Woking FC recently held its AGM for shareholders and as the Trust is the second largest shareholder, we asked a number of questions on behalf of members. Here is the content of the Q&A. We'll have other items in a regular newsletter next Monday, as that goes to non-members, too. This one is only for members.
We will also post the responses on the Trust website, but to access the post, you will need to be a member of the Trust in good standing and log in.
1. Why do we continue to allow away fans to stand up in the LGS, singing foul and abusive language, when home fans are quite rightly NOT allowed to stand or swear ..........in fact when " some '' home fans have stood up OR sworn they have been told by other fans to STOP or threatened by stewards to be thrown out! This is NOT fair OR in any way acceptable. The home fans in the LGS are mostly mature or young families or enjoying hospitality as sponsors............NONE of whom should have to listen to such abuse. PLEASE just make them sit down with correct and clear signage and equally important provide stewards both in experience and numbers to enforce the sit down policy! There is a substantial H&S risk too in permitting them to stand up.
1b. To reduce the noise/support they add to the away team, why do we allow them in to the LGS at all, or why not prevent them from going to the back of the LGS where their noise is amplified?
All these points were acknowledged by JK. He will discuss with the Safety Officer and consider moving away fans seating to a new structure on the Chris Lane terrace, although Planning Permission may be required. There was debate that away fans like to stand and not all grounds offered covered seating, which WFC are proud to do. There was also discussion that for our away crowds that exceed the capacity of the CLT, the Club would be foolish to NOT provide the extra seating for away fans to purchase while maintaining the larger sterile zone.
2. Is the work of long-term volunteers at the club appreciated and what can be done to make them feel valued? Yes, very much so as JK had recently written. There is an annual Xmas party to thank volunteers and a long term volunteer had received a 5-year season ticket on her retirement. All ideas welcomed and KJ raised the point about hot drink provision for match day volunteers, especially in the winter months. JK thought that had been actioned and will revert to KJ. NB: JK advises that this has since been implemented.
3. We are approaching the end of year one of a three-year plan. What financial plans are in place for years four and beyond? The plan has always been to grow the business and move to self-sufficiency in incremental steps, increasing revenue, managing expenses and learning as we go.
4. You indicated that you expected the consortium supporting the club to grow from the initial two members - how many are now in that consortium? Only two so far, John & Drew, but goal is to increase the number. Funding will be limited until Articles are adjusted to make it a proper business enterprise.
5. Is it correct that you are a paid CEO to the club? Yes. Sponsor License, Work Visa and salary were approved and minuted by the Board. Living expenses are NOT paid by the club, but paid by John & Drew’s company.
6. As you are now the CEO and part of the consortium, what future do you see for shareholders and the current board set up of the club? If this changes, what will the impact be for shareholders? In addition to the answers above, consideration will be given to bringing in more Directors with the right skill sets as needed. The aim is for self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
7. In your original presentation to fans you spoke of making off-field income vital to the funding of the club - what progress has been made with catering and hospitality other than the improvements on match day? Hall hire etc was increasing but was then impacted by COVID restrictions. Picking up again now and eclipses pre-pandemic levels.
7b. Are the facilities fully booked during the week and how many functions are being hosted? The earlier Merson evening netted £12k and 15 events now booked for March, 18 for April, 13 for May, 11 for June, 7 for July. This, along with just three birthday parties, has eclipsed all Hall Hire for the 2019/20 season.
7c Have targets been met? In addition to 7 above, it has been decided not to pass on price increases for energy/fuel/products/VAT to fans, which then impacts on the bottom line.
8. Will the club be self-funding in year 2 as you indicated it would be? JK said that he had not stated this; the plan has always been to be self-sufficient within three years.
9. The Board is now very light on members, particularly members with history and understanding of the club. What are the plans for strengthening the Board? There are currently 5 Directors which might increase to 7 if the right people with the right skill sets are identified particularly with Marketing and Football backgrounds. The need for a chairman is to be discussed by the Board at its next meeting.
10. There has been talk of the investors taking the majority shareholding but nothing said for a while – why is that? Many of us would be happier with investors with ‘skin in the game’. There are still stadium development agreements in place which tie-up the developer, Council, WFC and majority shareholder preventing the shares from being transferred at present.
11. Is the club at financial risk now or in the future? No, WFC is a ‘going concern’.
12. Will the playing budget be the same or more next season? The aim is to increase it from c£850k to £1mill. Some clubs in our league have budgets in excess of £4mill.
13. What is the strategy for increasing the budget to move Woking FC forward towards challenging for promotion? See 12 + self-sufficiency plan by increasing sponsorship, sales etc and reducing costs and expenses by e.g buying food products wholesale and cooking them in-house and reaping the full profit therefrom, rather than £0.40 per fan attending matches as was the previous outsourced deal.
14. What has the financial investment been and what will it be for the foreseeable future? John and Drew, individually and as a company, have put £600k into the club thus far exclusive of our arrangement to acquire the majority share holding. The aim is for self-sufficiency in 3 years and meanwhile to ensure WFC remains a ‘going concern’.
