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A few questions about the ST, Im curious as to the practicalities of how this will happen and unfortunately I cannot make any of the planned meetings in person. If the stated aim is to raise funds, buy shares in the club and therefore gain a voice on the board, what level of cash do you think will be required in order for the board at ECFC to allow this to happen? How is it planned for the cash to be raised? Are there any other clubs or Supporters Trusts ideas that you are looking to adopt, is anyone looking at what the more successful HL clubs and other local SFL clubs are doing to raise cash?

Mo,

It was a general enquiry and I can understand you wanting to wait till the meeting before broaching the fund raising issues. It has always been a source of frustration to me that a big club like Elgin cannot seem to compete with other HL clubs when it comes to buying players etc and I guess it is all down to the off-field commercial activities. It will be interesting to see what ideas are generated by the contact with other STs and Im fully behind the idea of a more involved supporters group with the Trust idea being a great model to follow, anything to replace the well intentioned, but poorly run, official supporters club is a step in the right direction.
Not possible for me to personally attend meetings but Im hopeful the ST will forward as much information as possible from these meetings and if I can see an opportunity to help in some way then I will. How many people have signed up for the newsletter on the ST website as a matter of interest?
Previously there have been many ideas floated on the message board, from various different people, for fund raising ideas and Ive re-posted below CCBBs (remember him!) excellent post. Here are a couple of my own thoughts at present, I for one would be willing to pay a subscription to join a Supporters Trust and in return why not offer some exclusive ST wee token such as a wallet sized fixture list or car sticker or how about an incentive like a subsidised supporters bus etc. Another idea would be to sell Supporters Trust merchandise and in particular Id previously looked at punting t shirts etc and I have a few designs and contacts to be able to get this off the ground if people thought this was a good idea. Obviously these are ideas that can be developed for next season or whatever plus hopefully this can be a self generating thing with success on the park leading to renewed interest amongst the stay away support and more involvement in raising money via a trust.
Heres wishing you every success for the next meeting.

Previous post from CCBB, interesting to see how some of these points have come in to play:

A. Personnel / Corporate Changes

1. Manager make manager (Brian Irvine) full time with dual community role. Give him a roaming commission to develop, foster and encourage the relationship between the club and the community particularly schools/youths and the business community.
2. Commercial Manager bite the bullet and employ a full time commercial manager but this time one with a proven track record and one who can recover his employment costs plus seriously increase the income of the club on an annual basis.
3. Supporters Club/Supporters Trust Board Member club badly needs to improve relationship with fans and supporters co-opting a supporter club member to act as a liaison between the two would be an encouraging step.

B. Facilities Changes and Improvements/Operational Issues

1. All Weather Training / 5-a-side Facility club should do all they can to obtain financial support (governmental/local businesses etc) to build and provide such a facility for the use of the whole community. The benefits in terms of income, good-will, prestige, not to mention the possibilities of uncovering local talent are immense. Also local business would be encouraged to be part of something that was benefiting the whole community.

2. Youth Development Re-introduction of youth development covering all ages improved school liaison training and skills for boys and girls

3. Social Club Upgrade/makeover the upstairs social club is badly in need of a makeover to pull it into this century. It needs to be more attractive to potential users/customers.

4. Website Club must get on line and have its own official website. It would require minimum management and does not need to have a message board. It should however have all details of the club, fixtures, contacts, social events, opening hours etc

5. Ground complete review of facilities is required and repairs carried out as necessary complaints on toilet facilities are valid and require to be actioned.

6. Supporters Trust and Supporters Club club should actively encourage both. Listening to the fans should be more evident e.g. suggestion boxes, regular forums etc

C. Commercial Ideas/Income Generation

1. Commercial Manager as above to generate ideas and income via the under-utilised club facilities.

2. Revamp the Social Club Membership or ditch it altogether (I know that may require some changes to the licensing agreement but the club need to remove restrictions for entry.

3. Make full use of the facilities at all times morning / afternoon / evening and weekends.

Theme Nights both the Strictly Come Dancing and the Starts in your Eyes nights were huge successes generating income and interest. Other theme nights throughout the year could include ;

Jan - Burns Night
Feb - Valentines Night
Mar - St Patricks Night/Irish Theme Night
Apr - Easter Theme Night
May - Eurovision Theme Night
June - Mid Summer Ball
July - American Independence Theme Night
Aug - Barbecue Evening
Sep - ?? Any suggestions
Oct - Haloween Evening
Nov - Guy Fawkes Night / St Andrew Night
Dec - Christmas Parties/ New year Dance

Other entertainment nights could include ;

Ceileidh Nights
Line Dancing Nights
Scottish Country Dancing Nights
And the established
Stars In Your Eyes
Strictly Come Dancing
Race Nights

Performances ; in addition the hall is big enough to accommodate other acts;

Comedy
Bands Rock, Jazz, Big Band, Country etc.


Functions - both the Williamson suite and the social club could be hired out as a function room / suite for :-

Birthdays
Weddings
Anniversaries
Office Parties
Hen and Stag Parties
Childrens Parties
Theme Parties Nights
Charity Nights

Demonstration uses could include ;

Cookery themed evenings / classes / demonstrations
Photography and Art
Fashion

Exercise classes jazzercize, spin cycles, martial arts, kick boxing, aerobics, step classes etc

Competitions

Quiz nights with e.g. Jackpot Prize nights of say 500 :-

Pub Quiz
Mastermind
Junior Mastermind
Junior Spellbound
Business Quiz Nights

Darts nights with annual jackpot competition of say 500

Darts Teams
Darts League

Its a Knockout Style Business Pub Olympics

Pool Competitions with jackpot competition for say 500
Pool Leagues

Conference Facilities

Club should economically be able to provide conference facilities to match anything offered in the town.
This could be a real money-spinner with relatively little financial outlay.
Local businesses should be encouraged to use such a facility for the benefit of the club and the community.

D. Other Fundraising

1. Local and National Government

There is government cash available if the approach is right. The club should strive to be more of a social and sporting focal point for the community and encourage funding for provision of children/youth soccer facilities.

2. Lottery Cash

Possibilities of lottery cash for community related funding/initiatives

3. Local Businesses

Definite possibility of local businesses being willing to financially back something which is beneficial to the community and particularly the younger elements of the local community.

4. City Saver needs to be revamped and reluanched

5. Auction day on site auction and fundraising day

6. Family Day and Summer Barbecue party on the park

7. Merchandising badly needs revamped updated and on line

8. City Centre Merchandising Unit

9. Annual raffle with serious prizes e.g. car, Robertsons flat !!

10. Match day lottery style ticket with minimum prize but also increasing prize until won this could generate more interest and more people through the gate tickets only available for purchase inside the ground

11. Car Boot sales