Post by BigTone on Nov 5, 2003 8:04:49 GMT -5
At an open meeting held in the Clubhouse on 30/10/2003, Club Chairman Paul Dainty outlined the present position of the club and the board's view on future steps needed off the field, to ensure that the club can progress to (and sustain) a place in the relevant league should a promotion place be achieved this season. Also on the "panel" were Vice Chairman Maurice Brown, plus Charlie Cole and Chris Drew from the Management Committee.
Paul introduced the meeting by stating that he would love to see the Angels playing Conference South football. He also wished to stress he had a positive outlook toward progress of the club, and some recent statements may have been misinterpreted or taken out of context.
Ground Grading.
Charlie Cole went through a preliminary assessment of Ground Improvements required to be accepted into the Southern Premier or Conference South leagues next season. Overall, we appear to have a good base and no major development is required. The club currently understands the impact to be :-
- Repairs/enhancements to exterior fence (to ensure ground is completely AND SECURELY enclosed);
- Provision of separate dugouts for each team, equidistant from the halfway line (existing dugout to be demolished, new ones built);
- Secure match officials changing rooms with protective barriers against thrown objects and spectators (work already in progress);
- Improved floodlights (250 Lux required, currently we have 170 Lux);
- Minimum of six covered turnstiles with automatic admission counters;
- Minimum of 300 additional seats (Seats must be individual seats, though they could be incorporated into a bench structure);
- Improved Press facilities (desks, lighting);
- Minimum one metre width of hard concrete around entire playing area;
- Removal of broken/non-fixed terrace structures (The Sleepers!!)
- Improved spectator toilet facilities;
- Provision of a separate medical/player treatment room.
Charlie went on to clarify some other pertinent points re. Ground Grading :-
- The deadline for meeting these requirements is 30th April 2004.
- The requirements are the same for Conference South or Southern Premier.
- The new Stand/Clubhouse was NOT an absoulute requirement to achieve the necessary Ground Grading.
- The improvements were not yet costed. For now, the board were assuming the cost would be "in the region of £20K".
- Should we win the Eastern Division and DML Promotion Play-offs, we would (somewhat bizarrely) qualify for an additional 12 months grace (i.e. could play one season of Conference South without the necessary Ground Grading). However, this was a gamble the board could not and would not take.
- Automatic Promotion would be granted to the top 7 DMLE teams THAT ACHIEVED THE NECESSARY GROUND GRADING.
Stand/Clubhouse.
Paul Dainty provided an update on the plans and progress.
- The development was NOT required to meet Ground Grading, Alternatives could be put in place for that.
- Priority is the Clubhouse before the Stand.
- Plans are currently on hold due to an objection from the Environment Agency, who propose the floor of the structure be raised 300mm due to flooding risk.
- Grants of £150K from the Football Foundation and £25K from TMBC remain in place.
- The Clubhouse could be built relatively quickly once go-ahead is given and funds are in place.
- The Club cannot afford to start the build at present (see Finance). We will not overstretch the club to the detriment of the team on the field.
Club Finances.
Paul outlined the current financial position of the club, and steps which he felt needed to be taken to ensure the club was in a position to continue its current success and build a platform for the future.
- There is currently a substantial budget shortfall due to the premature end of the ICI/Brewers Main Sponsor agreement. This agreement came to an amicable end effective 1/11/03, with all parties honouring their obligations up to that date.
- The shortfall is being alleviated to some extent by the improved attendances resulting from the team's success and increased profile. However, the club remains vulnerable if substantial sponsorship or other income is not secured.
- Rather than seek a single main sponsor at this stage, the board plans to offer four £5000 "slots" for the rest of the season.
- Serious negotiations are already under way with two potential main sponsors.
- Assuming these negotiations are successful, the club will still have a £10K sponsorship shortfall to make up. Efforts are being made by the board to address this, but Paul asked that any supporters who may be able to help attract sponsorship (via personal or business contacts) come forward.
- Paul stressed the board will not run the club insolvently, and that sponsorship from sizable buisnesses was extremely important.
- We cannot survive on Matchday income alone. (it was noted that admission prices etc. all include 17.5% VAT, which goes straight to the taxman!!)
- Contact has been made with Victor Gladwish (of NLP article fame) but no viable sponsorship agreement has been offered. The board will concentrate on other avenues at this time.
- BlueBall income is much less than anticipated. It costs £335 per week to run and had 416 members as of 30/10/03.
- Lotteries of similar local clubs were compared - Welling have approx 2500 members and Dover have 1000+ members for similar lotteries; however, this was because these games were extensively marketed locally using canvassers. Paul asked for extra assistance to launch and manage a similar marketing push for BlueBall. Some offers were received - contact Tamsin or a member of the board/management committee if you think you can assist (leafletting, pub/club/work sales, stalls, admin etc. etc.) and every effort will be made to support you.
- The maximum BluBall prize is limited to £1000 by a condition of the licence to operate the game granted by the council.
- Paul emphasised the club now needed more volunteer workers generally.
- Everyone was reminded that Match Sponsorship (£300) and Ball Sponsorship (£100) were also available to any businesses and individuals, large or small.
- The "Pub Page" in the programme (£50 per pub per season) has so far been a flop. Paul asked that everyone make their "local" aware of the opportunity.
- The board proposed an increase in admission price to £7 for adults (concessions unchanged at £3) effective from the next home DMLE game. Opinions were invited from the floor, and the overwhelming view was in favour. This will therefore go ahead.
Board Structure.
- It is essential for the future that additional contributing directors be attracted.
- A Non-Executive director is to be appointed shortly.
Miscellaneous/Summary
There was general discussion regarding the role and activities of the Supporter's Association, however no immediate changes are planned.
In closing, Paul emphasised that we need to get going on all fronts NOW, and the more people that play an active part, the better the club's future will be.
Paul introduced the meeting by stating that he would love to see the Angels playing Conference South football. He also wished to stress he had a positive outlook toward progress of the club, and some recent statements may have been misinterpreted or taken out of context.
Ground Grading.
Charlie Cole went through a preliminary assessment of Ground Improvements required to be accepted into the Southern Premier or Conference South leagues next season. Overall, we appear to have a good base and no major development is required. The club currently understands the impact to be :-
- Repairs/enhancements to exterior fence (to ensure ground is completely AND SECURELY enclosed);
- Provision of separate dugouts for each team, equidistant from the halfway line (existing dugout to be demolished, new ones built);
- Secure match officials changing rooms with protective barriers against thrown objects and spectators (work already in progress);
- Improved floodlights (250 Lux required, currently we have 170 Lux);
- Minimum of six covered turnstiles with automatic admission counters;
- Minimum of 300 additional seats (Seats must be individual seats, though they could be incorporated into a bench structure);
- Improved Press facilities (desks, lighting);
- Minimum one metre width of hard concrete around entire playing area;
- Removal of broken/non-fixed terrace structures (The Sleepers!!)
- Improved spectator toilet facilities;
- Provision of a separate medical/player treatment room.
Charlie went on to clarify some other pertinent points re. Ground Grading :-
- The deadline for meeting these requirements is 30th April 2004.
- The requirements are the same for Conference South or Southern Premier.
- The new Stand/Clubhouse was NOT an absoulute requirement to achieve the necessary Ground Grading.
- The improvements were not yet costed. For now, the board were assuming the cost would be "in the region of £20K".
- Should we win the Eastern Division and DML Promotion Play-offs, we would (somewhat bizarrely) qualify for an additional 12 months grace (i.e. could play one season of Conference South without the necessary Ground Grading). However, this was a gamble the board could not and would not take.
- Automatic Promotion would be granted to the top 7 DMLE teams THAT ACHIEVED THE NECESSARY GROUND GRADING.
Stand/Clubhouse.
Paul Dainty provided an update on the plans and progress.
- The development was NOT required to meet Ground Grading, Alternatives could be put in place for that.
- Priority is the Clubhouse before the Stand.
- Plans are currently on hold due to an objection from the Environment Agency, who propose the floor of the structure be raised 300mm due to flooding risk.
- Grants of £150K from the Football Foundation and £25K from TMBC remain in place.
- The Clubhouse could be built relatively quickly once go-ahead is given and funds are in place.
- The Club cannot afford to start the build at present (see Finance). We will not overstretch the club to the detriment of the team on the field.
Club Finances.
Paul outlined the current financial position of the club, and steps which he felt needed to be taken to ensure the club was in a position to continue its current success and build a platform for the future.
- There is currently a substantial budget shortfall due to the premature end of the ICI/Brewers Main Sponsor agreement. This agreement came to an amicable end effective 1/11/03, with all parties honouring their obligations up to that date.
- The shortfall is being alleviated to some extent by the improved attendances resulting from the team's success and increased profile. However, the club remains vulnerable if substantial sponsorship or other income is not secured.
- Rather than seek a single main sponsor at this stage, the board plans to offer four £5000 "slots" for the rest of the season.
- Serious negotiations are already under way with two potential main sponsors.
- Assuming these negotiations are successful, the club will still have a £10K sponsorship shortfall to make up. Efforts are being made by the board to address this, but Paul asked that any supporters who may be able to help attract sponsorship (via personal or business contacts) come forward.
- Paul stressed the board will not run the club insolvently, and that sponsorship from sizable buisnesses was extremely important.
- We cannot survive on Matchday income alone. (it was noted that admission prices etc. all include 17.5% VAT, which goes straight to the taxman!!)
- Contact has been made with Victor Gladwish (of NLP article fame) but no viable sponsorship agreement has been offered. The board will concentrate on other avenues at this time.
- BlueBall income is much less than anticipated. It costs £335 per week to run and had 416 members as of 30/10/03.
- Lotteries of similar local clubs were compared - Welling have approx 2500 members and Dover have 1000+ members for similar lotteries; however, this was because these games were extensively marketed locally using canvassers. Paul asked for extra assistance to launch and manage a similar marketing push for BlueBall. Some offers were received - contact Tamsin or a member of the board/management committee if you think you can assist (leafletting, pub/club/work sales, stalls, admin etc. etc.) and every effort will be made to support you.
- The maximum BluBall prize is limited to £1000 by a condition of the licence to operate the game granted by the council.
- Paul emphasised the club now needed more volunteer workers generally.
- Everyone was reminded that Match Sponsorship (£300) and Ball Sponsorship (£100) were also available to any businesses and individuals, large or small.
- The "Pub Page" in the programme (£50 per pub per season) has so far been a flop. Paul asked that everyone make their "local" aware of the opportunity.
- The board proposed an increase in admission price to £7 for adults (concessions unchanged at £3) effective from the next home DMLE game. Opinions were invited from the floor, and the overwhelming view was in favour. This will therefore go ahead.
Board Structure.
- It is essential for the future that additional contributing directors be attracted.
- A Non-Executive director is to be appointed shortly.
Miscellaneous/Summary
There was general discussion regarding the role and activities of the Supporter's Association, however no immediate changes are planned.
In closing, Paul emphasised that we need to get going on all fronts NOW, and the more people that play an active part, the better the club's future will be.
