The November Lincoln City Supporters’ Trust Board meeting covered a wide range of topics.
The meeting commenced with a presentation from Gemma McFaul who is the newly appointed Community Development Worker (CDW) for the Sincil Bank area. Funding was secured from the Tudor Trust by Lincoln City Supporters Trust to employ a CDW whose role would be to work alongside local people, supporting them to identify and develop community projects and initiatives that would strengthen the bond between Lincoln City Football Club and the neighbouring Sincil Bank community.
Gemma has organised her first Community Engagement event for the 14th December. The focus of this event will be to launch the Supporters Trust Project, engage local people and wider partner organisations, with the aim of completing an initial consultation seeking their aspirations and views on the development of the club as a community hub. The event will include displays and presentations from a range of partner agencies around community cohesion, health and well being, training, education and worklessness, aiming to engage all sectors of the community such as older people, families and young people, students and residents from the various cultures and backgrounds who live within the Sincil area.
The Trust had successfully raised awareness of a number of issues that were concerning supporters including having programmes and 50/50 tickets on sale inside and outside of the ground and restricted views. There will be a news item in a future programme to remind supporters of the 3C’s initiative, comments, compliments and complaints.
Elected Supporter Director David Beck advised the Trust Board that Lincoln City are one of four Clubs from all 92 premiership, championship and football league clubs leading on the delivery of a project to support members of the armed forces after serving overseas. It was also noted that the multi-ball system is being reviewed with training and guidance offered by Steve Tilson and Grant Brown also, since the appointment of the new manager the number of player appearances at club and community events has increased considerably and the youth department are exploring the possibility of a ‘Keith Alexander’ youth tournament.
The Trust Board expressed disappointment that the alleged Ben Hutchinson inappropriate behaviour towards supporters had not been dealt with quickly and openly.
Trust Vice Chairman Chris Ashton gave the tremendous news that Graham Taylor has agreed to attend a Trust Dinner on the 8th April 2011 at the Bentley Hotel to commemorate the 35th anniversary of his Imps team gaining promotion. Gold Supporter Director Jean Foster was able to confirm that John Inverdale has donated a shirt signed by the Match of the Day presenters that will be used at the Trust Dinner to raise funds.
Feedback from the Fans Forum held at Sleaford had been very positive and the contribution made by Steve Tilson and Paul Burch much appreciated.
Arrangements are in hand for a Trust Race-Nite on the 4th March 2011 and the events committee are still working to arrange for World Cup Final referee Howard Webb to return to Sincil Bank.
Membership, Communications and Marketing committee Chairman Rob Bradley informed the Board that the final proofs for the Trust 2011 calendar have been approved and these will shortly be printed and distributed to leading retailers and the Club shop for sale.
Membership cards are scheduled to be printed week commencing 15th November and will be mailed to adult members.
Trust Director Rob Makepeace has established a Trust presence on both Facebook and Twitter with links to the existing Trust website. Rob is also taking a lead on developing a Trust Youth Board and activities for younger members.
Trust Chair Lissie Wilkins said, “This was a really positive meeting with some great outcomes including seeing our aim of supporting the closer links between the Trust, Club and local Sincil Bank community develop through the appointment of Gemma McFaul, the Trust establishing a presence on Facebook and Twitter which, in conjunction with a developing range of activities for younger members, will help the Trust to engage with the fans of the future and then the great news that we have secured the attendance of Graham Taylor to mark what was one of our most exciting seasons ever”.
Lissie Wilkins – Chair, Lincoln City Supporters’ Trust
