Meeting held in Executive Box 5 at the Banks’s Stadium, Monday 2nd July 2018, 15:00
Present:
Daniel Mole (DM) and Stefan Gamble (SG) – Walsall Football Club
Neil Ravenscroft (NR) and Trevor Reece (TR) – Walsall Football Supporters Trust
Apologies:
Walsall Football Club DSA
Walsall Football Supporters Club (The Saddlers Club)
Minutes:
Nick Adshead (NA)
1. Points still to action from last meeting
Safe Standing
DM and SG referred to the Safe Standing item that was discussed at the last meeting and referred to the recent debate in Parliament on 25th June. The Club will continue to monitor the ongoing situation.
2. Update from Walsall Football Supporters Club (The Saddlers Club)
No representative of Walsall Football Supporters Club was in attendance.
3. Update from Walsall Supporters Trust
TR referred to the question asked at the previous meeting regarding if there could be a rent freeze for two seasons to increase the budget available to the Manager. The Club confirmed that the request has been made to the landlord Suffolk Life.
It was noted that there has been a positive reaction from supporters to the signings made so far. SG confirmed that recruitment is still ongoing.
DM confirmed that funding applications are ongoing to improve the Bescot Bar and Legends Bar. DM hopeful funding will be secured between July and December; works to take place once secured. DM also confirmed that there has been a lot of maintenance work ongoing throughout the close season break, the toilets have all been painted, the stadium walls and perimeter walls have been painted. Mirrors will be fitted into the ladies toilets in the coming weeks and hot water will be available in the lower tier toilets from 13th July when the plumbing work is completed.
NR and TR confirmed that the Trust AGM took place on 12th June 2018 and that Kevin Paddock was appointed Membership Secretary. A membership drive will take place at the first two home league games of the season.
DM and SG confirmed the Fans Focus meeting will take place on 10th July. A Meet the Manager Evening is still scheduled but the date is yet to be confirmed. Former Players Day has been confirmed for the home fixture against Oxford United on Saturday 6th April 2019.
DM advised that a possible evening for former player Ally Brown has been put on hold due to Wayne Thomas leaving the Club at the end of the month. When a new Commercial Manager is in place this will be looked into.
Junior Kits are now in stock and on sale in the Club Shop apart from the one size.
DM confirmed all pre-season matches are now confirmed; 06/07/18 Away v Rushall Olympic, 14/07/18 Home v Stoke City, 17/07/18 Home v Aston Villa, 19/07/18 Home v Ajax, 28/07/18 Away v Cheltenham Town.
Season Ticket Books should be ready for collection week beginning 23rd July 2018. The ticket office will be contacting supporters via email or by phone.
4. Disabled Supporters Association
There was no update available.
5 Trust and Club Joint Activities
DM referred to correspondence from SD regarding Walsall FC Foundation in Sierra Leone and a potential visit to our Academy from one of their coaches and a possible trial for one of their players. SD will be contacting Academy Manager Graham Biggs to discuss further.
6 Other Business
No other business was discussed.
DATE FOR NEXT MEETING MONDAY 6th AUGUST 2018 AT 15:00
The meeting closed at 15.55.