Notes from November 3 Trust Board meeting


NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST BOARD MEETING

NOVEMBER 3, 2022, 7pm

MEETING HELD AT RODNEY PARADE

REDACTED NOTES FOR PUBLICATION

ATTENDEES (Board members): Paul Marks (PMa, Chair), Joe Crocker (JC), Mike Everett (ME), Gavin Foxall (GF), Bob Herrin (BH), Peter Madigan (PM) (via video), Kevin Ward (KW).

ATTENDEES (Club staff): Nigel Stephenson (NS).

APOLOGIES: Mark Crook (MC), Shaun Johnson (SJ).

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING (PMa)
    • The minutes of the Trust Board meeting on October 6, 2022, were approved as an accurate record.
  1. MATTERS ARISING (PMa)
    • None that are not included in agenda items.
  1. LEAGUE/CLUB/UPDATE (GF)
    • First team update: Club Group met earlier. GC gave update on first two weeks in role. Talked about plans for January window. Committed to development squad for both Academy and first team players on periphery. Pleased with training facilities.
    • Events: Meet the manager evening on November 15 (7 for 7.30pm). Chris Wathan of BBC Wales to interview manager. Free event for fans. Remembrance match will be against Stockport on November 12. Remembrance Sunday march will be next day and we will ensure all parts of club are represented. World Cup fan event on November 21 – Wales v USA – at Rodney Parade. Fan zone will be outside with big screen & entertainment, with £5 entry fee including donation to Kidscape. Similar for England game. Iran game will be community-based with schools invited.
    • EFL articles change: EFL now mandated all clubs have to change articles of association to mandate that ownership cannot change without EFL approval, and fit and proper tests must be passed.
    • League celebration: Hall of fame evening proposed for May 12. GF meeting council leader to relay thoughts around museum exhibition.
  1. OPERATIONAL UPDATE (NS)
    • Academy: Manager interviews to take place w/e November 4; Head of recruitment and YDP Coach vacancies now advertised.
    • Ticketing: Season ticket sales to date 2,280 – these are an increase of 4% on total sales for last year; overall match day ticket sales broadly in line with forecast; ticket sales for Carabao Cup fixture with Leicester currently at 1,133; Ticketmaster system now allowing sale of mascot packages online, as well as away travel bookings.
    • Operations: Overall behaviour at games has been good but isolated incidents have still required attention. These have been across all areas of the stadium and have resulted in warnings, suspensions and bans. Supporters have been proactive in bringing things to the attention of the stewarding team.
  1. FINANCIAL UPDATE (NS)
    • NS provided an update for the Board, including Management Accounts. 
  1. COMMERCIAL UPDATE (PM)
    • FA Cup first round match day and ball sponsored; LED sales underway.
    • Planning for 23/24 pricing begun and costs template constructed.
  1. EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (KW)
    • Two outstanding match day complaints of homophobic and racist language now resolved.
    • All new ‘Together’ assets (the EFL’s new EDI branding) received and were in place for the Rochdale home game on October 8.
    • Rainbow Laces match took place against Colchester on October 22.
    • EFL has reminded all clubs of obligations regarding fan behaviour, particularly around reporting discrimination in grounds. Recommendation is to promote reporting mechanisms on match days & across social media platforms. Other ways of reporting include Kick It Out - through their online reporting form or via their reporting app available on both iOS and Android. Alternatively, email Kick It Out at report@kickitout.org; Her Game Too - through their online reporting form - https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/report
    • KW attending EFL webinars on November 10 looking at how Blackpool managed the process of one of their players coming out, and on November 15 regarding being an LGBTQ+ inclusive club.
  1. COMMUNITY GROUP (PMa)
    • Current active membership: 1,062.
    • PMa gave an update on ongoing actions including member engagement, new/cancelled members, league celebration/Hall of Fame event. 
  1. SAFEGUARDING (GF)
    • Positive feedback from PFA re support we provide for Academy players.
    • Knife Angel sculpture in Friars Walk – Academy playing a part in the campaign.
    • Show Racism the Red Card for the Southampton U21 match.
    • Three low-level concerns during the month.
    • Policy updates were signed off by Board.
  1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
    • Food bank: Proposing to link with Dragons to partner with Christchurch Food Bank. Target regular users of food bank to offer tickets to matches etc. Also arrange areas for food drop-offs, and clubs to do some shopping (involve players etc).

Meeting closed at 8.21pm.

Next meeting: Thursday, December 8, at 6.30pm.