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Post by davef on Apr 2, 2024 20:33:24 GMT
Strictly speaking "The Sutton United Supporters' Society Ltd", was formed around fifteen years ago. In recent years it has become dormant and in the middle of last year we received notice from the FSA that they would be taking action to close down the Trust. The Trust is a legally established body and owns shares in SUFC Ltd, it is worth keeping active for many reasons, including giving supporters in general a voice within the company but also supporting various club sporting and social aims. We pulled several years of back accounts together and have got the Trust back on an even keel. However, that is not enough. We need to build an identity and have a purpose and, of course, a lot more members. Currently the only members are the Life Members, of which there are eleven, and we need to contact all of them if possible to vote on an initial proposal that would allow other supporters to attend the 2024 AGM and have a say in the Trust's future. Therefore, if anyone has contact details for the following (or if you are one of them) please email me at the usual address, dave.farebrother@suttonunited.net Colin Norris; Robert Palmer; Richard Wilson The AGM will be held at 7:15 on Wednesday 17th April and all supporters are invited. (Room to be confirmed) AGENDA Chairman's Introduction Presentation of Accounts Election of Officers Setting Annual and Life membership fees Review of the Society's aims and objectives Any Other Business
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Post by Amber Aleman on Apr 3, 2024 6:14:02 GMT
Thanks for the update, Dave. It would be good to see SUST back on its feet. I did some publicity work for the trust back in its early days, though my membership lapsed in 2016.
I believe that one of the three life members you mention is also an active member of this forum.
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Post by suttonpodcast on Apr 3, 2024 20:35:38 GMT
How odd, something made me think of SUST a few days ago.
I'll be up for renewing....might not be so keen if backdated payments are due though.....!
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Rambo
1st team Player
Posts: 1,664
Member is Online
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Post by Rambo on Apr 3, 2024 21:15:22 GMT
No-one will be asked for "backdated payments" Mike, so no need to worry ( as Treasurer I can safely say that).
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Post by os on Apr 4, 2024 22:22:24 GMT
I understand that SUST used to have a member on the board, will that be restored?
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Post by davef on Apr 16, 2024 9:16:37 GMT
* BUMP * Just a reminder of the AGM at 7:15 tomorrow night (Wednesday 17th), in the MBA Lounge. All supporters are welcome
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Post by davef on Apr 17, 2024 14:40:51 GMT
I Hope to see people at this tonight.
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Post by Amber Aleman on Apr 17, 2024 17:24:43 GMT
I Hope to see people at this tonight. I hope to be there. Unfortunately, the train that would get me there for 7.15 is running late.🙄
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Post by andycapp on Apr 18, 2024 11:33:00 GMT
Any news of what happened?
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Post by davef on Apr 18, 2024 12:13:42 GMT
There will be. I'm just waiting for the Trust's directors to approve the minutes and then I will post a summary on here. Nothing startling to report but it was a positive meeting with, hopefully, some worthwhile outcomes.
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Post by davef on Apr 28, 2024 16:42:58 GMT
As promised, here is a brief summary of the recent AGM of the Sutton United Supporters Society Ltd ("The Trust").
Chairman’s Statement
John James opened the meeting by welcoming those present and giving an introduction to the background of the Trust, which had initially come into being as an incorporated body in 2006.
At that time the Trust had been primarily responsible for the club’s development in areas such as junior football, women’s football and disability football and also introduced initiatives such as Jenny Giraffe, the club mascot. Work with local schools was also initiated, a club-wide football development plan was drawn up and investigations were explored to develop a community facility to serve SUFC and Collingwood Recreation Ground.
Money was raised through membership fees and, mainly, through operating matchday catering. Money had been donated for small and not so small projects including the large screen scoreboard as well as supporting the above initiatives. The Trust ran a Brick In The Wall scheme to help fund the pavilion and was responsible for driving achievement of the FA Charter Standard.
ÂŁ3700 of shares were purchased in Sutton United FC Ltd.
Adrian Barry was accepted on the Club’s Board of Directors to represent the Trust.
However, once Mr Barry had later been elected to the club’s Board in his own right there had been a failure to appoint a replacement and with catering taken over by an external franchise, Alltime, interest levels declined, some of the Trust’s directors had resigned and the Trust was allowed to drift, effectively lying dormant since 2017.
Notice from the FCA in summer 2023 of their intention to close down the Trust prompted activity to resurrect the Trust and accounts and paperwork for the intervening years had been prepared and accepted by the FCA and so the next step now became this AGM to explore how to inject new life into the Trust and make it relevant and an important part of club life.
Presentation of Accounts
There had been no transactions for several years. There is £3110.03 in the bank, and the Society’s assets are £3700 of Shares in SUFC Ltd
Aims and Objectives
The original recorded aims of the Trust were primarily:
1) To acquire shares in SUFC Ltd in the name of the Trust
2) To provide a democratic voice for supporters in the running of SUFC
3) To promote SUFC within the local and surrounding communities
4) To consolidate existing fundraising opportunities with new ideas in an attempt to attract extra funds into SUFC
It was noted that in terms of community activities and non-first team football, these now feel under the remit of the club’s independent charitable foundation (“The Foundation”) and it was recognised that the Trust’s involvement here would not need to be as hands-on as previously but that this remained an area where the Trust and its members could support the activities of the Foundation both financially and through volunteering.
A long discussion ensued around how to make the Trust relevant and valuable to supporters, what benefit would they perceive through membership ? It was widely agreed a primary role of the Trust should be to enhance communications between the Club and its supporters, fostering 2-way communications that allowed feedback to address issues that mattered to spectators and fans but also incorporated supporters’ views through consultation, eg when implementing fans’ zones or planning new developments.
One key aim agreed by all was the Trust and Club should work together to enhance the matchday experience and contribute towards maximising the fanbase and larger attendances.
It was hoped that the Trust would once again be offered representation on the Club’s Senior Leadership Team.
It was agreed that in view of the changes to the Club’s share capital, it would serve little purpose to grow the Trust’s investment in the company, as £3700 now represents a much reduced percentage holding.
The revised primary aims were agreed to be:-
1) To continue to hold shares in SUFC Ltd in the name of the Trust
2) To provide a democratic voice for supporters in the running of SUFC, encouraging 2-way dialogue and consultation
3) To support the club’s charitable Foundation in delivering its objectives and to support the Club with relevant CSR objectives.
5) To work with the Club to enhance the matchday experience for all supporters
Membership Fees
Historically the Trust had 3 levels of membership available : Annual membership - ÂŁ10.00 10 Year membership - ÂŁ80.00 Lifetime membership - ÂŁ140.00.
Those in attendance agreed to reduce the annual membership to ÂŁ5, in an effort to attract more members, to retain the Life Membership at ÂŁ140 and to scrap, for now, the option of a 10-year membership. Fees would be agreed in future at the AGM.
Election of Officers
The following were elected:-
Chairman – John James
Treasurer – Dave Rayner
Secretary - Dave Farebrother
Tony Henderson Smith and Messrs James and Rayner to remain as directors.
It was agreed to wait until after the re-launch of the Society had been announced and membership had grown before electing further officers and directors.
Fund Raising
It was agreed to seek to hold an event pre or early season for 2024/25, a joint venture with the Supporters’ Club, as a membership drive. Membership forms and payment on the day to be available. Exact format and date to be agreed.
It was also felt that further joint events could be held throughout the year, and if successful this would also help the Supporters’ Club in areas such as coach travel. It was recalled that the club used to hold a very popular Christmas Party and perhaps this idea could be revived.
There is an agreement with former players Micky Joyce and Micky Stephens to attend an “Evening With” session where they would talk about the club and their memories. At £5/head it was thought that this might be a good way to initially kick-start a growth in funds.
Any Other Business
Several in attendance raised the matter of the club’s identity, in the past they had known all of the directors and officers but this was no longer the case. D.Farebrother briefly outlined the history and reasons for the changes behind the scenes, driven both by financial pressures and EFL requirements, but assured people that in his experience the new directors were trustworthy people and had a commitment to a successful future for the club. However, with several being based overseas they would obviously not be seen around the club as often as had previously been the case when officers were largely volunteers drawn from the fanbase.
M. Dowling, who runs the unofficial podcast service, stated that he had agreement from director Gary Otto to appear on a podcast at some point in the next few months.
It was agreed that a positioning statement from the club giving objectives, long term future etc, would be widely appreciated.
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JK
Spectator
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Post by JK on Apr 29, 2024 14:04:17 GMT
How will aims 2 and 5 work if the club refuse or only pay lip service to listening. There is no fan dedicated supporters representation on the board and nothing to say they have to make allocation for it. As I have said on another thread, the fans only own 1/5th of the club at best now. Where’s the power to make the club listen going to come from without a charter from the club?
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Post by timall on Apr 29, 2024 14:24:11 GMT
How will aims 2 and 5 work if the club refuse or only pay lip service to listening. There is no fan dedicated supporters representation on the board and nothing to say they have to make allocation for it. As I have said on another thread, the fans only own 1/5th of the club at best now. Where’s the power to make the club listen going to come from without a charter from the club? www.suttonunited.net/about/governance/Charter is found here. Like many things it will require to be reviewed this summer, if for no other reason than to amend our obligations from EFL ones to NL ones.
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JK
Spectator
Posts: 27
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Post by JK on Apr 29, 2024 14:44:23 GMT
Thank you Tim. Be good to see the SUST section expanded to show how the 2 work together and obligations to one another etc.
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