DT Election 2003 - Questionnaire

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

Yes, since 2000

Why should WISA members vote for you?

Because:

• I have been committed to the causes that motivate WISA since learning of its existence.

• I have committed a huge amount of time and energy to supporting those causes in general and will continue to do so.

• My other responses below.

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

I currently spend around 15 - 20 hours per week (often more) on DT related activities and have done since October 2001 when I was part of the original group that formed the Trust. That time goes on a number of activities, the Community Football Scheme and Youth teams that I head up on behalf of the Trust I have mentioned in my manifesto, but it has also included:

•  Managing the Board email group and supporting less IT literate board members.

•  Arranging Data Protection cover.Setting up and communicating with the “DT Volunteer Army”.

•  Writing articles for Y&B, the matchday programme and website.

•  Writing press releases.Drafting a detailed breakdown of roles and responsibilities.

•  Reading and replying to emails.

•  Helping out with events.

What role would you perform on the DT board?

In terms of a specific role, I would like to complete the formation of the Community Football Scheme and the Youth Section. My manifesto talks about this a bit more.

I am also one of the 2 DT Board appointed non-executive directors of AFCW plc. I see this as a vital link between the strategic and the operational or, to put it another way, the DT and the club; and I am committed to making it work. I believe my input so far has been useful to both the executive directors and the DT Board. However, this role has not been clearly defined by the current DT board and I am very keen to see it formalised.

I want to expand the actual community related activities we carry out. Its all very well calling ourselves a community oriented organisation, we actually have to get out there and deliver those commitments.

I would also like to see the stadium become a resource for local people. I have been very impressed with the direction that has been taken at other clubs and I would love to be able to steer our stadium in the same direction; perhaps through the provision of facilities like drop-in centres, job clubs or IT suites.

Two specific actions I intend to follow up are:

•  Football Stadium Federation – body that tries to make sure clubs and local people can engage about issues such as parking and rowdy behaviour before they become entrenched problems.

•  Kingsmeadow Consultative Forum – organisation to facilitate the use of the Kingsmeadow site by local community and site leaseholders.

Would you undertake any additional activities in AFCW?

I will volunteer my time for any part of the Trust; and AFCW is part of the Trust.

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

As a Dons Trust Board member I have been privileged to witness at first hand the process that was followed over the purchase of the Kingsmeadow lease, the formation of the plc and the share issue.

I have seen the level of work, analysis, commitment and involvement of expert advice that has gone into that effort in a period of over 6 months. Any reservations I might have had before that were soon allayed by the professional approach demonstrated by the leading players in that effort. It took this full process for me to be convinced that this was the best approach for us. Uppermost in my mind was the need to ensure that control of the club and the Trust's assets were not diluted by the issue. When I was satisfied of this and that due diligence over the purchase and plc set-up, plus member consultation had all been carried out, I became an enthusiastic advocate.

Being a non-executive director of AFCW plc, it would have been very hard for me to support it in any other way than enthusiastically.

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?

In principle this sounds a good idea, in practice it could become a politically driven device. I think there has been too much unfounded insinuation that people are on the make in some way, this question and others herein serve only to give credibility to those malicious rumours, while doing nothing to highlight the selfless contribution of a number of individuals who are the target of those rumours.

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

I'll leave that to others to judge, other than to say I am open and honest and 100% committed to the objectives of the Dons Trust.

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

None. No perks, remuneration nor benefits in kind.

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

Trust Board or Trust?

I am proud of what we have achieved, it has been marvellous to be a part of something so phenomenal. Overall, I would say we have done well, but there is always room to improve and learn from experience; that is what we should strive for.

Due recognition for a lot of this needs to go the members of the DT Board who are executive directors of AFC Wimbledon . I am firmly convinced that without their input the performance and achievement would have been significantly less.

Recognition must also go to the dedicated band of volunteers who have been fantastic in giving of their time and energy. This team effort is one of the most pleasing aspects of the overall achievement.

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

•  The officers of the Trust should have clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

•  All activities should be managed as “departments”, with appointed heads and deputies.

•  The Trust should be largely strategic, with most, if not all, trading and operational activities sitting somewhere in AFCW.

How could the Trust board improve its communication with members?

One of the biggest brakes on improving communication is the practical aspect of the need to inform ALL the membership. This means mailings to all members, which requires considerable planning, effort and expense.

Open meetings should be scheduled quarterly.

The DT website should be merged/linked with the AFCW official site. News items can then be highlighted. This would open up the Trust and its activities to a wider audience that visit the AFC Wimbledon Official Site, but rarely go to the DT one.

Feed back should be encouraged from members and all the Trust Board should have sight of these communications. Members should be made aware of the types of comment being received and the Board's response to them.

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

•  Aptitude for the role to be performed, e.g. sales and business experience for the commercial director.

•  Commitment to the DT objectives.

•  Track record of successfully doing a similar role or evidence of adaptability.

•  Energy and enthusiasm.

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

This question is not clear, but I am taking it to mean Executive Directors of AFC Wimbledon/AFCW plc and not the non-executive directors. It is also unreasonably loaded to denying a certain proposition for which there is uncertain backing from the DT members.

Until there is a change to the constitution there is no reason why they should not. As I have said elsewhere, in the case of the current directors standing, their input to the DT Board and AFCW over the last 18 months has been outstanding. Without them we would not have what we have now.

If there is to be a change to these structures then it must be as part of a full discussion with the membership not merely based on the beliefs of a particular pressure group.

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?

As defined in the share issue prospectus. The DT owns a controlling interest in its subsidiaries and should exercise strategic control over the activities of those subsidiaries. AFCW plc is the entity that has issued the shares and manages the operation of its two subsidiaries:

•  AFC Wimbledon Ltd is the trading arm and football club, this is where all operational, financial and football related activities are managed.
•  AFC Stadium owns the lease on Kingsmeadow, but does not actively trade.

It should continue in this way for the foreseeable future. Messing around with the structure will just make work for bureaucrats and constitutionalists. The current structure is well thought out, the DT Board should have a good shot at making it work before considering change.

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 it should. This should be put into the constitution. The clauses used in the AFCW plc articles of association and reproduced in the prospectus (page 36 point n) make a very good starting point.

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

Yes, but there needs to be a due process that permits proper review and the ability of the Board to respond effectively.

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

•  Increasing income, principally through attracting more commercial sponsorship and increasing crowds towards an average of 3,500.

•  Re-structuring outstanding debt.

•  Controlling and reducing costs – a great start has been made on this, it needs to be reinforced to all areas of the organisation

•  Fundraising – having an appointed fundraising leader with the time and skills to keep the money flowing in.

•  Innovation, e.g. supporting appeals to the wider football supporting community

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

No, never.

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

It is likely to be our home for at least the next 5 years, with a strong probability of even longer.

My heart says we should return to Wimbledon , but practically speaking, my head tells me how hard it will be. Furthermore, the work and analysis done by the Stadium Working Group has shown how difficult it will be to find the land and funding to achieve that dream.

However, I will push for us to keep up that ambition by working to get a stadium for AFC Wimbledon included in the Merton Unitary Plan.