Fans’ Forum on Thursday 4 December at 7pm

Grissles Oleary · December 04, 2025, 03:26:33 PM

Now that the trust are part of the set up will raffle tickets be on sale?

Veratis · December 04, 2025, 04:30:20 PM

Yes Grissles raffle tickets will be on sale.

Blue_and_Gold · December 04, 2025, 05:29:54 PM

Will they be announcing the new Board of Directors?

Mallard · December 04, 2025, 05:38:10 PM

How about a player/director ? Not sure if it's been done before ?

Spiv · December 04, 2025, 08:42:27 PM

Bal made a statement (speech) at the start which covered a lot of ground. But part of that was about the loan, and hope I don't miss quote him. Now they taken charge they've paid in the interest and I'm sure he said substantial amount - if not saying exactly how much - but I'm also sure he said it would take another 16 years to pay back the remaining loan. I did hear later in answer to a question that remaining payments where at least £15,000 per time.

Hopefully the statement Bal made is posted online.

Mallard · December 04, 2025, 08:49:12 PM

Spiv online I couldn't quite make out what Bal was saying that something had to remain confidential, his voice went very quiet when he was speaking at this time. I can't see how it can be Confidential when the Trust are now felllow shareholders ( 130 members). Unless the Trust is also not privy to this information

Spiv · December 04, 2025, 11:18:01 PM

Quote from: Mallard on December 04, 2025, 08:49:12 PMSpiv online I couldn't quite make out what Bal was saying that something had to remain confidential, his voice went very quiet when he was speaking at this time. I can't see how it can be Confidential when the Trust are now felllow shareholders ( 130 members). Unless the Trust is also not privy to this information

I think Bal was talking about another loan (maybe taken out by TSI) when was asked a question, but yes he did answer that question a little quietly

Spiv · December 05, 2025, 09:26:54 AM

But all in all a very positive meeting (forum).

Think it would be nice to have a few per year.

One at the start or just before the start of the season - can introduce new players at the same time

One or Two (depending on what's happening) over the course of the season.

MARCUS ROSE · December 05, 2025, 10:16:15 AM

Quote from: Mallard on December 04, 2025, 08:49:12 PMSpiv online I couldn't quite make out what Bal was saying that something had to remain confidential, his voice went very quiet when he was speaking at this time. I can't see how it can be Confidential when the Trust are now felllow shareholders ( 130 members). Unless the Trust is also not privy to this information

Perhaps he was waiting for the information to be given to Trust members first, before going public. That's normally how things are done.

Windy Linnet · December 05, 2025, 10:28:48 AM

On a need to know basis

TonyM · December 05, 2025, 12:07:59 PM

A few notes of last nights meeting:

As others have said, Bal read a lengthy statement, repeating much of what was in the press release when the takeover was confirmed but then expanding on a few more areas:

looking at merging all age groups below under 16s with KL Elite
thanked David Griggs and Mervyn (apologies I didn't get the full name) for their help on the commercial side and also Michael Clunan for help on commercial and finance
quick plug for the launch of the business club coming up
looking to monetise the stadium with ideas including paddle/5-a-side pitch in Hospital End car park, fanzone behind the main stand, upgrade of bar to include darts, looking at funding options on 3G pitch
need to work more on the community side and get the charity back up and running including outreach to the more deprived areas of the town/area
1st payment of DCMS loan has now been made including all of the accrued interest, this will take 16 years to clear with payments due every 6 months
TSI have now put in over £1m (described as a seven figure sum)
explained it wasn't the original intention for TSI to own the club but SC was no longer able to fund the club so TSI have stepped in to keep things going. They had looked at selling at the end of the 2024-25 season but there were no credible buyers. Bal did also say that TSI's involvement will be for 'multiple seasons' to come

Travis then started the Q&A section of the evening with some nice 'half volleys' for each of the top table

To IC - Reflections on return
Under no illusions to what he was coming back to, squad still needs adjusting but won't be done overnight
To MC - How is dressing room
Been back for five months and three managers in that time with lots of drama, this understandably unsettled the group and they lost confidence. Now more stable and can see confidence returning
To JS - Explain the recruitment process
Lots of turnover in playing squad (last three seasons about 80% each year) but having worked with IC previously has a good idea of what people to get in and working on being destination for players leaving higher level academies
To PE - Introduce the Blue & Gold Trust
Formed in 2009 and lots of hard work has seen ~£100k raised. Good to have an owner who wants to engage with fans but now need to find ways to grow the Trust and encourage younger age groups to volunteer

Questions from the floor

Are there plans to repair the main stand
BS - Not filling the stand at present and obviously have to consider where we spend our money, looking at funding options to ensure things don't get worse
Position of loans (bounce back/DCMS/TSI) post-takeover
BS - bounce back only has 10 months left, DCMS £470k (capital element £15k every 6 months), TSI is confidential
Expand on community activity
BS - not too much happening without volunteers but actively looking to restart
Comment on quality of refs this season
MC - nothing to say ;)
Norman (from the audience) - lots of clubs seem to be complaining this season
What involvement will the Trust have on day-to-day activities
PE - Trust is ready to help but with limited numbers of active volunteers there is a limit on what they can do but always looking for new volunteers
With comments about looking to profit from player sales what is club doing about multi year contracts
IC - try to secure players we like, and have a core of players going into 26-27 then bring youngsters through
So looking at staying FT into the future?
BS - wouldn't have got IC if not
IC / MC - when here previously recruited all of Norfolk for part-time but market harder with likes of Spalding etc. Getting players to turn from p-t to f-t can be costly (lost earnings). FT and accommodation gives more options. Probably not a lot in it
How to expand Blue & Gold Trust
BS - experience with AFC Wimbledon, maybe look at doing something with season ticket holders next year
Question re fines for yellow / red card
No definitive answer

Spiv · December 05, 2025, 01:31:40 PM

Quote from: TonyM on December 05, 2025, 12:07:59 PMA few notes of last nights meeting

You took a lot more than me Tony - good job.

Colin Fuller · December 05, 2025, 03:25:05 PM

Well done and thank you to those providing feedback. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is wrong in the main stand?

Veratis · December 05, 2025, 04:20:16 PM

Colin as you probably know the main stand is mostly made of timber ( built in 1956 ) parts of the flooring in one section of the stand in particular need replacing. Whilst the stand is covered with the direction of the wind rain gets in and problems occur.

Player/director ?? Care to enlighten us Mal.

Mallard · December 05, 2025, 04:41:08 PM

Of course I can't Vera. As a few have picked up. You are very good at asking questions but not so good at answering them. Must be an interview technique.