Tuesday 24th June 2008 @ The Floatel
APOLOGIES
Keith Farrell, Nathan Farrell, Sid Garnett, Peter Garrett, Frank Kirkham, Howard Melbourne, Margaret Nixon, James Wood, Andy Woolley, Ivor Williams, Tony Fallows.
Dino Maamria was unable to attend due to a meeting planned with some of his players.
PREVIOUS MINUTES - Unanimously accepted.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT - Accepted.
TREASURER’S REPORT - Accepted.
In response to a question from a member the treasurer was able to confirm that personal accident insurance was in place for supporters travelling with the Trust Away Travel Club.
SECRETARY’S REPORT - Accepted.
It was pointed out that, as a means of communication, the questionnaire produced was not universally adopted.
It was proposed that Brian Edge, Paul Stockton and Margaret Nixon be re-elected to the board and Pete Wilson be elected as a new board member. The motion was carried unanimously. It was announced that Mark Ollier was to stand down as a board member.
OTHER BUSINESS
A proposal was made and seconded that the Trust continue to sponsor the Official Supporters Football Team and that was agreed.
The Chair asked for an overview regarding the future of future meetings and some members thought that it would be more appropriate to hold meetings at the “Marston Arena”. Concerns were expressed around the response from Mr Connett and his previous attitude towards the Trust. It was agreed to explore this and alternative options.
Concerns were raised by members around the relationship between the Trust and the Official Supporters Association, several thought there was a perceived rivalry between the two and that this was ironic given that many were members of both bodies. The Board explained that it had made several offers to meet with the SA to discuss a way forward to working together but at this point in time received no response.
Fundraising options were discussed and one member suggested that a “Beer Festival” be organised at the football ground.
The Chair brought the formal section of the meeting to a close and invited current owner Jim Rushe to the meeting.
INFORMAL QUESTION AND ANSWERS FORUM
Share Issues were discussed and a “loan share” option was put forward as a possible opportunity. Jim Rushe explained that he currently held 100% of the shares in the football club but stressed that he was not in the game to build a business empire but for the love of being involved in football.
Asked about the proposed purchase of the stadium he re-iterated an intention to purchase the ground and facilities. At the current time Mr Connett continues to own the ground and as well as the club paying him a substantial rent they have service charges of around £1,500 per game to find. While the current situation remains in place Mr Connett also receives all monies from Manchester United’s Reserve team involvement at the ground. One benefit from this is a revamped playing surface that has been paid for, in part, by Manchester United. Jim Rushe confirmed that United were to continue to play their reserve team fixtures there this coming season.
When asked about Vics full time status he told the forum that around 70% of the current squad were deemed full time. On the playing front he confirmed that the manager had asked for money to buy an individual player but said, purely personally, he did not believe at this current time that it was appropriate for the club to be paying out transfer fees. The club has applied to the Mid Cheshire League to enter a reserve team that will be run under his auspices and that he will finance.
When asked about the new initiative by the Conference to inspect its member clubs books he said he felt certain that this would provide no problems for Vics football club.
The Board thanked Jim Rushe for his input and brought the meeting to a close.
