Apologies: Paul I, Julia U

Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

The brochure in memory of Sally Devine is set to be released at the first league match against Lincoln City. All of Sally’s photos have now been obtained, with a print run of 500 costing £1,290. The brochure will be sold at £6 per copy, with all profits raised going to the McMillan Nurses, who have also agreed to sell the brochure in their shops.

Treasurer’s Report

The Trust’s total balance stands at £15,897, which includes £100 commission recently received through a winner of the club’s Goalden Lottery.

Memberships

Membership currently stands at 196. A large number of renewals are due before the start of the new season. Reminders will be sent out and efforts will be made to bring back lapsed memberships, with flyers to be prepared and handed out at the Lincoln match.

Floodlights project and forum with club

The Trust’s priority is to get the club to confirm its plans for the floodlights project. As the Trust’s plans and fundraising activities for the coming year will be shaped around this scheme, it is important that details are finalised so they can be released to members as soon as possible. The Trust’s board has asked for a meeting with Charlie Clapham to confirm the arrangements.

The Trust is still keen to hold an open forum for members with representatives from the club, including Charlie Clapham and Liam Watson. The preferred list of topics, which was agreed by members at the last open meeting, has been submitted to Mr Clapham and the Trust is now waiting for a response to confirm his availability.

Coach travel

Now the fixtures have been published, Phil C will obtain quotes from local companies for the cost of coach travel for the season. After the overwhelming success of the weekend trip to Eastbourne last season, the Trust would like to arrange a similar trip again, with the match at Braintree on February 11 and an overnight stay in Southend the preferred option. A day trip to York on March 24 will be explored, as will an early-season special offer, once prices have been confirmed.

Events

The Trust almost has a full team for the cricket match against Liam Watson and his players on July 31 at the Rookery. The match will be 20 overs a side, with Phil C arranging the kit and catering, while entry on the day will be free.

Geoff Wilde has made contact with all former Football League players ahead of the reunion on October 9. Tickets will be printed by Watkinson & Bond and letters are now ready to be sent to the former players.

Provided the date is convenient with Liam Watson and the players, it is planned that the ‘Race Night’ will be held after the Cambridge United match on October 1, with the first race at 6.30pm.

AOB

Phil C and Martin R will attend the Supporters’ Direct Annual Conference in Chester later this month. Meanwhile, the Trust will look into producing some memorabilia to mark the club’s 130th anniversary this year. Accounts on Facebook and Twitter will be set up in an attempt to encourage more people to interact with the Trust and raise awareness of upcoming activities.

Dates of next meeting

10 August (AGM)

Apologies: Martyn O’Hara, Bill Sloan

Finances stand at £15699 with £5314 donated through Sally Devine’s estate. Deposit of £875 paid to Prince of Wales. No other money to outlay.

Membership stands in the region of 180

Martin reviewed the meeting with the club on Easter Monday. It was thought that planning permission for the floodlights was due to be heard on 2^{nd June. No decision had been made one way of the other regarding floodlights and Phil had written to the club asking for a fans forum with Charlie, Liam and Haydn to discuss all the issues concerning the supporters at present. The forum would be for trust members only.}

Charlie had replied and apologised for the delay and said once the situation with a certain football club had been resolved he would look at arranging a date, probably towards the end of June. Charlie also requested some areas for discussion.

A brain storming session was had at the meeting and the following areas were raised as topics:

Annual losses and financial accountability

Succession planning

Timing of departure of coaching staff

Community coaching & FA Charter

Competitive budget and approach to the season ahead

Commercial areas

Sustaining attendances

Structure of the board

FA Cup & Transfer money

An updated newsletter would be issued requesting if any further topics were missed and should be added.

Coach travel – one person has been banned after the issues with the Kettering coach, another will be spoken to by Alan and either banned or severely reprimanded.

Events – cricket match, S&B kindly offered there ground free of charge for use of the next match signs to promote the county cricket match. Unfortunately a suitable date could not be found and it was decided to schedule the cricket match at the Rookery on Sunday 31st July. The Trust would use it’s insurance as cover and the player and supporters would have use of the bar. £5 for trust members to play, £10 for no members. Phil to provide equipment and martin to advertise for players and umpires in the newsletter.

Players re-union – 9th October. Well publicised in local and national press. 22 football league players remaining to contact and non league players are being worked on.

Race Night – scheduled for September, waiting for fixtures to be released. Liam has requested early start to allow all the players to attend.

AGM scheduled for Aug/Sept.

Brochure for Sally’s photos – All profits to go to MacMillan nurses. Rob has received all the laptop photos and is awaiting more photos. The trust are looking to produce a 36 page A4 brochure with 500 run and £6 sale price. Sally’s partner keen to be involved. Alan Jones to design front cover. Requests for titles sought.. Aim to launch for mid July.

Next meeting – 7th July board meeting

10th August – AGM and open meeting.

A reminder that there will be a meeting open to all members this Thursday, which will include a report of the Trust's latest meeting with the club as well as giving members the chance to comment on recent developments at the club.

As Southport FC marks its 130th anniversary, Trust in Yellow will host the fourth former players’ reunion on Sunday 9 October 2011 at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport .

The event has been held every 10 years since 1981and the Trust is pleased to have taken over the running of the latest reunion, with assistance from previous organisers Geoff Wilde and Michael Braham.

The evening is always well attended by players from various eras, including some of the most prominent names from the club’s past. There will again be a strong representation from the Sandgrounders’ Football League days, while a big turnout is also expected from the Non-League players.

An open invitation is extended to all former players of the club, with the Trust currently in the process of directly approaching as many as possible.

Although a personal invitation will be sent to a large number of players, the Trust would ask anyone who has played in the Non-League years to contact Rob Urwin on 077900-41514 or via e-mail to programme@southportfc.net to register their interest.

With the chance of a reunion so rare, it is always an occasion for past players to remember.

A £15 ticket will include a buffet menu and players can bring a guest. The evening will start from 5pm, with a limited number of tickets available to Trust members.

Relegation has naturally brought a great reaction amongst supporters of the club both members and non-members of the Trust.

The board of the Trust will meet next week and there is a members’ meeting on the 2^nd June where there will be opportunity for all members to discuss all issues in full. By that time any possible reprieve for us in the Conference Premier may be clearer.