WST board minutes for April

[FieldtownRed]

Originally Posted by Jaded

I think most of the most recent minutes have appeared on there a day or two after RP threads have been started asking where they are - so hopefully will be up by Friday!

[FieldtownRed]

As if by magic.....they've appeared!

[FieldtownRed]

Wrexham Supporters Society Limited - Minutes of Trust Board Meeting
Held on: 20 April 2020, commencing at 19.00
Venue: Conference Call
Present: Spencer Harris (SH), Sarah Smith-Howard (SSH), Matt Davies (MD), James
Harrison (JH), Gavin Jones (GJ), John Mills (JM), Stephen Lloyd (SL), Matthew
Scott (MS), Robert Stock (RS), Brian Phillips (BP), Mark Williams (MW), Bryan
Still (BS), Lyndsey Jones (LJ)
Apologies: Joshua Williams (JW)
Chair: Peter Jones (PJ)
Acting Independent Secretary: Lyndsey Jones (LJ)
Matters arising and approval of the minutes of
The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March were approved and posted on the WST site.
1. Rogue Twitter post
PJ introduced this item. SH Asked JM who had access to the password for the site. JM
answered that five people historically had this access. Since the tweet appeared steps have
been taken to review access and change the password. A protocol is to be set up to regularly
change it and the accounts have been moved to the ownership of the media team.
MW when through the timeline regarding the £100K loan. Following takeover of the stadium
in August 2016, the first instalment of rent was payable to Glyndwr University. Also, there
were a lot of one-off costs that needed to be incurred at that time. Cashflow was an issue
because income from the Stadium Concert would not be received until the following
summer. A loan had previously been offered by a supporter but not taken up by the Club. On
this occasion, a decision was made to accept the offer with the loan being paid back after 6
months.
MS asked why a statement was not issued at the time to explain the purpose and reason for
the loan.
MW explained that the supporter wanted anonymity and no publicity so a public statement
was not made.
PJ recommended that a statement go out as soon as possible. MW was to draft one with
support from SH and JH.
2. Football Club Update
SH briefed the Board on the timeline of events since we last met at the end of March:
● 30 March – decision made to furlough staff and sought approval to use WST as and
when required.
● 2 April – write up e-mails to staff with supporting documents
● 3 April – sessions were set up with Club Directors to speak to staff.
MW is in the process of applying for furlough.
The Club Board have also written to the National League at the end of March / beginning of
April laying out four options to end the season:
● Season to be null and void
● Apply existing table standings
● Points per game
● Continue to play the remaining games.
The only options considered acceptable to the Club are 1 or 3.
The League wrote to all National, National North and National South League teams with an
ordinary resolution to propose to resolve the situation about this season. This was to
propose that all remaining fixtures will be null and void up to 25 April. It was left open
regarding play off, promotion and relegation. The deadline to vote on this is 7 May.
Wrexham AFC have voted in favour.
If the vote is passed, the League will then have to bring proposals forward to vote on how to
decide to end the season.
MD asked how the players had reacted to the scripts and meetings.
SH said that the players felt it had been handled very professionally.
SH then explained to the Board what it meant for Wrexham AFC in regard to the £125m
Premier League payment of support. Of the £125m, £123m went to the EFL with the
National Leagues (National, North and South) only receiving £2m. This means that our club
will receive approximately £50K. It is also not “new money”. It is normally received in
September.
PJ ask a question about the position regarding the Youth players
SH replied that they were in the same position as the first team and been sent home.
MW briefed the Board about planning for the next season. He explained that it was difficult
at the moment because of the uncertainty as to when it will start. As things become clearer,
he will update the Board.
BS asked if any decision had been made regarding season ticket refunds
MW replied that no decision has been made because this season has not formally finished.
3. Secretary Position
PJ explained to the Board that he had received an e-mail from JW on 14 April saying that due
to the current work situation he was not able to fulfil his role with the Trust Board and will
have to temporarily step down.
PJ had also received an e-mail from Alan Fox (AF) (previous Independent Secretary) offering
help. PJ mentioned the situation to AF but after due consideration, AF said that he could not
commit to helping out.
Therefore, with the AGM approaching, PJ spoke to LJ ( a former Independent Secretary) to
ask if he could help out until JW was able to resume his duties. The Board agreed to this
approach.
4. WST AGM
The date for the AGM has been set for 29 June 2020. However, a proposal was agreed that,
due to the current circumstances, it could be put back 14 days until an AGM can be held.
5. WST Statement – follow up plan
It was felt that the Statement went reasonably well and some constructive ideas had been
presented to the WST.
BP had collated these and sent them on to MS
Action - MS is taking this forward
PJ is producing a Volunteers Handbook and once complete has asked for Trust Board
member comments. There is a view to have a Volunteer Co-ordinator.
6. Fundraising
MS suggested that a Crowdfunding page is set up.
MD mentioned that he has looked at what other clubs have done and in particular Notts
County who have raised over £25K with 10% going to a local charity.
It was agreed that we should set one up with 15% being donated to a local charity.
Action - MD, JH, BS and MS to take this forward.
GJ briefed on the position regarding Club stock and a potential on-line shop. All staff have
been furloughed. No new stock has been purchased. Also, if an on-line shop was opened it
will compromise the position of Wrexham AFC as an employer to furloughed staff. There is
also the issue of insurance of stock at someone’s home.
7. AOB
BS mentioned that 5 Rainbow shirts have been sold for £245. Five more are currently on
Ebay.
BP asked PJ for the Annual Report for inclusion in the WST annual accounts.
BP mentioned that the Trust currently hold £175K in funds. A more detailed report will
follow at the next meeting.
JH mentioned that Carl Hogan was leaving his post on 26 April. It is put on record that the
Board wish to thank Carl for all the work he has put in helping the Club over the past 8 years.

[Woody]

at least this confirms that PJ was alive on April 20, I was starting to think he’d been abducted

[Rob Edwards]

No mention of John Mills resigning here from the club board- a u-turn ? Last thing needed.

[TopCornerFergie]

"MS suggested that a Crowdfunding page is set up.
MD mentioned that he has looked at what other clubs have done and in particular Notts
County who have raised over £25K with 10% going to a local charity.
It was agreed that we should set one up with 15% being donated to a local charity."

It ended up being 10% though... and they still haven't got back to contributors

[GiggityGiggityGiggityGoo]

Odd the reasoning behind season ticket refunds wasn't communicated, seems more than reasonable.

[Phils-an-alki]

SH Asked JM who had access to the password for the site. JM
answered that five people historically had this access.

Well, that's flawed for starters.

[FieldtownRed]

Originally Posted by Phils-an-alki

SH Asked JM who had access to the password for the site. JM
answered that five people historically had this access.

Well, that's flawed for starters.

You'd hope the rest of the club's IT security isn't this loose!