|
|
Post by Admin on Nov 8, 2021 16:59:02 GMT
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET ANSWERS FROM THE BOARD. THE CLUB ARE ASKING YOU LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE COMING SO RING 01202 884821 NOW IF YOU HAVENT BOOKED ALREADY. NO GOOD MOANING ON HERE LATER. IF YOU GENUINELY CANT ATTEND THEN WE HOPE TO HAVE A BRIEF LIST OF TOPICS DISCUSSED AND WHAT WE WERE TOLD.
|
|
|
|
Post by dorsetdave on Nov 9, 2021 0:19:52 GMT
Ben, the Administrator asked me to make notes about what happened at the meeting as he is working abroad at the moment.
The Fans Forum was well attended. We were told that a new Commercial Manager is being appointed, Ken Wild.
Sponsorship by Fans for players is now available [ £100 each ?]
A lot of time was spent on the fact we have the lowest budget in the League and how James and Gambo [who were present] had to deal with that. For instance the money paid to The 4 Taunton forwards was the same as the budget James has for the whole of our squad. Our budget is the same as last year but it appears other clubs have increased their budget. The nearest team closest to our budget is, not surprisingly, Kings Langley. James and Gambo were very upbeat about the team and refuse to hear the 'R' word. There were discussions about youngsters coming through at SP level. There would be money if we could get new players which is very difficult mid-season. However Jez Bedford from Poole has just signed for us.
The BoD would be open to having new Directors joining in the future, especially younger people.
There is going to be a new full time Events Manager for the clubhouse etc [Clare] who is working out her notice at her current employer. She is hoping to promote such events as Live Bands.
With regard to the pitch and the drainage. Tony Grant is in talks with Wyatts about sorting things out - but it is taking time but reckons they 'wont let us down' More drainage is being sorted for the whole of the site. AFCB are not doing the ground maintenance as was originally arranged as for reasons not fully explained - it 'fell apart. But an afcb employee has taken it on.
Parking was discussed and Tony Grant told us they only had just 2 complaints from the Poole game when car parking overflowed onto the Wyatts estate. He also advised that parking on the street outside a residents house was not illegal.
Apparently Parmiter Drive will eventually become a cul-de-sac[as it was before] and the way in to the ground will be off Leigh Rd near to Bytheway and through the new estate being built by David Wilson Homes.
There were other discussions re a scoreboard [10k for an electronic one] Tony grant said he would be making a wooden one when he has time [ Sounds like we could do with an offer by a Carpenter]
It was pointed out that the fans could be better informed of what was happening as we move along.
Although the meeting had an air of negativity to it to begin with it generally grew into some positivity at the end.
I am not in Grahams class for reporting of events so bear with it. I expect there will be those that attended who take issue of the facts as I have presented them, or I have forgotten items, or have diminished their importance, so feel free to post your comments.
|
|
|
|
Post by magpiesgraham on Nov 9, 2021 10:03:00 GMT
Thanks for your summary, Dave. I'd like to add a few more points which may cover some of the questions raised on this Forum:
The 3G pitch has been funded by a personal loan, interest-free - how good is that! The BoD aim to repay it over 4 years.
They would like to provide more hot food at games eg burgers, but there's no-one to do it.
Surplus money from the Youth set-up is passed back to the Club.
Details of available sponsorships - player, game, ball, etc are on the "Commercial" section of the website.
The Club wanted to progress options for using the ground with AFCB, but Bournemouth called off discussions.
Lee Merrifield fielded questions about the playing budget. Basically he wanted to stay within the Club's means, but was regularly looking at ways to increase it.
A personal view - on the old Forum, Lee was a regular contributor on behalf of the BoD, and he fielded lots of questions. We do miss that.
An overhang will be fitted to the 2 stands to provide protection from rain for the first 2 rows, and a cover put across the space between the stands.
A drainage channel will be laid between the 3G car park and the main car park.
|
|
|
|
Post by welshwingwizard on Nov 9, 2021 10:32:18 GMT
Thanks chaps sounds like there was a lot of stuff covered.
I have looked at sponsor costs on the site before and while it is a bit out of my price range it would be great if this board could fund something.
|
|
|
|
Post by tbtv on Nov 9, 2021 13:29:53 GMT
A lot of topics were addressed, some of it successfully and succinctly but some of it was a painful listen/watch. Speaking as (possibly) one of the only neutrals in the room, the overriding theme seemed to be a failure of communication both over the last months/years and on the night itself. Graham tried to push a couple of comms related questions but didn’t get a full/satisfactory answer from what I heard (correct me if you feel otherwise Graham).
Examples will probably help here … Regarding smaller sponsorship opportunities, the audience was told the website had all the info, yet pretty much nobody in the room was aware of it. Discussions about lack of use of the clubhouse drew an answer that some signs would be made. Another answer about advertising was limited to “it’s in the programme”.
This approach depends on one of three things;
1) someone is on the club website, hunting around for a needle in a haystack (the Commercial section should be front and centre)
2) someone is at the ground the read a sign
3) they are at a game and are reading the programme.
This is not how 21st century advertising works.
There has to be a presence on all social media platforms, repeatedly. Repetition is key & that’s why most clubs who are thriving have a media/communications manager. If there’s nobody capable, advertising for the role needs to extend beyond a posting on the website and a one time shot in the dark on social media. I’ve been told that the current level of online engagement is limited to one check per day - frankly, that’s not good enough.
Absence breeds negativity - fill the gap with all the good things that are happening - surely that would help bring in new connections?
Tony Grant mentioned that AFCB Women have enquired about using the stadium (I think they currently play at Potterne Park, Verwood) but he hasn’t had a chance to respond.
Given the extensive discussions about budgets and how everything shouldn’t (quite rightly) be on the BOD’s shoulders and, surely this should be jumped on immediately by the new Commercial Manager? The ladies teams play on a Sunday, so it could be another money spinner with the clubhouse too.
I’ve rambled enough. Suffice to say I found last night frustrating. There’s so much that is good about the place, it’s a shame the negativity thrives when it really shouldn’t have the space to.
|
|
|
|
Post by welshwingwizard on Nov 9, 2021 15:31:16 GMT
Tbtv.absolutely spot on.100 per cent agree.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2021 17:59:59 GMT
It was nice to see that Yogi was able to make an appearance, Im surprised that he had little to say considering the front row seat taken.
|
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Nov 10, 2021 23:21:48 GMT
Lol... As previously mentioned I am currently away on holiday tanning my fur coat although I am not sure how you would have known if I was there... I am hardly going to turn up wearing a Yogi outfit!!!
Thank you to the attendees who have posted well thought out and considered posts regarding the evenings events even if some of the answers given by the BOD were a little vague.
Did anyone ask the question "why do the club ban people from the clubs Twitter page"
|
|
|
|
Post by silver on Nov 11, 2021 15:04:07 GMT
Lol... As previously mentioned I am currently away on holiday tanning my fur coat although I am not sure how you would have known if I was there... I am hardly going to turn up wearing a Yogi outfit!!! Thank you to the attendees who have posted well thought out and considered posts regarding the evenings events even if some of the answers given by the BOD were a little vague. Did anyone ask the question "why do the club ban people from the clubs Twitter page" Oh come on. I saw you there with your comedy glasses and moustache on! Loved your tee shirt with the slogan 'Ranger Smith for Prime Minister'. However it was a bit of a giveaway!  |
|
|
|
Post by yogi on Nov 11, 2021 19:27:45 GMT
Nice touch Silver... Even though Ranger Smith and I don't always get on... I think he could still do a better job than Bo Jo as PM.🤣
|
|
