Boardroom Notes 29 Oct
R&DFC Board Meeting Notes – 29/10/04
The board meeting as usual started at 9:00 a.m. & was chaired by Stephen Griggs.
Also present were David Suddens CEO, directors Andy Robertson, Allan Wright & Max Crosby-Browne, along with Dean Howells general manager, Ernie Tippet manager & Fergal Crean & myself representing the supporters.
- The meeting commenced with a review of the matters arising from the last meeting.
- The board praised R&DFC supporters following the press release confirming that our support are amongst the best behaved in the country, both at home & on our travels.
- Allan Wright then gave a review of the clubs finances to date & although certain areas of revenue are down outgoings have been trimmed to offset this shortfall. This means we are currently still inline with the budget.
- The club are continuing to investigate converting the upper floor of the sports centre into a public gym & health centre. Contacts are being made to establish equipment costs, etc.
- The proposal to relocate the laundry & to establish a bar under the terrace is still under review & more detailed costings are being carried out to establish its viability. Could you offer help to carry out the relocation & construction works, are you a carpenter, plumber, electrician, decorater, labourer? Could you donate some materials? Any such help may enable the bar to become a reality!
- It has been established that in 1994 a planning application was made for a golf driving range at Nene Park, however as this has now expired the club will need to reapply with the new scheme should this prove to be a facility they wish to develop. Further costings are to be developed.
- The results from the survey of non renewed season ticket holders have been updated & the findings are inline with those previously reported. The main reason being confirmed as the cost being too high. Let’s hope that the board’s recent brave decision to reduce the prices tempts these supporters to return.
- The Kids for a Quid promotion was discussed & the club are looking to working more closely with schools to promote any forthcoming promotions, etc.
- The club are looking at holding another of the junior football festivals at the end of the season.
- The Weetabix league youth finals will be held at Nene Park again & the club would like to develop its good relationship with Weetabix.
- There will be a caravan club event held at Nene Park on 4-6/3/05, so at least we can all head upto Scunthorpe safe in the knowledge that we won’t get stuck behind the car drivers “favourite” rolling road block, as they’ll all be safely parked up in Irthlingborough!
- It was agreed that the stewarding of Strikers would be more relaxed for the Notts County Kids Day promotion to encourage more to use the bar.
- The use of the VP lounge for members & opening up Strikers to all will commence for a trial period from the Darlington match. Your feedback from this trial will be welcome.
- Ernie then gave a review of footballing matters.
- Robert Duffy is now back in training, however due to the length of his absence he is having to carry out a pre season training regime to try to get him back to full fitness, this will obviously take a number of weeks to complete.
- Gareth Seddon still awaits the results from his recent tests.
- Marvin Robinson will be staying for a one month trial period to try to gain some fitness & to try to earn himself a contract.
- Ernie advised that he has a 3 year plan to develop R&DFC. To build & stabilise the club.
- David also discussed a 3 year plan to develop the club’s business strategy. This includes developing a brand statement to best describe the R&DFC “product”. Both of these documents will work hand in hand to stabilise the club.
- There are currently many new marketing initiatives under review, some of which have been suggested by our supporters. Look out for these in the coming months.
- Dean requested volunteers from our supporters to come forward to become “Rushden Reps” within their local areas. The idea would be for these people to attend a monthly meeting at the club to learn about forthcoming marketing strategies, etc & to be able to contact a local network of supporters within their area & in turn spread the information. Ideally these reps should be spread far & wide to give R&DFC as much coverage as possible! If you are able to offer your help then please contact Jane Corby at the club 01933 652000 jane.corby@airwair.co.uk
- We raised the issue of utilising the e-mail database that the club has developed, Dean advised there had been a problem with the system, however David confirmed that this will be over come by utilising an alternative system.
- Feedback from the fans forum had been positive. We advised that the supporters had appreciated & welcomed Ernie’s attendance & his honesty.
- We advised that supporters still had concerns over Lindley’s price, quality & service from the snack bars & that some have considered a boycott. The club are in constant dialogue with Lindleys & will look for further improvement in their service.
- The reduction in ticket prices was discussed & we advised that this had been welcomed by the supporters as a very positive step. We also advised that some season ticket holders are planning to return their £30 vouchers to the club. The board thanked all those that are prepared to do this.
- We raised the issue of the seating allocation for the Northampton fans for our game in March, it was confirmed that they will be getting no more seats than those in the Airwair stand offered to them. It was also clarified that ticketing for all home areas will be to database supporters only & previous buying history will also be taking into account to reduce the risk of away fans getting into home areas.
- We also advised that the supporters group are preparing flyers & a questionnaire to be used in conjunction with the trial change of ends. This is obviously a very emotive subject for some & we should be thankful that we have a club that whilst wishing to explore avenues to improve revenue, etc that they are prepared to listen to the supporters before even considering making such a move permanent! Please take the opportunity to trial the Airwair Stand for the Macclesfield match, as this will enable you to give a true opinion. At the following match you will then be given a questionnaire & this is your chance to have your say, your opinion will count!
- The meeting was concluded at 1:00 p.m.
As always your feedback is welcomed & hopefully it is clear that the board value our input. Please post any feedback from the above on the message board of www.rdfcnet.co.uk , via e-mail directly to myself (address below) or Jane Corby, or contact any of the supporters group representatives.
Thanks again to Stephen, David & the rest of the board for making the supporter’s involvement so welcome at such a high level within the club.
Thanks,
Shaun, a.k.a Airwair Diamond
airwairdiamond@aol.com
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