Ya win some, ya lose some.

Another quickie post tonight, ahead of tomorrow's visit to Rochdale. It's been win some and lose some in YTFC-land this week. The Glovers Board has gained 2 new Directors in the form of Andy Rossiter and David Lee, who have responsibility for the Centre of Excellence and Community Trust respectively; against that we've lost a couple of fans, if this thread on the Green Room II is anything to go by.

As I write this I've just seen a brief feature about the club on the BBC's Points West programme, asking if the club can survive in League One and even push on into the Championship in the future. Kudos to well-known supporter Mark Kelly for telling it how it is by criticising the facilities at Huish Park and explaining the need for a social club for supporters. But perhaps the most interesting moment came in a rare interview with Director Stephen Allinson, who threw his weight very much behind the controversial formation of the new Holding Company, saying: "We want to invest in this whole infrastructure [Huish Park]. Many major operators/retailers these days will not invest in a football club, but will invest in the grounds that support that football club. And what that will do is enhance us, because the more money that comes in off the field, the more money can be ploughed in on it. We're fans on the Board as well, that's the important thing."

Allinson's words are significant, as far as I'm aware he's the first Board member other than Chairman John Fry and Chief Executive Martyn Starnes to publically support the formation of the Holding Company. His words carry weight because he is regarded by many as a genuinely independent voice in the Boardroom as well as enjoying a reputation throughout the game for financial expertise. If Stephen Allinson is comfortable with the formation of Yeovil Town Holdings Ltd and believes it will bring some much-needed investment into the club then, just maybe, there's less to worry about than some of us have previously thought.

As mentioned before the Glovers travel to Spotland tomorrow to face Rochdale, who've got off to a real flyer in their first season in League One for many years. The bookies make the home side evens favourites, the draw is priced at 23/10 and a Glovers win at 14/5. My fiver is once again going on the draw. Running total: +25p.

Just read: Heartstone by CJ Sansom: I've been looking forward to this, the 5th in the Matthew Shardlake series of novels, for a couple of years now and it doesn't disappoint. For the uninitiated, Shardlake is a hunchback London lawyer alive during the reign of Henry VIII, and the novels focus on his life and work. He defends the underdog and tries, generally without success, to avoid getting embroiled in the politics of Henry's Court. The novels work on many levels; as crime thrillers, as history lessons, as chronicles of how ordinary people lived and survived in Tudor times. All five of the novels in the series are standalone works and Heartstone is as accomplished, thrilling and satisfying as any of the rest. Roll on the sixth in the series, whenever it emerges.

The Slowest Drip

The Slowest Drip - by Cruncher

Even the slowest drip of information is welcome. Although it importantly highlights an issue that previously was all too quiet, it doesn't add to the knowledge we have, with the one piece of detail that the ground will remain with the club having already been let out of the bag by Digger. Have we been told that because it is already known information? Indeed maybe not, but telling us the one thing we know is not going to boost confidence that the club might be completely endeared with the need to enlighten us.

Words though are now being spoken, a giant step forward - just how significant a step we shall judge over the next few days as we hope for a big increase in detail. Though also welcome to hear, comment about a lack of future rent obligation on the club is optimistic intent more than detail, at this stage. And at least we have the plain words now that confirm that it is about borrowing money to create revenue streams that go to the stadium and football budgets, a definite improvement on gobbledygook about 'facilitation of the brand' and suchlike.

I hope the club now turn the drip into a flood of information, as well address questions however awkward. Martyn Starnes's reference to "extensive consultation over the last few years" lets us know that the club has had this project in mind for a long time. It also increases belief that it has been a long term objective to avoid other investors because they also would want the right to have a say on policy and direction.

Now is the time to be bold and sell the plan to the entire support with the same purpose that undoubtedly they have applied during those years of research and planning. Twelve acres of commercial security will appeal both to speculators and to advisers who can match the club up with financiers.

One thought about 'advisers' does strike me - with the experienced and renowned football-industry specialist Stephen Allinson on the Board, why does the club seek advice elsewhere?

The club needs investment to compete and grow, financiers deserve their profit but safeguards will be a key issue, both in general and in eventuality of future events such as the passing of ownership. With the club now admitting (as I see it) to a long term preferred policy of seeking out experienced commercial development backers, they would do us and themselves well to send a signal that the club will not have to yield too much of its value for the privilege.

I refer to this post from Das Boot on the Achieve by Unity forum: a plain-speaking plea for clarifying detail that will pave the way forward. As he concludes: "Once and for all Mr Fry and Co tell us all about your plans in full!"

Else, even the slowest drip such as myself will inevitably conclude that 'Achieve by Unity' is one of the assets to be sold off. But I don't want to sound a miserable git, because the club have begun to respond and credit to them for that.

Cruncher