| ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING of the VIKINGS SUPPORTERS CO-OPERATIVE
Saturday August 4th 2007, 11.00 am
Guests:
D. Morris, M. Walker, S. O’Driscoll, J. Ryan.
1. Welcome
Chairman Andy Liney welcomed all members and guests to the meeting .This
was our seventh A.G.M. and Andy pointed out it would be his last as chairman.
A brief outline of the agenda was given by Andy. He told anyone in the
audience who wished to renew their membership or to join the V.S.C. that
his wife Pat was on hand at the door to receive their money.
2. Introduction of Guests
He thanked Mickey Walker, S. O’Driscoll, Dave Morris and John Ryan
for their attendance.
3. Order of
Proceedings
The company business was expected to take no more than fifteen minutes.
John would give an address and after which there would be a question and
answer session from the guests.
4. Chairman’s
Statement
Andy thanked the dome for arranging the room for the meeting. This had
been done for free and was much appreciated. Andy explained that the Rovers
Return Bar was now open on match days with reduced beer prices and with
excellent catering services. It was hoped to run a free shuttle service
from this bar in the near future.
At the Manchester United fixture Andy and his wife Pat collected £600.68
towards the Mayors flood appeal.
Andy then gave his
reasons for stepping down from his position has the Vikings chairman.
He thought he had gone stale with the job and had lost some of his enthusiasm.
He thought the Vikings had achieved much. One hundred thousand pounds
had been donated to the DRFC to date which proved to JR that we are trying
to raise funds. We had over the years made several donatations and sponsored
various DRFC events. Andy’s seat on the main board had meant that
the fans were kept up to date with the latest news from DRFC. The coin
trail had been a big success although did not quite reach its objective.
It did raise £56,000 for the youth team. Some things had not gone
well this year with some people objecting to Andy’s close relationship
with JR. Andy felt that because the DRFC was doing better people were
not so keen to support the VSC.
No nominations had
come forward for the vacant positions. We needed a fresh approach and
hopefully a new man could rebuild the bridges with the fans. Andy was
proud of his achievements in representing the fans and DRFC in the negotiations
for the Keepmoat Stadium. It was a stadium to be proud of. The SMC seemed
to be in some disarray and the mayor had called for an independent enquiry.
Finally Andy thanked his wife Pat for all her help and support, even though
she was not a fan. He called for and received a round of applause for
this. He gave special thanks to Mike Harker and his team for continuing
to produce the programme for the club. He thanked all the DRFC staff and
board for their help. Thanked JR, without whose help with their special
relationship it would not have been possible to keep the fans informed.
JR always puts the fans first and what he does is for the fans and the
club. Andy received a standing ovation from the audience.
5. V.S.C.
Business
Elections
Because of no nominations a show of hands was asked for to elect Ken Fear
to position as secretary. Ken was duly appointed.
6. Secretary's Report
Ken stated the important figures from the balance sheet. Total income
this financial year was £18,608.03. Shares bought in DRFC £15,700.
Expenditure had increased to £1480.90 due to a large purchase of
membership cards which would save money in the long term. Cash at bank
£1427.13
7. John Ryan’s
Address to the Membership
Last season some fans thought the season had been poor but JR thought
it was successful. We had a magnificent new stadium (which by the way
both Bobby Charlton and Alex Ferguson told JR that it was super). Because
of the stadium we had attracted a new manager and new players. We had
finished 10, 8 and 11 in the league but made progress in the cup competitions.
This culminated in the Johnstone Paint Trophy at Cardiff. What a magnificent
occasion in front of a massive crowd. Injuries hurt us badly last year.
Destination Championship was to raise the profile of the club in order
to attract better players. He thought SOD was getting the best out of
his players and had improved some of them immeasurably. We had the best
squad ever now at DRFC and with fair luck with injuries should be there
or there about come May. In his opinion we have the finest midfield in
league one and would not swap with any other club.
8. Question
and Answer Forum
Andy invited the floor to put questions to Sean.
Q1 Why
do we bring everyone back when we defend corners?
Sean
stated that it was to stop the opposition scoring. Most goals were scored
at set pieces.
Q2 Why
drop the reserve team?
Mickey
Walker answered this one. The second pitch at the Keepmoat was not good
enough for the league. It was difficult and expensive to find other venues.
We found to our cost last year that having to fulfil fixtures with only
youth team players because of injuries was not to the benefit of the players.
We have a number of league clubs wanting to play us. We can play these
games when we wish and we can play at the number two pitch at the Keepmoat.
This would be free for the fans. We will be able to play trialists without
any hassle with regulations. It should benefit Sean and his squad.
Q3 Injuries,
unlucky or not?
Sean
stated that injuries are nothing more than part and parcel of the game.
Everyone moans about them. This is why you need flexibility in your squad.
The pitch at the Keepmoat was hard and the players needed to get used
to this.
Q4 Changes
of kit and black shorts?
The
kit had to be changed this year because of the loss of the sponsor Streetwise.
This new shirt would last at least two years. The black shorts were JR’s
choice and it is just a fashion thing.
Q5 Are
we happy with the centre
back position?
Sean said that only if some outstanding player became available (young
and talented) would he bring anyone else in.
Q6 Using
a system of fluidity of position is this hard for the players to adapt
too?
Sean: This system was only played because of the number of forward players
we had. He had never used it before. The players responded to it very
well. Lewis Guy was probably playing his best football and is still only
20 years old. He has been told he must stay on his feet or risk being
dragged off. We must get behind him and give him encouragement.
Q7 Have
we any players in youth team that impress?
Sean: Boyce and Fairhurst look good and could get their chance this year.
M.W: Sometimes it can take upto15 years to get the youth policy working
right.
Q8 What
about James Hayter?
Sean. He is an intelligent footballer. He is a good goal scorer and a
good provider; him and Heffernan work well together.
Q9 Will
Craig Nelthorpe be going out on loan?
We need to keep improving him. If he is not in the first 16 then he needs
football matches to improve.
Q10 Is
Ben Smith prone to 25 yard shots?
No only when hit at pace and right in the top corners said Sean.
Q11 Green
best position midfield or fullback?
Very
versatile player who is capable of playing anywhere in midfield and at
fullback.
Q12 How
does Sean rate Griffiths?
He needs to improve and going on loan can achieve this.
Q13 The
centre exit on the west side is always closed to people using this after
the game. Can DRFC discuss this with the SMC?
Dave Morris said he would do that.
Q14 Can
we influence the choice of music at the Keepmoat?
DM said it was a fashion thing but would talk to Charles Swallow about
it.
Q15 Which
of the summer signings was most pleasing?
JR Wellens then Woods. Several championship sides wanted to sign them
but they chose Doncaster.
At this point A.Liney brought
the meeting to a close and thanked everyone for their attendance.
Minutes by Ken
Fear VSC Secretary.
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