A lot of people think shareholders are carping on a bit, but don't shareholders make up the bank? Before I went to the EGM, I was totally confused.

I've got 1000 shares - it meant �12,000 to me. Now it's gone down the tubes

I sat and re-read the letters from the bank and the hedge funds. In the end, after hearing everyone at the meeting, I voted against the proposals from the hedge funds.

RAB are only looking after their own interests, they've got a lot more to lose than me. If there's a good takeover bid, will they slow it down? On the other hand, why was there a run on the bank? I can't believe we've had a run on the bank in this day and age.

I've got 1000 shares - it meant �12,500 to me. Now it's gone down the tubes. I was going to cash it in in March to do some things round the house. No use crying over spilt milk now.

I've been loyal to the bank all this time - I can't be loyal to them any more.

I have 500 shares, and am truly astounded Northern Rock should go to so much trouble to canvas my vote. As well as the initial invitation to the EGM from the bank, I received letters from Northern Rock and the two hedge funds who called the meeting, and then Northern Rock phoned advising me to back the board.

I have never before had a company contact me in this way to solicit my vote. I am a very small shareholder. I have already returned the form voting in favour of the motion proposed by the hedge funds. But I do have confidence in the Northern Rock directors to sort it out.

As a taxpayer, I pay more tax than the value of the shares

I'd rather have it sorted out locally. Northern Rock has heavily invested in activities in Newcastle and I wouldn't like to see it fold when it had done some good in the area. I believe - possibly naively - that Northern Rock can overcome its current difficulties, and would prefer not to see it nationalised. However, as a taxpayer, I pay more tax than the value of the shares so I do not think the government should throw additional money at Northern Rock if its assets are worthless.

I was surprised to receive a letter from Northern Rock suggesting that the shareholders' action is unwelcome. How much did that mail shot cost the company? I also received a phone call which I think came from a company on behalf of Northern Rock. I told the caller I've discarded my vote paper as my vote will make no difference and I've no idea who is right - the board or the shareholders!

What seems funny is that when they went through the crisis, they decided they couldn't pay a dividend, but now they can spend money chasing up the shareholders' vote. I can't see any simple solutions to the mess they've got themselves in. I'm going to sit it out and see what happens.

Any new board will have a certain amount of banking expertise and will have the benefit of hindsight. I got 500 shares when Northern Rock demutualised. Luckily in February 2007 I sold 350, and made �3500. The 150 shares I have left are worth around �150.

I voted against the Northern Rock board. I think a class action should be brought against the previous directors. They were a one-trick pony, with no fall-back strategy. The first amber light flashed about six months ago, when they invited shareholders to forego dividends and acquire further shares. There must have been some people who took up that offer.

My wife and I have lost �12,000. But at least it was paper profit. We got 500 shares each free when the company de-mutualised and never cashed them in. Everybody is trousering money at the expense of the shareholders. The borrowers have got already got their dosh.

The previous directors were a one-trick pony..they had no fall-back strategy

I don't really know enough about the state of the company now. I don't think the government do either. My preferred option would be for existing shareholders to buy the company again. Whatever does happen, the people in charge will probably walk away with a pocket full of dosh.

When the crisis happened, and all the people were queuing outside the bank, I saw a man saying it's a good time to buy shares. It got me thinking. Any shareholder is in it for the money. Those who got in at �3 and above have got a long way to go before they get a return. They're in it for the long haul and they should see it through now. I'm in a better position than a lot of others, I got in at 80p.