The Minutes From Thursday's Meeting

[The Great Eckscape]

Minutes of Canvey Island Football Club Forum

Held on 18th May 2006

At CIFC Club Bar

 

1. Introduction

 

Dennis Rugg (DR) opened the meeting.

 

2. Canvey Island Football Club Limited Company

 

DR advised a meeting was held with Jeff King (JK) two weeks ago to discuss the future of CIFC. JK offered to sell the limited company along with a sub lease for a peppercorn £1.00. This agreement would result in the Club obtaining the company without inheriting debts or costs. As a result Lease, Stadium and Company would come to the Club.

Tony Richardson (TR) and JK accountants have been in discussion and JK accountant is working to ensure he clears all obligations have been paid. The likely date of signature is end June 2006. By taking over the club we retain the name and logo.

 

DR requested that supporters do not post unnecessary comments on the unofficial website as this could damage the good relationship currently held with JK.

 

3. Ryman North/Ryman Premier

 

DR explained the reasons surrounding why CIFC went from Ryman Premier to Ryman North. JK requested DR write to the Conference to resign. DR spoke to Mr Moules who expressed their sadness at the news and advised that the FA were likely to put the club into the Essex Senior League.

DR advised within the letter of resignation to Conference and to FA that the preferred league would be Ryman North as club funds would be able to finance this situation. The Leagues Board made the decision to place CIFC in the Premier Division due to the situation occurring at Hendon. No-one foresaw the problems this would create.

DR received a call on 13/6/06 stating that by placing CIFC and Chelmsford in the same league led to a conflict of interest that was not acceptable to the league. By continuing to remain in Premier would lead to JK having to stop having involvement in Chelmsford so he could not fulfil his commitment there. This could have led to JK refusing football being played at CIFC to prevent conflict.

DR contacted Ryman League and asked to go into Ryman North however this was dependant on league accepting this and allowing the reinstatement of Hendon.

This situation had to be resolved by 14/6/06 and led to Wayne Purser (WP) becoming involved which was done late on 14/6/06.

DR reminded the audience that Ryman North was CIFC first preference.

 

4. Ticket Prices

 

DR advised tickets obviously a lot less than last year. There is argument that the headline rate for attending (adult) could be reduced by £1.00. There are huge concessions relating to Students and children.

John Batch (JB) advised that the cost of running the club without players fees was £59,000 per year including rent, rates, lighting, ground maintenance. No-one at the front nor JB were taking any money to carry out their work.

DR advised that Ryman North teams had the benefit from their previous seasons sponsorship and attendance. The only money CIFC retain is the funds from sponsored walk and bucket collections.

The effect of the extra £1.00 for 26 games (league and cup) will result in an additional £26.00 for supporters however if an average of 250 attend games the annual loss is £6500. Requests for funds are already being received including £1500 for Ryman League, £200 plus VAT for specific balls.

Programmes will be reduced from £2.00 to £1.50

If the prices are reduced this could lead to serious financial problems. As this is a democratic club consideration to this matter will be given at the end of the meeting.

 

5. The Kit

 

JB advised that there will be a new kit based on the Arsenal shirt. It will be Yellow Shirt, Sky Blue Shorts, White Socks. This kit will be available from the first friendly on 22nd July 2006. The Club Shop will hold the kit and will be stocked on a sale/return basis. The Club Shop will undergo a refit.

 

6. The Squad

 

JB advised that the squad will comprise of 20 players with some acquisitions. The current team feature young and talented players but whilst they lack experience they will be competitive. JB is in discussion with two former players from CIFC who will have a massive impact upon the team. The supporters need to have belief in the team and allow them to learn from mistakes they will make. The under 18 squad is very good and if we do get promotion we will have the back up without big wages.

 

Q. Will CIFC being encouraging a youth structure?

 

A. JB – Yes, CIFC will be looking to develop the boys all the way through so that we can proceed in developing our own players.

 

7. Fund-raising

 

John Morris (JM) stated there will be a sponsored walk held on 11/6/06 starting at 10.15 at Waterside Farm going around seawall back to CIFC. 100 forms have already been taken and are available behind bar. There will be prizes for top 3 walkers.

28/5/06 a curry night will be held at Maharajah which will include Reserve Team presentation. There are currently 60 spaces at a cost of £12.00. If interested turn up on the night.

 

8. Sponsorship

 

Keith Johnson (KJ) advised that he has spoken to a number of sponsors and next week will be contacting old sponsors. Sponsorship will be cheaper than last year and if you are interested or know of anyone interested in sponsoring any part of the ground, boards, programme etc. please let him know.

Classic Gold were one of the biggest sponsors of CIFC and their board has decided to withdraw their support of CIFC. David Baker is hugely disappointed and very upset at some of the comments posted onto the Forum about this decision. KJ reminded the audience this was a Classic Gold Board decision and not a personal decision of David Baker.

 

9. Working Groups

 

Glen Eckett (GE) told the audience that we all need to save money for the club and we can do that by being involved in working groups. Next week there will be a meeting of all working groups and supporters need to come down and become involved. We are all running the club.

 

One group will be the computer group looking at the website. We will be keeping the web address and need to improve this. Anyone with computer skills should contact GE.

 

Q. Not everyone has a computer and rely on local media

 

A. The website is a starting point and consideration is being given to a newsletter. There could be a group for communication. Also within the programme there will be a page for club information

 

10. Chris Gardner

 

CG advised that during the coming weeks there will be a lot of fundraising. The club house will be open Thursdays and Saturdays with the exception of week 1-8/6 when club will be closed.

The club will be open during the World Cup and we need supporters to attend to spend money in the bar.

 

11. Questions and Answers

 

Q. Does the cost of the season ticket exclude FA games?

A. Yes it does not include FA Vase, Trophy or Cup games

 

Q. Can we take this as the AGM?

A. No not until the company has been signed over

 

Q. Will there be elections?

A. Yes when company signed over

 

Q. Is ground only going to be used once a fortnight?

A. No It will be used by reserves and midweek games

 

12. Vote

 

DR invited the audience to vote on whether they would like to see a reduction in admission prices for the forthcoming season.

A unanimous vote in favour of NOT reducing admission prices

 

Meeting closed

[Yellow Bungle]

Great idea to post the minutes, and very comprehensive and professional they appear.

 

Unfortunately I was unable to be there, but looks like it was very productive.

 

I agree it is important that we respect everyones decisions and refrain from making personal attacks without full information, looks like Jeff hasn't forgotten us and holds no ill will. So let's all say "nice one Jeff", it's a shame you've left but good that you are still willing to help.

 

Also, I have no objection in paying the extra £1 and will voluntarily insist on paying £2 for the programme.

 

The new kit sounds good, but how what about the away one - if we have not decided on one yet how about a competition to design it either involving local school or on a pay for your entry basis?

 

If we went the schools route, we could raise some interest and give the winners/entrants some tickets (although we may have to tone down the winning entry unless you fancy a kit with spaceships and trains).

 

It good to hear about the shop being refurbed. Merchandising can be an important source of income for us and will also be good for raising or profile if we can get the kids wearing them.

 

Only thing I think that needs adding to the minutes is the date of the next meeting - has it been set yet?

[Matt H]

Well that all sounds fan-bloody-tastic!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

 

A new kit based on the Arsenal shirt? Does he mean this one?

 

 

Do we get a new Away kit too? I will be counting down till July 22nd now, but will the kit also be available from Penn Sports or just the Club Shop?

 

Points 6-10 all look very positive! I can watch the World Cup AND give money to my Club at the same time by getting rat-arsed!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Mr Happy]

Please don't wear that when you come to play us at the Brimmobeu. I may be sick!!!

[Eastside Urchin]

brimmobeu,PMSL!

[Matt H]

Quote:

Yellow Bungle said:
The new kit sounds good, but how what about the away one - if we have not decided on one yet how about a competition to design it either involving local school or on a pay for your entry basis?

When I was at Primary School, I ran a competition where you could name your own football team and design their kit. I had some weird and wonderful designs submitted, (the prizes I had to offer were a bit lame, but that's not the point! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />). If we act now, before the schools finish for the Summer, we could potentially get hundreds of entrants.

Pay a pound for an entry form, design your kit, submit it to the Club. Winner gets, I dunno, a free season ticket and a copy of their designed shirt signed by the team. Five runners-up can get a free season ticket - Sounds like a plan! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> If the Club already have this season's design completed, save the idea for next season.

[JAY]

would be a good idea for you lot i think

[Linneycifc]

PINK PINK PINK !!!!

 

with a collar

[Linneycifc]

and blue accents

[Linneycifc]

anyone think im close

[Matt H]

Very good Linney, don't think we'll have a Nike tick though! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 

You can have all the fun in the world alternating the colours for an away kit! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Linneycifc]

sorry im workin on the pink

[JAY]

how do you know he might of been mentioning the style of the arsenal home kit but in yellow

[Matt H]

Arsenal's commemorative kit or whatever it was, looked crap last season I thought and totally bland.

 

I don't see Arsenal mentioning anywhere yet (officially) having a different design this season so I would hope it won't be like their home kit!

 

I think Linney's attempt looks quite smart, almost Brazil like! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Arsenal will be returning to their oldest design red with white sleeves and red cuffs.

 

 

Part of the ongoing new stadium celebrations.

[Linneycifc]

Quote:

The Great Eckscape said:
Minutes of Canvey Island Football Club Forum
Held on 18th May 2006
At CIFC Club Bar
5. The Kit

JB advised that there will be a new kit based on the Arsenal shirt. It will be Yellow Shirt, Sky Blue Shorts, White Socks. This kit will be available from the first friendly on 22nd July 2006. The Club Shop will hold the kit and will be stocked on a sale/return basis. The Club Shop will undergo a refit.

[Ribbit]

I wouldn't have thought there's much scope for a re-fit! Will Penn Sports be selling it? I'll be getting it. Possibly the away shirt too.

[Matt H]

I hope they are! Penn Sports still have last season's home shirt on the hanger.

[Ribbit]

Not really interested in that!

[Ribbit]

...Oh wait, that's because I own it already. Woops.