Post by Daedalus on Oct 7, 2011 8:54:38 GMT
Fans Forum Résumé – 15 September 2011
Lawrence Levy began the Fans’ forum by introducing chairman Ian Ridley, vice chairman Nick Archer and the new principal of Oaklands College, Zoe Hancock, to the audience.
One of the first questions from the floor concerned the 100 Club. Lawrence Levy asked Nick Archer for an update on the current situation. Nick explained that by February 2010 there were only 35 members still involved in the scheme and by November 2010, £840 remained in the account but that no money had come in for some time. It was proposed by the board to make this amount into a capital expenditure for the club, with one item to be purchased. The 100 Club would then be deemed to be dead. The club wished to draw a line under things, with the proposal that a new lottery be formed, hopefully next season at the end of the year.
A question was then asked about the current state of the floodlights. Ian Ridley stated that, at present, there are 11 bulbs out and the cost of renewal, including the hire of a cherry picker to carry out the work, would be in the region of £2,000 to £3,000. The audience were informed that ground regulations for the Evo-stik League Southern Premier and the Blue Square Bet South vary and it was questioned whether the club should spend that money at the present time, when it was not essential.
Lawrence went on to talk about the Club’s youth policy in terms of taking the elite from the community and competing at a high level. The aim is to build a pathway through to the first team and he felt that the club has been missing a trick previously with the Oaklands Academy, which had not been functioning how it should have been. The rugby, basketball and netball side of Oaklands Academy had been working but not the football side, for whatever reason.
Lawrence then talked about the balancing act between monies spent on facilities and monies spent on the team. Ian Ridley stated that we are under budget at present but David Howell would like some leeway for the future. Ian felt that we should be slightly better than we are at the moment and it had not been helpful picking up four red cards in as many games. This would be addressed.
Lawrence then moved on to the subject of Clarence Park. At the present, three sides were using the pitch, in addition to training nights. The Club were looking at other facilities and, within the next month, the Club were looking to solve the temporary position.
Ian Ridley went on to to say that David Howell had started for the club on 5 July with virtually no players, three weeks before the start of the pre season. It was noted that a lot of old faces had returned, who used to follow the Saints in previous times, as well as a notable increase in junior spectators. The subject of contracted players was then brought up but this would be talked about by David Howell later in the evening. Ian Ridley spoke briefly about the Inih Effiong saga, which he hoped would shortly reach a beneficial conclusion.
Lawrence Levy and Ian Ridley were then asked if they were happy everything was on track and going to plan. Lawrence replied that he really didn’t know what was to be expected three months in but he was certainly enjoying it, although he did stress that it was a business and not a toy to be played with and get broken. Ian stated that he felt we were about where is reasonable at the moment, not better but not worse. He felt that we have achieved an awful lot, after being left with just one player on the retained list. It was his opinion that David Howell is a substantial manager and one who he thinks will be very good indeed. He continued to say that off he field, things were amazing but still nowhere near where we want to be sponsorship wise, however it is a lot, lot better than previously and Lawrence said that he thought that we were a ‘perfect fit’ with Oaklands. He said that the biggest thing was the changing mood and attitude this summer. People are once again enjoying Clarence Park, the bar is buzzing and it is very gratifying. He tempered this, though, by saying ‘ it is not how you start, it is how you finish’.
Someone from the floor asked about attendances and that they felt they were disproportionate to the size of the city and what they are doing about it. Lawrence said the average attendance for last season was 324 and the lowest for this season is 329. We have the third highest average attendance in the league this season and we are continuing with initiatives in all the schools, including arranging a mascot competition. The target attendance is 1000. A big ask but that is the target. A 100,000 leaflet drop and viral emailing are planned, an old fashioned sweet stand is proposed for Clarence Park in the near future. Shirts and merchandise are also planned to be sold at the Tourist Information centre in the city centre. It is also planned to use midweek youth players to go into the schools and spread the word. It is so important getting younger people especially involved for their ‘first experience’. At the end of the season, a sports dinner will be a possibility. Lawrence stressed that would listen to ideas from anyone and everyone, stating that we are all in this together.
Lawrence talked about gate revenue and sponsorship and stated that we are living within our means. It is a long-term plan. He spoke about upgrading the ground. The lease will be up in two year’s time. He has been talking to SADC about securing a long term lease and developing the existing ground, if this is a possibility. The Club have been asked to submit a 5-10 year business plan. The situation is on going. He stated that the plan is for a new stadium in 5-7 years. It could be at Clarence Park or a brown field site but he ideal location is Clarence Park.
A short interval followed.
The second half commenced with manager, David Howell, taking questions from the floor.
He was questioned on the number of goals we are conceding. He replied that it was not entirely a defensive problem. We had had to hit the ground running but at times were too ‘gung ho’ in midfield.
He was looking at integrating the first team, reserves and the midweek youth but said that it takes time.
Someone asked if the Peterborough United friendly ten days earlier had been a chance to experiment. David said that he used three reserves, one midweek youth player and three Luton Town triialists in the game. We also have a squad of 25 first team players at the present time and it was always going to be somewhat of a balancing act.
Franco Sidoli, the reserve team manager then spoke. He said that the intention was to integrate with the first team. He reiterated this by saying ‘that when the shirt goes on, we are one’. He is fully committed to working with both the first team and the midweek youth and he reports to David Howell after every game.
David Howell was then asked if he knew his best team. He said that at this time, it was hard to say, with the different factors involved with form and especially with injuries. He continued by saying that when you have a lot of injuries, as is the case at the moment, you are not yet really in a position to reduce the size of the squad. He was asked why no players were on contract. He said he felt it unnecessary and that he felt he had a ‘personal contract’ as such, with all the players and that this was in the best interests of he club.
Graham Golds and James Gray then took the floor and talked about the midweek youth team. There was now a cohesive pathway that has not happened in previous years. Lawrence then pointed out that there were some great footballers coming through and that this could only be good for the future.
David Howell was asked about squad size. He replied that 18 would be an ideal figure but that it was really about making sure we had enough troops for any battles ahead and that was not easy.
Summing up, Lawrence talked about bridges between the midweek youth and the reserves, and between the reserves and the first team. He further stated that the players should always be given the opportunity to cross these bridges. He finished by saying thatt he secret is to have a good network within both the League and the Non-League structures.
The evening ended to applause from the audience at 9.30pm.
Attendance 72
Lawrence Levy began the Fans’ forum by introducing chairman Ian Ridley, vice chairman Nick Archer and the new principal of Oaklands College, Zoe Hancock, to the audience.
One of the first questions from the floor concerned the 100 Club. Lawrence Levy asked Nick Archer for an update on the current situation. Nick explained that by February 2010 there were only 35 members still involved in the scheme and by November 2010, £840 remained in the account but that no money had come in for some time. It was proposed by the board to make this amount into a capital expenditure for the club, with one item to be purchased. The 100 Club would then be deemed to be dead. The club wished to draw a line under things, with the proposal that a new lottery be formed, hopefully next season at the end of the year.
A question was then asked about the current state of the floodlights. Ian Ridley stated that, at present, there are 11 bulbs out and the cost of renewal, including the hire of a cherry picker to carry out the work, would be in the region of £2,000 to £3,000. The audience were informed that ground regulations for the Evo-stik League Southern Premier and the Blue Square Bet South vary and it was questioned whether the club should spend that money at the present time, when it was not essential.
Lawrence went on to talk about the Club’s youth policy in terms of taking the elite from the community and competing at a high level. The aim is to build a pathway through to the first team and he felt that the club has been missing a trick previously with the Oaklands Academy, which had not been functioning how it should have been. The rugby, basketball and netball side of Oaklands Academy had been working but not the football side, for whatever reason.
Lawrence then talked about the balancing act between monies spent on facilities and monies spent on the team. Ian Ridley stated that we are under budget at present but David Howell would like some leeway for the future. Ian felt that we should be slightly better than we are at the moment and it had not been helpful picking up four red cards in as many games. This would be addressed.
Lawrence then moved on to the subject of Clarence Park. At the present, three sides were using the pitch, in addition to training nights. The Club were looking at other facilities and, within the next month, the Club were looking to solve the temporary position.
Ian Ridley went on to to say that David Howell had started for the club on 5 July with virtually no players, three weeks before the start of the pre season. It was noted that a lot of old faces had returned, who used to follow the Saints in previous times, as well as a notable increase in junior spectators. The subject of contracted players was then brought up but this would be talked about by David Howell later in the evening. Ian Ridley spoke briefly about the Inih Effiong saga, which he hoped would shortly reach a beneficial conclusion.
Lawrence Levy and Ian Ridley were then asked if they were happy everything was on track and going to plan. Lawrence replied that he really didn’t know what was to be expected three months in but he was certainly enjoying it, although he did stress that it was a business and not a toy to be played with and get broken. Ian stated that he felt we were about where is reasonable at the moment, not better but not worse. He felt that we have achieved an awful lot, after being left with just one player on the retained list. It was his opinion that David Howell is a substantial manager and one who he thinks will be very good indeed. He continued to say that off he field, things were amazing but still nowhere near where we want to be sponsorship wise, however it is a lot, lot better than previously and Lawrence said that he thought that we were a ‘perfect fit’ with Oaklands. He said that the biggest thing was the changing mood and attitude this summer. People are once again enjoying Clarence Park, the bar is buzzing and it is very gratifying. He tempered this, though, by saying ‘ it is not how you start, it is how you finish’.
Someone from the floor asked about attendances and that they felt they were disproportionate to the size of the city and what they are doing about it. Lawrence said the average attendance for last season was 324 and the lowest for this season is 329. We have the third highest average attendance in the league this season and we are continuing with initiatives in all the schools, including arranging a mascot competition. The target attendance is 1000. A big ask but that is the target. A 100,000 leaflet drop and viral emailing are planned, an old fashioned sweet stand is proposed for Clarence Park in the near future. Shirts and merchandise are also planned to be sold at the Tourist Information centre in the city centre. It is also planned to use midweek youth players to go into the schools and spread the word. It is so important getting younger people especially involved for their ‘first experience’. At the end of the season, a sports dinner will be a possibility. Lawrence stressed that would listen to ideas from anyone and everyone, stating that we are all in this together.
Lawrence talked about gate revenue and sponsorship and stated that we are living within our means. It is a long-term plan. He spoke about upgrading the ground. The lease will be up in two year’s time. He has been talking to SADC about securing a long term lease and developing the existing ground, if this is a possibility. The Club have been asked to submit a 5-10 year business plan. The situation is on going. He stated that the plan is for a new stadium in 5-7 years. It could be at Clarence Park or a brown field site but he ideal location is Clarence Park.
A short interval followed.
The second half commenced with manager, David Howell, taking questions from the floor.
He was questioned on the number of goals we are conceding. He replied that it was not entirely a defensive problem. We had had to hit the ground running but at times were too ‘gung ho’ in midfield.
He was looking at integrating the first team, reserves and the midweek youth but said that it takes time.
Someone asked if the Peterborough United friendly ten days earlier had been a chance to experiment. David said that he used three reserves, one midweek youth player and three Luton Town triialists in the game. We also have a squad of 25 first team players at the present time and it was always going to be somewhat of a balancing act.
Franco Sidoli, the reserve team manager then spoke. He said that the intention was to integrate with the first team. He reiterated this by saying ‘that when the shirt goes on, we are one’. He is fully committed to working with both the first team and the midweek youth and he reports to David Howell after every game.
David Howell was then asked if he knew his best team. He said that at this time, it was hard to say, with the different factors involved with form and especially with injuries. He continued by saying that when you have a lot of injuries, as is the case at the moment, you are not yet really in a position to reduce the size of the squad. He was asked why no players were on contract. He said he felt it unnecessary and that he felt he had a ‘personal contract’ as such, with all the players and that this was in the best interests of he club.
Graham Golds and James Gray then took the floor and talked about the midweek youth team. There was now a cohesive pathway that has not happened in previous years. Lawrence then pointed out that there were some great footballers coming through and that this could only be good for the future.
David Howell was asked about squad size. He replied that 18 would be an ideal figure but that it was really about making sure we had enough troops for any battles ahead and that was not easy.
Summing up, Lawrence talked about bridges between the midweek youth and the reserves, and between the reserves and the first team. He further stated that the players should always be given the opportunity to cross these bridges. He finished by saying thatt he secret is to have a good network within both the League and the Non-League structures.
The evening ended to applause from the audience at 9.30pm.
Attendance 72