The Walsall Supporter's Trust Questions for The Walsall FC Ltd. AGM on 15/10/01
To be meaningful to the supporters, any fans' forum has to be accountable to them rather than co-opted by the club. Will the Directors be willing to engage with democratically-elected supporters' representatives in order to address the key issues that affect both the Board and the supporters?
How are the Directors working to improve the dialogue between the Board and the supporters as the club's key customers?
The Customer Charter of Walsall Football Club Ltd. (as of 26/02/01) stated that the mission of Walsall FC is "to be a successful football club" and "to be a customer led and orientated [sic.] organisation". Can the Board of Directors:
a) define their view of successful?
b) Define their view of customer-led?
c) State what they believe is the one main interest group in whose interests they are running the club?
How much will the proposed new stand cost?
Do the Directors know how much grant money will be available for the stand and how much the football club will be paying out for its construction? If so, how much?
Is the Board planning to use any of the raised income from the current season, last season's play-offs, or the television deal to finance the stand?
Will the rent on the lease increase (other than in line with inflation) when the new stand is built?
It is unusual for tenants to fund improvements on properties that they do not own. Can the shareholders and supporters be assured that in-line with the club's desire to be customer-led and to promote football as its main objective, the Directors will not be seeking to make those customer's pay twice for the stand's construction by way of the club contributing to the construction costs and the increased rent?
If the club funds part of the stand, does the owner of Walsall FC Ltd. believe that the club should own it?
What is the Directors' action plan for ensuring the club's first division status?
Does the Board of Directors believe that the money which is guaranteed from the new Football League television contract should be invested in the playing staff in order to help ensure:
i) the club's first division status; and,
ii) the on-going stream of raised income that this higher status will bring?
How much money did the club make from last season's play-offs?
Does the £1.6million gate receipts noted in the financial statement include the play-off final? If not, then how much "extra profit" is this worth?
How much money was paid in promotion bonuses?
Is Mr Bonser's shareholding still for sale? Is the shareholding of J.W. Bonser Ltd. for sale? Have their been any enquiries since they were put on the market?
Is Mr Bonser willing to sell the lease as well as the chattels to a prospective buyer? What measures have been taken, or are to be taken, to publicise the quest for a new owner?
In the current accounts, the cost of players' registrations has been capitalised as an Intangible Fixed Asset of £131,000. This was written down to £87,000 by 31 May 2001. These costs were not included in the final balance for the year ending 31 May 2000. Is this a change in accounting policy or does it relate to one of the players signed during the year? If so, which player?
What is the rationale for the above inflation increase of 5.8 per cent in the costs of the lease, in terms of rent payable?
What is the rationale for the 39 per cent increase in Directors emoluments?
Do the Directors agree that holding the club's AGM at 9am on a Monday morning makes it inconvenient for most shareholders to attend?
Why does the AGM not take place on a weekend or evening? This would be in-line with the best practice guidelines issued by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, which note that AGMs should take place at a time that is convenient for shareholders and should allow for the full exchange of information between directors and shareholders.
Do the Directors agree that only answering questions that are submitted in advance stifles dialogue, and that if the club is to be customer-oriented the AGM should allow time for discussion between the Directors and the shareholders?
(Dr Richard Hall, Chair, The Walsall Supporters' Trust)