Towards the end of September, a pack will be sent out to all Oldham Athletic Season Ticket holders and Trust Oldham members, however if you can't wait that long, you can join today. Membership applications can be got either by printing off the forms, or by signing up online.
Where to start
We suggest that you read the Welcome Letter, which as we have mentioned above is going to be posted out, and this will give you a great deal of information on the scheme and what it is about. Keep checking back with the Latics PlayerShare website (www.laticsplayershare.co.uk) - the only place to get all the official information first!
How Latics PlayerShare works
When Trust Oldham was formed, the Trust immediately set out to ensure that Oldham Athletic did not cease to exist, and when Danny, Simon and Simon took over the Football Club, the focus had to change. It was decided that the Trust should work with the owners and directors of the club to ensure that Oldham Athletic go from strength to strength. This has happened with a series of investments in areas including physiotherapy equipment, facilities for the supporters, transport for the youth-teams, and (towards the end of the 2004/2005 season) a significant contribution towards the wages of Luke Beckett.
Latics PlayerShare is a continuation of the Trusts continuing commitment to helping the club to develop, and will give fans a direct opportunity to assist the manager to build a squad of quality players who are capable of bringing success to Oldham Athletic. Members of the scheme will pay in an amount by Direct Debit each week or month, and when there is sufficient funds to either the wages or transfer of a player either in part or in full. Once this stage is reached, it is envisaged that the members of the PlayerShare scheme will then meet with the current management team for the club where potential transfer targets can be discussed.
Latics PlayerShare will only proceed in assisting the transfer of a player when all parties are agreed upon the player or players discussed. This process will continue for as many players as the scheme can afford. Latics PlayerShare will not directly purchase a player, or enter into a contractual agreement with them. They will be listed as assets and employees of the football club who will take full responsibility for their employment. Should a player purchase from the PlayerShare scheme be sold to another club, any proceeds that come back to the scheme will be used towards the purchase of interest in further players, and a smaller percentage will be used to fund the scheme, pay dividends to shareholders and if required donated back to the club. The percentages above have not yet been finalised, but will be published in due course.
Example (purely hypothetical) Latics PlayerShare raises £100,000 and purchases a 50% interest in two players – Player A and Player B. Player A turns out to be a poor signing, and leaves the club on a free transfer at the end of his contract. Player B is highly successful, he is sold to a Championship club for £500,000
Latics PlayerShare receives £250,000 from his transfer fee - At least 75% of this must be re-invested via new interest in players. The remaining 25% could either be re-invested with the other funds or paid as a dividend to the members of the scheme
http://www.keep-the-faith.co.uk/playershare/