Ipswich Town
Aston’s AGM Notes
By Aston
February 3 2008
Just under a week since Town's AGM, I've finally been bothered enough to turn my rather poorly written and nonsensical notes into some kind of article, I hope you enjoy them. Right ladies and gents, I would like to point out from the start that I did intend for my note taking to be a deadly serious affair, but I got bored very quickly and turned my hand to trying to make it funny, I failed.
I arrived at the gym in the Greene King stand at around 6:35, 55 minutes before the meeting was due to start and so I sat down after counting the crowd which at the time numbered about 15 I got very bored very quickly so turned to my copy of Top Gear magazine which kept me amused for the 54 minutes I need to fill, when I looked up from the review of the forth coming Lexus IS-F the crowd had swelled to about 100 and the meeting was nearly ready to start, but I still had time to spot some look-a-likes of famous people, Johnny Ball (TV Presenter), Max Clifford (PR Guru), Chris Moyles (Radio One), Danny Baker (Radio Presenter) and Derek Davis (EADT) although it turned out to Derek Davis who was there covering the event for the EADT.
Town Chairman David Sheepshanks, Town manager Jim Magilton and a few other import people turned and took their places on the stage at the front of the gym. Just before the meeting got underway there was some very dull health and safety announcement which pointed out that recording or broadcasting the event wasn't allowed, which was annoying as it meant I wouldn't be allowed to use my 10-gallon camera hat.
Mr Sheepshanks started the meeting with a load of business gumph and how his note which formed part of the pack sent out to shareholders were very long and he wouldn't be reading them on the night. He then handed the microphone over to someone who my notes forgot to name, who read out apologises on behalf of most of the former football club board (Holly Bellingham, Richard Kerr etc).
Mr Sheepshanks then returned to the mic and pointed out that despite the small profit Town had made in the last financial year we were still a bit skint and competing with four clubs who have £11million parachute payments to spend, that was until Mr Evans came along and injected some much needed capital into the business. Mr Sheepshanks then thanked Peter Cohen and Holly Bellingham for their support in the buy out and Mr Evans for buying the club, pointing out the Mr Evans and his millions are good thing and that Mr Evans was not putting extra pressure on Magilton to sign players (and at the time there were 3 bids outstanding).
Mr Sheepshanks then moved on to the subject of the poor attendances at Portman Road this year, pointing out that they were low but three clubs who would attract large crowds still had to visit Portman Road this year "Watford, Charlton and somebody else, Norwich" which would swell the average crowd.
Mr Sheepshanks then thanks Derek Bowden for his work over the past year and the retiring directors of Ipswich Town football club before insisting that the new PLC board would be having conflicts with the Football Club board.
Martin Pitcher (a representative of Marcus Evans) was then given his first chance to speak to Town fans and he explained why Mr Evans decided to buy the club, explaining Mr Evans was attracted by the clubs history, academy, community trust and stadium which all contributed to the deal being a no brainer. Mr Pitcher admitted he knew nothing about football but he was looking forward to one day being involved with a "premiership division" club.
The floor was then opened up to questions, the first coming from some muppet (called Colin I think) sitting about 5 seats to my left, but I thought the question so silly I didn't bother noting it down. But the answer to whatever the question was came from Anna Hughes (the clubs finance director), basically the football club still owes the Bank of Scotland money, but nothing is owed to Norwich Union or Barclays. The club owes £32million (and interest) to Mr Evans but it will be paid back when the club can afford it (IE after promotion).
Some fella called Colin (who may have been the person who asked the first question) then asked how the PLC is financed, the reply was simple enough as the PLC isn't financed because it has no need to be.
Someone called David then asked if it was a bit silly revealing that the club had £12million to spend since the takeover of the club by Marcus Evans and how is it available. The reply came from Mr Sheepshanks who said we had to reveal the money was there and in the clubs bank account now and free to spend but of course we won't blow it.
David Wilson (see my note taking is improving) then asked if the club had found a new sponsor for next season to replace E-On. The reply was not yet but the club are confident of finding a good sponsor.
Alan Hikel (notes might be improving but my spelling might be getting worse) then asked if the club planned to complete the executive boxes in the Britannia Stand? The reply was from Mr Sheepshanks, it is something we will think about doing, would you like to buy one?
Billy Ramsey then asked why doesn't the club support football aid (a charity that allows fans the chance to play on their teams pitch)? The reply came from Terry Baxter, football aid support was shelved because the club would rather concentrate on local charities and putting on concerts at Portman Road.
Someone called Martin then asked why aren't the club spending the Evans money? Martin Pitcher replied by pointing out that would be a bit silly.
Colin then asked his 3rd question of the evening, as Sheffield United had cut prices for fans travelling to Bramall Lane recently, would the club do the same for the return fixture? I can't remember who the reply came from but in short it was a no, because we charge all the fans the same while Sheffield United use a banding system for games, which Town might look into for next season, but low cost games would have to be covered by higher cost games.
Nigel then asked if Mr Sheepshanks could use his power at the FA to get bank holiday games back for the Football League as these normally had high crowds. Mr Sheepshanks said he has been trying this for a couple of seasons.
Another question from the floor asked why we hadn't spent much money in the transfer window (before the signing of David Norris)? Mr Sheepshanks replied with we have no need to spend a vast amount of money this month (being January at the time) as we are already competing with the wealthier clubs in this league.
Some one called John then asked if smokers could be allowed out of the ground at half time for a cigarette? The reply came from Mr Sheepshanks who said it could possibly be done, but currently for the Britannia stand only.
Then onto the resolutions, all 7 were passed by large margins.
Do you think you could write a better column about anything Town related? e-mail it to me aston@stb-online.co.uk
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I must say (as a smoker) that I don't enjoy going to games as much nowadays due to the Smoking ban and feel as we are not in an enclosed area(a stand is not 4 sided) it should be allowed. Or even make a section below the Stand for Smokers to smoke before the game and at half-time.
I'm off for a fag, back soon
I dont see much wrong with smoking in the stairwells in the North Stand as they are well venalted and there can't be many people using them at half time.
Ipswich Town - the pride of anglia
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:02:04:10:19:51 by Dave-69.
Ipswich Town - the pride of anglia
oh the stairwells I meant link lower and upper parts of the north stand
Ipswich Town - the pride of anglia
