Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust
(Dulwich Hamlet Football Community Mutual Ltd)

Board Meeting Minutes

Thursday 2 October, 2014, 6.45 pm

Venue – Anderton Close, London SE5

In attendance: Jack Bagnall (JB), Guy Grater (GG), Andy Greig (AG), Tom Hall (TH), Duncan Hart (DH), Jonathan Hunt (JH) Chair, Mark Panton (MP) Secretary, Fiona Scurlock (FS), Jack Spearman.

1.	Apologies for Absence – James Masini (JM), but attended for part in telephone conference, Darren McCreery (DM), Eddie Muraszko (EM). 
 
2.		Last Meeting’s Minutes – Minutes from 9 September 2014 accepted, to be signed off by the Chair at next meeting.

MAIN ITEMS BY OBJECTIVE
3.	A Thriving Trust including:
		
3.1  Introduction of Tom Hall.  Tom introduced himself and explained some of his experience at Supporters Direct and work with Lewes FC and the Pompey Trust.  

3.2	 Position of Chair.  It was formally agreed that there would be a rotating Chair of 3 months to take us to the next AGM.  DM had previously agreed to take over as Chair from the beginning of October and this was agreed by the Board.  JH agreed to do second quarter and JM to chair until the AGM in the summer.  The role will now be more of a figurehead as other board members have taken on more of the responsibilities.  JB and AG agreed they will be happy to liaise with the football club Chair, Jack Payne.  DH to continue role as spokesperson and press liaison.  

A vote of thanks for Eddie Muraszko chairing Trust for 7 years was formally recorded.  Eddie will continue in his role as Treasurer.  A social evening will be organised by the Board to thank Eddie for all his work, which is being arranged by AG. 
All

3.3	 Resolution to amend bank account signatories.  This was agreed and new signatories in addition to EM are GG, JB, DM and AG.  

3.4	 Update on Aims and Objectives of the Trust.  DH has finalised the detailed Aims and Objectives document and these have been agreed.  DH and JM also produced a narrative version, which was agreed with some minor amendments.  These will be made available on the website and copies will be provided to Hadley and the Football Committee in advance of them going up.    
DH
A central point of the Aims and Objectives is the promotion of Trust ownership. TH pointed out the need to communicate this to the fan base.  It was agreed that we would draft an article for the website advising members and supporters that as part of the movement towards a supporter / Trust owned football club, the Trust would be advocating the adoption of an updated constitution as provided by Supporters Direct.  The article will provide all supporters with further details of the proposed changes. MP to obtain further documents from James Mathie of Supporters Direct.  
FS / MP

3.5  Southwark Council on Green Dale consultation.  FS raised the issue of the 	club’s lease on the Green Dale astro-turf and the expressed intention of     	Southwark Council to take back the lease back.  As this is central to the 	owner’s plans, it was agreed to ask for a copy of the lease or at least sight of 	the document, in order that the Trust could check the legal provisions.  

	Matt Rimmer (MR) has requested a further meeting concerning ground 	developments with the architects (Farrell).  JM and DM to confirm availability 	for a further meeting and respond to MR.

	In order to support the proposals for the new ground we need to understand 	much more of the details.  This also includes the existing plans contained 	within the pre-app and the future-proofing of the ground, so the meeting 	should include 	architects.  Timing and agenda for further meeting is to be 	agreed.   
JM / DM / DH

		JM attended on a conference call.  A number of the above issues were 			discussed.  JM made the point that we don’t want the ground just to be the 			appendage to a residential development.  Club facilities should be attached to 		the ground (including bar with view of the pitch, shop, boardroom, etc) and 			the Dartford stadium was cited as an example.  
	 
	It was agreed that a two-pronged approach of working with Hadley and also 	influencing Southwark councillors and officers was necessary.  There is a need 	to speak with 	councillors and officers about the importance of the football 	club.  So:  
	
	Invite a group of councillors to a DHFC game, with the game on 11 October as a 	starting point. If any councillors can’t make this, then we should offer 	alternative dates in November.  Trust members will need to make 	themselves available to speak with these guests.  DH/JH to co-ordinate 	invite.  JM/DM to lead on discussions with councillors.  
DH / JH / JM / DM
	Also, at a later date, to invite planning officers.   	

	It was agreed to email all Trust members inviting them to respond directly to 	the Green Dale consultation.  FS to draft email based on JM’s letter.  MP to 	check we can use mail chimp to do this and update members list on this 	application.    
	MP / FS

	The idea of FS of a petition to ensure that the needs of the club are fully 	integrated into the Council’s plans was agreed.  FS will draft the wording for 	the petition with the assistance of JM and DM.
FS / JM / DM	

	At this stage of the meeting, it was mentioned that the Trust’s request for 	Hadley 	to improve the current ground by putting covering up behind the goals 	has been approved by the owners.  AG would discuss with the football 	committee and lead on implementation if appropriate.
					
					AG

3.5	 Trust joint meetings with Football Committee

	Agreed this is a positive move.  Important that there is a clear structure to the 	future meetings.  AG to arrange for the football committee to suggest an 	agenda for the Trust to consider.  AG and 	JB to discuss with Jack Payne  
AG / JB

3.6	 Trust meeting with Hadley on 24 September 2014

	Issue of future-proofing the ground was discussed and the design needs enough 	room for expansion.  We need to get the views of football ground designers.  	MP / TH to contact Adam Brown of FC United and JH to contact Maidstone FC 	to see if there is anyone at these clubs who might be able to assist.
MP / TH / JH

3.7	 Issues arising from Hadley Pre-Application pack

		See above at items 3.5 concerning lease, stadium design.  JS also mentioned 			issue of sustainability.  

3.8	 Ownership models

TH outlined the relative advantages of a Trust (benefit society) owned model and a Community Investment Company (CIC) model.   A Trust could make a community share offer, which is relatively inexpensive to undertake.  A CIC is a company that is not fan owned.  TH stated that Supporters Direct will clearly recommend a Trust model.

TH also stressed the need to communicate with all the supporters and to speak to people with experience about the actual management of a football club.

A time-table of working towards an SGM before Christmas, or in January was discussed in order to amend the Trust’s constitution to update it to allow it to become an ownership vehicle.  MP to email James Mathie to obtain SD pack on fan ownership.  FS has agreed to co-ordinate on this issue along with RMV.
FS / MP 

4.1	 Trust Mega Shed
4.1.1	Mega Shed rota.   The rota is working well.
4.1.2	New merchandise ideas / orders Home and away kits selling well, especially away kits.  RMV has come up with new idea for scarf and discussing with GG.  EM ordering new scarves and mugs.  RMV has another idea for a T-shirt.  Car stickers as an idea. 
GG / RMV / EM
4.1.3	Awning for shop.  On hold due potential work in this area, but this could also involve further cover for the shop.

5	A Thriving Club

4.1	Discuss overall position of club and ground in light of recent consultations and forthcoming joint Trust / Football Committee meeting with Hadley Property Group.

See above

4.2	Forthcoming joint promotions linked to games, including Student Day on 11 October (v Bognor Regis Town) and Ivy House shareholders. 

JH has been over to Kings College halls of residence and will be able to email details to all students in the hall.  Other promotional material were distributed for board members to put at university buildings.

5.  Growing support and Community links

	5.1  FARE and student game on 11 October (v Bognor Regis Town) 
 
The version of the banner was agreed and also to have two banners printed.  Any further cost in printing was agreed to be met by the Trust.      

Badges will be available at the game for a donation to the anti-homophobia education trust – http://www.eachaction.org.uk/.

5.2  Further events?
Ivy House shareholders promotion on hold until fixtures are confirmed (all league games up to Christmas are currently subject to change due to potential Cup commitments).

Crystal Palace Eagles Mental Health team game is in early stages of planning, likely to be during Mental Health awareness week in May.  Potential involvement of players and management of the football club was discussed.  JB meeting with Mishi Morath and DM.
JB

It is LGBT History month in February.  JB is working in liaison with Mishi Morath, on behalf of the football committee to arrange some events involving the Trust and the football club.
JB

JH mentioned that it is Black History month and asked if it too late to do anything.
JH

Street Soccer project – may be able to do some work / training at club such as stewarding.  JB working in liaison with MM.
JB

FARE £100,000 Refugee project.  Application to be finalised.
JB

Councillor Michael Situ ran a project last year to promote education and career opportunities to young people in the area around a football tournament.  The councillor has requested the support of the football club for a future tournament.  This could be organised at DHFC alongside the mental health day.
DH / JB

A Plan to be drafted for the football club that includes all future events. 
JB / JS

6.	AOB
	
	6.1  Fixtures notice board outside of ground

	No further information from last meeting.  DM and AG to further discuss with Hadley
DM / AG

6.2	New Year meeting for all trust members

This could include Q & A and invite representatives from other supporters’ trusts to speak.  This could also incorporate the SGM to change the Trust’s constitution.  8 and 15 January proposed as dates.
JS / FS / MP 

6.3	Contact with local councillors – follow-up from DH’s attendance at Community Council meeting. 

See above proposals at 3.5.

6.4	Stuart Fuller of Lewes can attend to brief the Trust Board and the Football Committee on his experience of running a community football club.  This would be an excellent opportunity to learn from somebody who is involved on a day-to-day basis.  Dates to be confirmed with / by AG. 
AG
6.5	The Trust was contacted by Hitchin FC as a club that is in danger of losing its existing ground and DHST as being known for having experience with these issues.  JB fielded the call and will attend a meeting next week in Hitchin with DM.
JB / DM

7.	Next meeting: 4 November has been proposed [now likely to be 13 November].