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Notts County Supporters Trust |
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Minutes of Meeting - 4th April 2003Minutes of Proposed
Notts County Supporters Trust, Meeting 4 April 2003 2) Simon Binns started by saying it was good to be back at Notts County. He said that Supporters Trusts were important and that Notts County was our club. Simon told the meeting that he would like to see a time when all football clubs were owned by their supporters. It was important that fans keep a piece of their club. Football clubs hold communities together, but clubs rely on the fans to exist. Simon told the meeting that everyone in the room was an investor in Notts County. Simon concluded by urging all those present in the room to form a Trust, he offered his congratulations to all those who had been trying to put the Trust together. 3) John Thornhill was the next to speak. John said that he would try and tell the meeting what had been happening since the last meeting. John reported that the Club was still £6,000,000 in debt, though the cash position was stable. Of that debt £3,000,000 was owed to secured creditors and what happens to the club was going to be down to them. The only asset the Club has is the potential for a new lease. The threat of expulsion by the Football League was real. Supporters Direct had been in contact with them on our behalf. John said that at this meeting the Trust would be established as a legal entity. The biggest item completed so far was the Trust constitution. This had been frustrating for the Temporary Working Group but it was a necessary evil. John continued by reporting that the Trust had already started to be recognised. Paul Finnity (the Administrator) had started to approach us for meetings rather than us chasing him. Three members of the Temporary Working Group had a meeting with Paul Finnity on Thursday (3/4/03). John reported on what they were told. There are three
serious bidders for the club. One of these bidders was described (by Paul
Finnity) as having "preferred bidder" status. This bidder was from outside the
area, they had been checked out by the administrator who thought them to be ok.
We had asked what are their motivations? The Administrator said that it was not
just the property deal. They will be wanting a return on their investment
though. No formal offer has been made by this party, but it was expected in the
next one to The second main bidder was Nottingham based and also sound. However it may take too long to put their bid together to be the successful bidder. The other potential bidder was the Armstrong-Holmes consortium. This was currently not the preferred bidder (of the Administrator), but may become a third bidder. There were also other potential bidders. John concluded his report on the meeting with the Administrator by saying that there was cause for optimism. The Trust needs to be part of it and stay involved, however things are changing on a daily basis. John moved on to report on a meeting members of the Temporary Working Group had had with the City Council. John said that the new lease was now pivotal. John told the meeting that we (Notts County) had a lot of friends at the Council. Part of the discussions had been about the new lease. It was confirmed that it would give (the holders) development rights at the ground. We expressed concern that someone might want to develop the whole ground, the council say the new leaseholders must secure the future of Notts County. John continued his report by saying that the Council were keen to work with the Trust. He said that a precedent had been set at Northampton Town. When the Club moved to the Sixfields Stadium the lease granted by the local Council stipulated that there must be a representative of the Supporters Trust on the Clubs board that was elected by supporters. It was vital the Trust (Notts) be shown to represent the fans. In conclusion John told the meeting that there were now two options for the future of Notts County (he did say that there was a third option which he could not accept, closure) Option 1) A Consortium takes over, new owners come in and rebuild the Club. If this happens it's crucial the Trust is involved. Option 2) Liquidation. If this happens the Trust would look at alternatives to make sure the Club survives. John ended by saying that the Trust needs lots of members. 4) The next speaker was Richard Willis from the York City Supporters Trust. Richard said that the last time he spoke to us, York City was one day away from oblivion. Last Friday the Supporters Trust became the owners of the Club and at the match last Saturday it was the greatest feeling to be a York City fan. A fifteen month slog had come to fruition. Richard urged the people to get involved in the Notts County Trust. He thanked Notts County fans for the bucket collection held for York City. Richard said that the York City Trust would help the Notts County Trust. He said that they had learned a lot which could help us. He told the meeting that York City has been in Administration for three months and that the fees were £300,000. Notts County had been in Administration for nine months and the fees would be around £200,000. Richard reported on some of the activities and problems encountered at York City by the Trust. Ground Issues - York City were going to move to the local Rugby League ground. Financial Issue - In future York would only pay players wages that could be afforded, there would be no more high wages. Planning - How to run a club. Fundraising - The York Trust raised £350,000 in two months. This had been a lot of hard work for those involved. They have made big sacrifices to achieve it. Campaigning - Including to Parliament, and other clubs. Media - They had learned to use the Media to deliver the messages the want to get across. Contacts - They now had contacts up and down the Country. York had been helped by Trusts at Hull City and Bury, some of their traditional rivals Richard said that there wasn't much they didn't know. Richard concluded by again thanking Notts County fans for their support. He said that anyone thinking of getting involved with the Trust to go for it and to take a chance to make a difference. 5) Martin Naylor read out some endorsements of the Trust from people who were unable to attend the meeting. Endorsements were read from; Brian Parbutt (City Council Leader), Billy Dearden, John Mounteney, Brian Bates, Dave Liversidge (Deputy City Council Leader), Billy Ivory, Jon Collins (City Councillor). Martin also read out a transcript of a recent statement from David Conn (The Independent Newspaper). 6) Martin Naylor announced that a recent penalty shoot-out competition organised by members of the Trusts Temporary Working Group, had raised £677.67 for Notts County Football In the Community. Graham Moran from Football In the Community spoke to accept the donation. Graham said that there was a lot more to Notts County than the professional football side of the club, it was vital that the club continues to exist. Graham said that he had worked in youth development for ten years. Currently there were 120 kids involved in Notts County from 8 to 16 years old. There was a moral duty to continue this activity, it was also producing footballers of the highest quality. Graham continued by saying the Community scheme was vital to the City of Nottingham. This sort of activity only takes place outside of the Premiership. He concluded by telling the meeting he was really in awe of their passion. The ten years he had spent at Notts had changed his life. There was something about the passion around football. In conclusion Graham said that he wished the Trust all success. 7) Martin Naylor announced a fifteen minute break in the meeting. He urged those present to buy drinks at the bar as this would help the club. 8) Simon Binns from Supporters Direct then proposed two resolutions to set up the Trust and the initial Trust Board. Resolution 1: The Notts County Supporters Trust be created. This resolution was passed unanimously. Resolution 2: The current Trust Board (display on a slide - John Thornhill, Nigel King, Mark Durkin, Carole Stapleton, Fred Mosselmans, Richard Stanton, Steve Thompson, Peter Dennis, Keri Usherwood, Dave Hindley, Paul Sawyer and Cheryl Thompson) be elected to continue until the first Trust AGM. This resolution was passed unanimously. 9) The next speaker was Peter Dennis, to talk about the Trust and what happens. Peter said that the Trust had been formed as an Industrial and Provident Society, registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies (part of the Financial Services Authority). There are about 120 separate rules in the Trust's constitution. Membership will cost £10, and this includes a £1 share in the Trust. No one person may own more than one share. Peter then read out the objectives of the Trust as listed in the Constitution. Peter told the meeting that now the Trust was formed, it had a wide range of powers. The Trust was governed by the Board. The meeting had just elected an interim Board which will serve until the first AGM (Annual General Meeting). The first AGM must be held with in six months of this launch meeting. The Trust's financial year end will be 31st May. Peter also reported on the rules relating to the Trust Board. Each year 50% of the Board will be elected. Once elected Board members will serve for two years. The first Board meeting will be on 16th April. Peter announced that a newsletter would be produced for the final home game of the season. The Trust would continue to develop it's website and internet message board. In conclusion, Peter said that the Trust can be an influential voice, and that now is the time for the fans to stand up and be counted. 10) Martin Naylor spoke again to conclude the meeting. On behalf of the meeting Martin thanked all the people who had help set up the Trust, Simon Binns from Supporters Direct, the 22 people from the Temporary Working Group who had been meeting weekly, the other volunteers and Richard Willis from York City. Martin announced that Jimmy Sirrell had been in hospital for an operation recently and was recovering at home. A get well soon card for Jimmy had been produced by the Temporary Working Group. Martin invited those present to sign the card. The meeting was closed by Martin Naylor , he said that the biggest thank you should go to those attending the meeting. The meeting closed at 9.30pm.
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© Notts County
Supporters Ltd 2003-2006 • Notts County Supporters Limited is registered as
Industrial and Provident Society No. 29559 R. |
