STSA Meeting Notes - 10th April 2003

[GarySTFC]

Slough Town Supporters Association hosted a meeting on Thursday 10th April 2003 at Slough Town Football club regarding the future of the troubled club.

 

Forty one people were in attendance for the meeting hosted by Mike Lightfoot, Chaiman of Slough Town Supporters Association, and Chris Sliski, Honorary General Secretary of Slough Town Supporters Association, in which a number of various issues were discussed which are outlined below.

 

Mike Lightfoot began the meeting and opened the meeting through attendees questions to be aimed at Chris Sliski, Honorary General Secretary of STSA.

 

What is the current status with ground shares at the club?

The piece of land which was put forward by Slough Borough Council, the land adjacent to the existing Wexham Park site, is to be decided upon on the 16th June with regard to future developments on that site as a Sikh school is currently being proposed on part of that land.

 

There is the possibility that Martyn Deaner’s plans and the Sikh school site could run side by side, or the other possibility is that with Arbor Vale school relocating to Britwell, the Sikh school could possibly take the existing school site with fewer issues, but again, this outcome awaits the decision and findings of Slough Borough Council on 16th June. It is believed that there may be some complications regarding the Sikh school being established.

 

A ground share is in place with both Windsor & Eton and Harrow Borough FC should it be required that Slough Town have to play away from their current Wexham Park site next season. Chris also emphasised the hands-on role that Slough Borough Council are playing in the talks that are taking place, and also the involvement and support from Slough MP Fiona McTaggart.

 

Given the circumstances, the STSA would, as would most supporters, prefer to stay at Wexham Park if at all possible, but should it not be an option, Windsor & Eton FC is the preferred choice.

 

What role are the council taking in helping the town’s club?

There are a number of complications surrounding the lease and freehold at present which cannot at present be commented on. Chris Sliski did re-iterate that the land is Green Belt land which is classified as Sports & Leisure land and also the positive role of John Davies, Rob Anderson and Steve Wicks at Slough Borough Council. Looking back to Slough Town and Slough Borough Council history, it was raised that although the Council are currently very supportive of the football club, could the same be said once a potentially new council is elected in May.

 

Will the League re-structuring affect this?

The proposed restructuring of Non-League football over the summer of 2004 could also play a part in the club’s future, as it is still not totally clear with the future of the league structures below the existing Nationwide Conference set up.

 

How would a ground share affect Slough’s position with the Ryman League?

Within the Ryman League rules, should we enter a ground sharing agreement with either Windsor & Eton FC or Harrow Borough FC, Slough Town would need to have plans in place to move back to a site in Slough otherwise would be liable to pay a fine to the Ryman League. On a separate note Peter Simpson, the Windsor & Eton chairman, is being extremely supportive and helpful in assisting Slough Town should they require the services available at Windsor & Eton FC next season.

 

What is the status of the allotments?

This question was raised by a supporter of Slough Town who also happens to be an allotment holder on the Stoke Road site proposed earlier in the season for a possible new site for Slough Town FC. It was mentioned that around 30 people are working 80 of the plots at the allotment leaving 170 unworked. It was suggested that moving half the plots away from the Stoke Road site would not be opposed as strongly as moving the entire site.

 

What debts would Martyn Deaner leave?

If the land decision does not go in Martyn Deaner’s favour on June 16th it is expected the current Slough Town chairman would leave the club in the summer, although it has been stressed, the club would be left with no debts outstanding and Martyn would put in a sum of 50,000GBP to help the supporters continue the running of the club. Should this situation arrive with Martyn leaving, control of the club would be handed to Slough Borough Council.

 

Why can’t we be run on a smaller budget similar to a club such as Uxbridge?

It is believed Uxbridge are running a squad of twenty senior players for an estimated wage bill of 1,000GBP per week, yet Slough Town wages appear to be considerably higher but with similar success to what Uxbridge are currently achieving. With more control by a Supporters Trust, this is something which would need assessing.

 

Is this the best long term solution for the club?

We would be looking first and foremost at securing the short term future of the club and providing a stable footing on which the club can progress.

 

Supporters Trust

S.T.S.A. have been looking into establishing a supporters trust, similar to what has been successfully established at teams such as York City, AFC Wimbledon and Enfield Town. Supporters Direct have offered clubs to support to run own affairs. This would put a structure in place including chairpersons who have previous business experience and are more informed about the running of a business. The people would come in on a voluntary basis to assist the running of the club.

 

Chris Sliski was positive about the establishment of a trust and hoped it would go some way to raising the profile of the club within the town and encourage more local business advertising which would help with increasing any potential funding. The trust could run alongside the existing chairman if required in helping the running of the club, or another owner should the existing structure change over the summer.

 

It is believed the club running costs would be in the region of approximately 2,000GBP per week under the Supporters Trust should the situation arise. A vote was taken by all those present to establish a Supporters Trust which was passed unanimously.

 

It was also agreed to have as many options available to the supporters to secure the long term future of the club as possible to avoid any worst case scenarios.

 

The meeting closed at 21.32.

[GarySTFC]

The above will be appearing on the website in due course.

 

Please note the above covers the main points of the meeting held on Thursday.

[Guest]

Thanks Gary.....

 

 

Part 2 Martin Deaner......next Thursday......

 

 

cheers Chris

 

up the Rebels.........

[Ian]

Thanks, Gary. There was much discussed at the meeting and it is difficult to summarise it in a few paragraphs. Thanks should also be registered to Mike and Chris for answering the questions of the fans to the best of their ability.