shut down, I don't think as many of us would have started contributing money if we knew it wasn't really neccesssary, and was just going to help you guys make a profit.

 

[Madejski]

Also looking at those revenue/cost information, it looks like for that whole 12 month period (Oct15-Sep16), the forum was running for as cheap as possible.

So, to sum it up, yearly costs for the site are £720 without taking into account the additional costs we happily spend to improve the site.

No additional payments were made other than site hosting and simple spam defences for around the £720 ($960) quoted.

So the extra money being put in by Site Supporters is purely going into the pocket of the owners, despite being advertised as a form of improving the forum.


Admins have to realise that TFF eventually went to ruin and closed because the members were not trusting the admin team of the old forum, with them seemingly going behind their backs. We don't want this to happen again..

 

[Techno Natch]

I am surprised that anyone is shocked at this considering TB is a profit driven tory.

In all seriousness though I always felt bad for not paying my dues as I'm a bit stingy. I was also under the impression that it was pretty vital to the running of the forum and the justification for all the adverts was so that we would at least break even. All money would go towards the running of the site and I am sure I remember competitions being mentioned in the early days.

 

[MagpieBee]

Also looking at those revenue/cost information, it looks like for that whole 12 month period (Oct15-Sep16), the forum was running for as cheap as possible.



No additional payments were made other than site hosting and simple spam defences for around the £720 ($960) quoted.

So the extra money being put in by Site Supporters is purely going into the pocket of the owners, despite being advertised as a form of improving the forum.


Admins have to realise that TFF eventually went to ruin and closed because the members were not trusting the admin team of the old forum, with them seemingly going behind their backs. We don't want this to happen again..

I seriously doubt anywhere near as many people would have contributed money to the site if they knew it was running at a profit, or worked as hard to get other people to sign up. The way it was positioned at the start was you guys needed help, when clearly you didn't.

 

[hodge]

I suspect in the early days the site did need people paying the £5 to help support it as there probably would have been less money from advertising due to less people visiting the site etc, however it wasn't made aware to people say after the first year when people decided to give another £5 just how much the site was making through advertising at that time.

 

[Meadow]

I'll make it clear. If the forum overcomes this crisis, I will continue to pay my £5 because I hate ads and popups (including reminders to turn off my ad blocker).

 

[smat]

Wow. I had always thought the admins to be trustworthy folk, but this, the latest in a series of unsavoury incidents in which they reveal their greed and dishonesty through their own incompetence, has changed my mind.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Just to chip in with a few thoughts as an admin. I may not own anything of the site and thus dont get too involved in finances, but I am involved in keeping the place running day to day helping as best I can. I know how much work goes on to do that by TB and Saddler as well as the Mod team. And I see what is spent on the site's running costs. There have been plenty of unexpected one off costs as well as the site has grown over the last couple years.

Despite the site big thrown together hastily in an attempt to keep the TFF community (as was) together, hopefully as times gone on 1FF has developed an identity of its own, attracting plenty of new posters to supplement those who came across. This needs to be protected and preserved, and developed futher whatever the future holds. I know the site won't just be given to anyone.

We all need a place to talk bollocks about football! (Or I do anyway)

 

[Abertawe]

So what if the site makes a small profit? Ya'll wouldn't have a place to chat bollox if it wasn't for TB, Saddler & mark. Contributions are just that. Let's not get it twisted either, the only reason most people contributed was so they could chat shit about non blue members. If the site didn't run ads then the contributions wouldn't come close to meeting the running costs. If TB wants to relinquish his share of the site then he's fully entitled to and is under no obligation to run it past anyone (which he isn't doing anyway).

 

[Vanni]

Storm in a teacup I think. Time = Money, simple as. Plus, let's not forget that TB had a shite year so I'm sure he had better things to do than spending time running this forum dealing with the likes of me.

P.S. - when the time comes for TB to sell his share, I would very much like a ''Who cares? I just like voting in polls" option please. Ta muchly!