NTFC Supporters Trust held its delayed 2020 Annual General Meeting, via Zoom, on Thursday night with 33 members in attendance.
A summary of the meeting is as follows:-
· Trust chairman Andy Roberts gave a report to the meeting and referenced the Trust’s forthcoming engagement campaign – the Football Conversation – which rolls out in March.
He said: “The bailout recently agreed is just a short-term sticking plaster fix which does nothing to ensure the future sustainability of football clubs.
“There is a bigger picture which focuses not just on sustainability but also accountability, through independent regulation, and transparency relating to the governance and financing of our clubs.
“If the last 12 months or so has proved anything it is that football is nothing without its fans. Supporters at our level are the lifeblood of their clubs and should, accordingly, be treated with respect.”
In response to questions from James Averill and Ant Collett, the chairman updated the meeting on the club’s stadium development negotiations – now with West Northants Council – and said that the Trust was working hard to improve its profile and engage more effectively with its membership and also the wider fanbase.
· Catherine Lomax enquired as to the status of the Asset of Community Value (ACV) which presently covers Sixfields stadium and the old athletics track land behind the east stand.
This is presently registered with Northampton Borough Council (NBC). The Trust’s legal adviser John Morgan confirmed that the ACV would transfer across to the new West Northamptonshire Council, the unitary authority replacing NBC from the beginning of April.
· The Trust’s current membership stands at 732, with a clear majority of 573 as life members. Trust board secretary urged those members on email who had not yet confirmed their details for GDPR purposes to do so by returning the form, or information, to ntfctrust1992@gmail.com
· Treasurer Barry Collins reported on the club’s accounts which showed a profit of more than £7,000 for the 2019/20 financial year in which the Trust had supported NTFC Women and club historian Ethan Grande’s Dave Bowen book.
The meeting adopted the Trust’s accounts and agreed that Clifford Towers continue as auditors.
· New board member Simon Miller was welcomed and thanks were given to outgoing board member Kevin O’Brien who is stepping down owing to other commitments.
After the meeting, two other members expressed an interest in joining the board and are being invited to the Trust’s next board meeting on 11 March.
· Helen Hickman said it was very likely that board meetings and forums will take place via Zoom in the future as the technology was able to engage members and other supporters who lived further afield.
Any Trust member interested in attending a virtual board meeting, held monthly, should contact Helen via ntfctrust1992@gmail.com
