What now for Well?

What does the post John Boyle era mean for Motherwell, is it a brave new dawn or a road to nowhere.

After the announcement Chairman John Boyle was standing down and handing his shares to remaining board for free there was some confusion about the future without him.

There was a four point plan put forward which has been based upon the experience board members had travelling to Odense and Aalesunds in the summer. These clubs were community owned and at the centre of the community.

The four points raised last night were;

1. Broaden the shareholder base – not sure how it will happen yet!!
2. Permanent capital in the club – last season we were fifth in the League and a run in Europe and still only made £18k profit and large parts of the year with negative cash flow.
3. Innovative in the local community and worldwide
4. People who put money in will get a return of some sort that doesn’t prejudice the club.

This all seems very good, but none of it seems fully thought through just yet, and appears to be the bones of an idea at the moment.

My real fear for this idea is the difference in culture between Scandanavia and Scotland. The two clubs mentioned have the surrounding area to themselves while we have to share Lanarkshire with four other clubs (albeit smaller ones!!), and of course there is always the spectre of the Old Firm looking over our shoulders.

I hope it succeeds because if it doesn’t I dread to think what the alternative might be!!