The Club 2002-2003
Bring and buy coffee evening on
29 November a roaring success and raises £620 for the club Report and photos
Quiz night
4 November 2002
Stamford Arms,
Altrincham
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The Stamford Arms, Altrincham
offered to help the Altrincham FC to raise funds and they invited the club
to hold a quiz night on 4 November 2002 in addition they provided the
room, sandwiches and a bottle for raffle. This resulted in a very successful
and enjoyable evening with 11 participating teams. The quiz and the raffle
raised 245 pounds for the Club. The Stamford Arms is to be thanked for
their help. |
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| The Saga Seekers
one of the teams, which contains several well known Alty identies |
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| The winners were
the Fat Charmers |
a Hale based firm involved in recruitment
is now the sponsor of the renamed Blue Cannon Family Enclosure. The
Enclosure was opened this evening and Blue Cannon were both Match and
Matchball sponsor. Click on their logo to learn more about the Company
Geoff Goodwin
is Chairman of Altrincham FC
Geoff Goodwin at a recent supporters meeting
(A competition for locals who know the Noel White Suite. Who's
pinched the Ladies? No prize for getting the right answer)
The Board of Altrincham Football Club has
appointed is Geoff Goodwin, owner of the local company Goodwins
Coaches. The other members of the Board are Grahame Rowley and Andrew Shaw,
all of whom recently joined the Board. All supporters will wish Geoff well and
hopefully will provide him with support in getting the Club back on track.
MARK POVER
It is with deep regret that Altrincham FC
record the death of one of their current Youth Team players, 17 year-old Mark
Pover. Mark died on Saturday after collapsing whilst playing in a local league
game in the Stalybridge area, where he lived. His collapse came just five
minutes into the match. The condolences of everyone at Altrincham FC go to
Mark's family, his team-mates and friends.
Mark was the son of the Stalybridge Celtic FC physio, Dave Pover, who was
formerly at Leigh RMI. Mark himself played for the RMI Reserves last season
before joining Altrincham for 2002-03. A tall midfielder/defender, Mark had
already broken through into the Altrincham Youth
team's starting line-up. He had also won representative honours with the
Stalybridge & District F.A. side. Tonight's match between Frickley and
Stalybridge has been postponed as a mark of respect.
Public Meeting
called by the Directors of Altrincham FC
18 October
2002
John
Laidlar report is from his Official
Site
OPEN MEETING
The following is NOT an official account of the meeting, nor does it
record the meeting in its entirety - it lasted an hour and three-quarters. It is
a brief summary which I hope is accurate.
At tonight's Open Meeting at Moss Lane, the Board and the Club's major
shareholders responded to questions from an audience of over a hundred fans (and
a mystery man, apparently from a business publication). As well as the Chairman
(Geoff Goodwin), the other two Directors (Grahame Rowley and Andrew Shaw) and
club secretary/team manager Graham Heathcote answered questions put from the
floor. Also in attendance were a number of the major shareholders. These
included Club President Noel White, former Chairman Gerry Berman, Ernie Fryer
and John King. Geoff Goodwin started the meeting and responded to a question
about why the recent managerial vacancy had not been advertised by saying that
Graham Heathcote was appointed because in him "we had the best coach in
non-league football, already at the club". It was indicated that Bernard
Taylor's contract would be paid up weekly till the end of the season. However,
as Graham is receiving no pay for managing the club, over and above that for his
part-time role as Club Secretary, and the playing budget has remained unaltered,
there was no additional cost incurred by the change of manager.
Amongst the facts to emerge from the meeting was that the current Board
adopted previously incurred debts amounting to £700,000, including substantial
former Directors' loans. However, as Andrew Shaw explained, by far the most
pressing debts were those to the Inland Revenue and to H.M. Customs and Excise
(VAT). Because of the urgent need to address the debts to these two bodies, the
Board had concluded that it had no option but to attempt to broker a "land
deal" involving Moss Lane. Like the previous such deal, which expired
recently, this new deal was subject to confidentiality clauses, for the time
being. Trafford Council were involved in this deal and this, it was stated,
guaranteed that the club would not cease to exist or move a significant distance
from Moss Lane as a consequence of the deal. The sponsorship of the club shirts
was also tied to this deal, though the income from the sponsorship would be
additional to the land deal. It was stressed that this deal had not been signed
and that no announcement could be made for several weeks, even assuming the deal
was successfully concluded. This was "secrecy for the right reasons",
said Andrew Shaw. Geoff Goodwin stressed that the club would have to adopt
"low budget" football in future if it was to survive. Barry Pond
underlined the need to find sponsors for games and other activities at Moss Lane
and urged all supporters to help in this task.
The mystery businessman, armed with the Altrincham FC accounts and a list of
shareholders, asked a number of searching questions about share issues and other
financial matters, including the destination of any funds raised from a sale of
the ground. Andrew Shaw responded to these but felt unable to answer them all
due to the confidentiality of the impending deal. Grahame Rowley pointed out
that the timescale for a share issue was too long given the pressing debts so
the land deal was the only viable option to save the club. The persistent line
of questioning from the businessman elicited an angry response from Gerry
Berman, who then walked out of the meeting. A number of questions from
supporters expressed concern at the lack of communication about the land deal
and other events at the club. Concern was also expressed at the perceived lack
of support for the creation of a Supporters' Trust at Altrincham and that the
club might lose its fan base if it moved. There was also anger when John King,
after attacking "stupid directors" in the club's past, then accused
the supporters of having a significant role in the club's debts by their failure
to question why players in the past were signed for large transfer fees which
had cost the club too much money. John later publicly apologised for his attack
on the supporters.
There was a "frank exchange of views" at one or two points during
the evening but the meeting was for the most part conducted constructively.
Grahame Rowley and Geoff Goodwin stressed that they were always happy to be
approached if fans had questions. On the playing front, some supporters
expressed the view that certain players had let them down this season. Graham
Heathcote indicated that he had held a meeting with the players yesterday
evening at which he had laid down the ground rules for playing for the Club.
Amongst these are that players turn up punctually, wear the required
"gear" and spend some time in the Club bar after each home match so
that supporters can talk to them. He is determined to instil a sense of pride in
the Club and will not hesitate to replace anyone who does not show such an
attitude. Indeed, Graham had told the players that "if you believe there is
a better non-league club than Altrincham in the North-West, you are wrong".
He received strong applause for his statement. He is fully aware of the
financial constraints and will appoint an unpaid assistant to help in the near
future. Between them they will scour the local leagues to locate talent as it
"does not come knocking at the door". Graham also commented on the
need to support the players and, indeed, the concluding sentiment of the meeting
was that everyone must pull together and put aside the factionalism that has
been evident in the past. As Ernie Fryer put it, in conclusion, "Let's go
forward".
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A well attended meeting discussed the future of Altrincham
FC, here are my reactions to the meeting
It was well attended
Perceived lack of communications was one of the root
problems within the Club
The Directors had no option to dismiss Bernard Taylor, as
manager, because of the teams woeful performance since the start of
the season culminating in a defeat in the FA Cup at Guiseley and the fact
that Taylor refused an offer to resign.
The Directors did not advertise the manager position
because they considered that they had the ideal man for the job in Graham
Heathcote. Coupled with the fact that an early appointment was essential
and funds were not available for an extra salary as Bernard Taylor quite
rightly had exercised his right to continue to be paid as the Board had
broken his contract.
Graham Heathcote was prepared to work without additional
payment so the changes would cost the Club no extra money.
The Directors established to the majority they that they
were prepared to listen to the views of supporters
The Directors are negotiating a "land deal"
which might, but not necessarily, involve a physical move of Altrincham FC
to a site within Trafford. This deal is essential for the survival of the
Club and should be complete within three weeks. Commercial confidentiality
prevented any further information being made available.
The Board were not averse to a consideration of a
Supporters Trust but like myself await details of what are the aims of the
trust
Overall its seemed to be a successful meeting. The fans
had the chance to make their view know to the Board and the Board a
chance to explain their position.
The overall impression was that the vast majority of those
present were active supporters of Alty FC and wanted it to succeed on the
pitch and hopefully bring together the various factions which appear to
have developed
|
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| The three wise men. Alty's Board of Geoff
Goodwin, Graham Rowley and Andrew Shaw |
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| Grahame Heathcote, appointed by the Board to
replace Bernard Taylor as Manger. |
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| John King ex- manager of Alty FC and one of
the major share holders forcibly expressed his opinions as to what he
thought were the problems of the Club. He later apologized for the
comments he had expressed and language he had used but this was because of his passionate love
for Alty
FC |
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| President of Alty FC Noel White, who in many
ways, was the star of the show asking for support for Alty FC and its
Board |
BERNARD TAYLOR'S CONTRACT ENDED
The following is a Press Release from Altrincham FC.
Press Announcement.
The Directors of Altrincham Football Club, after consultation with a number
of the major shareholders in the club, have today terminated the contract of the
Manager, Mr Bernard Taylor. This decision was arrived at following the team's
recent poor run of results culminating in the FA Cup defeat at Guiseley on
Saturday. The Board wish to record their appreciation of Mr Taylor's efforts
during the years with which he has been associated with Altrincham Football
Club.
Mr Taylor's replacement will be Mr Graham Heathcote, who has been involved
with Altrincham Football Club, both as a player and in various off field
activities for the last 30 years. Mr Heathcote will combine the role of team
manager with that of General Secretary. Mr Geoff Goodwin, Chairman of Altrincham
Football Club commented "Graham's experience of both Altrincham and the
non-league football scene will be invaluable during these worrying times. We are
still in a serious financial situation and the new Manager will have to work
within the same budgetary constraints as Mr Taylor had previously".
The Board are acutely aware of the fans concerns at this present time and are
thus proposing to hold an open fans' meeting this coming Friday, commencing at
6.45pm in the Noel White Suite.
Altrincham Football Club
14th October 2002
Robins Review tops again
More ways to help the Club
A bucket collection to raise money for the Altrincham Football Club will be
held at the Runcorn game. For every pound that is collected, the Board will be
putting two pounds of their own money into the club as a donation. Director Bob
Peters says, "The Board on its own can not keep this club alive. We need
the help of the fans. Every penny that is given to the club is important.
Although people may think there is nothing for Altrincham to fight for at this
stage of the season, this couldn't be further from the truth. We are fighting
for survival. We want to see people on the terraces and in the stands, showing
that this town wants Altrincham Football Club to survive. Together we can give
the club a future"
From the Board of Altrincham FC to all supporters.
The following text and the above image have been distributed by Board member
David Tracey following the Club Meeting on 30 March 2002.
Dear Supporter,
I know a number of people couldn’t attend the meeting on Saturday or did
but didn’t get their response forms back to me. Some people may also be
wondering what the initiatives are!
Without further ado, here is a brief description of the initiatives. When you
have read them, fill in the form at the bottom and return it to David Tracey.
Best Regards
David Tracey
A brief description of each is as follows: Shares:- A share release is
proposed to be taken to the AGM for a new scheme to be made in May 2002. Shares
are likely to be £1 each, so own a bit of your club! Alty 100:- To help
Alty reach their centenary season, supporters are asked to donate a minimum of
£100 either in a single payment or up to five payments (5 x £20) via standing
order. As recognition of this contribution, the supporter will be given a
limited edition "Alty 100" enameled badge (not available in the
shops!). There is also a corporate version of this scheme. Alty 200:- By
contributing multiples of £5 PER MONTH, each multiple gives the holder an entry
in a monthly draw. The funds are split 65% to the club and 35% to the winner. An
example if we got 300 multiples, [this] would [mean] around £1000 to the club
and £500 to the winner. In addition "Alty 200" members will be given
reduced admission to the ground for UniBond League games. "Get
Connected":- I know that everybody does not have a house... but many
people do! The club has recently reduced its electric bill by 18%, we are
proposing to get a large number of supporters who are willing to convert
Gas/Electric or both to be given discounts by a supplier who will in turn give
us a healthy contribution/sponsorhip back. Talk to your mums/dads/grandmas, etc.
"Can the Can":- Pete Hughes has kindly offered to be the main
man on this one. The principle is quite simple. You drink the ale, Alty gets the
can (squashed and only alumimum). 18/24 500ml. cans make up around a kilo (if my
scales are right!’) and we get 45p for every kilo. Not the greatest money
spinner but it makes sense to throw it at Alty.
I hope you can give your support to one or all of the above!
Please print off or otherwise send the following details to David Tracey at
the Club (address at top of Home Page). David can also be contacted by e-mail here.
Name:
Contact Number
Please indicated which schemes interest you
- Shares
- Alty 100
- Alty 200
- "Get Connected"
- "Can the Can"
CORPORATE SCHEME
The following is a message from Alty Director, Bob Peters.
Thanks to everyone who has already come forward and offered to be part of
the Alty100 scheme. In response to comments about involving local businesses
more with the club, we have also introduced a Corporate Business Sponsorship
package. Business' participation will be acknowledged by mention in a
'businesses trade directory' within the club programme.
Details of the schemes are given below.
Corporate Business Sponsors will be provided with a certificate of thanks
from the club, and an 'Alty100' badge. Business' names and addresses will be
acknowledged in the trade directory, which will be published in the club
programme throughout the season. It will also be made available on-line
through the club web-site. Business sponsorship also includes a ticket to
the Centenary Dinner, to be held in 2003, at which all sponsors will be
acknowledged. The cost of Corporate Business Sponsorship is £200 + VAT.
Personal Sponsors are also invited to take part in the 'Alty 100' scheme.
Names of personal sponsors will be acknowledged in the programme and
participants will be provided with an 'Alty100' badge. The cost of Personal
Sponsorship is £100 (optionally payable in five instalments of £20).
If you are able to support the Alty100 scheme, please contact Bob Peters
or Dave Tracey at the club. If you know a local business who may be willing
to help support the club, please pass on details to them. We will also be
actively promoting the scheme through the Sale and Altrincham Messenger, and
by writing to businesses in the area.
We are hopeful that the scheme can be really useful in getting the club's
finances back in order.
Bob Peters
Director
Report of an open Club Meeting
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| David Tracey addresses the meeting
From L/R Mark Harris, retiring Chairman, and Directors Jeremy Pollitt,
Hillcrest Homes, David Tracey, financial consultant and Bob Peters, 20/20
Research |
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Report of an open Club Meeting, 30 March 2002, at 1pm
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Altrincham FC,
except for content of the Board's Statement reproduced below.
Background
This Club Meeting was convened by the Board and attended by four Board
members, Mark Harris, Dave Tracey (DT), Jeremy Pollitt (JP) and Bob Peters
(BP). Apologies were given for the absence of Directors Kevan Guiney and Bob
Green. Mark explained that as he was withdrawing as Chairman, he was handing
the floor over for the meeting to the other three Directors. Amongst those
present for at least part of the meeting were the manager Bernard Taylor,
the coach Graham Heathcote (GH) and this season's club captains Steve Hawes
and Mark Sertori. At the start of the meeting the following text was given
to the audience of 80-100 supporters. Below the text is a summary of the
meeting.
ALTRINCHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Issued Saturday 30 March 2002 to an open Club meeting.
As you will all be well aware, the financial situation of the club
inherited by the present Board was extremely serious, to the extent that for
the year ending May 2001 our accounts have been qualified by our Auditors.
The club has made some progress during the year to repay some of the debt,
and to manage to keep the club going. This includes recently avoiding a
winding up order from the Inland Revenue for last year's tax arrears, which
the Directors paid. We have enjoyed additional revenue for our F.A. Cup
successes, SAFE has contributed almost £10,000 during the year and today
will be working hard to increase this figure, and the present Board of
Directors have together contributed around £60,000 to the club this season.
We have also taken steps to reduce the wage bill, the level of which was
far in excess of what the club could afford. It has not been possible to cut
these costs immediately, as many are tied in with contracts that last until
the end of the season. While all has been enough to keep us afloat on a
day-to-day basis. we are a long way from having solved all the club's
financial problems and we are now looking to get Shareholders, Supporters
and Directors alike involved in solving this problem "once and for
all".
While looking after the day-to-day issues, the Board of Directors has
also been trying to get an accurate assessment of the financial position of
the club. Over the course of recent weeks, we have been made aware of
additional financial commitments for which the club are liable. In total,
the club still has around £200,000 of debts. A substantial investment into
the club of the order of £50,000 is required within the next few months if
Altrincham Football Club is to survive.
For this level of investment, the potential sources are as follows:
Financial input can be sought from existing major shareholders of the club
(many of whom have been previously been on the Board). Release of
shareholding by the existing board, to allow investment to be made into the
club in return for shares. An additional share issue (which could be
effected after May 2002).
Each of the above options needs both the willing support of the existing
major shareholders, and the financial support of those of us who have
affection for the club and want to see it survive. Additionally, new
initiatives are required to provide the club with a basis of secure regular
income for the future. The board is extremely grateful for all the
suggestions that have been put forward over the past few weeks, through the
web site and in direct correspondence to the club.
Some of the most promising ideas are:
- Launching of new fund raising schemes such as "Alty one
hundred" and the "Alty two hundred" clubs, both aimed at
generating continuous revenue.
- A programme of regular informal events using the club's hospitality
facilities (following the success of the recent curry evening, with
Graham as guest speaker).
- Development and more proactive promotion of the club's bar facilities.
- New corporate sponsorship opportunities (including product placement).
The income side has to be balanced with controlling costs. For
2002/2003, we have budgeted for a reduction of 40% in the overall wage
bill (players and management), and we have to ensure that we work to
this budget. As recent weeks have proven, player injuries take their
toll and there is pressure to bring in new players to cover. This cannot
be an excuse to exceed the cap on the total budget, or all our
fundraising efforts will be pointless. The approach must be to develop
players, through the youth and reserve teams, who can take their place
in the first team squad. Rumours of the demise of youth and reserve
teams are very much unfounded. They are the future of the club.
We hope this clearly sets out the task facing the club if it is to
survive. We need immediate funding and support for this from
shareholders. We need commitment from fans to support future fund
raising initiatives to give us regular income. We need to ensure costs
are tightly controlled. Finally we need to develop players with ability
and commitment. We see this as the best strategy to help the club
survive, but without the support of fans and shareholders, we cannot
succeed.
The Club Meeting
DT (Dave Tracey) explained that the Club is still losing almost £2,000
a week. A budget for 2002-03 has been devised showing a deficit of £16,000
but this makes no allowance for income from cup runs. The auditors
wanted the Board to guarantee any shortfalls in income so the Board is
now approaching the supporters to look at ways of improving the
financial situation. Customs and Excise (VAT) and the Inland Revenue are
the major creditors. Only three weeks ago the Directors had to find £18,000
to avoid a winding up order and they have, in all, put £70,000 into the
club over the last year or so. Debts are in the region of £200,000
despite the FA Cup income this season.
GH (Graham Heathcote) asked why the financial crisis was being
presented as a new problem when it had been aired four years ago; he
asked what faith supporters could have in the budget next year when
little had been done to rectify the deficit over the past year. JP
(Jeremy Pollitt) responded that the reason for the current meeting was
that the situation needed urgent action as the Board alone could not
undertake to pay off future bills as it had done up to now.
A questioner from the floor asked why the Club had spent money on
loan players recently when the financial situation was known to be weak.
The Board responded that players had been released and that at the time
we had been in a position where we might get promoted so the loan
players were engaged with that in mind. Queried about the released
players, it was revealed that apart from Carl Furlong, Chris Adams had
also been released and another player had taken a pay cut. Another
questioner asked why the promised cut of £800/week in wages had not
been enacted and it emerged that the players had apparently refused to
accept this. Another member of the audience indicated that the previous
manager, Mark Ward, had been dismissed for, amongst other reasons, not
keeping to the pay budget. There were also comments made from the floor
about lurching from one crisis to another.
BP (Bob Peters) then itemised a number of possible fundraising
schemes. These included:
- approaching multinational companies for promotional products
- approaching local companies e.g. for adverts in diaries, calendars
etc.
- share issues
- the Alty 100 and 200 schemes mentioned in the above Board Statement.
The former scheme would involve donations of £100, the latter would be
for regular payments to the club by supporters.
The audience were asked to complete a form indicating their interest
in these and other schemes such as converting their gas/electric supply
to a supplier who might pay the Club a percentage on the new customers'
bills. A "Can the Can" scheme was also suggested by the Board,
whereby the Club would recycle aluminium cans.
In response to a question from the floor it was stated that schools
were being encouraged to come to Moss Lane and that there would be a
reinstatement of the schools' matches at Moss Lane at half-time in first
team fixtures.
DT indicated that though he had wished to raise gate prices next
season, he had been outvoted. however, a voice from the floor suggested
a rise for adult entry would be acceptable.
In response to another question, MH (Mark Harris) revealed that Rod
Thornley and Jason Gallagher were the only players contracted for
2002-03 though there was an option on Ian Craney's contract. Players
such as Danny Murphy and Stuart Coburn were out of contract at the end
of this season. JP concluded the meeting by underlining that the Club
could not carry on as now and that new fundraising methods must be
implemented as well as the new tighter budget.
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