Interview with Trust Chairman, David Hindley
Why were you appointed as chairman of the trust? | |||
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What aims do the trust have with the new owners? | |||
The Trust would like to act as a focal point for contact between the football club and its supporters, encouraging openness and consultation in the club's decision making. NCST aims to set up regular meetings with club officials so that supporters' interests and concerns are effectively communicated to the club, and taken into account in any planning or decision making. |
Why weren't members' of the Trust allowed to select who the new Chairman would be? | |||
At present there is an interim board, made up largely of individuals who took a lead role in the formation of the Trust, who were given a mandate at the official launch of the Trust on April 4th 2003 to form a Supporters Trust. Under the society's rules the chair is chosen by the Society Board be they interim or elected. |
The trust hasn't done alot since it has been formed. What role does the trust have to play within Notts County Football Club? | |||
In the short time that the Trust has been in existence -11 weeks in total - members of the interim board (who are all volunteers) have been active, engaging in a range of activities, which we hope have benefited Trust members and Notts County supporters. These include: producing and distributing 5 newsletters to keep fans aware of events leading up to the takeover; and holding discussions with all key players, for example the City Council, the administrator, prospective bidders, the Football League, and Supporters Direct, to put forward the views and concerns of supporters and to ensure as much information about the proceedings can be made public to the fans. |
How do the new owners feel about you being the new chairman rather than John Thornhill? | |||
I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment on behalf of Frank Strang and Raj Bhatia as to their feelings towards the chair of Notts County Supporters Trust. |
What is the point of having younger members of the trust as they will not be able to vote at elections and most of them do not understand all the politics at the club? | |||
You are correct about voting rights - because the Notts County |
Is there any truth in the rumour that other members of the trust were bribed into supporting the Scardino bid by an offer of a place on the board - is this the reason why there have been resignations over the past two weeks ? | |||
None whatsoever. |
A)Why did John Thornhill and Cheryl Thompson resign? | |||
The resignations were both personal decisions. |
Why do people have to pay to be a member of the trust and where does their money go? | |||
The cost of membership is a Trust decision. According to Supporters Direct "you have to set a subscription rate that at least covers the administration costs". They recommend that it should cost no more than the average price to attend a home match, but with prices as they are at some clubs (i.e. £30 in the Premier League), it us suggested that membership is a relatively small sum to get as many members as possible. |
A)Will you be asking the new owners if they will consider looking into returning the Kop to Notts fans? If not can you please do so. This is an old chestnut and I am well aware that the police have in the past issued guidelines to the club that the Kop should house the away supporters. However I am a firm believer that if you transferred the | |||
I will make sure that the above issues are raised at the next NCST meeting arranged with Sam McEwan, and that your concerns are passed onto Raj Bhatia and Frank Strang. |
I have to travel a long way to get to Meadow Lane, and long may I do so, but it means I can't attend trust meetings if they are held midweek. I realise you can't please everyone, but will it be possible for some meetings to be held on Friday night, or even Saturday morning, before a home game? | |||
I will put forward your concerns when the next members' forum is being arranged. The Trust wishes to be inclusive and will consider any proposal that allows as many supporters as possible to be involved. That said it is worth pointing out that the official launch of the Trust was held on a Friday evening, and that the number of fans attending Trust meetings at Meadow Lane has been excellent. |
So far trust members haven't been very well informed about what is going off behind closed doors, why aren't we being kept informed? | |||
Notts County Supporters Trust believes that supporters need to be kept as fully informed about developments as possible. To this end, we have held a forum where members could ask Paul Finnity and the Trust board questions; as well as producing and distributing newsletters, regular e-mails to members and publicising Trust activities through the local media. |
Most fans wanted the Strang and Bhatia bid to takeover the club, why didn't the Trust represent that opinion? | |||
The simple answer is that the Trust wished to remain neutral in the takeover process, largely because we would have to work with the new owners and even when the bids had been formally handed in, the identity of the successful party was unclear. This stance was adopted after much discussion, particularly with other supporter trusts that have been in a similar situation. For example, York City Supporters Trust initially backed the `wrong' party and consequentlylost a great deal of credibility, and damaged their relationship with other interested parties. |
What do you actually do as Chairman? | |||
In my capacity of chair it is my responsibility to `chair' |
What was said at the meeting between you and the new owners? | |||
The aims of the meeting were to set out the Trusts' objectives, |
What were your first impressions of Sam McEwan when you met him? | |||
My own impression of Sam McEwan is that he is a frank-speaking Scotsman, who has an interest in football. During the meeting he was friendly, and willing to discuss a range of issues. |
A) Do you think we are financially safe as a football club for the next few years? | |||
Football finances are in a parlous state, and the fact that Notts |
When do you plan to hold an open' evening so questions from the members can be asked to the Panel? | |||
The issue of a fans' forum was raised during last week's |
Any other other business... | |||
The idea of Supporters' Trusts is now firmly entrenched and the success of fan groups up and down the country demonstrate that the ordinary supporter should, and more importantly can have a greater say in how their club is run. |