I'm also a long-time member of this UK forum.
https://roverp5.proboards.com/
Another of my automotive interests. It's on a free hosting platform (ProBoards) but for obvious reasons, it has nowhere near the membership numbers that AF has, so probably a bit easier to manage. It is subsidised by the club although it isn't restricted to club members, unlike many other club-based forums. And that probably contributes to its success.
But a lot of unpaid work is put in by a handful of moderators from the club and the admin guy who takes much of the responsibility, has his own business and I suspect, like Gerry, that business ends up wearing some of the cost. I know how much effort these guys put in, so I can only imagine how much work Gerry has contributed on a forum so many times larger. It's a real credit to him.
I really don't know what the answer is.
I was introduced to AF in 2004 by my friend markm of DCSI, back when I had 505s and a 406, and my father still drove his 504 TI, which is now in the safe hands of Pugrambo. We had been a French car family since I was a teenager. 403, 404s, 504s, 505s, 406 and two GS Citroens. Dad had also always fancied the DS, but never got one. AF and all you guys have been a massive help to me over the years, particularly during the era of the 406's Lucas diesel injector pump saga. But alas, with the 505s and Dad's 504 gone, the only Pug remaining is my son's 406 HDI. I suspect that it will be the last. I have no real interest in Pugs of the 21st century. And even more so now. I can only justify one classic car, and my P5B is now it. It's kind of like a big 403, with a V8.
So my heartfelt thanks to Gerry and his team of volunteers, and all those members (past and present) whom I have come to know, and all those who have assisted me with technical matters for nearly 20 years. I certainly hope that a way forward for AF can be found, but I also understand Gerry's reluctance to entrust his baby and 2 decades of hard work to others. It is also very generous of him to make sure that it remains as an accessible archive and doesn't just turn off the switch.
Warwick
Warragul, West Gippsland.