S.A.F.E.
(Save Altrincham's Football Existence)-
The Altrincham F.C. Supporters' Association
Annual General Meeting, 2002
S.A.F.E. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2002,
held on Saturday, 3 August 2002 in the Noel White Suite, at 12 noon.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE NOT THE APPROVED MINUTES AND ARE AN ABRIDGED VERSION OF EVENTS. THEY SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY BE TAKEN AS REPRESENTING THE VIEWS OF S.A.F.E., ITS MEMBERS OR OF ALTRINCHAM FOOTBALL CLUB.
If you are reading this page and are not already a SAFE Member, why not join up? It only costs £3 (adults) and, as well as hearing from the Club's officials at first-hand at meetings such as this, receiving periodic newsletters and getting the chance to aid the Club in its financial plight, you also qualify for cheap travel to away games. To join, you can use the S.A.F.E. membership form, or sign up at the S.A.F.E. cabin at Moss Lane on any match day or write to The S.A.F.E. Membership Secretary (Simon Brotherton), c/o the Club at Moss Lane.
About 30 fans were in attendance at this seventh annual general meeting, which was jointly chaired by S.A.F.E.'s joint Chairmen, Mark Eckersall and Rob Muir.
Rob Muir reviewed 2001-02, which despite the upheavals at the club, had been a successful one for S.A.F.E.'s fundraising efforts. The highlight of the year was the Presentation and Race Night at the end of last season, which raised more than £2,000 and which will be an event to be repeated in future years. Bad weather had delayed the annual Christmas Draw and, as a consequence, also the annual sponsored walk organised by Neil Dawson. Other initiatives had been bucket collections at home games, a quiz night, a second race night and a prediction competition (results of which were circulated). He reminded the members that S.A.F.E. had donated the £2,600 which had allowed the pitch to be upgraded last season and that this had clearly helped the club to secure Moss Lane as the venue for Manchester United's Reserve home games for 2002-03. This, in turn, will raise vital revenue for the club.
Hon. Treasurer George Heslop took the meeting through the accounts, as at 30 April 2002, which showed a healthy balance although it did not as yet reflect income from the Presentation Night or some away travel expenditure over the last three months. During the year, George indicated that S.A.F.E. had donated £9,500 to the club in the form of cash or match sponsorship.
Jacqui Forster, coordinator of the Exiles, then briefly outlined the Exiles' statement of account, which also showed a positive balance.
Membership Secretary, Simon Brotherton, indicated that S.A.F.E. had 343 members last season. Compared with an average league gate of 638 last season, (which included away fans, of course), this was an excellent proportion.
Exiles' coordinator, Jacqui Forster, described the Exiles' year as "amazing". The year had started with 40 members and by the end of the 2001-02 season there were 70 members from places as far afield as Australia, USA, South Africa, Canada and Estonia, as well as all parts of the U.K.. The Exiles' magazine, Fanfare for the Travelling Fan appeared every two months and had included interviews with the Exiles' patron Kevin Ellison, with Stuart Coburn and Graham Heathcote. She also reminded the meeting that the Exiles had funded the disabled shelter at Moss Lane as well as an Exiles' flag.
There was discussion about the practicality of having joint chairmen of S.A.F.E. but the meeting agreed that this was working well. The committee was re-elected unanimously. Jacqui Forster was also confirmed as the Exiles' representative on the S.A.F.E. committee. Three nominations to join the committee were also unanimously approved; these were for Ian Rosendaal, Andrew Nash and Cliff Wignall. The re-elected members of the committee comprised Rob Muir and Mark Eckersall (joint Chairmen), plus George Heslop, Alan Brotherton, Simon Brotherton, Neil Dawson, Tom Jacobs, Gary Warrington, Jacqui Forster and John Laidlar.
Mark Eckersall explained that the S.A.F.E. seat on the Board was in abeyance as the Board had itself been totally re-formed. It was also important that the legal position of any such representative be clarified. In the interim, George Heslop volunteered to act as a channel for questions to the Board from S.A.F.E. members if these were relayed via the S.A.F.E. committee.
Rob Muir indicated that revision of the Rules (Constitution) of S.A.F.E. would be put on hold.
As Altrincham news was now widely available via the SAM and MEN newspapers, the internet, the Exiles' newsletter, the clubcall, the matchday programme and elsewhere, it was decided that the Newsletter was redundant and that it would no longer appear. Simon Brotherton indicated that he was setting up a mailing list to keep members informed of developments and news; this will save postage costs, too.
To avoid clashes with Club events, the committee would talk to the Board before announcing events. There would certainly be another end of season presentation night, race nights, bucket collections (coordinated by Gary Warrington), Christmas draw, prediction competition, sponsored walk and other events. Anyone with ideas or who was willing to assist in events was encouraged to come forward.
ALL supporters are urged to join SAFE and Alty in Exile- for fuller details of SAFE and of SAFE Membership, please visit the SAFE and Alty in Exile Page of this site.