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Notts County Supporters Trust |
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Newsletter 2NOTTS COUNTY SUPPORTERS TRUSTNEWSLETTERNo.2 – 1 March 2003Welcome to the second newsletter produced by the temporary working group established to set up the Supporters Trust. A lot of has happened since the last meeting, albeit behind the scenes activity and this publication is intended to keep everyone up to date with developments. It is fair to say that what has happened so far has been the easy part. The real challenge lies ahead and we hope that after reading this you feel able to support the work of the Trust either through becoming a member or playing a more active role. Over 600 supporters register their interestAt the initial meeting in January, attended by over 400 fans, everyone was encouraged to register their interest. We are delighted to say that we were inundated with forms. At the last count we have over 600 people registered. You would be amazed at the broad range of skills we possess as a group of fans. It is these skills that the new Trust will hope to harness in the future. Discussions with other Trusts in the region indicate we have got off to an excellent start. The real test is to convert this initial interest into a viable Supporters Trust. Present Situation at the ClubDespite endless rumour there has been a distinct lack of information coming out of the club. As fans the worse thing we can do is assume that the gravity of our situation has subsided. This clearly is not the case. Notts County is fighting for its life. The events of the next few months will shape the future of the club we all love and cherish. One thing is for certain. As a group of fans we have not been consulted in anyway whatsoever. What other business would treat its customers in this way? This situation cannot continue and is the real motivation for the setting up of a Trust. It will give us a voice. And the more members the Trust has the stronger that voice will be. What progress has been made?With the mandate of the public meeting, the Trust working group has spent the last few weeks agreeing the details (ie constitution) of how the new Trust will operate. Once established, the Trust will take the form of an Industrial and Provident Society, regulated by the Registrar of Friendly Societies. As such it will operate in a totally democratic and transparent manner, and will be open to participation by anyone interested in the long-term success of the club. Launch date agreed ~ Wednesday March 26thMarch 26th is the formal launch date for the Notts County Supporters Trust. Details of time and venue will be communicated nearer the time. At the meeting everyone will have the opportunity to join the Trust. A year’s membership will cost just £10 (but join in March and you will get 15 months for the price of 12). This fee is intended to cover the administration costs associated with running the organisation. It compares with similar fees charged by other Trusts around the country. The meeting will also set out the process to elect a committee. Whilst not concrete it is hoped that the democratically elected committee will take over from the temporary working group by August 2003 at the very latest. This will give everyone enough time to decide exactly what role he or she wants to play in its future. Key members of the Temporary Working GroupIn response to requests we profile three of the people who are giving up their free time to help set up the Notts County Supporters Trust. John Thornhill (Chairperson) John has been supporting Notts for over thirty years. He sits in the Main Stand, within earshot of the assistant referees, where he educates his young sons in the art of linesman baiting. A key member of SNAG, John runs his own truck rental business on the outskirts of Nottingham. Despite living in Matlock, he attends most games and says his motivation for joining the Trust is to try and help protect the long-term future of the football club. According to John it is only right that his sons suffer in the same way that he has! Cheryl Thompson (Vice Chairperson) An active contributor to the Rivals website, Cheryl was one of the first to approach Supporters Direct with a view to setting up a Notts County Supporters Trust. After months of commenting on the situation at Notts she thought it was time to act. Despite having moved to Cambridge at the age of nine (not sure how many years that is!), Cheryl attends most Notts games with her daughter who has developed a crush on Steve Mildenhall. When not following Notts, Cheryl works as a workforce-planning manager for Addenbrookes Hospital. Mark Durkin (Treasurer) Mark has supported Notts for twenty years since moving here to study. He is now a season ticket holder in the Main Stand (with his 5 year old daughter), having previously stood on the County Road terraces. Mark says he has never been involved in anything like this before, but feels that if the worst happened and we lost our club, he would always regret not trying to do something. Mark’s background is in finance and project management. TRUSTS WORK! ~ your chance to help
Register your Interest.This is still time to register your interest. Either send your name, address, e-mail address (optional) and age if under 16 to our mail address (on the right) or register via our website. Please tell us of any skills you have that may prove useful in the establishment of the Trust. All information you submit will be used solely in the setting-up of the Trust. It will not be divulged to any other party. Contact Us:
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© Notts County
Supporters Ltd 2003-2006 • Notts County Supporters Limited is registered as
Industrial and Provident Society No. 29559 R. |
