First post, mainly because I don't get to too many games over the past couple of years, however after taking in a couple this season and seeing the absolute shower we have become,I've found myself asking one question....

Why have IOR not pulled out of pools before now? Over the past 4-5 years they have gained nothing but animosity from everyone who supports the club. So ultimately what is the reason for them staying, whatever tax breaks can't be worth anything close to what they are supposedly losing year on year? Trying to sell up now makes little sense as surely if they wanted to sell they would have done so when the product was worth more?( I.e not a club on the brink of conference football). This of course make the TMH takeover even more implausible.

To me IOR are bizarre as a company, with very little sense.

If I were to answer that question, giving my true honest opinion, I would end up in court.
I would suggest the Mods delete this thread before someone gets himself into bother.
Rather than put the question to passionate, angry and extremely hurt fans, can I suggest you put it to three people and ask them to supply/find the answer. The Echo, The Mail and Hodcroft/IOR.
Not having a go at you Mr Wallsend as such but I'm sure you'll understand if I'm being a tad cautious.

Really IOR fucked off when Berge Larsen got into bother with the tax man we've not been owned like we used to be since then and we've not seen any extra money from Norway to sign decent players.

'IOR' these days are Green and Hodcroft sustaining the club as cheaply as they can whilst taking a wage out of it themselves.

This is why I don't understand people who think we couldn't be sustainable and compete as a fan based team. We have to be operating way within the constraints of FFP (transfer money , fa cup TV income, season tickets etc) yet none of this has been invested to try and prevent relegation to conference. If we'd been fan owned this season there's no way we would be cast adrift at the bottom of the league.

If IOR continue to run us next season we'll be playing Darlington phoenix fc very soon. We need to get rid of these parasites now.

At the moment the parachute payment is 200k this will change if the below is Implemented

THREE Football League teams could be relegated to the Conference Premier next season.
League Two clubs have been sounded out about implementing a three-down, three-up system and, to sweeten the new deal, relegated teams will have their parachute payments doubled to £400,000 for two seasons.

I asked myself the same question the other day.

Daft answer: Because they entertained the hope of "buying" the ground.

Serious answer. They have given all the signs of looking for an out for some time, but they weren't getting beaten with the oil-price stick until now.

Which basically would formulate a division 5.

I hope it does become three up and down, as finishing second is probably the only way we'd get out of the conference.

Extra places long overdue