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Minutes of Ordinary General Meeting
Thursday, 24th January, 2002
Wimbledon Community Centre, St. George's Road, Wimbledon
1. Introduction
Kris Stewart explained that there was no news concerning the arbitration
panel and, since this was supposed to be conducted in total secrecy,
we should be wary of leaks appearing in the press.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Charlie Bell, Graeme Boulton, Laurence
Lowne, Sandra Lowne, Sean Ridgewell, Valerie Webster and Lee Willett.
3. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meetings held - OGM on 27th September and
EGM on 4th December, 2001 - were agreed and there were no matters
arising.
4. Amendments to constitution
All amendments were approved as submitted, with the exception of
clause 5.10 concerning spending limits. It was pointed out that
the general committee is already required to report spending on
any single item over £500; therefore, the wording should be
altered to require reporting of such expenditure between £500
and £1,500. This revised amendment was also carried.
5. Treasurer's report
Nicole Hammond gave details of spending since the EGM in December.
The substantial items were:
§ The ICM opinion poll had cost £6,500 + VAT though Merton
Council had contributed £2,000
§ £3,500 spent on printing and publicity for the "it's
a community thing" postcards and leaflets
§ Fans United day cost £3,700, mostly for printing plus
hospitality for the press conference
§ £600 paid to the architects who had drawn up the plans
for the Plough Lane stadium
As at 20th January this year, there is approximately £4,000
in the bank.
6. The Dons Trust
Lou Carton-Kelly explained that the official launch of the Trust
will be Sunday 10th February at 4.30 p.m. at Wimbledon Theatre.
There are now 126 pre-launch members which, including donations,
has raised £3,880. Supporters Direct provide up to £1,000
for launch costs and some legal fees.
Help is needed both on the day and in the run-up to the launch.
There are regular meetings of the working party, which is divided
into different groups to cover specific matters, the next one being
tomorrow, 7.30 p.m. in the Community Centre. Everyone is welcome
to come along and contribute. On the day, stewards will be needed.
Auction items are still being sought.
7. Update on activities and future plans
Manchester City game
As the next 'home' game to be shown on terrestrial TV, there will
obviously be a demonstration of some kind, regardless of the outcome
of arbitration proceedings.
Get behind the team vs anti-Koppel chanting
It was remarked that with 18 players out of contract at the end
of the season, they would be less inclined to stay if they do not
feel they are supported. Therefore, restrict anti-Koppel chants
to before, half-time and after matches. In reply, it was pointed
out that Koppel is only there during the game.
Arbitration decision
In answer to a question of whether WISA would have any redress if
the decision goes against us, Kris replied that it would be open
to us to mount a legal challenge as we are not parties to the procedure.
Parliamentary Early Day Motion
It was noted that Roger Casale's Early Day Motion had been signed
by over 150 MPs, so securing a House of Commons debate. Details
of this would be publicised and supporters will be encouraged to
attend and to lobby their own MPs to attend.
WFC Limited finances
The £20,000 per day Koppel claims the Club is losing was questioned,
particularly given the £27m received in transfer fees. It
was pointed out:
§ that football club accounts are very 'creative' as transfer
receipts do not always go to the profit line
§ the alleged loss also appears to ignore Sky parachute money
§ this figure is often rumoured to include potential losses
resulting from, for example, not receiving income from the sales
of food and drink at Selhurst
§ the last possible date for the accounts to be published is
the end of April. It is expected that Koppel will delay until the
last possible moment as he does not want people to know the real
situation
Media coverage
§ Earlier in the week, the Evening Standard had reported that
Prince George's Playing Fields was up for sale. Kris explained he
was aware that Merton Council had received enquiries from potential
purchasers, though no details, and commented that the site is not
owned by WFC Limited but by a company whose chairman is Koppel.
§ The 'story' of Koppel's garden being vandalised was raised.
It was deemed curious that there were no photographs or police investigation
and this alleged incident had not even been reported to the police.
§ Everyone is encouraged to continue bombarding the press with
letters and emails and giving their views on radio and TV phone-in
programmes.
9. AOB
York City FC
York's board of directors have signalled their intention to resign
from the Football League unless they find someone else to take over
the club. They had previously separated ownership of the club and
the stadium and are now planning to sell the stadium to a developer
for a considerable sum. York fans are therefore planning a fans
united day on 2nd February and encouraging as many people as possible
to go to their game against Lincoln.
10. Pub
The meeting having concluded, many continued the conversation in
the Wibbas Down (Wetherspoons).
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