MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 9 th January 2019 Venue: Salford Sports Village Attendees John Halstead (JH), Eric Lowndes (EL), Bob Fletcher (RF), Kevin Longbottom (KL), Alan Walford (AL), Billy Hall (WH), Bill Cameron (BC), Apologies Natalie Taylor, Derek Maine, Barry Woods, Steve Gormley. Minutes of Previous General Meeting Read and agreed Matters Arising NT was going to discuss how best to use the balance of the Wythenshawe grant to comply with the terms of its use. The balance is 883.72. Unfortunately, Natalie was unable to get to the meeting, so JH will discuss this with her. Chairman s Report John wished all members a Happy New Year. John wanted to say thanks to Matt Richardson for passing on correspondence etc and being very helpful to him. John also thanked the session leads for all their hard work and dedication during the past twelve months. The over 65s team managed by Kevin had won the Heywood second division walking football league and John congratulated the team. John said that the challenge for the year is to be more inclusive. He also said that maybe we should put on an extra week end session, so that those players who cannot get to week days or evening sessions at least have a chance to play walking football. He would be looking at this around May time. Billy said that care should be given to try and get even sides playing each other at sessions, but Bob pointed out that sometimes it is made difficult because some players turn up at the last moment after teams have been balanced.
John discussed Health and Safety and Bob said that he would check that the venues have proper trained first aiders and equipment. John said that there are financial opportunities for funding of the club. He said that he would be looking at this after he had spoken to Wythenshawe. John expressed his opinion that that the web pages should be kept up to date and that we should include our safeguarding policy. Bill and John will laisse with Sarah who is acting as the gatekeeper. Some players are now organising whatsapp groups but we need our web site to be updated regularly with a News page. EL agreed to highlight the web page on walking football meetings reports. Billy said that he enjoys using Facebook and it seems to be a good way for players to communicate. Our web site is for the club to formally communicate to everyone. Treasurers Report Charity: Last year Bob Fletcher raised 372 for MIND by selling football cards and arranging raffles etc. This was a marvellous effort (well done Bob). JH asked if the club wanted to make up this sum to 400 or 500. Alan proposed we should make up the sum to 500. This was unanimously agreed, and Alan said that he will arrange for a giant cheque to be printed with 500 made out to MIND. Bob will arrange for MIND to come down to a session to receive the cheque. The group also agreed that this year s charity contribution will be to BASIC which is the Brain and Spinal Injuries Centre based on Eccles Old Road, Salford. EL to let them know and Bill will tell some of his writing group who attend BASIC. Bereavement; Kevin asked about the procedure for raising funds for the family of players who pass away. After a discussion, it was agreed that each case will be treated individually. Finances: Kevin has updated the accounts and he produced a fully detailed report. The club s finances are healthy and stand at 5319 including the 884 allocated for Wythenshawe specified expenditure. Monthly invoices from Salford are now coming in on time. Kevin asked Eric when the end of financial year is. EL reported that this is the April tax year.
Salford Report The Salford discussion was had at the end of the meeting. Concern was raised by the group about players moaning and abuse of referees on a Thursday evening in the over 50 s group. JH said we should attempt to get a paid referee but in the meantime he would speak to the group about this problem. Bob said he would consider whether to attend Thursday evening sessions. Wythenshawe No one from Wythenshawe attended. However, Derek has reported all fine on Fridays at Irlam. Data JH agreed to speak to Dave Dwyer. Dave should receive the data forms that players have signed. Dave has recently sent a players listing through so we need to check that the process is working. Competitions Picking teams is difficult, so Kevin as the clubs Competition manager will be the sole arbiter. Heywood; commencing monthly from 14 th March 2019 Kevin has entered the club in the over 65 s. There is an over 60s competition. Alan will check to see if there is enough interest. It was agreed to enter an over 70 s team. EL agreed to help KL with over 70 s when he was needed. AW agreed to help manage the over 60s if he was involved as a player. Leeds; Dates, 24/3, 5/5, 16/6, 14/7- all games at 12pm Kevin also got agreement to enter an over 60 s Leeds tournament where the competition will be very tough. However, JH thought that we can take part and it will be good for our profile.
St Georges: Kevin will pick players to attend a comp at the FA National Football complex on the 22 nd June 2019. This will be for over 50 s and over 60 s. Droylsden; JH is arranging a game with Droylsden in the coming months. York; KL also told us about a comp at York and he will give this consideration. Peoples Cup; Bill Cameron said he will enter two teams for the Peoples Cup like he did last year. Inter Mancom Friendly Mixed Comp; JH will speak to NT to discuss if and how this will proceed (We have also received an invite from France, but this was dismissed as unsuitable at this time). Social and Overseas Trips Spain; Bob said that Spain had proved to be too expensive this year, so he will not be arranging this. Italy: There is already interest, with seven players already registered. The cost is approx 350 a head for players (and partners for those who want to go as couples). This includes flights. The trip is for over 60s and will be from 26 th to the 30 th September. Flights will be to Milan with an onward journey by coach to Lake Guarda. The club agreed to pay the 100 euro refundable deposit for the comp. Bob is arranging the trip so please contact him if you want to go. This trip is an open invitation- if you want to go please tell Bob because he has all the details.
Web Site and Media Bill is updating the web site as previously reported in the Chairman s report. (note that Bill has already updated the site to include safeguarding). Thanks Bill AOB Bob has bought 3 new sets of bibs, (large and extra-large) and ten cones. Date of Next Meeting is provisionally possibly February 20 th 2019 at The Hub, Eccles M30 0GD- To Be Confirmed At the bottom of CAWDOR STREET next to Tesco garage