WISA OGM 29/09/2001

Minutes of Ordinary General Meeting

Thursday, 27th September, 2001
Wimbledon Community Centre, St. George's Road, Wimbledon

Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Charlie Bell, Alan Edwards, Sean Fox, John Lloyd, Richard, Jane & William Lonsdale, Laurence Lowne, Greg Parker, Alex Pugh and John Venables.

Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meetings held - AGM on 10th May, 2001 and EGM on 23rd August, 2001 - were agreed and there were no matters arising.

Treasurer's report
Nicole Hammond reported that, from August until 15th September, the majority of income came from:

Given the increase in campaigning activity, spending on printing and 'specials' has been higher than usual. Two individual items cost more than £500:

Plane for Watford game 675
Black "wanted" T-shirts 2,000 (further £500 due for payment)

Koppel's letter & official fans forum (OFF)
In addition to the letter to all season ticket holders and Womble Club members, CK had also written to WISA. The majority of this letter was mere repetition, the additional comments being:

"You will be aware of our proposal to establish the Official Wimbledon Fans Forum in order to facilitate a constructive dialogue between all supporters and the Club. I very much hope that WISA will be represented in this forum.

"The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to invite WISA to participate in the Official Wimbledon Fans Forum and to determine which alternative proposals have so far been identified, in Merton and its surrounds, by WISA. Through the Official Wimbledon Fans Forum we would like to fully examine the alternatives with you and agree on their feasibility for the Club. To this end, I should be grateful if you would kindly contact me at your earliest convenience with details of those proposals so that we can commence this process as soon as possible.

"You will appreciate that, in the absence of a viable and adequately funded alternative, outright rejection of Milton Keynes is not an undertaking that the Club can give at this time.

"I very much hope that we can conduct this process as amicably as possible. We have been impressed by the responsible manner in which WISA has, to date, expressed its opposition to our plans and trust that we can therefore work together in exploring your own proposals in the same vein.

"I look forward to hearing from you."

Kris pointed out that the message from members at the last meeting in August had been unequivocal - we should not talk to Koppel - and WISA's response to CK had therefore followed that line. (Copies of our response were distributed at the meeting and it has been posted on the website.) The question now is: do we continue to refuse to meet CK and how do we treat this invitation to join OFF?

A great number of comments, opinions and suggestions were put forward. The general consensus was that OFF was a cynical though transparent ploy to give the appearance of consulting the fans whilst actually being an opportunity for CK to pack the forum with his placemen. However, the strong message was that WISA should be represented but on our terms - the forum must be representative, democratic and accountable.

Comments and suggestions included:
- This forum is irrelevant - it was CK who abandoned the forum which already existed when he failed to turn up to the Wimbledon Theatre meeting and then announced MK
- Every WISA member should be encouraged to apply to join, together with councillors and representatives from the Football League
- We need more information on how OFF will be set up. Proportional representation is important, as is the need for independent minutes to be taken at meetings and circulated to all fans
- Since CK had written to all season ticket holders and Womble Club members, why not just ballot them on the MK question?
- CK had told one supporter during a telephone call that WFC's accounts will be published on 30th October, showing a £7m loss. Therefore a £30m stadium could not be financed in Merton
- An accountant pointed out that accounts can be manipulated - it is in the owners' interests to show a loss
- If WFC is in financial difficulty, CK is obviously not doing his job properly
- If there is no money for a ground in Merton, where would the money come from for a stadium on Prince George's Playing Fields?
- £20m worth of players were sold last year

A 3-part vote was put to the meeting, asking:

a) In principle, should WISA officially accept the offer of representation on OFF? The majority voted yes.

b) Should we apply conditions (and if these are not met, we would consult members further about joining the forum)? The majority voted yes.
c) Should we encourage members to individually apply (with the proviso that only nominated representatives speak on behalf of WISA)? Again, the majority voted yes.

Campaign round-up and future direction
Lee Willett explained that phase II of the campaign for a return to Merton is focused on finding viable sites. A team of professional experts has been assembled and Kris displayed their first piece of work - an architect's plan for a stadium on the old Plough Lane site, accommodating at least 18,000 with an estimated cost of £25-30m. The team is in the process of investigating other sites.

There was some discussion on supporting the team and anti-CK chanting during matches, including from the main stand during the Sheffield Wednesday game. It was made clear that:
- we have always said get behind the team but that did not preclude expressions of disapproval against MK or CK
- the Sheffield Wednesday protest was not a WISA initiative.
However, a member who sits in the main stand questioned the overreaction of the club, police and stewards. A companion who, in response to taunts by Millwall fans about MK, had shouted across to the directors box that CK could take them instead was quickly warned by police and stewards that he should desist from making such remarks or risk ejection.

Future matchday demonstrations are currently being discussed.

Supporters Trust
Lou Carton-Kelly, Nicole Hammond, Mags Hutchinson and Luke Mackenzie attended the first Supporters Direct annual conference at Birkbeck College on Thursday, 6th September. Also present were the Rt. Hon. Richard Caborn, MP, Minister for Sport, Nic Coward, Company Secretary of the Football Association, the Football League's Press Officer, a representative from the FA Premier League and several hundred fans from different clubs. The workshops our delegates attended were:

- How to set up a supporters trust
- What can supporters do when their club is in administration?
- Community initiatives
- Holding elections
- Internal trust governance and finance procedures
- Being a club director
- Effective use of the media - practical exercies

Lou Carton-Kelly explained that, whilst WISA would not on its own set up a trust, it is strongly recommended and WISA is prepared to do the initial investigations and preparatory work. A public meeting will be arranged, at which everyone is welcome, where our Supporter's Direct case worker will explain the benefits of a trust and what is involved. Details will be announced in Yellow & Blue and on the website.
Dogs night - Saturday, 10th November
Lou Carton-Kelly and Ivor Hellor have arranged a fundraising evening at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium. Tickets are available at a range of prices and race sponsors are needed. Yellow & Blue will be advertising the event and further information can be obtained from Lou or Ivor.
Post meeting note: this event is being postponed

Brentford
Brentford fans have been supportive of our campaign, joining us on the walk and at Watford for example. They are having their own walk for Brentford this Saturday (29th September), starting at 12 noon from Hounslow civic centre. Anyone not going to Man City is encouraged to join them.

Election to committee
There were 5 nominations for 4 vacant general committee positions. Those elected were:
John Lloyd
Luke Mackenzie
Richard McGregor
Kevin Rye

Pub
The meeting having concluded, many retired gratefully to the Wibbas Down (Wetherspoons)!