TrustSTFC AGM & Members Meeting - Monday 17th November

[Fred Elliot]

 

[spacey]

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

[pauld]

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.

[Summerof69]

Alan Jones is Oxford Fan.

Not !!!

[spacey]

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.

[Summerof69]

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

And don't forget the funny handshakes...

[Summerof69]

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?

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.

[spacey]

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

[pauld]

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.

[Fred Elliot]

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

[Samdy Gray]

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.

[A Gent Orange]

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

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

[Fred Elliot]

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

[STFC_Gazza]

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???

[Batch]

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.