26 June - Devils Trust AGM

The AGM was held at Southgate West Community Centre on Thursday 26 June 2008 at 7.30pm.

Apologies were accepted from various members and also two board members (messrs Agius & Morley). A quorum was in place as required by the model rules to ensure the AGM was legal.

1. Chairman’s Address

The statement was delivered by the Chairman and approved by the members as a public statement to appear on the website.

The statement provided details of two Trust initiatives:

The pilot operation of a community football coaching scheme, to be launched at a local school in September.

A Trust ‘Legends’ football match in the autumn, as a fund-raiser and to ‘Work’ alongside the Club.

A question was asked regarding the currents status of the offer re. Player’s health insurance referred to in the statement and it was agreed that as the offer was made in January and related to the previous season, the club failed to accept the offer in time and it was now no longer current. No financial proviso for the insurance donation had been entered in the accounts.

Messages of support and encouragement had been received from members, plus an ex-officer of the football club and former CTFC creditor sent a message on behalf of all creditors. The Trust were thanked for their “brave, noble & inspirational stand in support of the creditors and against the Club owners and their followers.

2. Election of Officers

All of the candidates who had resigned were re-elected unopposed. Thanks were given to the former Trust Secretary and a call was made for volunteers who wished to undertake the duties of secretary in the following year.

3. Accounts

Draft accounts were circulated. There were queries regarding the notation of cross-references.

It was agreed, as passed at 2007 AGM, that the formal approval via an audit was not necessary as the accounts could be examined and signed off by an individual with the required qualifications in line with guidance from Supporters Direct. An individual had been identified and will be approached by the Treasurer.

4. Q & A / Future Direction

A wide debate took place with many views expressed. The commonly agreed points were:

A – The Trust were right to criticise and limit it’s involvement with the football club while the Majeeds were incumbent.

B – There are still a few questions and doubts regarding the current regime, in particular whether John Duly had been treated honourably. But closer ties were encouraged.

C – Trust officials were asked to explore the associated costs of a shareholding in the club.

D – The Trust Chairman had met with the Supporters Club and three members of the Club Board. The club are keen to only have to deal with a united supporter’s body, ways to achieve this are to be explored. But there are still suspicions amongst the SC leadership and at the Club regarding the Trust and that these need to be resolved.

Members were asked to be less provocative when expressing their views and refrain from personal attacks even when provoked.

E – Trust working groups to be revived to look at ways of moving forward in a new – more positive – climate at the club. Attendees at the AGM will be invited to a meeting to take this forward. An invitation may also be issued to SC and a club director to attend a future Trust board meeting.

The AGM concluded at 21:37pm with a commitment to involve the members that they would play a more active role in deciding and ensuring the direction of the Trust in the forthcoming year.

Board Members in attendance:
Mark Ogbourne, Colin Lowes, John Hooper, Jeff Thaddeus.

Members in attendance:
Individuals were required to sign their names in a register upon arrival, this list will be made available for inspection by Supporters Direct, upon request .