Founded in April 2007, MyFC started to sign up members and scout for a prospective club in August 08. By November, the Society was 20,000 strong with members from across the world contributing to the fighting fund.
After approaches by and discussions with several clubs throughout the autumn, Conference National Ebbsfleet United were announced as the target club in November 08.
After a period of due diligence, and a vote to approve the deal, the Society completed the takeover on the 19th February 2008, the first time an internet community had taken over an existing club. Members also voted to approve Nike as the official kit supplier for the 2008/2009 season.
In March 08, the Society elected its first Board of 7 members, who would lead the community and coordinate communication between the Society and the Club. In May 08, the Society developed a crowdsourcing procedure to allow any member to raise a proposal for the Society or Club business, with final approval through a member's vote.
In November 2009 the Society voted to remove the most controversial element of the venture, member’s team selection, in favour of a more casual dialogue with the Coach. The Society also took over control of the website from the founder, Will Brooks, meaning that all of the membership fee goes straight to the Society.In 2010, Society members worked alongside professional web developers Big Spring to make the Society home page more outward looking, also using Facebook and Twitter to communicate with members, fans and the public. This led to a revamp of the members website, which is now more efficient and responsive to the needs of this unique online organisation.
MyFootballClub and Ebbsfleet United
The income and raised profile undoubtedly helped save the club from debt, allowing Coach Liam Daish to lead the team to a historic FA Trophy victory at Wembley in May 2008 against Torquay United in front of 25,000 Ebbsfleet fans. International fans were also able to watch the game live on their computers via a live internet stream after a successful negotiation with the FA.
After the club qualified for the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, "Beat The Weather", a dance single and video featuring the groundskeeper, Peter Norton, was released in April 08.
Members voted to give Liam Daish as weekly budget for playing staff of £10,000 per week. Member BakerT (Tom Baker) coordinated a pledge of £20 each from 1,000 members, which subsequently paid for new striker Michael Gash from Cambridge City.
The new Home & Away strips, which had also been voted for by members, were launched in June.
In June 08, David Davis (MyFC member Gadgetman) was announced as the new CEO of Ebbsfleet United. Jonathan Moules, former Chief Executive of the Football Conference was appointed as the new club chairman.
In August 08, members clubbed together to raise additional £20,000 funding to sign striker Michael Gash, and approved the transfer to Bristol City of John Akinde, the first time such a decision had been put to ordinary fans.
In December 08, MyFootballClub and Ebbsfleet were featured in the film, "Us, Now", a documentary project about "the power of mass collaboration, government and the internet"In February 2009, the first anniversary of taking over the club, membership lapsed for around 20,000 of the original members who had signed up in August 2007, leaving the remaining members of the Society with some stark choices. The Friends of the Fleet initiative was launched to keep the playing budget competitive.
In April, in a unique crowdsourcing process, members selected Vandanel as official kit supplier for the 2009/2010 and subsequent seasons, and voted on the kit designs.
In July, in consultation with the Members, Coach Liam Daish agreed that he could rebuild the squad if the members could increase the funds available. Members raised £12,000 to re-sign one of the main players and bring in new ones.
In September, after members quickly organised a £300k pledge in order to secure the club's home beyond the 16-year lease , However, Gravesham Borough Council bought the freehold Stonebridge Road, offering a peppercorn rent to the club.
Sadly, the club were relegated to the Conference South on the last day of the 09/10 season, but the Society continues to work closely with the Club Board, the Fleet Trust and the Fans to avoid the problems of Chester, Salisbury, Halifax and countless other clubs, large and small.
Our motivation is stronger than ever, and joining or rejoining MyFootballClub will help Ebbsfleet United to bounce back to the Blue Square Premier.
