Boardroom Notes 24/3/05
R&DFC Board Meeting Notes - 24/3/05
The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. in the board room & present were Stephen Griggs, David Suddens, Allan Wright, Andy Robertson, Max Crosby-Browne, Dean Howells, Barry Hunter, Fergal Crean & myself.
• It was decided that the first major topic for discussion should be the current management situation, with the board feeling it was now necessary to make a decision over the full time appointment to allow planning for next season to commence.
• Barry was asked to leave the room for a short period of time to allow the board to discuss the situation & input from the Supporters Trust Steering Group was requested. The decision was unanimous & obviously as you are all aware Barry was then offered the role, in a full time capacity by Stephen, which he gratefully accepted.
•Following his appointment Barry was then asked to give an update of footballing matters;
- There was some uncertainty over Scott Shearer’s position as Coventry had mentioned that they may need to recall him! Barry advised that he would like to keep him for a longer period if possible.
- Due to Lee Worgan’s International call up & the uncertainty over the Shearer situation, Barry has signed “Faz” on non-contract terms as cover.
- Andy Burgess has been performing miracles by playing with a bad back, anyone who suffers from a back problem will sympathise I’m sure!
- Phil Gulliver is now fit & ready for his return.
- Billy Sharps loan has been extended for a third & final month.
- Barry was hopeful that Neil McCafferty’s loan would also be extended.
- There are no other signings imminent before the transfer deadline.
- Cyril Lea has returned to assist Barry with scouting, etc. Welcome back Cyril.
- We briefly discussed the pre season arrangements, Barry has some ideas & can now start to confirm things ready for the players return in the summer.
- To allow Barry to prepare for next season, a “player budget” is required, this is something the Steering Group, in consultation with the club, are going to confirm shortly. This is where the parallel running really starts!
We then gave the board an update of the current situation with the Supporters’ Trust;
- The Due Diligence work is well under way.
- We have established an office above the Docshop & are working closely with the relevant departments within the club.
- The registration of the Trust’s IPS forms has all been completed & with Supporters Direct’s assistance in signing & couriering them onto the FSA, we appear to be only a short time from being officially recognised! (We received confirmation on 30/3/05 from Supporters Direct that we are now registered with the FSA, therefore our first major milestone has been reached).
- There is a sub committee of the steering group that is organising the launch date, membership, etc of the Trust. These will all be confirmed shortly.
- A request has been made to contact the club’s database of sponsors, etc. to commence discussions for next season. The club are okay with this providing that the “mail out” is issued by the club, to avoid concerns over data protection.
- We discussed the need to market the club & facilities now, ready for next season & a system will be agreed & established to allow for our input/assistance in this key area.
- To further aid the above & following previous discussions by the board & steering group, we felt that the offer to bring in an Interim MD was definitely something that we were in agreement with. This will provide a main point of contact for both club & supporters’ trust representatives, someone to approach the larger potential sponsors & to offer drive in all other commercial areas to assist us in making this a success.
- Hugh Roberts was suggested & a discussion followed, with 4 years previous experience as CEO at Sunderland, etc with knowledge of football & business, it was agreed to make the appointment & as you are now aware Hugh officially started on 30/3/05. (Post Meeting Note: Hugh met with the Steering Group committee that evening & stayed to watch the England game with us in Strikers & has been working closely with us since his arrival).
- David reminded us of the time associated for the agreement & transfer of contracts. This is an area that is currently being discussed.
- We have agreed a target date for the transfer of ownership, which remains subject to confirmation.
• Allan Wright then ran through the finance results up to February & there had been improvement in some areas, but generally the situation was as previous months.
• The credit card situation for next season was discussed. The Steering Group are currently researching this area, to ensure that the facility remains.
• A sale of replica shirts was announced, with home & away shirts now priced at £20 each. The winter stock of DM footwear has also been reduced by 50%. So get yourself down to the Docshop & grab a bargain whilst they are still available!
• Dean Howells then updated the board on the operations side of the club. The pitch renovations are scheduled to commence straight after the season finishes.
• Dave Joyce had attended the latest Football League Meeting & had prepared a report for the board. This was discussed. The main concern for all league clubs is the potential implementation of the transfer windows, bringing us in line with the Premiership. This would also restrict loan signings if it is brought in & would lead to clubs requiring larger squads or relying on their youth teams for cover.
The meeting was closed at 12:00 p.m.
Apologies for the lack of notes from the previous meetings, but with the trust issues & the small matter of working extended hours for my day job I haven’t had time to get them typed up & issued.
If you have any questions regarding the above or suggestions to help the Trust & Club, please either contact any of the Steering Group Committee directly or use the websites, www.rdfcnet.co.uk (Supporters’ Trust Forum on the message board) or our contact details are listed on the official Supporters’ Trust website www.rdst.co.uk
Don’t forget to complete & return your Trust membership forms & to attend the launch night on 27/4/05, there will be plenty of “familiar” faces there that you will be able to meet & the Champions League will be on the screens, so there is no excuse for not attending!
See you there,
Shaun Hodgkin
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