The future of OTF

[gt3]

I agree with you Sporting I was just putting it out there as a possible solution. Already subscribe to WSC a patron. No quibbles with making a monthly payment and keep it free for those that don't/can't.

[imp]

Will definitely contribute 30 of your British pounds sterling a year, and moderate if desired - was an early moderator along with ad hoc, and was probably too hands on. Would hopefully be more moderate now.

[Nocturnal Submission]

The consensus seems to be free access and no ads, with the board financed through contributions, which is all well and good but exactly where we were when the most recent iteration of the board came into being. Then as now there were pledges of financial support that didn't materialise. So, if the annual running costs are around 3,000 quid, we need iron commitments from 100 OTFers that they'll stump up 30 quid a year or that 60 will pay 50 quid or variations thereof and we're only going to be able to judge what people are prepared to commit to if we run a poll.

[diggedy derek]

I'd definitely do a sub of a few quite a month. That would be no problem at all. I think it should be kept as open as possible. But 100% I'd contribute. Like the BBC, it just has enough practical value life-wise to make it a no brainer.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

I would willingly sell my house and all its contents to help OTF.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I'm more than happy to contribute to keep this excellent and occasionally life-affirming site going. One bottle of cheap wine per month seems more than reasonable to me.

2 quid wine Foxy, where do you get that?

[nmrfox]

I'm more than happy to contribute to keep this excellent and occasionally life-affirming site going. One bottle of cheap wine per month seems more than reasonable to me.

[Snake Plissken]

Feel free to carry on the excellent discussions and suggestions. I’m going to post some thoughts based on it all a bit later.

[Rumpus]

I agree Sits and should have made that clearer. But I think we have enough goodwill and agreement here already to start voluntary payments. Only then will we know if the board will survive for everyone.

[johnr]

Absolutely no forcing of people to pay. I'd donate 30 quid a year.

[Sits]

We shouldn’t force people to pay. There needs to be a model which caters for this.

[Rumpus]

Sign me up to two pounds a month, and to the articles pinned to the church door by Sits in his first post today.
I suggest quickly agreeing fundamentals and establishing a payment system as the only reliable way to measure interest. I have no objections to whatever method the majority decide on but understand the resistance to PayPal and have a feeling that Patreon now allow you to pay in local currency without further charges. The default use of board names above real ones is my only dietary requirement.
Beyond that, for now and in the foreseeable Ursus and Snake hold my vote in all other matters. Until, and as such.

[Sporting]

Maybe OTF could give someone who comes across it a week of access then say they have to subscribe, much like some online magazines/newspapers do

I respectfully disagree with this.

[Duncan Gardner]

Keep the WSC link, for the reasons Paul and others mention but also as it's my favourite Undertones song. Well, just behind Tearproof and you've got my number.

A few years ago we went as far as setting up a shadow cabinet under Tubby Isaacs. IIRC E10 Rifle was going to sort out the unions (by conceding everything they wanted )

[gt3]

Very rough calculations based on the numbers given, we'd need 100 subscribers paying 30 per year.

More than happy with this. Recognise what SB says about new blood. Maybe OTF could give someone who comes across it a week of access then say they have to subscribe, much like some online magazines/newspapers do. Agree that anything to keep ads off OTF would be acceptable.

[Paul S]

I think this message board should become a user owned co-operative. Access to join and contribute should be free and anyone can join in, but those of us who wish to can contribute to keep the board going. This would of course mean setting up a company which would need 4 or 5 m̶i̶d̶d̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶g̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶e̶n̶ ̶w̶e̶a̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶g̶l̶a̶s̶s̶e̶s̶ people to act as directors but it can be done. Most importantly of all I think OTF must retain its link to WSC (in fact I think one of the directors should be the editor). The reason why is because people seem to have forgotten where WSC came from. It came out of the dark hooligan days of the 1980's when football fans were pariahs and fanzines were their only outlet. I think OTF should be heavily promoted in WSC as an independent fans forum owned and paid for by the fans. I would contribute ?100 a year to a co-op so the ?30 contributed seems more than reasonable.

Any thoughts?

[Sits]

ROFL, as the kids say.

[caja-dglh]

Probably a player with limited English, we don't want him reading too much (luckily the non-functioning search should keep some past insults hidden).

John Terry then.

[tee rex]

Probably a player with limited English, we don't want him reading too much (luckily the non-functioning search should keep some past insults hidden).

[Sits]

Excellent idea tee rex. So which player should be our “target most likely”? I like the cut of that Marcus Rashford’s jib, but he seems to have a bit on his plate already.

[tee rex]

My lawyers tell me that "I'd be willing to help out" is not a binding contract, but "I'd definitely chuck in a few quid" would be. So yeah, I'd be willing to help out. (Mind you, I don't even have a credit card. Postal order? Luncheon vouchers?).

All problems would be solved if one Premier League footballer would be willing to sponsor OTF. It could be in exchange for an immunity deal: no criticism permitted on the telly threads ("there was no stomp, his foot slipped"). A few OTFers might get banned for violating that term and condition, but that's a small price to pay, surely?

Anyway, I know nothing about how any of this works, but whatever is decided, I'll get on board as long as it's technologically idiot-proof. Good luck, and thanks.

[Sits]

For my two pennies worth, or two quid, or whatever:

* Those who can, contribute what they feel comfortable doing on an ongoing basis. If it has to reduce, reduce it. If it can go up a bit, put it up
* Those who can’t, don’t
* No special treatment/privileges or behaviour let-offs for donors
* All donation / non donations are anonymous
* No ads provided donations are sufficient
* We have some idea how donations and costs are balancing out (or not) as we go

I’m sorry that I can’t do anything specific, my life is too erratic. Maybe that will change if and when I have a job change/retire.

Snake Plissken you remain an absolute legend.

[ursus arctos]

Especially if it is to be based in the UK

[San Bernardhinault]

I'm assuming that whatever "owns" OTF should be a cooperative

[Antepli Ejderha]

How much is it a year to run then?

About 3k we think based on the opening post.