Thanks WD. I would have strongly thought that the current opt-out membership process is somewhat improper if not illegal. Certainly a tad unethical. But I am definitely not an expert in this. I assume that the I&PS took and followed some fairly strong legal advice before implementing it. My understanding is that membership of such a Society usually requires an explicit opt-in. Implementing an opt-out model would seem to conflict with the expectations of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Statutory Framework under which such Societies are governed - particularly as membership confers voting rights and personal liability up to the value of the share subscription.

I think that Bayzo had a huge part in the fitness test before signing him and saw enough first hand to recommend the signing.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed already - when i last checked, we had just surpassed £1,000 within a matter of hours. A great start

TS - it was very specifically ruled out to make sure everyone joined, so there was no refund and you could only opt out by sending two emails. One was excellently handled by Winchester Don ;) and the other totally ignored by the club despite having asked for an acknowledgement.

Lurker - I did think whether we would have to pay more for a loan keeper once we got into L1, and Goodman wasn't an option. If Bishop is going to cost us the same as a PL shotstopper, and is likely to be just as good, it's understandable.

Nick, I can't believe you can be short of readies having retired and joined us wealthy OAPs?

Moral should read have definitely NOT required us to pay for them. I do recall with Roos the word was that we were offered him for the next season but it would have cost us the highest wage at the club and we couldn’t pay it.

Is it beyond the abilities of the ST IT "experts" to have "DT opt out" option, with the membership fee being deducted from the cost of the ST?

REPD Bayes has always said his frustration is that he doesn’t get to bring through a special keeper for us. We keep losing ones with potential too early to get first team games. The ones he’s been left with aren’t good enough for the first team and in recent years they’ve been quite small as well. Maybe signing one at this age will work better.

Right back and centre forward needed?

Bishop is very good. High potential and with AB working on him and 3 years I’m very happy with that.

No transfer fee and a 3 year deal, could be the type of deal that earns some wedge in 18-24 months time.

OK, I take the point that he hasn't had much recent game time. Nonetheless, perfectly respectable back-up for Joe McDonnell, surely? :-)

Bishop was injured after 3 games for Wycombe last season. Joined a “deep in trouble” Cambridge late January.

Hi JG. As OI states, send me an email at membership@thedonstrust.org and I will arrange for you to be removed from the Membership of the DT. Unfortunately, there will be no refund.

Here's the inevitable TikTok clip with mandatory shite music on it featuring our new signing - [Link]

Trigger Will Nightingale got a 3 year extension didn't he?

Cheers Nick, can’t take all the credit but, well, might try to anyway :) JG - much as I’d love to, I can’t help I’m afraid - I’m not part of the Club or Board in any way. I wasn’t a massive fan of the whole included/opt-out thing, but I lost that one. That said, it did come in handy for Wembley :)

Yep and genuinely not doom mongering as for him to get a 3 year deal then the decision makers must see what they’re looking for in him and they’ve earned the right to be trusted so I’m all in.

The good news is you should be able to leave the DT, just contact the Membership Secretary who does seem to be on top of their job. The DT will by now have your money for this year so that won't go anywhere. If the scheme continues you need to try and opt out immediately after purchasing your seaon ticket next year and possibly the money will stay with the club.

Yep.

Ian E, or Rambo for that matter.

Trigger. That's a fair point. But Goodman didn't exactly cover himself in glory at Colchester.

Galty, I'd imagine in the small print there's a non-transferable clause which usually includes a no cash value attached...

JG - no refund and the DT is a bit 'Hotel California' for leaving, presumably on purpose. Last season you had to email two addresses to opt out and the club one was presumably the waste basket as I was still given the cub membership benefits despite opting out of them.