Agenda item
Aldershot Town Football Club
At the
meeting on 3rd September, 2020 the Committee received a presentation
by representatives of Aldershot Town Football Club Supporters’
Trust relating to issues affecting the operation and future of the Football
Club. At that time, it was agreed that the Chairman of the Football Club (Mr.
Shahid Azeem) would be invited to address the Committee on the matters that
were raised. Mr. Azeem will be attending this meeting and will also be
reporting on the current position in relation to the Football Club’s
operations.
Minutes:
Mr. Shahid
Azeem, Chairman, Aldershot Town Football Club, attended the meeting to give the
Club’s response to the representations made by the Aldershot Town Football Club
Supporters’ Trust at the Committee’s meeting on 3rd September 2020 and to
update on the current position in relation to the Club’s operations.
Mr. Andrew Colver,
Head of Democracy and Community, reminded Members of the background to the
item. It was noted that at the Committee’s meeting in September, 2020, three
members of the Supporters’ Trust had raised some issues, in particular relating
to the conclusion of a new lease on the site of the Club in line with a number
of principles that had previously been agreed by the Cabinet, the approach to
engagement between the Club and the Supporters’ Trust and future development
options for the site. Following the meeting a report had been made to the Major
Projects and Property Portfolio Holder.
It was agreed that the
item would be considered in two parts, firstly Mr Azeem would respond to the
issues raised by the Supporters’ Trust, this would then be followed by an
update on the current position of the Club.
Mr. Azeem thanked the
Council for the support given to the Club over the years since he took over as
Chairman in 2013. It was noted that, through working with the Council, planning
applications were soon to be submitted for the regeneration of the Football
Club site and, should these be granted, the long term lease on the site should
also be granted. It was noted that the lease, once agreed, would be in the name
of the Aldershot Town Football Club. In response to the Supporters’ Trust
comments regarding the redevelopment of the site, Mr. Azeem explained that a
redevelopment company had been established to oversee the development plans for
the site, this allowed for any financial issues, which might occur, not to
impact on the operation of the Club. It was also acknowledged that the EBB
Stadium was no longer fit for purpose, due to the presence of asbestos, and
through the redevelopment of the site, a seven day a week operation could be
established, which would provide a basis to secure a sustainable future for the
Club.
At the September, 2020
meeting, it had been reported that the Supporters’ Trust had been temporarily
suspended from the Football Supporters Association (FSA). As a result, measures
had been put in place by the FSA, most of which had been addressed, with the
exception of diversity awareness training for the trustees, due to COVID-19
restrictions. Mr. Azeem advised that since that time, a letter of apology acknowledging
the Trust’s errors which resulted in its suspension, had been written by the
Supporters’ Trust to the FSA and Mr. Azeem asked that this letter be made
public.
One of the purposes of
the Trust had been to raise funds to contribute to players’ wages (‘Cash for
Shots’). In the past twelve months no contributions had been made by the Trust,
and Mr. Azeem urged the Trust to write to its Members advising that their
contributions were not being used for the intended purpose and what the monies
were being used for.
It was noted that a new
supporters club, ‘In with a Shot!’, had been established as a result of the
issues with the Supporters’ Trust. In with a Shot, had achieved a membership of
in excess of 160 fans in the previous twelve months and had gained approval
from the FSA, which the Supporters’ Trust no longer had. In with a Shot had
also donated £8,000 to the Club as a contribution to the players’ wages.
Mr. Azeem then advised
of the Club’s attempts since 2013 to involve the Supporters’ Trust in the
running of the Club, all of which had been rejected, resulting in financial
losses for the Club and some negative publicity. These offers included a seat
on the Board with an equal share in the Club, the opportunity to take over the
sole running of the Club and a seat on the Board for the Trusts’ Chairman.
These rejections has ultimately resulted in the Club no longer engaging with
the Trust on the everyday running and decision making of the Club.
In response to the
representations made regarding the financial status of the Club, Mr. Azeem
advised most clubs in similar leagues were making significant losses and the
majority were in a worse financial position than Aldershot. It was noted that
match day income wasn’t sufficient to sustain a club, commercial sponsorship,
goodwill of the local authority and the financial input from directors were
what allowed clubs to survive. It was noted that the Clubs’ Directors had
invested over £1million to support the Club over the past seven years, through
the purchasing of shares, settlements of loans from the previous administration
and to resolve cash flow issues to pay wages, HMRC and creditors. It was noted
that the Club was not aware of any personal financial difficulties of any of
its Directors.
In response to the
comments raised regarding free tickets for children accompanied by a full
paying adult, this promotion had been stopped due to COVID-19 restrictions on
crowds and in turn restricted gate numbers. It was noted that this offer would
be reinstated when it was safe to do so.
Mr. Azeem then responded
to the issue of working with local businesses and supporting the community. It
was noted that all the Club’s major sponsors had been active since 2013 when he
had become Chairman of the Club. Links with the community were also well
established. Activities included fundraising for local charities, engagement
with the Armed Forces Covenant, work with the military and Nepali communities
and assistance with the local response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Club
had also secured the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. In
addition, the Club had previously been awarded Community Business of the Year
by Hampshire County Council and the previous year the Inspired Business Award
for Work in the Community.
The Committee discussed
Mr. Azeem’s presentation and was fully supportive of the response given and the
work of the Club. A request was made for the letter, written by the Supporters’
Trust to the FSA stating the errors of the Trust, should be published on the
Council website. In response to a query, it was noted that the Trust was still
in existence, but the Club would no-longer be engaging with them, and no claim
would be made on any remaining funds in the Trust’s accounts by the Club.
Mr. Azeem then gave an
update on current operations at the Club. The 2020 season had been extended and
the Club had been supported by the Government through the furlough scheme. Over
the summer period, due to the uncertainty of the new season and when it would
commence, the Club had worked on new protocols with the aim to start playing
again in October, 2020. Players’ contracts had been adjusted to start one month
before the first official game in October, 2020. A clause had also been
included in the players’ contracts that should another lockdown be enforced
resulting in the closure of the Club, players would not be paid.
The Department for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had provided grants up to December,
2020, to support football clubs. However, in January, 2021, DCMS made a
decision to cease the grant provision and instead provide loans to be paid back
on favourable terms. Mr. Azeem advised
that the Club had made the decision not
to take out more loans and, without the support of the Government and no ticket
sales, it faced a significant financial challenge. It was noted that the Club
would continue to lobby Government during this difficult time, but would also
rely on its huge resilience to continue to provide a sustainable Club for the
community.
The Chairman thanked Mr.
Azeem for his presentation and expressed the Council’s support for the Club and
the work it was doing within the community. It was
suggested that the Aldershot Town Football Club would remain on the Committee’s
Work Plan and further updates could be provided by the Club in the future.
NOTE: Cllr T.D Bridgeman and Cllr Sue Carter declared personal but non prejudicial interests in this item. Cllr Bridgeman in respect of his ownership of a share in Aldershot Town Football Club, and Cllr Carter in respect of her status as a Trustee for the Shots foundation. In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, both remained in the meeting during the discussion.