Friends of the Grove Supporters Association

[sprout]

Hi Folks,
To clarify, Interest in The Yeltz Trust dropped over the last 2 to 3 years, and despite various meetings and requests we failed to attract new members , and more importantly failed to attract any new volunteers (Rob was the one person who came forward prior to the last 2 weeks). It simply isn't possible to run events when there are only 3 active committee members, all of whom have full time jobs, and also have involvement in other organisations (The Yeltz Bar, Scouts, Dance groups to name but 3). In fact we were, just last week, preparing to ballot members on the future of the organisation.

As regards FOTGSA, we really do wish them all the best for the future. One thing we should remember is that the trust was there to represent supporters, and if supporters decide then want a supporters association then fair play. I too, was chairman of the previous Halesowen Town Supporters Association (which evolved into the Trust). There is a hell of a lot of work involved and the people running this will need all the help and encouragement they can get.

From a personal point of view, I am slightly disappointed that this is the outcome, but looking back, it was only my (and others) experience of being involved in HTSA, and the exposure to the inner workings of the football club) that made us realise the importance of a trust, and the provision of a long term legally recognised organisation that can raise funds, and step in if necessary to liaise with official bodies (Supporters Direct / The FA / Local councils etc) if, god forbid, the unthinkable happens again.

Once again, I believe that any supporter representation is good, no matter what form, and wish FOTGSA the best for the future

David C J Atkinson
Chairman - Yeltz Trust

[Noggin]

I would like to enlarge on some of Scouses points. At the start of this season he and I carried out a straw poll of Trust members as to future direction. The reality is with the sort of activities that a supporter body undertakes it needs in the region of £550 just to pay for insurances. We had reached the point where the Yeltz Trust was scarcely covering that essential overhead.

The outcome of the consultation was that the Trust would cover its legal obligations in terms of statutory returns and keep the constitution and bank accounts open in case of emergency for the football club. Also that the members would be asked to make a final decision in 6 months (ie around now). In fact, I had drafted motions and a letter to all members last week and was awaiting formal clarification from the FCA on legal technicalities before actually sending it out to call a formal meeting of Trust members.

Before setting up the Trust, a public meeting was held and Supporters Direct and other Trusts warned that there was a tendency for Trusts to be formed in the event of a crisis, to overcome the crisis and then to whither. In reality that is what happened with the Yeltz Trust; having seen off M**s*n, having gone to the brink of forming a new club and then driven out the Ingrams, interest declined rapidly. If I am frank, with hindsight the Trust leadership also did not make a good transition from conflict mode to business as usual mode - the demands and skills mix are completely different.

I too, wish the new association well and I am open to advising them on ways forward (and lessons learnt).

The one thing I would say though is that if FOTG is to be a success over an extended period (say 3 years+) it needs supporters to join and to be actively involved. Otherwise, experience shows that club that has in the region of 250-350 regular supporters will find it very difficult to sustain a supporter body with the objectives that the new FOTG has set itself.

Finally, I am immensely proud of what Yeltz Trust members achieved at the Trusts height. I have no doubt that without it HTFC would not exist today in its current form.

PS I still have a spare loft ladder if it even needed again

[Johnny Bud]

I think we need a competition....

What does the C J in the middle of Scouse's (David C J Atkinson) name stand for?

Best / funniest answer gets a special 'mystery' prize!!

[Noggin]

I think we need a competition....

What does the C J in the middle of Scouse's (David C J Atkinson) name stand for?

Best / funniest answer gets a special 'mystery' prize!!

I didn't get where I am today by answering strange quiz questions

[Johnny Bud]

Can't you think of anything funny Noggin?

[Noggin]

Have you never seen Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin? There was a character called CJ - I was quoting his catchphrase.

[Johnny Bud]

Erm- I'm too young for that I'm not as old as you and CJ!

[Johnny Bud]

I've googled it Noggin- I wasn't even born

[RaidenYeltz]

Cracking Jugs.

[Noggin]

Are your pants on fire mate? By my reckoning you were 9 months old when it ended!