| Trust Ballot 09:39 - Feb 20 with 5807 views | The_DJ |
Got my 'ballot pack' yesterday .
Got to say that the Trust have set out the information in a clear and concise way , and there is no doubt the Club have changed their objective from Training to Floodlights.
Lets hope for a 100% return on the ballot papers and a clear mandate from the members as to what the money is spent on.  |  | | |  |
| Trust Ballot on 21:44 - Feb 23 with 1265 views | Shun |
Apologies if this has been mentioned previously, but do the Accrington walkers who aren't Trust members get a say? |  | | |
| Trust Ballot on 22:56 - Feb 23 with 1216 views | maybee |
Just to address a few of the questions posed in this thread...
The fact that there remains a sizeable sum of money from the initial fundraising effort is down to the Trust Board acting carefully and not spending the £30k on upgrading the changing facilities at Bowlee quickly. During the period when the Trust drew up plans for the work, the Directors of the football club informed them that Bowlee was no longer suitable for the clubs needs.
Thus, in 2011, the Trust balloted members on what should be done with the funds, and a resounding majority voted to spend the fund on upgrading the pitch covers.
There then followed a long period of testing several manufacturers products...none of which proved entirely suitable for purpose. Following consultations with local clubs and our own groundsmen, the Trust purchased a set of covers which cost far less than the £30k...indeed, thanks to the shrewd investment policy of the Trust their cost was almost met from the accumulated interest on the money, meaning that a large proportion of he fund was still available.
Following consultations with the club and also with supporters, several suggestions for what the Trust should do with the fund were put to the club, who rejected all but the floodlight project.
As previously stated, the club is required by the Football League to upgrade the lights before next season at a cost of approx £75000. They have therefore requested that the Trust assists with a £30000 donation. In return, the club will give 5000 shares to the Trust, which helps spread the ownership of the club amongst it's supporters, and recognises the efforts of all those who helped raise the money originally.
The club has further told the Trust that this is the only option that they want help with at this time...a clear directive of what they want the money to be spent on.
Furthermore, the club has agreed in writing that full credit will be given for the money should suitable training facilities be found in the future, whilst admitting that they do not see a short term solution within the Borough .
One of the reasons that shares are being offered by the club is that the Trust initially was not offered shares for the Bowlee fund, and this resulted in many members being upset, and even deciding to leave the Trust in protest. thus, the Trust Board has tried to appease these lapsed members whilst not costing the club anything, apart from a paper transaction which ultimately spreads the ownership of the club further amongst the fans.
The club has been quite specific in what they want the money to be used for, and the ballot is therefore a straight choice.
Any member who does not agree with what the club are asking for should vote to keep the money in the Trust Investment Account until such time that training facilities are found within the locality.
Otherwise, the club wants you to vote to donate the funds towards the floodlight project.
As a Trust Board member, I feel that future fundraising efforts depend on us utilising monies already collected, especially as it's what the club is asking for us to do. |  | | |
| Trust Ballot on 23:15 - Feb 23 with 1197 views | judd |
"The club has been quite specific in what they want the money to be used for..."
Cheeky sods. |  |
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| Trust Ballot on 10:03 - Feb 24 with 1091 views | dingdangblue |
| Trust Ballot on 13:35 - Feb 23 by TalkingSutty |
I think its the football league who have stipulated to the football club that they have to have the floodlights upgraded by a certain date and that date is looming. Hornets have no problems playing under the lights in their current condition so really it isn't their problem.
The Trust wasn't formed to have a large sum of fans money sitting in a bank account year after year that negates the need to keep fundraising. It was donated to give to the club to help them (The Bowlee project is dead now so we have to donate it to another project). It wasn't donated on condition that the commercial department pull their weight neither, that's a separate issue and nothing to do with the Trust or the donated money.
Credit to the Supporters Trust for distributing the ballot papers and if the vote does go the way of the floodlight upgrade then at least the supporters quite literally have something to show for the monies raised. |
Seriously, This Hornets situation could open up all sorts of problems with these more expensive bulbs that they don't need but we do. Obviously the bulbs have a shelf life - is the 75k just an initial cost to replace every existing bulb per season or will that last a few seasons? Obviously it will depend on how often the lights are on. Do Hornets use the lights much with Summer rugby? Will the Rugby league contribute now they own Hornets Stadium shares? |  |
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| Trust Ballot on 10:39 - Feb 24 with 1069 views | maybee |
| Trust Ballot on 10:03 - Feb 24 by dingdangblue |
Seriously, This Hornets situation could open up all sorts of problems with these more expensive bulbs that they don't need but we do. Obviously the bulbs have a shelf life - is the 75k just an initial cost to replace every existing bulb per season or will that last a few seasons? Obviously it will depend on how often the lights are on. Do Hornets use the lights much with Summer rugby? Will the Rugby league contribute now they own Hornets Stadium shares? |
it's not just the bulbs...the cost includes new cabling and electrics. The cost is not per season...it's for the total project. Obviously, replacement bulbs will need to be purchased as and when necessary. I would imagine that replacement bulbs will then be paid for by the Stadium Co, as they are now.
The new Football League regulations come into effect at the start of next season, and if we do not upgrade the lights, the League will impose significant financial penalties on the club (we stand to lose more than the total cost of the work by way of penalty, and we will still need to carry out the upgrade)
Hornets are not governed by the Football League, and thus have no need for the new lights. Therefore, although they will benefit from using them occasionally, they really have no need to contribute...nor do the Rugby League who currently hold shares in the Stadium Co.
As Colin Garlick rightly points in the letter from the club that has been sent out with the ballot papers, it is entirely a matter for Rochdale AFC to upgrade the lights.
However, the club needs to act quickly on this, as it's not just a quick trip to B&Q...there will be a couple of months lead in time once the order is placed.
Finally, regarding who can vote... You have to be a Trust member for this season in order to vote on the matter. If you were not a member when the original money was raised but have recently joined, then you can still vote. | | | |
| Trust Ballot on 10:54 - Feb 24 with 1051 views | dingdangblue |
| Trust Ballot on 10:39 - Feb 24 by maybee |
it's not just the bulbs...the cost includes new cabling and electrics. The cost is not per season...it's for the total project. Obviously, replacement bulbs will need to be purchased as and when necessary. I would imagine that replacement bulbs will then be paid for by the Stadium Co, as they are now.
The new Football League regulations come into effect at the start of next season, and if we do not upgrade the lights, the League will impose significant financial penalties on the club (we stand to lose more than the total cost of the work by way of penalty, and we will still need to carry out the upgrade)
Hornets are not governed by the Football League, and thus have no need for the new lights. Therefore, although they will benefit from using them occasionally, they really have no need to contribute...nor do the Rugby League who currently hold shares in the Stadium Co.
As Colin Garlick rightly points in the letter from the club that has been sent out with the ballot papers, it is entirely a matter for Rochdale AFC to upgrade the lights.
However, the club needs to act quickly on this, as it's not just a quick trip to B&Q...there will be a couple of months lead in time once the order is placed.
Finally, regarding who can vote... You have to be a Trust member for this season in order to vote on the matter. If you were not a member when the original money was raised but have recently joined, then you can still vote. |
Thanks for that - very illuminating. Noticed that Tranmere had their work done last summer and it says on their site its a lge 1 requirement? Or does that just mean lge2 got more time to get the work done? Hopefully we will be using ours in lge 1. | |
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| Trust Ballot on 12:03 - Feb 24 with 1027 views | maybee |
| Trust Ballot on 10:54 - Feb 24 by dingdangblue |
Thanks for that - very illuminating. Noticed that Tranmere had their work done last summer and it says on their site its a lge 1 requirement? Or does that just mean lge2 got more time to get the work done? Hopefully we will be using ours in lge 1. |
It's a Football League requirement covering all 3 divisions. As far as I know, all clubs have to comply by the start of next season.
Many clubs are already upto the required standards due to new grounds etc, but around 10-12 clubs need to carry out work, and we fall into that category.
Sneaky edit; L2 & L1 clubs.!!! [Post edited 24 Feb 2014 12:16]
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| Trust Ballot on 12:22 - Feb 24 with 996 views | D_Alien |
The guy who complained about the floodlights at the forum a few years back will be pleased. |  |
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| Trust Ballot on 13:07 - Feb 24 with 958 views | 100notout |
| Trust Ballot on 22:56 - Feb 23 by maybee |
Just to address a few of the questions posed in this thread...
The fact that there remains a sizeable sum of money from the initial fundraising effort is down to the Trust Board acting carefully and not spending the £30k on upgrading the changing facilities at Bowlee quickly. During the period when the Trust drew up plans for the work, the Directors of the football club informed them that Bowlee was no longer suitable for the clubs needs.
Thus, in 2011, the Trust balloted members on what should be done with the funds, and a resounding majority voted to spend the fund on upgrading the pitch covers.
There then followed a long period of testing several manufacturers products...none of which proved entirely suitable for purpose. Following consultations with local clubs and our own groundsmen, the Trust purchased a set of covers which cost far less than the £30k...indeed, thanks to the shrewd investment policy of the Trust their cost was almost met from the accumulated interest on the money, meaning that a large proportion of he fund was still available.
Following consultations with the club and also with supporters, several suggestions for what the Trust should do with the fund were put to the club, who rejected all but the floodlight project.
As previously stated, the club is required by the Football League to upgrade the lights before next season at a cost of approx £75000. They have therefore requested that the Trust assists with a £30000 donation. In return, the club will give 5000 shares to the Trust, which helps spread the ownership of the club amongst it's supporters, and recognises the efforts of all those who helped raise the money originally.
The club has further told the Trust that this is the only option that they want help with at this time...a clear directive of what they want the money to be spent on.
Furthermore, the club has agreed in writing that full credit will be given for the money should suitable training facilities be found in the future, whilst admitting that they do not see a short term solution within the Borough .
One of the reasons that shares are being offered by the club is that the Trust initially was not offered shares for the Bowlee fund, and this resulted in many members being upset, and even deciding to leave the Trust in protest. thus, the Trust Board has tried to appease these lapsed members whilst not costing the club anything, apart from a paper transaction which ultimately spreads the ownership of the club further amongst the fans.
The club has been quite specific in what they want the money to be used for, and the ballot is therefore a straight choice.
Any member who does not agree with what the club are asking for should vote to keep the money in the Trust Investment Account until such time that training facilities are found within the locality.
Otherwise, the club wants you to vote to donate the funds towards the floodlight project.
As a Trust Board member, I feel that future fundraising efforts depend on us utilising monies already collected, especially as it's what the club is asking for us to do. |
Thanks for the clarification. |  |
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