WALSALL SUPPORTERS’ TRUST

Minutes of Board Meeting held 10^th October 2001

Venue -: Walsall Council Buildings

Time -: 8.00pm

In Attendance -: R.Hall, P.Sturgess, A.Winnall, J.Winnall, R.Rowley, S.Shaw, D.Roe
Apologies -: C.Miller

1. Minutes of previous meeting accepted as a true and correct record and signed by R.Hall (chair).

2. Matters arising -: the prospective shareholder who had indicated that they may be willing to sell had since contacted the Trust to decline our offer to purchase the shares.

3. Membership-: Following the recent recruitment drive at the last two home matches the membership had risen to approximately 340 there were a few late renewals from last years members which made a certain figure difficult to ascertain. (18 late renewals).

It was agreed that the late renewals should be mailed and informed their membership will expire at the Trust AGM (date to be finalised).
8.16pm Bob Barnard joined the meeting following an invitation to attend from the Trust.
J. Winnall recommended that the new members be contacted as soon as possible.
With -: Membership
Copy of Trust’s share certificate
News letter
Fund raising.
This was seconded by A.Winnall and passed unanimously

It was also agreed that a last blitz on membership would be made at the Coventry game on 14^th Oct 2001 at the Matalan approach to the ground.

A.Winnall wanted the Trust to pass on it’s thanks to P Guise who helped with the membership drive -: R Hall agreed and said thanks would be passed on.

4. Shares-: Prospective seller of shares (see note 2).

R.Hall requested that R.Rowley renew his search for shareholders following the failure to secure the said purchase.
Seconded by P.Sturgess. Carried unanimously.

It was also agreed that where share holders were unwilling to sell an attempt to obtain proxy votes should be made.

5. Walsall F.C AGM-: A list of twenty questions has been submitted to the Club, sent out in a press release and posted on the Trust’s web site.

R.Hall was attending as the Trust’s proxy.
P.Sturgess was attending as A.Winnall’s proxy.
R.Rowley indicated that he may also attend if he could secure another proxy he was negotiating.
Bob Barnard suggested that next year it may be wise to reduce the amount of questions but make them more pointed.

6. Fund Raising -: It was agreed after debate that the correct time to step up the fund raising would be after the Trust AGM.

D.Roe nominated R.Hall and S.Shaw to contact ex-players for sporting nights.
P.Sturgess seconded.
S.Shaw suggested that R.Graydon be contacted about meeting the Trust
D.Kelly to be approached.

7. R.Hall & D.Roe to finalise accounts and set date for AGM - R.H to action.

8. Getting further help with our work -: As agreed earlier all members would be mailed and help requested.

A.O.B.

9. J.Winnall suggested that the Trust would benefit from having a Public Representative & Communications Officer, he spoke of Bobs background at the Council House and other various levels and his contacts with the press. The idea being that the media have one person to approach in terms of points of issue with regard to the Trust and the Club.

Nominated by J.Winnall.
Seconded by A.Winnall. Carried unanimously.

10. Walsall F.C focus meeting 15^th Oct 2001 -: S.Shaw agreed to attend on behalf of the Trust.

11. Radio Bridge FM -: P.Sturgess informed the board that the Trust had been invited to have a regular slot on the Sunday night sports round up .Two broadcasts had already been made and due to availability this Sunday R.Hall & P.Sturgess would do this Sundays slot (14.10.01).

It was also agreed to contact the Walsall Observer about obtaining a regular column in their paper R.Hall agreed to write such a column if successful.
P.Sturgess to contact the Observer.