DT Election 2003 - Questionnaire

Are you a member of WISA? If not, why not?

Not at present no. However I work closely with members of the WISA committee on many different issues.

Why should WISA members vote for you?

WISA members who are DT members should vote for me to ensure the continued success of the Dons Trust and the guardianship of the club.

How much time can you commit each month to DT duties (excluding AFCW activities?).

I presently commit several hours every day to Dons Trust duties. I am responsible for dealing with all the enquiries that are emailed to info@thedonstrust.org whatever the nature. I also deal with enquiries which are sent my post to the DT PO Box. I also have the DT phoneline and answer all the enquiries that are phoned in. I deal with many of the fundraising activities and as chair am involved in all the facets of the organisation. Liaising with all the working group chairs, providing advice and assistance and agreeing the objectives of the groups – this together with the many meetings I attend in my Trust capacity means that I can easily commit 130 to 150 hours a month.

What role would you perform on the DT board?

Assuming I am successfully elected then that would be up to the new DT board to decide. I bring a considerable amount of trust experience to the DT board and also bring my experience of being on the AFCW football club board.

Would you undertake any additional activities in AFCW?

I would continue to support the club in any way that is desired by either AFCW or the DT Board in terms of assistance. However, I don't believe that board members should sit on all the other boards, DT Board, PLC or Club.

Did you support the recent share issue enthusiastically, with reservations, or were you unhappy with the idea?

No reply

Do you favour a register of interests to record any benefits (financial or otherwise) Trust members gain from their dealings with the Trust or PLC?

Absolutely. All benefits should be recorded and available for the membership. Transparency is paramount. It is unreasonable that members should have to wait months and months for the accounts of either body in order to see if any benefit has been gained.

What personal qualities (apart from professional skills, and a capacity for hard work) do you have that the DT Board needs?

Trust experience both at the Dons Trust level and Supporters Direct level. A strong desire for the DT to continue it's success and guardianship of the club. Drive, enthusiasm, determination.

Please list all financial benefits that you have received in the past through dealings with the Trust or Plc.

I have never received any financial benefit from dealings with the Trust or the PLC. I have never even claimed expenses from either the Trust or AFCW.

What do you think of the Trust's performance and achievements so far?

I am proud of the Trust's performance and achievements from the date of the launch. We are one of the largest trusts and we have had to run before we could walk. I think that the Dons Trust Board have done admirably under the extreme circumstances. I was delighted when we won Supporters Trust of the Year for our achievements. However there are areas that need strengthening. Without The Dons Trust I don't believe we would have our club, AFC Wimbledon.

What changes would you propose, if any, to the way the Trust operates?

The present DT Board have put in place the budgets for AFCW and the reporting infrastructure has been created. As stated in my answer above, the Trust have had to run before we could walk, we went from a standing start to owning and running a club in a matter of months. A result of which has meant that some issues have been sidelined. It is crucial that all members of the new DT Board take responsibility for such issues and ensure that the membership are kept informed at all times. Obviously there will be legal restrictions on certain issues when confidentiality needs to be observed but so long as the membership are aware I would be happy.

I think it is important that the Club release more information to the membership, certainly with regard to financials.

How could the Trust board improve its communication with members?

Through more member meetings. I proposed that we meet midweek at the Wimbledon Community Centre and before home games on a Saturday at Kingsmeadow. Regrettably we haven't had that many home Saturday games this season. We have increased the number of newsletters, changing the format to make production cheaper. Members need to be mindful of the huge costs incurred when holding large meetings, hence my proposal for smaller meetings.

There is always a DT desk in the back bar at our home games with two or more board members present to answer questions.

When considering candidates for board member positions for the Club, what characteristics would you look for?

I would be looking for direct relevant experience for the post, I would be looking for someone who is able to commit the time required to being on such a board. It is crucial that the board member is able to meet the expectations of both the board and the Club.

Should directors of DT subsidiaries (E.g. AFC Plc) be allowed to take up elected posts on the DT Board?

Subsequent to a consititutional change I believe directors of DT subsidiaries should not be allowed to take up elected posts on the DT board.

How do you currently understand the duties and relationship of the DT Board in relation to the AFC Wimbledon PLC, AFC Wimbledon Ltd., and AFC Stadium Ltd. boards?

AFCW Stadium Limited is a non-trading company and as with AFC Wimbledon Ltd (the football club) it sits directly underneath the AFC Wimbledon PLC. The AFCW PLC sits directly underneath The Dons Trust.

I should like DT Board members and board members of all subsidiaries to have clear and delegated power and authorities. I do not think subsidiary board members should be elected DT Board members. We need to ensure clear and concise checks and balances.

Should the Trust membership have the final say on the big issues, like where the club has its home ground or selling shares in the club?

Yes they should.

Should Trust members have the right to propose motions at the AGM and other general meetings?

Absolutely.

What ideas do you have for paying off the rest of the debt on the purchase of Kingsmeadow?

It is vital that the loan outstanding is reduced as soon as possible. The Finance Working Group should be looking at reducing the amount of interest that we pay as soon as possible through sourcing cheaper loans.

On the commercial side effort needs to be made to reach out to local businesses in order to gain sponsorship. Sponsorship on all levels from naming rights of the different stands to the advertising hoardings around the pitch.

The idea of member loans needs some serious attention – from the members I have spoken to, many would be happy to help decrease the debt with the issue of personal loans.

I think it is vital that the Trust continues to spearhead fundraising activities, so that the membership and AFCW fans are involved in the debt reduction.

Are there any situations in which the Trust could, or should, relinquish control of AFCW?

Good question. I sincerely hope not and believe not. It is paramount that we elect a strong board with a strong “trust” ethic. The continued success of the Trust and guardianship of the football club require an independent, democratically elected and strong Trust board to represent and safeguard the members interests without fail. I believe that the Trust should remain an independent body from the Club, the constitution should never allow control of AFCW to be relinquished.

Do you see Kingsmeadow, The Fans Stadium as a temporary or permanent home for AFC Wimbledon ?

I see it as a medium term solution for us, allowing us some stability in our embryonic years. I hope that we will one day be able to get the club back to SW19 and ask that the members of the Stadium Working Group continue to pursue workable options to achieve that.