Thetownend.com

For those who haven't seen the emails, may have forgotten or simply aren't aware, the Trust AGM & first members meeting of the season will be on Monday 17th November at 7:30pm in the Legends (Winners) Lounge.

The meeting will kick off with all the formal stuff of the AGM and will then move into the members meeting where Nick Watkins has agreed to attend and take questions from members.

We don't need one everything is ok. Thanks though

don't need a trust?

Meeting

But that's the problem, people have the wrong perception of the Trust and think we're only there for when things go belly up.

Fuck me i was joking

the AGM is a requirement in the constitution and as a few board members are standing down then for re-elections to take place it's even more neccesary

i keep meaning to renew but aint got round to it yet.
the trust must keep going too

Well come along and ask Nick Watkins what his favourite cheese is then.

Bar open in the winners?

http://www.truststfc.co.uk/join.php - that's how we'll keep going

Well, I won't be going if it isn't :)

Smashing, see you there then.

Well your joke is a lot of other people's opinion.

I'll see you there then?

i keep forgetting to pop by the office pre match.deffo will next game

Surely you can renew on the night?

Of course you can.

Should be interesting to 'grill' Watkins on the process of appointing the next manager, and who they want see what rumours can be made from what he says !!

Should be an interesting evening

I won't be able to make it. Who's putting themselves forward to be Chairman?

That will be decided at the next trust board meeting

The standard procedure is that the board is elected by the members (should there be enough candidates to trigger an election), then posts are allocated by the board. In practice, it makes little difference except for certain key posts such as Treasurer, as everyone mucks in and does what needs doing anyway, irrespective of job title. For example, I was bossing everyone around long before they gave up and made me chairman :)

Who's on the Trust board these days and who's standing down? I had a look at the site but I think the list is out of date.

Don't think I'll be able to make this. Somebody remember to ask for regular breaks.

Standing down:
Paul Davis
Tony Norris
Andy Ratcliffe
James Walsh

Staying on:
Sam Binstead
Andrew Hounsell
Alan Jones
Andy Tuck
Paul Wardell

Plus we've had a few people step forward to stand for the new board, we'll go through that tonight. So we should end up with a pretty strong board, of I think about 8/9 people, with a good mix of old and new and a stronger representation of fans from outside Swindon which I think will be healthy

Thanks for that.

Which of those post on here and what are their usernames?

Paul Davis is pauld.


;)

Yeah, that's good detecting, Columbo.

Andrew Hounsell is ahounsell

Along a similar line that one.

The pieces of this puzzle are starting to fit into place.

Andy Tuck is Toni and Alan Jones is Oxford Fan.

 :D

There's just no transparency in the Trust. It's all cloaks, daggers and secret handshakes.

Come along tonight and you can witness the ceremonial handing over of the secret daggers. And cloaks.

Not !!!

Unfortunately I'm unable to attend. I just wanted to know who's who, that's all. Are the people that are stepping down doing so for time reasons, other commitments or is it just a matter of they've served their time? Don't get me wrong I'm not asking in order to find some reason to take the piss or owt. I'm just curious. I've nothing but respect for what the trust has achieved and stands for....even the shouty, stabby members.

And don't forget the funny handshakes...

I believe all the ones who are standing down are due to time committments (I'm sure they will confirm this themselves).

Each board member has to be re-elected every two years by the members anyway, even though we decided to put all the board members up for re-election last year.

Do they have to release a statement saying why they should be re-elected?

Not unless there's going to be an actual election, which there isn't this year as there aren't enough people standing to warrant an election. Re-appointment would be a more appropriate phrase in this instance.

And the reasons why people are standing down etc has IIRC already been covered elsewhere - but basically, yes, time constraints, plus time to move on for both individuals and the Trust.

Many thanks and much respect to Nick Watkins and David Byrne for giving up their time to attend last nights meeting

Some key points from the Q&A with Nick Watkins & Dave Byrne last night:

- The current loss for the club is around £3 million. A question was asked around whether we'd need to sell any players (i.e. Cox) to balance this and Watkins was near enough categoric in stating that we won't sell Cox.
- The club is now debt free. The CVA has been paid but technically still remains because our favourite administrator hasn't filed the neccessary paperwork. This means the club can't get an authorised overdraft with the bank.
- The deal to share with Bath rugby is still on and they have until, I believe, January 2009 to make a decision. Watkins said that Bath would pay a fixed fee per game and would cover all associated costs e.g. policing, stewarding etc. Bath would then be entitled to 20% of the matchday income. Incidentally, Bath currently have wet sales (food & drink) of £25,000 per game. We take about £6,000.
- Watkins re-affirmed the clubs position on ground redevelopment stating that it would be done in-situ on the current CG footprint. The logical order of development would be Town End, Arkells, Stratton Bank and then Don Rogers. The club are currently in detailed talks with the council (about what we don't know). Bath also enquired about a groundshare at a site near J17 but this isn't something the club would look to do.
- On the footballing side, our current squad is too big. We need to get about 4 or 5 players out on loan.
- Byrne was excited about a 14 year old kid currently in our centre of excellence who "will be better than Theo Walcott". The best part about this is from my point of view is that the kid and his parents were persuaded to stay with Swindon by Fitton when there were 6 figure deals on the table from Chelsea and Liverpool.

There's probably other stuff I've forgotten but I think that sums up the main points of the evening.

Cheers Samdy. That's all interesting stuff - especially the Cox bit.

And suddenly I can see the logic in the Bath ground share.

Beer Marquee on the cricket pitch .................yessssssssssssssssssssss

Thanks for the report Samdy.

Incredible what a bit of transparency does really. I actually believe the board when they say they wont sell Cox etc.

The ground redevelopment part was key I think especially about he J17 being a definite no go. Any idea if the current board plan to buy the land the CG is situated on ? or continue to rent from the council and re-new the lease which expires I think in about 5 years? In regards to the ground redevelopment I would like to see 4 separate stands still instead of a heartless bowl… Will be interesting to see what plans come out anyway…

Good news about holding on to our assets ie the Kids, The old board would have flogged him already no doubt.

What a difference a year makes!


Was anything said about the manager???

Re Cox (or any player): Clearly if someone offers silly money it's a different kettle of fish. Everyone has a price, but the lad Maynard's fee was mentioned so one assumes that is the ballpark we would be talking about. Lets be honest, a £2M+ bid is an attractive one for the club!

I was impressed with Byrne last night. Is he the right man for the job, not so sure - I think we will probably go with someone more 'uniting' of the fans. But he clearly wants it (the job) and clearly wants to do everything he can to get the team up the table. Can't doubt the mans drive, enthusiasm, determination and the fact he wants to be part of STFC.


@Gazza: Re the manager - not really.

We don't have one

I think we'd be talking more than that - Maynard was mentioned as someone who the club feel Cox is worth more than and IIRC the only figure mentioned was "If we got an offer of around £3m, we'd have to listen". But I don't think that was in terms of a "match this fee and we'll talk", more an indication of a firm determination not to lose him. When Nick Watkins was intially asked would we sell Cox, he just said straight out without pause "No". Dave Byrne also emphasised Cox doesn't want to move - he loves it here, he's a first team regular, he's banging the goals in and making a name for himself. Why would he want to move? I'm assuming both their answers apply more to January than the summer to be honest, but it certainly heartened me and was very different from the "selling club" spin the Adver tried to put on Fitton's comments at the AGM.

EDIT: Nick Watkins did admit that when we come to renegotiate Cox's contract if we want to keep him beyond his current one, it will cost us a lot more as he's clearly shown his worth as a player.

And I'd like to echo Fred's comments re Nick and Dave giving up their free time to come along and answer questions so openly and frankly.

And the fact they've already turned down a 6 figure fee for him, and Byrne is sure that he'll break Paul Rideout's record of the youngest ever Swindon player...and Jutkiewicz had texted Byrne about coming back to the CG on loan.

not sure if anything monumental was said after i left but must say i was impressed with byrne. for all his theatrics on the touchline, he comes across as articulate and a good understanding of football as a game and as a business. i wouldn't be disappointed if he was appointed, depending on results in the interim.

thank you to nick and dave for giving up their time and it was great to hear lots of positives. it was kind of strange, a trust agm held at the club with a board member AND manager present. bizarre.

many thanks to paul for all his hard work over the last few years as well.

Come on fellas let's be honest, DB wasn't doing it out of the kindness of his heart was he. I'm sure he sure the potential worth an hour or two of talking to fans could do for his career development.  He is trying to save his job at the least, and trying to get the top job at the most.  If I were in his shoes I'd be doing everything I could to get as many fans on side as possible too.

He's also aware of the stick MM got for not being "fan friendly" so being the confident fella that he is he must love doing this kind of thing - not a dig just a observation really.

You're very much a glass half-empty man aren't you Jan? If you had come to the meeting last night I'm pretty sure you'd have a very different opinion of Byrne. It was never simply a PR exercise. He comes across as genuinely having a lot of passion for this club.

No I'm not a half empty glass man at all Sam.  I'm just saying that DB turning up to the trust meeting and giving his time to answer fans question is almost perfectly timed from his point of view (career wise).  He's sat there in front of the club's fans, next to his boss and giving the people what they want.  Fair play to him.

you're probably right and i don't see how it's a bad thing whatsoever. it's clear he wants the job which can only be a good thing

Absolutely SY, it isn't a bad thing, I suppose I was just picking up on the "how nice it was of DB" kinda vibe coming on the back of his visit, that's all.

Yep, I though Bryne came out of it very well I thought, the only thing that hasn't been mentioned here already was that when he was asked what positions he'd like to strengthen he mentioned central defense and central midfield- two of the positions I'd say we were fairly well stocked up on, even if their form hasn't been brilliant. That sounds to me like Timlin might be looking at that left back position longer term if Byrne hangs around. He also named Graham Kavanagh as the one player he would realistically sign, which was generally agreed with.

I still don't think he'll get the job long term and I'm not sure he'd be my first choice still, but I'd feel a lot better about him coming off the back of that. He also guarenteed us three points on Saturday :D

well, it was nice of everyone to turn up...

Do we know who got elected/re-elected/booted out on their arse?

Fair play that Budgie was there...didnt go but good on you who did,personally ide like the trust to keep strong its important that the people running the club understand how supporters feel...we know from past experience how easy it is for people running the club not bother about us lot.....i am determined to go to the next meeting.....but i better renew first!

paul d, andy ratcliffe, tony norris and myself stood down.

andy tuck, sam binstead, alan jones, paul wardell and andrew hounsell were re-elected/remain on the board.

nickie (sam's missus), phil stokes, john ward (not that one) and someone whose name escapes me were elected.

I've also heard from another source that he plans on sticking with Phil Smith for Saturday.  Not sure I agree with that call, think he's causing some problems at the back.  There were times on Saturday when our defenders were treating the ball like a hot potato and Smith wasn't halping matters with a handful of very poor clearances.

He said he basically has to stick with Phil Smith now as there's been too much chopping and changing between the sticks and as a result Brez's confidence is pretty low and he doesnt want Smiffy going the same way.

John Ward was mentioned before the meeting started & DB's comment was along the lines of "Hope not".
If he gets 9 points from the next 3 games as he said he intends too, then perhaps he deserves a shot at the job, til the end of the season.
Also, good to hear he also if appointed he realises that he may need help from someone with experience a bit like the Lennie Lawrence/ Paul Trollope senario.

Flippin heck Smithy must be mentally stronger than I give him credit for then, as I'd have thought he'd be the one with zero confidence.  Fair play to him.

They're off paintballing today aren't they then day off tomorrow, oh to be a footballer!  ;-)  Tough life.

Ta.

Two other things that stick in my mind that DB mentioned. Jerel was made up with the reception he got on Saturday, & that 'Arry rednapp has already offered DB any help he can. (He said he was going to look at a tottingham CB with a view to a loan.

possibly leigh mills, as it was mentioned that MM and byrne went to watch him play for spurs reserves but he got injured during the game.

The Tottenham CB he was looking at more recently was French though, think he meant Dorian Dervitte (FM tells me he's a French CB :D)

Leigh Mills is out at Gillingham.

There's a woman on the board of the Trust? Mental...

He said he was big (6' 2" +) so would that fit ?

He's 6' 4 according to t'internet.

Thanks for coming to say hello Nemo

 ;)

You presume that I know who you are. I was sat in the corner pretending I knew anyone :D

I was the one on the top table getting pissed

That doesn't narrow it down much now does it.

word

Were you the one on the Magners or the one drinking coke?

Magners. I like the idea of identifying people by drinks.

Blackcurrant squash for me last night

i was the one who left early

i was the one on the coke :D

junkie

Nick Watkins?

Well, I was going to say "Were you the one with the glasses" but thought identifying people by drinks would be far cooler.

I was on the apple juice.

rumbled

Smith did muff a couple of clearances right enough but in general his kicking is a million times better than Brezovan and at least isn't stuck to his line. I am less confident with Brezovan in goals than smith IMO as I don't think Brez reads the game very well. Fair enough Smith made a big error in judgement on Saturday, but equally was quick off his line in the first half to mop up.

I agree, Smith's kicks are neaaly always better than Brezovans, they seem to arrive at our forwards flatter and with more pace, giving Paynter in particular more of an even chance when he competes for the ball. If the ball arrives slower and hangs, the centre back moving onto the ball always has abeter chance.

I also think that some of the back passes the defenders give to either keeper aren't always the best and quite often used as a way of passing on responsibility for clearing up.

Let's be honest (as I have said elsewhere) DB talks a good game, and he wants to job so he will be happy to do these sort of events, and I beleive he is an approachable type of guy anyway)

Even after last night I'm not convinced he is the answer long term, his association with Malpas' failures worry me also.

I think he may do a job very short term but I think we can get better than him though, and there is better available as well.

And the CB he is watching I'd be surprised if he is allowed to sign him on loan due to us already having Ifil, Morrision (who he said was tired), Kanuka, Aljofree all fit and available and with a new manager on the horizon.

from your reports on last night byrne has been reading my posts and nicking my ideas the cunt.

Or it could be though, great minds think alike...

I was the token ginger one.

as usual.

Id like to see Jerel back in the first XI.

I'd like to see the following at the back, when fit

                  Brezovan

J Smith   Morrison   Vincent   Timlin

That would have been brilliant if you'd come arriba and half-way through had stood up and shouted at Byrne "You've been reading my posts and nicking my ideas you cunt" :)

I Wouldn't have morrison in. He isnt good enough yet

He'll be an experienced senior pro by the time Vincent's fit though ;)

haha good point!

Morrison's currently playing better than Jerel was at the start of the season and he's learning all the time. 

Don't get me wrong I like Jerel and hope he sorts his form out but at the moment he deserves his place on the sidelines.

Morrison may have been playing better than ifil. Kanyuka and aljofree have been playing better than morrison though

Smith in net behind a decent back 4 would be my shout. A confident Jerel is always going to be our best CB. Smith and Timlin as WB's pick themselves at the moment.

Kanyuka has?  He played okay against Leicester but how about the Brighton match?  He gave two goals away.

Kanyuka looked a bit shaky to me. Did ok but nowt special.

If i'm honest i was just basing kanyuka on saturdays game, i haven't seen much more of him yet. His performance saturday was possibly one of the best center half performances by one of our players this season though. Never lost a header.

I want to here TCP's opinion on this 14yr old. And how old was the yongest player he's expected to be better than?

Paul Rideout was 16 years 107 days according to Wikipedia.

In all competive competitions Lloyd Macklin is the youngster player to play for Swindon.

I LOVE DA TRUT! EIIIIIII!!!!