FC United Board report - 21 May 2012
The latest meeting of the FC United Board took place on the evening of Monday 21 May 2012. Mike Sherrard reports.
We began the meeting by reviewing the minutes of the last board meeting and the general meeting which took place on 19 April 2012. We signed off on the report of the general meeting which was posted in the members’ area on our website.
As with most FC United board meetings of late, we spent quite a bit of time discussing the latest on the stadium and the progress on signing the Section 106 Agreement and the lease. It was reported that we anticipate signing both very soon and then these will have to be approved by our main funders. It is frustrating that things have dragged on a bit with both of these documents, but these are complex documents that all parties need to be happy with. We continue to make progress and still expect to be playing football in the new ground by the 2013-14 season. It was pointed out at the meeting that unfortunately these things take time and that’s proving to be the case.
An update was given on the funding situation for the new ground and board members were pleased to hear that all grants from outside bodies remain on track and subject to final conditions being met. We plan to make public announcements when we sign the Section 106 and the lease and also when we get the grants confirmed from funders.
The meeting also discussed the need to raise the profile of our Development Fund over the coming months. Raising funding from this source will be crucial as in order to get a stadium scheme that we can afford, some elements remain the responsibility of the club to complete: kitchen, furniture and fittings, bar fit-out and some elements of the landscaping. The Development Fund will therefore be vital in ensuring that we raise as much money as possible and reduce any dependence on loans.
Board members also received an update on the development of the FC United employee handbook. A lot of work has gone into the development of this important document which is part of the club professionalising its approach towards its employees and volunteers. This is something that will increase in importance as we move closer towards our new ground and a lot of time has been spent on drafting and refining the document.
The meeting also heard a treasurer’s report which outlined a healthy position. We expect to make a small surplus on operations over the season, largely thanks to income from the promotion play-off games - and also due to ongoing good financial procedures and savings made throughout the year. So, good news there.
We also had a secretary’s report from Lindsey Howard. A key point to mention from that was a proposed change to the days on which we play our midweek games from a Wednesday to a Tuesday. The change arose from a request by Bury FC to have more time for the pitch at Gigg Lane to recover before Saturday games, but also fits in nicely with Margy’s desire to fit in midweek games better with our Tuesday/Thursday training cycle. Playing midweek games on a Tuesday fits in perfectly with this so we were happy to agree to a change.
The meeting also nominated board member Paul Farrell for the council of the Manchester FA. The council is the governing body of the FA locally and should Paul be elected then FC United will have a voice and a seat at the table at this important organisation for football development and governance in Greater Manchester.
Members of the board also discussed the renewal process for season tickets and the need to promote the ’pay what you can afford’ scheme widely to encourage supporters to renew early. A good take-up on renewals will improve cash flow and stand us in good stead as we approach the start of the new season.
The board also welcomed the relaunch of the FC members’ forum as an important development in improving communication with and between members. Board members were given an update from the web team on their progress on a redesigned FC website to be launched later in the summer.
Finally, the board discussed a request to scatter ashes on the pitch at our new ground. We have looked at what other clubs do and decided to set aside a specific area of the pitch where ashes can be buried.
Mike Sherrard is an FC United Board member.
We began the meeting by reviewing the minutes of the last board meeting and the general meeting which took place on 19 April 2012. We signed off on the report of the general meeting which was posted in the members’ area on our website.
As with most FC United board meetings of late, we spent quite a bit of time discussing the latest on the stadium and the progress on signing the Section 106 Agreement and the lease. It was reported that we anticipate signing both very soon and then these will have to be approved by our main funders. It is frustrating that things have dragged on a bit with both of these documents, but these are complex documents that all parties need to be happy with. We continue to make progress and still expect to be playing football in the new ground by the 2013-14 season. It was pointed out at the meeting that unfortunately these things take time and that’s proving to be the case.
An update was given on the funding situation for the new ground and board members were pleased to hear that all grants from outside bodies remain on track and subject to final conditions being met. We plan to make public announcements when we sign the Section 106 and the lease and also when we get the grants confirmed from funders.
The meeting also discussed the need to raise the profile of our Development Fund over the coming months. Raising funding from this source will be crucial as in order to get a stadium scheme that we can afford, some elements remain the responsibility of the club to complete: kitchen, furniture and fittings, bar fit-out and some elements of the landscaping. The Development Fund will therefore be vital in ensuring that we raise as much money as possible and reduce any dependence on loans.
Board members also received an update on the development of the FC United employee handbook. A lot of work has gone into the development of this important document which is part of the club professionalising its approach towards its employees and volunteers. This is something that will increase in importance as we move closer towards our new ground and a lot of time has been spent on drafting and refining the document.
The meeting also heard a treasurer’s report which outlined a healthy position. We expect to make a small surplus on operations over the season, largely thanks to income from the promotion play-off games - and also due to ongoing good financial procedures and savings made throughout the year. So, good news there.
We also had a secretary’s report from Lindsey Howard. A key point to mention from that was a proposed change to the days on which we play our midweek games from a Wednesday to a Tuesday. The change arose from a request by Bury FC to have more time for the pitch at Gigg Lane to recover before Saturday games, but also fits in nicely with Margy’s desire to fit in midweek games better with our Tuesday/Thursday training cycle. Playing midweek games on a Tuesday fits in perfectly with this so we were happy to agree to a change.
The meeting also nominated board member Paul Farrell for the council of the Manchester FA. The council is the governing body of the FA locally and should Paul be elected then FC United will have a voice and a seat at the table at this important organisation for football development and governance in Greater Manchester.
Members of the board also discussed the renewal process for season tickets and the need to promote the ’pay what you can afford’ scheme widely to encourage supporters to renew early. A good take-up on renewals will improve cash flow and stand us in good stead as we approach the start of the new season.
The board also welcomed the relaunch of the FC members’ forum as an important development in improving communication with and between members. Board members were given an update from the web team on their progress on a redesigned FC website to be launched later in the summer.
Finally, the board discussed a request to scatter ashes on the pitch at our new ground. We have looked at what other clubs do and decided to set aside a specific area of the pitch where ashes can be buried.
Mike Sherrard is an FC United Board member.
First Posted ~ 14:52 Thu 7 Jun 2012
News ID ~ 4270
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021