Chesham United Football Club

Present were: George Adams, James Allen, Graham Bayliss, Mike Elliott, Barry Hart, Simon Horwood, Dave Jeffrey, Alan Sherrock, Peter Sherrock, Steve R Turner.
Mike Warrick and Simon Newbury both sent their apologies.

Disclaimer: the meeting was conducted in a “free-and-easy” format, as is now in keeping with Thursday nights at the Chess Suite.  This meant however that there was sometimes more than one conversation going on at any one time, thus making minute-taking a more difficult exercise. E. & O.E.

James Allen provided some feedback from the previous Board Meeting (Monday 8th May).

1.  Luther Blissett has been offered a contract for next season.

2.  Nathan Bowden-Haase has been made an offer to renew his contract for next season, as featured on the back page of the Bucks Examiner (11th May edition).

3.  Entrance prices for first team matches will remain unchanged for next season.

4.  Charles Manchester believes that £100k sponsorship will be needed [for next season].

5.  Luther Blissett has allegedly made it known that he would like the Home Changing Room to be painted white, as the current colour scheme is too dark.  There is also the possibility that transfers of the club crest could be added to the freshly-painted walls.  This led to a discussion on work parties, and who will pay for paint, etc (i.e. should this be solely down to the Trust???).

Meeting Proper

6.  It was agreed that a lump sum of the Trust funds could be put to one side, and allocated to financing paints, DIY materials, etc.  £250 - £300 was mentioned at first, but it wasn't long before this amount was increased to £1000 (from the £6k in the Trust kitty).  It was also noted that £1300 is still needed for the refurbishment of the Gents Toilets.  A letter has been sent to Focus, on Chesham United headed paper (following on from Mike Warrick's face-to-face meeting), detailing the summer refurbishment plans, and asking for assistance and / or donations (e.g. paint, cement).  No reply has been received yet, although it was deemed sensible to hold off from purchasing a lot of material until we know what we may be able to acquire free of charge.

7.  The lights that shine out onto the car park were discussed.  Steve R Turner, an electrician by trade, agreed to check them.  It may be necessary to replace the bulbs and the smashed glass, and it was suggested that they could all be replaced with halogen lights working from motion sensors.

8.  The gates to the ground were mentioned.  Simon Horwood has some contacts.  He agreed to follow up with them and get some prices for both replacement wooden gates and metal gates.

9.  The Tour de Pednor will take place on Sunday 25th June.  Fullers, the excellent Chiswick brewers, are printing off posters to be displayed around the town, and the Queen's Head Public House has agreed to split the proceeds between Chesham United Supporters' Trust, and the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.  Everyone is urged to support this event.

10.  The Chess Suite will be open on Wednesday 17th May for the Champions League Final between Arsenal and Barcelona.  Please join us.

11.  The proposed night at the Oxford greyhound track was again mentioned.  From a swift straw poll taken on the night, a date in June would be preferable (17th was mentioned as favourite).  More to follow...

12.  Notice of a proposed Supporters' Trust Annual General Meeting was given to all those who attended the meeting.  The AGM will take place on Thursday 8th June 2006 at 8pm.  The following business will be dealt with:

            (i) To confirm the Financial Accounts for the period ended 31 May 2006

            (ii) To propose the following Committee members be reappointed for the year to June 2007

            •           Chairman – James Allen
            •           Vice-chairman – Simon Newbury
            •           Secretary – Mike Elliott
            •           Treasurer – Colin Beton
            •           Fundraising – Dave Jeffrey
            •           Ground – Mike Warrick

            (iii) To consider the appointment to the Committee of any new members proposed by 1 June 2006 and notified to the Secretary

            (iv) To propose the appointment of a Trust representative to the Board of Chesham United Football Club for the season 2006/07 from nominees to be notified to the Secretary by 1 June 2006