Saints Supporters Club AGM – 8th June 2011
Sturtridge Pavillion, Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, NN5 5BG
Presidents Opening Remarks
The President offered his apologies for not being able to attend the AGM in 2010 and went on to express the tremendous support the SSC has given to the Saints. The President explained how he becomes cross with comparisons made between Saints Supporters and those of Leicester and Gloucester as it is apparent at away games both within the UK and Europe how true the supporters of the Saints really are in comparison to these other well supported clubs at home. He urged the supporters never to underestimate what impact it has on the players when they see the army of green, gold and black supporters at the far flung grounds of England and Europe, and explained that the support of the home crowd at Franklin’s Gardens was really worth 10 points – which will be even better when the stadium is re-developed.
The President hoped that he would be half as good again as his predecessor Dr Barry Nuttal, and would ideally like to see membership numbers increase.
It is great that the money from the Tote is put back in to the club, with ice machines and scrummage machines being purchased in the past, that were simply not budgeted for – the President therefore wished to offer his thanks and appreciation received from the Supporters Club during his time as a player and Team Manager.
Chairmans Remarks
I’d like to echo our Presidents words and say thank you all for coming tonight.
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to all the Committee members who have worked hard this year.
As for the team, it’s been a successful year, unfortunately they fell at the last hurdle. Hopefully, they’ll do better next season.
Onto the SSC and what we’ve been up to. We offered the Academy £1000 towards cookery lessons for the lads, but for various reasons it was never taken up. However, Nick Johnston has approached us for funding towards something else.
Several of the playing staff, including the Academy, have suffered serious knee injuries, so the medical staff would like to bring over a knee specialist from the USA. It will cost around £4000, which the Club do not have a budget for. The added benefit is that the Medical staff will can learn from the specialist, so we will be helping them out as well.
Brian Facer, from the Clubs Management team has, in the past, included Membership flyers in with the Season ticket mailshots. We missed the deadline this year, as they went out earlier than expected, but we will be doing it again next season.
Now for some sad news. Fred Dixie, a long time supporter, passed away this afternoon. I trust you will join me in sending our condolences to Anne and the rest of his family.
Apologies
Bev Knell, Maz Newton, Ray Newton, Jamel Hamilton, Adam Reynolds, Jean Webb, Mark O’Dell, Bernie Kilcullen
Minutes for 2010
These were agreed and signed accordingly
Matters arising
There were no matters arising
Secretaries Report
Membership and Fees – the SSC annual membership fee for season 2010/2011 remained at £7 for adults and senior citizens and £5 for children under 16 years of age. We had 314 members for the past season.
Membership could be purchased either in person at the table in the Rodber Bar before home games, on away coaches or online via our website.
Website – we are always grateful for the work and time that David Lowrence puts into the SSC website. Bookings for coach travel using this means has proved popular and decreases the amount of cash we have to carry at away grounds - clearly this is better for personal security of those running the coaches.
I would also like to thank Ian Sargent for keeping members as up to date as possible via email and Facebook.
Events – the supporters club liaised with counterparts at various clubs in order to give them a good welcome when they came to Franklin’s Gardens and have organised some after match bands, and the Christmas draw. We have built good relations with the landlord of the Thomas A Becket pub who has enabled us to be welcoming to away fans such as those who made the trip from Ulster.
In order for the SSC to give something back to it’s members – a bar and buffet was organised before the Heinekin Cup Quarter Final at Milton Keynes – this proved to be popular and a success – our appreciation goes to committee members and volunteers who organised oversaw the smooth running of this.
Coaches – running travel to first team away games is the priority of the SSC which takes much organisation and dedication from unpaid volunteers – it is due to the dedication of a few individuals that successful trips were arranged for the game in Edinburgh, and additional coaches were provided for the quarter, semi and final of the Heinekin Cup. The SSC is hugely grateful to Marion Newton for the amount of work she does in order to guarantee the smooth running of the coaches, and to David Lowrence for his co-ordination of the online booking system.
Grant – the supporters club has traditionally liked to give something back to the club – last year we were asked to team up with the academy in order to send them on a catering course. It was identified that the Academy players received complimentary meat and vegetables but apparently did not know how to make a proper meal!
Due to other commitments, the course was not able to be organised, and so the SSC retained the £1000 grant. We have since been approached by Nick Johnson asking us to help fund a knee specialist to come over from America – to work not only with a number of players from the junior academy through to the first fifteen who have experienced knee injuries. This is in order to get the players back to training and playing sooner, but also to pass on vital skills to the saints coaching and medical teams.
Tote – we are always looking for tote ticket sellers and buyers! The money made from the Tote is ploughed back into the supporters club in order to keep the coach fares as low as possible. So please buy them at home games – you may even win! Also, if you would be willing to sell some tickets before the home games, you will receive reduced coach travel as a thank-you!
Treasurers report
Memberships and Tote are down, mainly due to the present financial climate. The coaches made a modest profit.
Expenditure was approximately the same as last year, taking into account the cost of Tote tickets, newsletters, Christmas draw, Membership cards etc.
No bands were sponsored this year, due to acquiring Corporate sponsors.
Major expenditure/one off payments included:
£1000 for the Academy
£500 for Bruce Reihana’s testimonial
£300 for BHF/SWH9
Membership stood at 314 (including 34 Munster fans trying to get tickets)
We now have a Facebook presence so those of you so inclined can find us there
Election of Officers
Secretary – Helen McAteer wished to be re-elected as Secretary. Proposed by Simon Millward, seconded by Martin Haywood.
Vice Chairman – Adam Reynolds wished to be elected as Vice Chair following his previous service as Chairman. Proposed by Gary Tipping, seconded by David Lowrence.
Election of Committee
There were no new members of the committee.
The following members we re-elected:-
- Jean Collingwood
- Martin Hayward
- David Lowrence
- Roger Munns
- Marion Newton
- Stella Sargent
- Gary Tipping
- Bev Knell
This was proposed by Keith Bennett and seconded by Simon Robinson
AOB
- Jean Webb – has organised the coaches with Marion Newton for 18 years, but is unable to continue with this commitment. Thanks were expressed to Jean for her tireless work over the years. Stella Sargent has kindly offered to help Marion Newton.
