Ian opened
the meeting by welcoming all attendees and asked that they write their name and
signature on the list provided, as all attendees would gain a match credit
point for attending.
Ian
introduced the committee:
ChairmanIan
Lawrence
Vice
ChairmanChristine Lawrence
TreasurerRichard
Beale
SecretariesClark
Campbell, Chris Williams, Paul Richards, Angie Lewis
Ian asked if
there were any objections to the committee members to which there were none.
It was
agreed there was no need to read out last year’s AGM minutes, as copies had
been handed out to all attendees.
Treasurer’s
Report
Richard
Beale sent apologies for his absence, due to a prior commitment.
Copies of
last season’s club accounts containing details of Assets and Liabilities were
handed out to all attendees. Ian reported that the club was in a healthy
financial position and that the cumulative value of the club at the end of last
season was £5,949. The rise in value from last season was mostly attributed to
an increase in the number of home games due to lengthy cup runs. Obviously this
could not be relied upon for the coming season and therefore the club may consider
a price increase for bookings. Ian confirmed that the coach company (Watts) had
again increased hire costs this season. Discussion of this is covered under the
heading Coach Prices.
Club
Rules
Ian read
out the Club Rules which are attached.
Ian stated
that he would like to clarify the following Match tickets rules so that there
is no confusion:
·If the
member for whom the ticket was obtained cannot make a fixture, then he/she
should inform Ian giving at least 24 hours notice. It is not deemed fair for
the member to pass the ticket to anyone else. This is to ensure that the next
person on the waiting list can be issued the ticket. This was agreed by the
attendees.
·SEASON
TICKET HOLDERS:
If a Season Ticket Holder cannot attend a Home game, Semi
Final or Final, the Club expects to be offered the ticket in order to issue it
to another member on the waiting list. Ian stressed that if the Club didn’t use
the ticket for away games thereby building up credits throughout the season,
then it is unlikely that the Ticket Holder would have gained enough credits to
obtain the Semi Final/Final ticket. Ian proposed that if a member does not
abide by this rule and continues to offer their unwanted tickets to other
people, then that member should be suspended until the next AGM, where each
case will be discussed. A vote was taken by all Season Ticket Holders present.
The proposal was carried by 5 (For) to 3 (Against).
·AWAY
Tickets:
Ian confirmed that some members are offering and taking
tickets from sources other than through the Club. The Club is therefore losing
credits which would normally be gained by the tickets being booked through the
Club. This in turn will reduce the amount of tickets the Club would be
allocated for future Semi Final/Final tickets. Chris pointed out that the
minimum number of tickets required to be booked on the Away Scheme are 11 per
game and on occasions the Club has been unable to sell this allocation due to
members obtaining tickets elsewhere. Obviously the Club is losing money if left
with extra tickets. Ian proposed that any member offering or taking Away
tickets through other sources be suspended until the next AGM, where each case
will be discussed. Albert pointed out that if a member wanted to book
alternative transport then they needed confirmation that a match ticket could
be provided beforehand. It was agreed to change the wording of the amendment to
“anyone offering or taking Away tickets through any source other than the Club,
whilst tickets are available, will
be suspended...” This amendment was carried.
Ian stated
that he would also like to add the following to the existing rules:
·Any
member found to be disrespectful, abusive or disorderly will be suspended from
the Club until the next AGM, where each case will be discussed.
·Any
member owing money to the Club will be suspended until the debt is paid
These
amendments were agreed.
Coach
prices
Ian
confirmed that the bus company (Watts) had increased the cost of bus hire by
around £85 per booking. The company stated that due to drivers’ legal hours
being cut, two drivers would be needed on more journeys. This was considered to
be an unreasonable price increase, especially since fuel had actually decreased
in price from last season. Keith asked how much the Club paid for bus bookings
in a season, and was there a written contract. Ian confirmed that the amount
was roughly £60,000 and that there was no contract; bookings were made on a
yearly basis. Paul stated that the standard of the buses was not very good e.g.
extreme temperatures, DVD not working. It was agreed that Ian would shop around
other bus companies to compare prices and Zoe will speak to Ferris’s.
Ticket
prices
Match
package prices to remain the same for the time being, as bus prices are being
investigated.
Chris
pointed out that Junior Gunners bookings should be made two months in advance,
if required
Match
confirmation
Ian
reiterated that members should contact him (preferably by email) between 7-14
days prior to the game to confirm their booking and departure time. If confirmation
is not received the member’s ticket and coach booking may be allocated to
another member on the waiting list.
Other
business
·Ian
asked if the Club wanted to participate in the Player of the Year Award for
Supporters Clubs. This was decided against last year and agreed again this year
not to take part.
·Arsenal
have again asked for ideas for articles to be published in the Supporters Clubs
Culture page in the programme. Any suggestion/ideas for this or for our website
should be sent to Ian.
·Ian
advised that parking will probably be the same as for last season but as there
is a development planned for Queensland Road this may be affected in the
future. Keith and Colin highlighted previous confrontations with opposing
supporters when parked at the Stadium and the lack of police presence. Ian
confirmed that he raises this issue at every Arsenal meeting!
·Ian
confirmed that FirstBet have approached him with a view to advertising on the
Club website as an Official Betting Partner Link. In exchange they will offer
members free bets, raffle prizes etc. It was agreed that Ian would find out if
the Club would receive revenue from them and if not, the Club would decline.
·Ian
suggested that, whilst on the bus, if people want vents open, volume turned up
etc they should ask the driver themselves instead of asking Ian & co who
are also trying to collect the money and hand out the tickets. Also, when Ian
is making the announcements regarding future games etc it would be helpful if
people were quiet during this time. This would save him having to repeat it to
people who weren’t listening or couldn’t hear because of the noise.
·The
Club plays in a 7-a-side football league and welcome new dependable players.
Ian reported that after years of trying the team were finally starting to win
games and were currently 5th/6th in a league of 20!!
Games are on a Friday evening at Spytty Velodrome and players must be male and
age 16+. Anyone interested should contact Ian.
·Orders
and payments for shopping must be submitted to Ian no later than 7 days before
the shopping date. Ian confirmed that he would be collecting shopping on the
following dates: 1 & 30 Aug, 6 & 20 Dec, 10 Jan, 25 Apr and 24 May (if
required).
·Ian
reported that Graham from Maidstone Supporters can get discount on hotels.
Details are on the club’s website along with an address of a site that lists
hotels near to all the Stadiums in Europe.
Raffle
The raffle
was held and the results were as follows:
