Chesham United Football Club

My last report was on 4th June. Our last board meeting was on 4th July. I’ve been delaying reporting following the board meeting as we were in discussions with a couple of potentially significant sponsors. Those new sponsors didn’t come off this year – but there’s still goodwill and it’s feasible that things might develop over the year. I was anxious to sort out the 2006/7 kit and get the sponsor’s name on the shirt in time for the new season.

It’s also been very hot and my motivation to sit in front of a PC in this weather in the close season is limited. But the new season’s just around the corner and prevarication is no longer an option. My apologies, though.

This is a summary of what happened at the 4th July board meeting, with up-dates of things that have happened since. We have sub-committees and written reports from each of these were considered.

Finance
I reported to the board on the financial position. Little had changed from the position presented in my last report as there is no footballing activity and little unexpected financial activity at the club in the close season. There is little point in summarising the financials so soon after the 2006/7 budget was published. The financial year ended on 30th June so the next statement will be the year end results with an up-date on the budget, probably in late August.

I also reported as follows:

• Mike Dickson and I have received confirmation that we will each receive £6,000 in tax relief arising from our investment in the club. We have donated this to the club – the £12,000 roughly matches our debt to the tax authorities, which is now cleared or in the process of being cleared. Still plenty of debt left but it’s a start.
• The effect of reducing the debt is to save £1,000 per month in repayments. This means that we have £10,000 or so less to raise from sponsorship and advertising – we remain some £40,000 short for the season, though. But at least it’s still July and money is still coming in. There is a lot more work to do, though.
• Our insurance was renewed on budget with increased cover. We changed broker to a local firm, Luker Rowe & Co Ltd, of Amersham. They will support us with advertising too. Ultimately, there will be an overspend on this budget as we must buy personal accident cover for our players under Southern League rules.
• I had reached agreement with Luther Blissett on the terms of his appointment for 2006/7. This agreement is now signed.
• I reported on kit costings for the proposed new kit. The supplier had been recommended to us but I found them difficult to do business with, not least when asked to pay the deposit to the MD’s wife! I therefore pulled the deal at the last minute as I had no confidence that the supplier would deliver at all, let alone on time. We have now selected a kit from Diadora, where my experience has been completely different. Of course, we’ve now lost a lot of time and there is a danger that the kit won’t arrive on time for the new season although Diadora are doing their best. HCC International Insurance Company PLC will be our shirt sponsor this year. For the avoidance of any doubt, they have already paid for the year ahead! Beachcroft LLP, a law firm, will sponsor the youth team. The home colours will be a claret shirt with blue shorts and claret socks. The away colours will be yellow shirt, navy blue shorts and yellow socks.

Football
David Stanley reported on the possible comings and goings at the club. Luther is developing his plans, using pre-season training and friendlies to reach his decisions on players. The team won’t crystallise for a couple of weeks yet.
David also reported that British Gas was now the Southern League’s sponsor, that we were gettiing new goalposts, that new switches for the floodlights had been installed and that work was being done on the floodlights to get them to comply with FA / league standards.
A number of issues regarding match days were raised. Requirements include the need for stewards for the boardroom, dressing rooms, car parks and inside the ground. Also, ball boys, PA announcer and Golden Goal sellers. For safety reasons, it was agreed that portable goals would be removed from the ground as children were playing with them in unsafe areas during the game. Stewards would need to ensure that children no longer play football on the terraces, again for safety reasons. Dressing room cleaning was also discussed.
Since the board meeting, it has been announced that Nathan Bowden-Haase will join Yeading FC.
I have been keen to prevent people entering the ground for free at half time during matches. FA rules require that nobody consumes alcohol within sight of the game. For 2006/7, the main gate will stay locked during half time, when the only access to the bar will be from the terrace. At the end of half time, blinds will be drawn in the bar in compliance with FA rules and spectators must return to the terrace or their seats, without drinks. I know that other clubs flout this rule. For us, the bar’s income is too important to risk so we will follow the rule.

Marketing, Sponsorship and Public Relations
This is led by Alan Calder and Martin Gould. They reported on the efforts being made to raise the advertising and sponsorship money required. They also reported on the up-coming comedy night and we discussed the need to improve our methods of communication with the press and with supporters.

Matchday, pitch and ground maintenance / development
Rob Goldhawk submitted an excellent, detailed report in connection with the Business Development Plan / Grant Availability. He has been helped by Lisa Welling and James Allen. He is looking to provide a five year plan with overall goals established for the senior men’s, senior ladies’, youth sections and mini-soccer and a path to establish greater links with the community. The board raised a number of specific points and Rob will report further at the next meeting.

The next board meeting is on Monday 21st August.

Charles Manchester (Chairman)