Notes from
the Walsall FC AGM
Q1. It is Nationwide League policy for all clubs to have a customer charter. How can supporters access Walsall FC's charter? What is the process for the football club to deal with a grievance?
A. The charter can be located in the customer
reception office. All grievances and complaints mailed to the club will be
dealt with in 14 days. Supporters can also use the focus group of the Liaison
Committee as an access point.
Q2. Are the Directors willing to hold a question and
answer session with all shareholders to discuss the outcomes of the AGM?
A. The Q&A session is held at the AGM with all
questions submitted one week before the date.
Q3. What risk assessment have the Board of Directors
undertaken concerning the sale and lease of Bescot Stadium? Is this risk
assessment open to be viewed by the shareholders?
A. The Directors of the football club do not see the
need for a risk assessment of the sale and lease. They are confident that there
are no problems.
Q4. According to the Official Walsall FC web site
"Saddlers' Owner, Jeff Bonser, warned shareholders that the demise of ITV
Digital, with the subsequent loss of revenue, means that it may be some years
before the club will again achieve this (2001-2002) level of turnover." In
light of this comment it makes sense for the club to focus upon marketing the
club within the local community. What strategy does the Board have for
maintaining revenue to a point where the loss of TV income is easier to manage,
and how will it be implemented?
A. Whalley mentioned several ways in which the
Directors were marketing the club, through 3-for-2 ticketing, a promised themed
day at the Gills home game (involving a band, ex-players, and a new PA system
to improve the event). Tickets can also be bought through NECTAR, which will lead fans to gain points and vouchers,
with 5 vouchers enabling them to buy a match ticket. The Purple stand was to
become a focus for cheap seats, and the club were looking to put in a bar. The
club would honour its promise to make Bescot the cheapest match-day experience
in D1. The club's Directors are also working with Banks', Purple and the West
Bromwich BS amongst others to raise commercial income.
Q 5. The Trust would like to work in partnership with
the Board and other interested parties to raise the club's profile and its
fan-base. Are the Board willing to work towards a joint strategy?
A. The club are willing to listen to all fans through
the Liaison Committee, individual contacts and the Official Supporters' Club.
Q6. From the last year's accounts of Walsall FC Ltd.
it seems that the club's current liabilities (debts payable within 1 year)
outstrip our current assets (cash, stock, debtors etc.) by a ratio of almost
2:1. What risk assessment of the club's cash flow has been made and, if so,
what were the results of that assessment?
A. This is a yearly occurrence and the Board feel
that they are in a unique position to ensure cash flow. There has been no risk
assessment.
The club also
stated that there is unlikely to be a cash turnstile next season. All tickets
must be booked in advance.