S.A.F.E. (Save Altrincham's Football Existence)- The Altrincham F.C. Supporters' Association
S.A.F.E. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2001, held on Saturday 4 August 2001 in the Noel White Suite
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE NOT THE OFFICIAL MINUTES AND SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY BE TAKEN AS REPRESENTING THE VIEWS OF S.A.F.E., ITS MEMBERS OR OF ALTRINCHAM FOOTBALL CLUB. MOREOVER, THEY ARE AN ABRIDGED ACCOUNT OF THE FULL MEETING.
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 membership form, or sign up at the SAFE cabin at Moss Lane on any match day or write to The SAFE Membership Secretary (Simon Brotherton), c/o the Club at Moss Lane. As a member you also get the full news of meetings not just summaries such as this.
About 40 fans were in attendance at yesterday's meeting in the Noel White Suite. The meeting was chaired by SAFE Chairman Peter Read, accompanied by Committee members Alan Brotherton, Simon Brotherton, Gary Warrington, Mark Eckersall, Neil Dawson, George Heslop and Jacqui Forster.
Apologies were recorded from Scott Neill, Dennis Massey, Phil Taylor, Simon Taylor, Brian Lomax and Robert Muir.
Hon. Treasurer George Heslop took the meeting through the accounts, as at 30 April 2001, which showed a healthy balance. In future, Alty in Exile accounts will be shown separately.
Membership Secretary, Simon Brotherton, thanked all members who had rejoined SAFE. Renewals were also accepted after the meeting. Last season SAFE had 279 members of whom 42 were "Exiles"- Alty supporters not based in the locality and who have joined the Alty in Exile group as well as SAFE. Simon reported that this compared well with the 190 members at the end of the 1999-2000 season when we were relegated from the Conference. In its six years of existence SAFE has had 432 different members and a target of 350 current members is being set for next season.
Alty in Exile is the new name for SAFE in Exile, the association for Altrincham supporters based outside Greater Manchester and Cheshire. Its founder and organiser, Jacqui Forster outlined how the Exiles had grown since their foundation in November 2000 and membership had reached 44 by the end of last season. At least three additional members are already waiting to join for 2001-02. Former Alty player, Kevin Ellison (Leicester City) is the Exiles' patron. Members receive a substantial Exiles' newsletter as well as other benefits such as reduced price programmes. The Exiles will sponsor the FA Cup tie against Frickley and a later league match. To cover operating costs, Exiles will be asked to pay £1 a month on top of their SAFE membership of £3 adults (£1.50 for concessionaries and £1 for juniors). Jacqui aims to have 60 members by the end of this season,- if only to beat the Northwich Vics' Exiles's group who have 50 members! Publicity for the Exiles has been published in Team Talk magazine as well as in away UniBond programmes and on the Club's websites and forum. Jacqui was congratulated on her magnificent effort in building up such a successful Exiles' group.
It was agreed that SAFE members' meetings would continue on a quarterly basis.
Peter Read reported that the SAFE programme of coach trips to away matches had made a small profit and that Carsville would again be the coach-firm to be used next season. However, Carsville were unable to convey fans to the first three away games so Goodwins would be used for those journeys. The Christmas Draw raised some £2,000 in profit and Alan Brotherton was thanked for organising this. The Sponsored Walk was also a success and had raised over £1,200 according to the financial staement; however, further income from this event had still to show on the accounts. Thanks to Neil Dawson were recorded for organising the walk. Race nights and a meeting to discuss establishing a Supporters' Trust had also been held during the year. It was confirmed that the SAFE Director on the Club Board, Mark Eckersall, was stepping down from that role, as he was now a paid employee of the Club. Mark was thanked for his efforts and congratulated on his recent appointment as Sales and Marketing Manager of the Club. Mark explained how the Board now comprised 10 committed individuals; it had consisted of just himself and two others when he had joined.
Only one Newsletter was produced last season, but another issue is in the pipeline.
Peter Read announced that Race Nights, the Christmas Draw and a Sponsored Walk would be repeated next season and a Quiz may be held in September, involving local pubs and clubs. Ideas for other events were solicited.
As SAFE had no Secretary, John Laidlar was asked to assume this role as he already took notes for use on the website. In the absence of any new nominations, the existing Committee was re-elected. However, the Chairman underlined that additional volunteers to serve on the Committee were always welcome. After discussion prompted by Alan Johnson, Peter Read was elected to represent SAFE as its Director on the Club Board. Alan felt that the full membership, not just those present at the meeting of SAFE should be invited to elect Committee members. He emphasised that he was more than happy for Peter to be the SAFE Director on the Club Board but felt that the method of election needed to be changed. It was agreed that the Director should always be someone who had served on the SAFE Committee and had shown his or her commitment in this way (see below). Peter Read expressed his thanks at being elected to the Board and recorded his pride in representing the supporters in this way.
Peter Read indicated that the Rules of SAFE needed to be revised and, to that purpose, Jacqui Forster had drawn up a new set. These would be looked at in detail by the Committee and their recommendations would be reported back to the membership.
Motions
Peter Read proposed that in future the SAFE Director on the Club Board should be an elected member of the SAFE Committee of at least six months' standing on the Committee. This was accepted unanimously by a show of hands. Simon Brotherton proposed that the AGM take place in future in May, at the end of the season. George Heslop confirmed that, as Treasurer, this change was agreeable to him and it was therefore agreed that an earlier date would be chosen. It was pointed out, however, that attendance might be hit if the AGM were not held during the season, on a matchday.
Prediction Competition
Peter Read announced the results of last season's Prediction Competition and Neil Dawson confirmed that the competition would be run again this season.
Supporters' Trust
A letter from Rob Muir, currently in Switzerland, was read out. He stated that a Supporters' Trust should only be set up if there was full commitment from the Club and Supporters; an inefficient Trust was worse than none at all. Peter Read indicated that if a Trust were formed, funds raised by supporters would be exchanged for shares in the Club rather than being simple donations. The Chairman of the Club, Mark Harris, reported that no shares were currently available but he hoped that in 6 to 8 weeks there might be some available. An EGM was to be held with a view to bringing this about. Peter Read therefore suggested that the creation of a Trust be held in abeyance pending the confirmation of availability of shares. Alan Brotherton reported that strong links were being maintained with Supporters' Direct (SD), not least through Brian Lomax of SD who, as an Alty fan, was a member of SAFE.
Signage
Peter Read reported that, at last, Trafford Council had agreed to erect three road signs to the ground. These would direct traffic from the M56 to the ground. Alan Brotherton was thanked for his efforts over a long period to achieve this end.
Travel
Mark Eckersall confirmed that he would continue as organiser of the SAFE away-travel arrangements.
Ivan Crossley
The untimely death of former player, Ivan Crossley, was raised, as well as the sad news that Keith Prince, the Club's former kitman had died on Friday, 3rd August. Ideas were solicited for appropriate ways to honour deceased ex-players and others who had made major contributions to the Club off the field. Amongst ideas discussed were a wall of memorial plaques and a suggestion from the Club Chaplain of a book of remembrance. Members are invited to send their ideas to the Committee. It was later announced by Mark Harris that the Crossley family had been invited to a future match at which the Club's appreciation would be shown for Ivan's service to Altrincham F.C..
Mark Harris, Chairman of Altrincham F.C., made himself available for questions from the floor. Amongst the issues raised were:
Fixture Posters
Mark and Alan Brotherton explained, in answer to a query, how flyposters were obscuring the Club's fixture announcements on local noticeboards. It was suggested that adverts in newsagents' windows might be an additional means of publicity; Mark Eckersall is looking into this idea.
Festivals
The Club and SAFE's representation at local festivals was discussed. The general downturn in local involvement in festivals and the lack of sufficient volunteers to decorate a large float made successful participation difficult.
Disabled Access
It was agreed that recent efforts to improve disabled access had not been successful. Mark Harris indicated that one of the Board, Kevan Guiney, had now been given responsibility for stadium affairs, including disabled access.
Floodlights and Sponsorship
Mark Harris confirmed that the many failed bulbs in the floodlights would be replaced this coming Wednesday. Following suggestions that the floodlights could be used for sponsorship purposes, Mark Harris went on to underline the long-term nature of Mark Eckersall's appointment as Sales and Marketing Manager. He praised Mark's commitment to the Club and his performance when at Board meetings.
The Board
Mark Harris indicated that he was seeking to bring the Board up to 12 members from the current 10. Much progress had been made in reducing debts but money was still owed to the Inland Revenue. He announced that Peter Warburton, the former long-standing Winsford Secretary had joined the club's administration. The Associate Director scheme has been scrapped. Instead the Vice-Presidents scheme will be adapted to include honorary and paid VPs.
Mark Ward
Mark Harris confirmed that agreement had now been reached with Mark Ward regarding his playing contract which had not been severed when he was dismissed as manager in early 2001.
New Ground
Mark Harris reported that press accounts of Altrincham moving to a new venue were not accurate. No one had made any formal proposal of a move to the Club. In particular, notions of our moving to Sale RFC's ground were totally unfounded.