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Meeting Report
A report on the
'Fans Forum' held at LynnSport on Friday 5th March 2010
In attendance
from Lynn F C were K. Chapman, J. Chapman, D. Stewart, K. Boon, G.Setchell, M.
Hearle.
The meeting
opened with a tribute to Keith Alexander from M.Hearle followed by a minute's
silence.
Questions to
Lynn FC were made on behalf of Trust members through Neil Timms, ( NT ) with
other questions being taken from the floor.
Q. (NT) Is it
necessary to have a Director of Football at a Club at our level of football?
A. Kevin Boon
stated that the position was created to bolster the bid to the Council. In
reality he and Gary Setchell were joint managers.
Q. (NT) Will the
Chapmans be taking profit from the Club by way of wages, salaries, or dividends
or will any profit be re-invested in the Club?
A. J. Chapman
said that there will be re-investment for the first 5 years. Thereafter the
investment will be recovered from the Club.
Reservations
were expressed by a Lynn supporter as to the proposed business model, although
not about the Chapmans as such. He felt that the Club would have been better
served by involving the supporters through inclusion of The Trust.
In reply
K.Chapman stated that the Trust model was not always successful but when
challenged could not name a Club where that had been the case.
J. Chapman said
that Lynn FC has had positive meetings with Trust officials but believed that
the Council had found their business plan to be more acceptable.
Q. L. Candlish
asked what level of investment would be made in the first 3 years to achieve the
target of Conference football in 4 to 5 years as stated by K.Boon.
A. K.Chapman
said he will put in £100,000 or more to make that possible. This will be spent
on an affordable squad and on ground improvements to make the place more
appealing. In particular there will be a new toilet block at each end of the
ground.
Q. (NT) Will any
investment take the form of Directors Loans?
A. K.Chapman
said he would not be borrowing money to put into the Club but seemed a little
confused as to the workings of a Limited Company, believing the Chapmans to be
trading as Sole Traders. There was a comment from the floor that any investment
should be by way of increasing the Share Capital of the Company and that it is
important that we have a properly constituted Club. J.Chapman said he would look
into this.
K. Chapman and
K.Boon appeared to take exception to the questions regarding the financial
aspects of Lynn FC and at one stage K. Chapman suggested that anyone unhappy
with the situation could leave through one of the many exits.
N. Timms stated
that the Trust is fully behind the new Club. However, supporters are naturally
worried about the future of their club, given their experience over the last few
years. J. Chapman gave a guarantee that the mistakes of the previous regime
would not be repeated.
J. Gamble stated
that there is a generic worry about the current business model for football
clubs. That is why the Trust is looking for safeguards. However, we are there to
work together.
Q. (NT) What is
happening to the Reserve and Youth set-up next season?
A. J. Chapman
replied that Lynn FC has had correspondence from the FA, a copy of which has
been given to the Council, which prevents the Football in the Community
affiliating the Reserve and Youth sides. He did not elaborate on the reasons for
the FA's decision but Lynn FC would now be running the Reserve side, but had
decided not to run a Youth team .
Q. What will
the squad size be, and what sort of area will players come from.
A. G. Setchell
said they were looking at a squad of 16-18 who would live no more than 60
minutes drive from the ground. The squad would hopefully include local players
if they were affordable.
Q. What will
be the price of a season ticket if the Club is in Ridgeons or UCL Division One?
A. This will
be decided when the league is confirmed. M. Hearle confirmed that all paperwork
had been lodged with the FA on time and that a decision was expected from the FA
early to mid May as to their recommended LEVEL. J. Chapman said It is then up
to the club to apply to a league at that level. Apparently, although the
member Clubs of the Ridgeons League make the final decision as to which division
we would go into, the decision at the UCL is taken by the Management Committee.
He confirmed that the Club can only apply to one league for membership.
Q. Will there
be a pricing schedule to encourage children to attend?
A. J.Chapman
confirmed that under 11's would get free admission in order to increase the
supporter base initially and for the future.
It was suggested
that youngsters be encouraged to become involved by, perhaps, designing the new
team strip. J. Chapman said they were considering a study centre for kids and
might be able to promote the idea through the local press.
J. Gamble
asked if there is a time scale for re-opening the Blue and Gold clubroom and the
subsequent Sports Bar as there is a danger of supporters losing interest the
longer it stays shut.
J. Chapman
replied that they might consider a large screen on the pitch for World Cup games
in the hope of attracting 2000+. Those attending could be given a voucher to get
a discount at the first game.
N. Timms asked
Lynn FC to consider the following points regarding ground improvements which
have been raised by Trust members:-
Parking problems
Dirty toilets
Roof over the
terraces behind one goal
Disabled access
and facilities
Match day Mascot
Path down from
Severn Sisters
K. Chapman said
the intention is to make the ground user friendly. This includes a walkway
across the front of the Stand to give easier access from end to end and a new
box office.
J. Chapman
reminded last years' season ticket holders that they can gain free entry to the
first 5 speedway meetings this summer.
Q (NT) If we are
playing in the Ridgeons or UCL Division One next season is your Business Plan
robust?
A. Yes
Q. (NT) If you
wish to end your control of the Club at any time in the future will you offer it
to the Trust before any other interested party?
A. J. Chapman
replied "Absolutely because the Trust were the only other bidders for the
lease". J. Gamble asked for confirmation that Lynn FC would have no objection to
such a clause being written into the lease by the Council. This wasn't concluded
or agreed at this time by J Chapman. However he offered a half page slot in the
match programme for the benefit of the Trust and its fundraising activities
which he would assist whenever possible.
The 100 people
at the meeting were then asked to vote on the new name for the Club, the votes
on the night being added to those already received through the Lynn News.
The voting was
as follows :-
LYNN
FC 5 votes
LYNN TOWN
FC 3 votes
KING'S LYNN TOWN
FC 155 votes
J. Chapman
suggested that the next meeting should be delayed till May as a meeting in April
would be pointless till the FA had made its recommendation. This was agreed
unanimously.
K. Chapman
concluded the meeting by thanking everyone for attending, and looked forward to
football at the Walks in July.
This report has
been produced by The Blue and Gold Supporters Trust without reference to any
third part and are purely a representation of the meeting without any views
expressed by The Blue and Gold Supporters Trust.
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