Capinjazz...Capinjazz wrote:It just show how far the club has come in recent years, from losing thousands of pounds per season to being in a position where the club can afford to give discounts to supporters (who would of paid full price for the products) and all for £10 a season (most however will get it free as they are already a member of the fotg draw).
Not many clubs would be so willing to lose income.
The aim of the FOTG Supporters Association is to improve links between the football club and the supporters. Various committee members of the football club have been keen for a supporter group to be active since the Yeltz Trust's activity decreased. We felt as a group of people that talk was cheap and we wanted to set the wheels in motion.Like any new organisation, it is important to offer 'perks' if you like to gain new custom and the offer of small discounts for merchandise and drinks from the football club shows they want to support US with OUR ideas.
The FOTG draw has been great, with 69 balls going into next months draw, a few people have 2/3/4 goes but I understand that not everyone is in a financial position to be able to have a go and commit to £10 every month. The annual membership of £10 gives those people an opportunity to be involved who can't commit to a monthly membership. It also gives those people who aren't in the draw (because they wanted to see how things go) an opportunity to do that without committing too much money.
Rest assured that The FOTG Supporters Association isn't about taking money out of the football club, but helping to generate the football club money. Speculate to accumulate is a phrase often used in business and our intention is to see members support the football club financially as much as they can but if not offer their time, effort and enthusiasm.
We felt it was important to have a member of this committee help liaise with the club to offer structured working parties that can help the club. If we have someone who is in the association who by trade is a plumber for example it would be useful to have their knowledge and expertise in this field for work. Neil Broughton will be doing this with the members of the Supporters Association in the hope it might help the football club save money rather than pay top price for the work to be completed around the ground.
Darren Jackson will be organising various fundraising events, the aim being something every two months or so. This will help to generate finance behind the bar and help improve the social aspect of supporters coming together...much like the recent working parties.
The FOTG Supporters Association is fully committed to helping bring the supporters together, whatever your viewpoint on or off the pitch, we're open to suggestions and ideas. As we're using in our marketing - Its for the fans to decide how it works, it will only be successful if fans contribute. We have deliberately NOT put together a constitution for the FOTG Supporters Association as we want ALL fans to be involved in how it works FOR US.
In short, the club isn't 'willing' to lose income, it wants to generate income with us and with our help, it wants us all to work together to achieve the goal of helping the football club move forwards on and off the pitch. I hope that you and others will support us, as "every fan matters", whether you've been here 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years or 55 years.
From a personal point of view, I'd love to be able to chuck a good whack of money at the club I love, but I haven't got the proverbial 'pot to p*** in', what I, and others on this small committee have got though is the desire, drive and ambition to try and help move us forwards. We want every fan to support us and help us do this. Feel free to pop and see us in the JG Lounge on Saturday before the game if you want to discuss any more or email me at friendsofthegrove@yahoo.co.uk - Maybe you could send your FOTG monthly draw entry too ;-)
Rob
But not for KenR - too much begging and V***a scarf action for me 