MINUTES FROM OPEN FORUM. WEDNESDAY 20th of FEBRUARY.

KS opened the meeting by welcoming supporters present and asking invited them to ask questions, after IKE confirmed that no written questions had been received.

Q Have we had any offers from potential investors in the club and if not will this affect the club moving forward.
KS We are always in discussion with sponsors that is our main steam of income. We have not had any serious investors approach us. Anyone wishing to take more out” than they are willing “to put in” will not be entertained.
ARP We are a club owned by “thousands” of individual shareholders and our balance sheet is supported by a large number under “unpaid loans” two issues not favourable to investors. In this instance the word investor is not correct, as we need someone to be in a position to giver us money without a return. These people do not grow on trees and there is no queue outside the gates waiting to “invest” If anyone knows of someone them point them in our direction.
IKE I am sure that behind your question is the rumour that we (the executive) have supposedly turned down such an offer. We had an approach from a local businessman who met with the exec but did not make any “firm” offer. E was given a set of accounts, which were passed on, to his accountant and we received a letter stating that he did not wish to continue with his interest.

Q Are all the profits from the Social Club passed to the football club.
ARP Yes. In fact it is part of the constitution. We do ensure that some profit is put back into the social club. This year we have re-wired and decorated, with new lighting.

Q Would there be any benefit in forming a committee to look at ways and means of improving the social club as far as events are concerned.
ARP Most of the clubs/pubs in Blyth are suffering, not all of them open every day or night of the week. Any additional events would be welcomed.

** At this appoint it was agreed for Ian Burt to supply names of a proposed committee to Brian Davison for a sub-committee to be formed.

Q As there have been a number of outstanding performances what thought have the committee given to players on contract.
IKE Dale, Bell & Bartlett were coming to an end of their two-year contract with McCabe & Christiensen on a further 12-month option. A number of other players are also in negotiation.
KS We cannot afford to have two many players on contract, no club at our level can.
IKE You must also take into consideration that not all players wish to sign a contract, as they require to “keep their options open”

** At this point JW was asked to give an update as to the Playing for Success project. The long awaited build will commence within the next three weeks and should be completed in June, ready for season 2008/09.

Q Are we not in a catch 22 situation as far as investment and finances. We do not seem to get the response when we have “special offers” in attracting additional supporters. If we play well on the pitch we will increase our attendance and increase our income.
KS I agree. But that will not stop us from trying these offers. What do expect us to do? Nothing?
ARP As has been pointed out time and time again the total amount provided for in squad wages is the total amount raised after direct expenses. No other individuals take money out of the club other than players. This seasons wage budget was increased over last year. We are forecasting to overspend on that budget yet at the same time are experiencing gates 9% below are budgeted target.
The rumours were already out there, which led to a meeting we had with the players prior to our game with Gainsborough on the 26th of January. At that meeting it was confirmed that the wages would not be cut. We are in this predicament together and we shall not be relegated. Your executive has arranged to fund the shortfall.
IKE To throw finances at a playing squad does not always work. We have many local examples of some “spectacular” failures.
KS We have faith in HD and our scouting network

Q We see each week that visiting teams have a number of ex ros in the squad and we do not.
ARP The days of ex-pros moving down the ladder through none league are in the main behind us as these guys have earned enough whilst a professional. We need to look at local young talent and bring them on here at the club. HD and the team have found a few gems to date.

Q Will Forsyth be getting a game.
HD He has come to us not match fit but he has played a few games elsewhere and has trained with the team, but I will only use him if needed.

Q We obviously have a problem with this catchments area in attracting players from the professional clubs. Does this also affect training?
HD We need to train, when we can, twice a week. Not all our players can manage that either due to distance or work commitments. It is a problem that most clubs at our level will experience. I have a different job now so additional training for the likes of Garry Brown and Andrew Johnson takes place afternoons mid-week down in Durham. We play “off the cuff” on most Saturdays.

Q What is the situation with Robert Dale.
HD He has come a long way with us from where he was playing originally. Unfortunately teams know who to look out for and will not let him get away with some of the things he got away with in the Unibond. On a good day he is good and on a bad day he is good, no in between with Robbie.

Q He seems to roaming around a lot.
A He has to do to keep in the game.

** At this point ARP gave presented details of our stage 3 development programme covering the Federation stand and training area.

Q If Gateshead are promoted, and they are still willing to pay high wages will we not loose all our players.
HD It is a possibility, but we will not loose them all. Besides a very high percentage of our players want to play for Blyth and money is not there motivation. I believe that Blyth is the only team in the North East none league team that can move up the FA structure because our support base is far better than any Gateshead or Blue Star. Our players recognise this also.
ARP This might upset some people but as a club financially we would welcome the likes of Gateshead Blue Star etc to be at our level. Not only for the attendance increase but it will mean less travelling. For every NE team in the Conference North you can start moving your Ketterings, Worcesters & Telfords to the Conference South.

Q Did Fozzy leave for more money.
HD After signing Garry and having Andrew Leeson back fit I told Fozzy that he had moved down in the pecking order. I accept that he has had a big input to the clubs success in recent years. We had received a seven-day letter from Whitby and he chose to move on. I wish him well. Money was not discussed although he did text a few players telling them of the wonderful deal he had got at Whitby. He forgets that I am still in contact with a number of officials and the deals is nowhere near what he says it is. You just cannot take what a footballer declares as his wage as being correct. I speak to Ian Bogie at Gateshead on many occasions and we compare notes. Believe me some of the wages certain players say they earn are far from the truth.

The meeting finished with ARP thanking those present.