Notts County Supporters Trust

NOTTS COUNTY SUPPORTERS TRUST

NEWSLETTER

No 5 - 3 May 2003

Welcome to the first official newsletter of the Notts County Supporters Trust. The newly elected interim board, which will oversee matters until democratic elections are held later this year, would like to thank everyone who turned up at Meadow Lane earlier this month to give their unanimous vote of support to our cause. Over two hundred people joined up on the night and as you will see from below, membership continues to grow. The response has been overwhelming and has given everyone involved in the Trust a massive boost. Above all it highlights just how high much we all care. Long may this continue and roll on next season!

Membership heads towards the 1000 mark

Radcliffe-on-Trent’s postman has been busier than a Mansfield defender this month. Even today (four weeks after the formal launch) a further seven new membership forms landed on the doormat this morning. This latest delivery takes our membership to an incredible 951! Young and old. Male and Female. We have members from all parts of the community and even from as far away as Australia, Singapore and West Bridgford.

When you think we had initially set ourselves a target of around 400 you can sense our delight. Put another way, the fans at last have a voice. And what a formidable voice it is. Collectively we now represent around 20-25% of the fan base. And with that comes credibility. We have already met with the club’s administrator and had discussions with at least one of the potential bidders. The next few weeks will hopefully shape the club’s future. Rest assured we are working hard to ensure our voice is heard

Join Today !!!!!!

Anyone still to join can do so today. You will find a membership form on the back of this newsletter. Simply complete and take it to the club shop anytime between two and three or for half an hour after the game. Members of the Trust will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Paul Finnity speaks

Since our inception the Trust has been in regular contact with club administrator, Paul Finnity. The one thing you get with Paul is honest and straightforward discussion. We thank him for this and wish him well in his search for a solution. When asked to contribute to this newsletter he was only too willing to help.

"Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for being there for the Club throughout what has been, to say the least, a difficult season. For whatever reasons, not for discussion here, there have been many false dawns and I have been just as frustrated as you at the apparent lack of progress. You can be assured that I have been absolutely focussed on finding a solution for the Club but can only facilitate a rescue if someone comes up with a credible proposal.

I am pleased to confirm that we are a long way down the line to finalising a deal. The confidentiality of this has been key to the strong potential of the solution. At the right time, which I believe will be very soon the identity of this consortium will be revealed and we can work towards a conclusion. I have been in regular contact with John Thornhill (Trust Chairman) and he has been updated with as much information as I can release.

I would reiterate that I believe that the consortium I refer to has the future of the Club at heart. Thank you once again for your patience and support"

Paul Finnity, April 30

Next Steps

Until such time as the future of the club is a little clearer it is difficult to set out specific Trust objectives. What we can point to is a desire to represent the views of our members and help ensure the long term survival of the football club. One of our first tasks has been to make contact with numerous bodies and agencies to seek help and advice. These include several existing Trusts who have already been through the same process. We can learn a lot from their experiences and would like to thank them for all their help and support (particularly those at Leicester, York, Derby and Chesterfield). A brief summary of our recent activity is given overleaf.

Want to get involved in the Trust but not sure how you can help? Then why not get in touch to find out more? The success of the Trust depends on its members. The more helpers we have the better. Whether it’s handing out leaflets or writing newsletters, we need your help.Contact Us:

• e-mail: enquiry@nottscotrust.org.uk
• Visit our web-site: www.nottscotrust.org.uk (and use the messageboard)
• Write to: Notts County Supporters Trust, 9 Yew Tree Close, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham NG12 2AZ

“This is not a time to hide. With momentous decisions due to be taken imminently about the future ownership of Notts County this is a moment for everybody with even a shred of interest in the club's future to unite together. This doesn't just apply to directors, staff, players and to those in positions of influence. It matters just as much that fans should be seen to be together in heart and mind, prepared to play whatever constructive part they can. While it is not an easy time to give allegiance to a struggling Second Division club I think that possibly the greatest contribution of the Trust would be significantly to increase the fan base, ensuring greater attendances next season. It may seem a tall order, but the success of the Trust's early membership drive shows what can be achieved -when everybody pulls together.”

• Don’t forget to buy several pints of our special beer Magpie’s Pride” from Nottingham Brewery. Ten pence from every pint sold will go to the Trust. Why not badger the landlord of your local to order a cask?

• May 27th is the Football League imposed deadline for the club to come out of administration. A meeting was held this week to discuss proposals to penalise clubs who fall into administration. Whilst generally supportive of any outcome that promotes financial prudence, we believe that due notice must be given to the extenuating circumstances of the past year (eg ITV Digital collapse and its knock on effect for the transfer market). These points were made in a strong letter sent to league chairman Sir Brian Mawhinney. We asked he consider the positive role supporters can play in taking a greater stake in the ownership of their clubs. Football clubs should no longer be run by individuals and held to financial ransom by players and their agents, they should be part of the community they serve. We also sought that the League reconsiders its threat to Notts County. We await a response with interest.
• The Trust will be holding an Open Meeting sometime in May (exact date dependent on developments). All members are free to attend and ask any questions of the board. Ideal for those wanting to find out how they can help.

Thanks to the following for their support

The Trust would like to place on record our special thanks to Radio Trent’s Jo and Twiggy and the Nottingham Brewing Company for their kind support.

And a very big thanks to the VAT & Fiddle, who have kindly offered to donate the proceeds from their weekly raffle to the Supporters Trust. £62 was raised and a further raffle is planned to take place today before the game. So if you fancy a pint why not show your support for those who are supporting us