Holker Street Newsletter 1690 - 8th April 2006

Barrow’s game against Kettering this weekend will be broadcast by Radio Cumbria, and frequencies and web site details are shown in signature at the end of this Newsletter, and on Tuesday night, Radio Cumbria will carry updates from Barrow’s home game against Vauxhall.


AGM REPORT
From John Little

Just 60-70 members turned up for a low key AGM to hear the accounts and views from the board on how they see things at the club.

The meeting opened with apologies from Keith Allen (supporter standing for the board who was on holiday) and the board apologising for Alan Dunn who had been held up due to a late running meeting.

Brian Keen read the Chairman’s report which was as per the notice sent out saying that the club is stable and has a bright future in spite of the difficulty in running a complex operation such as Barrow AFC. Off the field the club are making positive steps with the new bar and catering facilities under the stand in progress. In addition the addition of the corporate hospitality rooms in the Cross Bar is another positive move that will help to bring in more income for the club. Brian Keen thanked our sponsors Furness Fibreglass Roofing who had completed the flooring for the new corporate areas for a reduced cost and also the National Supporters Club who had put their income into the club for several things but in particular helping with the bar under the stand. He also thanked our other sponsors in Chas Kendall, Speedy Hire and the Furness Building Society who the club feel that if the supporters use the sponsors more then our sponsors may back us even more so than at present.

Tony Keen also mentioned that we would not be equipped to get success (implying promotion to a higher level) at present as we don't quite have the off field set up just yet to sustain us and gates alone would be nowhere near enough to ensure we competed at a higher level. However it was also pointed out that the sponsorship and additional income sources would be increasing as a result of the recent additions - particularly when the corporate rooms were completed.

Jeff Smith ran through the accounts that were for the year ending 30th June 2005 that showed we had made a loss and went through e ach item on the summarised balance sheet. The bank overdraft rising from £500 to 23K, directors loans rising from 6.5K to 47.2K, whilst gate income dropped by 46K on the previous season but on the positive side the sponsorship income was up from 28.7K to 51.8K. Overall the accounts showed a loss of £47,677. When questioned about the loss Jeff Smith felt that the variable costs of running a football club were a major factor and primarily the drop in gates and other associated income was the contributory factor. In addition a valuation of the ground saw that its value as of June 2005 was 455K.

The meeting then turned to the election of officers with firstly Dave Ingham, Tony Keen and Russell Dodd all comfortably re-elected on a show of hands. In addition although Keith Allen was unable to attend he sent a letter which was read out to the members saying that he'd been a supporters for some time and using his financial background he'd recently been advising the club’s Financial Committee. Keith was elected to the board on a show of hands. Dave Ingham also mentioned that there had been 24 proxy vote requests and of those 20 had returned their votes with all 20 in favour of re-electing the 3 existing board members and the votes were 17 to 3 in favour of electing Keith Allen to the board.

At the end we came to any other business where questions were invited from the members. Other than myself there were very few questions. I asked a question about debentures when following the assistance of buying the ground in 2002 various companies and supporters lent the club £97,000. Jeff Smith had been in touch with the directors about this and sometime in the next year forms will be sent out to ask the debentures whether they'd like to convert what is effectively their loan into a donation ie they don't want anything back from the club and will report on this at next years AGM.

With regard to the new club shop which will be housed at the Cross Bar it will be on the g round floor - conversion of a former squash court. Some joiners will be visiting the ground in the coming weeks to start making progress on the shop conversion.

A question confirmed that Barrow Reserves will be continuing again next season in the same format as they were this season.

It was pointed out that the club’s Lottery hadn't been as successful as previously in that profits were down from 35K to 26k and an example was quoted that some subscribers hadn't had their lottery collected for over two months. Brian Keen said that it was a major problem in order to try and get collectors for the rounds and was a difficult operation to try and control. It was felt that one person would need to run this full time but it was felt that members could also help here by getting people to join in and helping the club. Following a request the board agreed to look at more ways to encourage members to use direct debit.

It was felt that the club’s talkback scheme saw many questions raised and not the same amount of answers being returned. In particular the question about debentures had been raised on the talkback scheme and not answered yet an answer was provided at tonight’s meeting. Tony Keen said he and Dave Ingham do try and answer most questions within 48 hours of receiving them and other than just say two or three had answered most questions that could be answered. However it was stressed that many questions that are sent are too controversial and cannot be answered.

Brian Keen rounded off the meeting by saying that now we have a proper manager in place we will be up there challenging next season and that things were looking more positive for the future. The meeting closed at 8.25pm.


IN RESERVE
From Tm Pearce

We plan to combine the Reserves player of the year awards night with the first team and Darren Gardner has very kindly offered to cover the cost of all the trophies for the reserves this year, a truly outstanding gesture.

Planning for next season is progressing well, with tracksuits on order, away match travel sponsored by Surestart, and we are financially in good stead for next year with more companies looking to come aboard. Easter eggs have been donated for the kids’ ward with junior teams and first teamers delivering the goodies, with the Evening Mail present. On the playing front, the Reserves are at home on Wednesday 12 April to Clitheroe, a game kindly sponsored by the Furness Building Society. On the field we are looking to beat the best position of ninth and show continuous improvement over the last three years in charge.

Barrow’s game last weekend against Guiseley fell victim to the rain, and new date has been fixed.


NATIONWIDE NORTH
Lancaster City 2 Harrogate Town 1 (192).

P W D L F A Pts GD
1 Northwich Victoria 36 24 5 7 84 44 77 40
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 Stafford Rangers 36 22 9 5 61 29 75 32
3 Nuneaton Borough 36 19 11 6 59 36 68 23
4 Droylsden 37 16 12 9 69 53 60 16
5 Harrogate Town 35 18 5 12 56 47 59 9
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 Kettering Town 36 14 10 12 53 46 52 7
7 Worcester City 37 13 13 11 47 40 52 7
8 Moor Green 37 12 16 9 58 58 52 0
9 Stalybridge Celtic 35 14 9 12 58 45 51 13
10 Workington 35 12 13 10 53 50 49 3
11 Hinckley United 37 11 16 10 50 49 49 1
12 Hyde United 37 13 9 15 59 53 48 6
13 Hucknall Town 37 12 11 14 50 50 47 0
14 Lancaster City 34 12 10 12 47 46 46 1
15 Barrow 35 11 10 14 56 55 43 1
16 Gainsborough Trinity 36 10 10 16 41 58 40 -17
17 Alfreton Town 36 8 14 14 40 51 38 -11
18 Worksop Town 36 8 11 17 42 61 35 -19
19 Vauxhall Motors 36 10 5 21 41 64 35 -23
20 Leigh RMI 37 8 11 18 39 67 35 -28
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
21 Redditch United 37 8 10 19 47 68 34 -21
22 Hednesford Town 36 6 12 18 38 78 30 -40


CHANGE AT THE GIANT AXE HELM
From www.lancastertoday.co.uk, 6 April

Lancaster City will soon have a new owner after Ron Moore this week agreed to sell his shares. But Giant Axe officials were keeping quiet over the identity of the new man in charge, who will take control of 70 per cent of the club. In a landmark week at Giant Axe, former chairman Steve Johnston resigned on Wednesday, citing frustration at not being able to take the club forward. But on Thursday, Mr Moore refuted these claims, saying he had not stood in the way of Mr Johnston and had now sold his shares to an unnamed third party. The new owner was expected to be announced early next week. Mr Johnston stood down after less than a year in charge after, he said, twice being close to buying the club from Mr Moore. Mr Johnston said: "I would like to take this club forward and improve the situation for everyone involved, but I cannot do this without the co-operation of the previous chairman. He is still the principal shareholder, the principal creditor and he owns the clubhouse, the Dolly Blue Tavern. A small group of investors, along with myself, have twice been ready to close a deal to take control of the shares. But negotiations fell through both times at the final hurdle and promises were retracted, which has been greatly disappointing." But this was denied by Mr Moore. He said: "Promises were not retracted, it was not stopped by me, I was happy to let him have the shares. "I have not stood in Steve Johnston's, or anybody else's, way." Mr Moore resigned as chairman last summer with Mr Johnston taking over, despite only having joined the board in April 2004. Mr Johnston said there were also personal reasons behind his decision with the imminent birth of his third child. He said: "My first priority is to my family and my next concern has to be my own business. I am not in the fortunate position of having further time and energy to devote to a cause so unconnected with these two things." Mr Johnston will continue to support the club, sponsoring events, and wished City well. He said: "I have a high regard for the club, most particularly the players and fans, they have made me feel extremely welcome. They deserve success at the club and I sincerely hope they will see it soon."

Club secretary, Barry Newsham, said: "It is well documented that since Ron Moore was invited to join Lancaster City, he has turned the club round. "It now looks like a football pitch with blocked turnstiles on three sides, he has put in a sponsors' lounge and we are at the highest level we have been at. His shares have been available for Lancaster City to buy," added Mr Newsham.


THIS WEEK’S NATIONWIDE NORTH FIXTURES
Saturday 8 April: Alfreton Town v Nuneaton Borough, Barrow v Kettering Town, Droylsden v Lancaster City, Gainsborough Trinity v Stafford Rangers, Hednesford Town v Hyde United, Hinckley United v Worksop Town, Leigh RMI v Worcester City, Northwich Victoria v Harrogate Town, Redditch United v Hucknall Town, Stalybridge Celtic v Workington, Vauxhall Motors v Moor Green.


THEY'VE UNTIL MAY TO GET OUT OF IT
From the BBC

Scarborough must exit administration by 31 May or face automatic relegation from the Conference's top Division. League rules say clubs cannot play for three straight seasons in the Conference while in administration. Scarborough are in their second year in administration and therefore have until the 31 May deadline to abide by the ruling. Conference chief executive John Moules told BBC Sport: 'They've until May to get out of it. It's in their court'... However, Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds said: 'We are in a position where, first and foremost, we as a football team need to stay in the League. If that is the case then in terms of complying with the ruling I have been told that we are in a position to sort it out in a matter of days'".


WORLD CUP 2006 PREDICTIONS COMPETITION
From Christopher Roddie

It's nearly time for the greatest football competition on the planet (after the FA Trophy, of course). Will the Brazilians dazzle in Deutschland, will the Germans be regimental in their pursuit of victory, or will Sven's men put England fans out of their misery? If you consider yourself an expert in these matters, have a go at the World Cup Predictions competition being run by the Barrow AFC (National) Supporters' Club. First Prize is a "Man of the Match" sponsorship to the home game of your choice (winner will select from available matches). This prize consists of pre, half-time and post match food and drinks for two people. Winners name will be highlighted on all match day publications, and announced during the match. *An equivalent prize will be offered for an overseas winner.

Second prize is a 2006/07 replica Barrow AFC shirt. It is also hoped for a special prize for predicting the correct total number of goals to be scored by all teams in the whole competition.

Entry fee is £3 for one entry, or two entries for £5, and the scoring works as follows;

First Round Matches
Correct result 2 point
Correct result and score 5 points
Example: England 1 Sweden 0
If you have predicted 1-0, you will get 5 points for the right result and score
If you have put 3-0, you will get 2 points for the right result
If you have put 1-1 or 0-1 etc. you will get 0 points

Predict Second Round, Quarter-Finalists, Semi-Finalists, Finalists and the Winner:
5 points for each correct team into Second Round (last 16)
10 points for each correct Quarter-Finalist.
15 points for each correct Semi-Finalist.
20 points for each correct Finalist.
25 points for correct Third Place team
30 points for the Winner.

Entry forms available by contacting Chris Roddie (details below), or download from www.barrowfc.com

All proceeds from this competition will benefit Barrow AFC, even the prizes are a direct contribution. All entries (including entry fee) must be on the forms available from the website, and must arrive by Friday 2 June to Chris Roddie at "Claremont", Wolverhampton Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5AQ or chris_roddie@hotmail.co.uk

Please make all cheques payable to "Barrow AFC (National) Supporters Club". The competition is open to anyone, whether a member of the NSC or not. Regular updates will be available at www.barrowfc.com, and included in the "Zigger" newsletter, and the Holker Street Newsletter.