East Stand development
· Following media reports suggesting a deal in respect of east stand completion and wider land development at Sixfields was near, the Trust put in a Freedom of Information request to Northampton Borough Council for the period 1 January 2020 to the present day. The report back to the Trust is due today (24 July).
Opposition leaders asked six questions about the deal at the full council meeting last Monday (20 July) and written answers were provided which are now in the public domain.
The board fears that the deal is seemingly being put together away from public scrutiny and has concerns as to whether the best interests of the football club and the local council taxpayer are being represented.
We are now requesting an urgent meeting with council leader Jonathan Nunn within the next week.
Club finances
· Following receipt of the club’s accounts year ending 30 June 2019, the club’s finances were discussed at length with a view to a statement being released shortly. It is uncertain as to whether the health crisis will enable the football club to hold an Annual General Meeting this year.
Face masks
· In light of the club’s decision to now sell face masks, and the now saturated market for this product, the board has decided to stop the sales of Trust face masks. Refunds will be issued for late orders. Profits from the face masks will be donated to the Northamptonshire Health Charity to benefit local NHS workers. Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative.
NTFC Community Trust
· The board has approved a £3,000 sponsorship of the Cobblers senior Ladies team for a second year. We will once again be supporting the team’s away travel and the provision of training tops for players and staff. The money will come from the Trust’s Club 500 and travel club funds.
Community ownership
· The board has agreed a blueprint for a provisional community ownership model for the Cobblers and is working together with the Football Supporters Association (FSA) on a business plan and public relations campaign.