Watford Supporters Trust

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Watford Supporters Trust

• AGM 22nd November 2007

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The Trust Board

• Graham Sterry Chair
• Alice Arnold Treasurer
• Frances Lynn Publicity Communications
• Mike Thomas Membership

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Agenda AGM 22nd November 2007

• AGENDA
• Welcome and opening remarks Chairs Report
• Minutes of the Fourth AGM and matters arising
• Financial Report
• Communications Report
• Membership Report
• Resolution
• Election of Board members
• AOB
• Question and Answer Session with guest, Mark
  Ashton CEO of Watford Football Club

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Watford Supporters Trust

• Chairs Report

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• Using our influence, to promote sustainable
  policies and actions within our club
• Providing an independent viewpoint within the
  framework of an effective partnership
• Listening to the concerns of Watford Supporters
  and communicating with the club on issues raised
• Constantly challenging ourselves, the Supporters
  and the Club to remain at the Heart of the
  Community

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• Using our influence, to promote sustainable
  policies and actions within our club
• Example 1 Meetings have been held with the
  Chairman, Chief Executive and Financial Director.
  We are therefore able to communicate directly
  with all the key decision makers at Vicarage
  Road.
• Example 2 We are discussing issues around the
  financing of the ground development in order that
  supporters understand all the potential
  consequences.

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• Providing an independent viewpoint within the
  framework of an effective partnership
• Example 1 The Trust Board has been available to
  meet with all parties within the recent Watford
  Leisure restructure and provide an independent
  viewpoint. We wished that matters be resolved
  without damaging our stability.
• Example 2 The Trust was consulted and provided
  thoughts, ideas and hopefully an insight over the
  movement of season ticket holders from the Upper
  Lower Rous as well as the East Stand and Family
  Area.

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• Listening to the concerns of Watford Supporters
  and communicating with the club on issues raised
• - Example 1 The Trust discussed making the
  Vicarage Road Stadium a non smoking venue prior
  to the recent legislation change.
• Example 2 We are currently discussing issues
  with the family area located within the Vicarage
  Road Stand,particularly with regard to stewarding
  selling tickets to other non qualifying
  supporters

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WST For All Seasons all Reasons

• Constantly challenging ourselves, the supporters
  and the club to remain at the heart of the
  community.
• Example 1 The Trust Chairman is a member of
  Watford FC Enables.This is a supporters group for
  people with disabilities at Watford Football
  Club.
• Example 2 In order to give the maximum
  opportunity for attendance to provide a more
  affordable social location for our supporters,
  the Trust suggested and organised the
  accommodation for the recent Fans Forum held at
  this location.

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Watford Supporters Trust

• Financial Report
• Highlights
• Net Assets 122,858
• Cash in bank of 120,010 an increase of 13,663
  on last year end
• Shares in Watford Leisure Plc now worth 12,183
  a decrease of 4,816 due to share price falling
  from 30p to 21.5p
• Creditors (deferred income on Life Memberships)
  9,285
• Profit 10,920
• Income of 16,212 during the year (7,916
  memberships, 2,388 donations, 568 fund-raising,
  5,342 interest)
• Expenses of 477 during the year (postage,
  function room hire)
• Share diminution in value of 4,816

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons
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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons
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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons
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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons
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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons
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Watford Supporters Trust

• Communications Report

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• External Communications
• WFC
• Local Media
• Watford Observer
• 3CR
• Herts Mercury
• Supporters Direct/Other Trusts

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• Internal Communications
• Website
• Main medium for information
• Underwent revamp this year
• Big thanks to Doug Lawson for his hard work
• Newsletters
• Produced quarterly
• Posted on website, future editions will be
  (e)mailed out
• Members
• Communication with members needs work
• Would welcome feedback on what you want to hear
• Please provide updated e-mail address

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Watford Supporters Trust

• Membership Report

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• MEMBERSHIP REPORT
• Membership numbers have remained reasonably
  constant
• Membership 2007 / 2008 580
• Lifetime membership 97 16.7 of total
  membership
• Decrease from 2006 / 2007 50

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• MEMBERSHIP REPORT
• Small decrease in membership numbers
• Believed to be due to a number of factors
• Repurchase of Vicarage Road Stadium
• Successful promotion to premiership 2005 / 2006
• Financial situation relating to Watford Leisure
  PLC
• Generally trusts attract members at times of
  crisis
• Thankfully major cause of alarm (ground
  ownership) that prompted the formation of the
  trust has been resolved

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• MEMBERSHIP REPORT
• Comparison data to some other trusts
• Bristol City 340
• Sheffield Wednesday 971
• Southampton 815

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• MEMBERSHIP REPORT
• WST Expectations
• Maximum membership of WST was approx 2000
• The club has some 11,500 season ticket holders
• Assuming financial status of club remains similar
  (or better) we should aim to have at least 10 of
  our core support as members of the trust
• Looking to increase membership to around 1150

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• MEMBERSHIP REPORT
• How Can We Meet Expectation?
• Continue to increase our coverage exposure
• Ensure that our principles are well understood
• Continue to improve our communications with the
  membership
• Consider what other benefits we can offer members
  
• 200 Club Executive Box draw
• Subject for board membership to consider in
  coming year

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WST - For All Seasons All Reasons

• MEMBERSHIP REPORT
• Conclusion
• Membership numbers are in line with expected
  levels
• Increased membership numbers improve our position
  as a trust
• All members have a part to play in recruiting
  spreading our message

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Watford Supporters Trust

• AOB