 The Annual General Meeting of the Grimsby Town Supporters Trust took place on Saturday 15th August in the Lower Findus Bar, with a disappointing performance on the pitch ensuring a small (but perfectly formed) attendance at the meeting. The meeting opened with the Chairman’s Report, delivered by Dave Otter. After reflecting on his seven years at the helm and both the achievements and frustrations of the Trust during that time, Dave announced that he was standing down as Chairman, as personal reasons meant he was no longer in a position to remain on the Board.
The Acting Treasurer Rachel Branson then delivered her report. Expenditure had exceeded income due to the Trust’s heavy investment in the GTFC youth system using money accrued from previous financial years, resulting in a loss of around £1100 being recorded for the year end 30th April 2009. The Acting Treasurer expressed the opinion that the Trust needs to concentrate on finding new income streams and increasing its membership if it is to continue to make significant investment in the GTFC youth system in the future. Following the Treasurer’s report, the three proposals listed below were all approved by the membership: 1. To accept the financial statements for financial years 2007/08 and 2008/09 2. To reappoint Peter Osborne Accountants as Auditors to GTST 3. To amend rule 86 regarding financial audit – this means that, because turnover falls below a certain threshold, GTST can now undertake an Independent Examination of its accounts rather than a much more expensive full audit. The Board election results were then announced. As there were only five applications to join the Board and fourteen vacant positions, James Bull, Will Douglas, Ian Fitzgerald, Chris Smith and Ian Townsend were all automatically elected to the GTST Board. The candidate manifestos of four of them appear below (the fifth will be published on our website in the near future): James Bull Having witnessed the football club’s alarming decline over the last decade, and especially during the course of the last 3-4 seasons (mainly at a distance as I used to live in Peterborough), I feel it is time to step up and make a contribution, however small, in supporting its recovery and hopefully its return to a more stable and successful existence. The Supporters Trust provides an important and positive voice for fans in this regard, supportive of the club, but not slavishly so, and one which is heard, and hopefully listened to, by the club’s management. With a couple of friends and fellow GTST members, I am in my second year of sponsoring Neil Woods and the coaching staff of Town’s successful youth team and I hope that our involvement has and will continue to raise the Trust’s profile further as an active supporter of the club. I believe in what the Trust has done and is trying to do and will do everything I can to support this in whatever capacity I am able to. Will Douglas I am a life member of GTST and Grimsby Town FC has been part of my life since the age of five when my grandfather started taking me to matches at Blundell Park. Despite living in London all my life, supporting Town just stuck. I get to as many games as I can – usually travelling away to the Town matches closer to London. I truly value my beloved Mariners. Their survival and – I hope – success matter greatly to me. I do sincerely want to help safeguard the future of GTFC for without it, the local community and indeed my own life here in London would be greatly diminished. I helped to administrate the mailing list of the Grim Exile newsletter for many years so I know I can offer commitment and reliability in this Trust context. Ian Fitzgerald I have supported Grimsby Town for as long as I can remember (exiled in Derbyshire for the last 14 years). I was involved in the formation of GTST and have been an active member since the launch. I’m keen to join the board of GTST to help the trust meet its stated objectives. I strongly believe in the idea of football clubs being owned (if not run) by democratic supporter organisations (ideally in the UK this should be by a supporters trust). I also believe that the people entrusted to run the football club should be responsible to the supporters. Whilst Grimsby Town are currently lucky to have a chairman/owner who supports the club, I believe that GTST should do as much as possible to own a bigger share of GTFC on behalf of its members. Chris Smith I am a recognised fan of nearly thirty years standing and a lifetime member of GTST, who continues to contribute regularly to Trust funds. I am committed to the best interests of Grimsby fans and the Trust and in actively promoting the Trust and youth team sponsorship. I regularly contribute articles to both the GTST website and other fan sites to help raise interest in the Trust. As a Trade Union member, I have a strong record of representing members’ interests and have already been in constructive dialogue with GTFC, representing the fans’ interests. I am also a supporter of the non-league game and I think professional clubs can learn much from the game at that level.
Following the AGM, a Board meeting was held and Emma Blackbourn, another of the Trust’s founding members, was elected as the new chairperson. The GTST Board would like to thank Dave Otter for his exemplary service over the last seven years and whilst he is unfortunately unable to remain on the Trust Board, we are pleased to say that he will be continuing his involvement with GTST as our Official Spokesperson. You can view the minutes of the AGM and read the full reports of the Chairman and Acting Treasurer by visiting the Trust’s website, www.gtst.net. |
