Raith Supporters Trust

End Of Season Newsletter

Alan Russell — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:38:49 +0000

On Saturday we distributed our most recent newsletter. If you missed the game, or arrived too late to grab a copy, you can download it here.
RST Newsletter Spring 2012 – web

News Round-Up from SD – 27/04/12

Alan Russell — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:33:21 +0000

News from the football world, as selected by Supporters Direct.

Scotland

Supporters Direct gets green light from its member trusts in Scotland
Supporters Direct

Ticketus withdraws from Blue Knights takeover bid
STV

The stark truth faced by SPL crisis club Rangers
Matt Slater

England/Wales

Chris Sliski
Supporters Direct

Financial Fair Play in the Football League
The Football League

Barnsley Director: FFP will bring sensible owners to the game
BBC News

No place on Leeds board for fans – Peter Lorimer
BBC News

Pre-share offer off to a great start
Pompey Supporters’ Trust

AFC Rushden & Diamonds lift first silverware
Supporters Direct

Chester FC crowned champions
Chester FC

MUST response to reports of revived Singapore flotation of MUFC
Supporters Direct

Statement on Craven Cottage
Fulham Supporters’ Trust

B2BW Charity Bike Ride
Wednesdayite

Trust Address to James Brent
Argyle Trust

Northwich Victoria: time to step away from this sinking ship
Twohundredpercent

FC United to play Chorley FC in play-off semi-final
FC United of Manchester

FC United Community Shares Scheme to stay open
FC United of Manchester

Poppies Trust press release
Supporters Direct

Fans welcome the supporters’ trust
Northants Evening Telegraph

RAITH SUPPORTERS TRUST TO SPONSOR ROARY’S LOTTO

Steven Lawther — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:08:31 +0000

We are delighted to announce that the Raith Supporters’ Trust have agreed to sponsor Roary’s Super Lotto for one year, with a view to extending this for a further year. We are doing so in partnership with Red Circle Communications a company owned by Trust Board member Steven Lawther. The sponsorship will benefit the club and help raise the profile of the Supporters’ Trust and the work we do amongst fans and the wider Kirkcaldy public.

Announcing the deal, Raith Supporters Trust chair Alan Russell said “Like all Rovers fans, we want to help make sure that the club is on a more secure financial footing and our sponsorship of the community lottery demonstrates our commitment to both the Football Club and the people of Kirkcaldy. These are difficult financial times for all football clubs in Scotland and only by the club and supporters working together can we help build a strong Raith Rovers.

Steven Lawther, Managing Director of Red Circle Communications said, “This is an exciting opportunity to put something back into the club that I have supported for the last thirty years. I am delighted to be able to sponsor the Lottery in partnership with the Raith Supporters’ Trust. I have only been on the Raith Supporters Trust Board for a few years but I have seen the hard work and effort the Trust Board put in and the important role they play in making the voice of fans heard. Football is nothing without fans and the work the Raith Supporters’ Trust and other fan groups do makes a real difference to the club.”

The Supporters Trust will be handing out our latest newsletter at the match this coming Saturday or you can pick one up at the Trust table in the South Stand.

Financial Fair Play – a model for Scotland?

Alan Russell — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:12:23 +0000

The Football League in England have agreed a Financial Fair Play framework that will come into force next season, with sanctions being introduced in 2 years time. Would you like to see something similar north of the border?

Our long term future is as a community club

Steven Lawther — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:12:52 +0000

There have been press reports that the team that are talking to Queen of the South about a possible takeover also approached Raith Rovers.

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/sport/football/raith-rovers/raith-board-declined-takeover-talks-1-2243624

While new investment in Raith Rovers is always to be welcomed it is important that we don’t chase finance with no thought to where it is coming from. The lessons from Claude Anelka situation and the current position at Rangers should be a reminder that not all new investment is in the long term interest of football clubs.

The best way to secure the long term future of Raith Rovers is as a community club run with fans being listened to and having a say in the future direction of the club. The Trust will continue to work with the current board of Raith Rovers FC to ensure that we build towards a stronger and stable Raith Rovers in future. The first step in doing that is securing our First Division status in the next three games so let’s get right behind the Rovers!

Raith Supporters Trust AGM, 24th November 2011

Tam Cunningham — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:04:12 +0000

Venue: Raith Suite, Starks Park, Kirkcaldy

Members present – 13 (included Fan Director Dave Wann, John Mainland, Blair White, Graeme Condie, Steven Lawther & Tam Cunningham)

Welcome & Introductions
JM opened the meeting and welcomed the members.

Overview of the Previous Year
JM highlighted the key events, achievements and challenges during the previous year (as described in the Chairman’s Statement in the accounts which were circulated to members).

Treasurer’s Report
GC provided copies of the accounts for everyone and BW had sent copies to all Trust members.
A member asked about fund raising and said it would be good if members could pay £2 to £5 per week. This was discussed and it was pointed out that many members do pay contributions above the annual fee of £5.

Membership Report
BW reported on the membership position at the end of the financial year, as detailed in the published accounts. Current membership stands at 210 and 40 reminder letters have been sent out to the members who have not renewed membership. 152 members have provided email addresses which has reduced time and effort as well as costs of the postage and stationary. BW highlighted the fact that communication with the members is very important either by post or email.
GC asked if all members who pay by Standing Order could check and see if their Trust membership number is on their bank statement.

Strategic Initiatives
Three initiatives were presented by GC, SL & TC and each was open to discussion – these will be discussed with a wider audience over the coming months.
During the discussions DW reported the RRFC board of directors signed up to the objectives in the Concordat and highlighted the work put in by SL. JM agreed and along with the members present thanked SL for the work put into producing the Concordat.

Presentation and Voting on Motions
No motions were reported and no votes were asked for.

Trust Board / Nominations Process
JM informed the meeting that BW was resigning from the post as he had come to the end of his term and has carried out the post for eight years, he will however carry on in the post until a new membership secretary is found. JM thanked BW for his efficient work and service.
JM discussed the resource gaps in the current Trust board, and asked for any members interested in joining the board to make themselves known and they could form discussion groups. No one showed interest.

AOB
JM reported there were Supporters Documents that were up for discussion: Fans Plans Proposals, these were discussed and it was proposed that small groups of Trust members could discuss the proposals amongst themselves and report their finding. As there was no interest shown from the members, this will be discussed at the next board meeting.
GC asked DW about the vacant position of the RRFC chairman’s post, DW replied and stated there were two deputy chairmen and all the board directors had specific duties/tasks and this will continue for the foreseeable future until a suitable candidate is found.
One member pointed out that he was struggling with the terminology and language used during the reports and discussions: this was discussed and as he had a valid point the board would attempt to use simpler language in the future.

The meeting closed at 9:10pm

Trust Board Meeting, 12th March 2012

James Proctor — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:53:42 +0000

Venue: Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Present: Alan Russell (AR), John Mainland (JM), James Proctor (JP) and Steven Lawther (SL)
by invitation Steve Wallace, Niall Russell & Blair White

Apologies: Graeme Condie (GC) & Tam Cunningham (TC)

Chairman AR welcomed everyone and opened the meeting.

Minutes of previous meeting
It was agreed that they were a record of the AGM of 24 November 2011.
Action: AR to publish to website

Matters Arising
AGM
There is a need to plan ahead, make the AGM a social event and use a venue that is easier for people to get to in order to increase attendance.

Policy Papers
Further publicity on the policy papers is on hold while supporters concentrate on the “Rally Round Rovers” fundraising campaign.
Consider targeting specific members to get involved in each of the three areas identified.
Aim to further develop the papers with a view to increasing publicity in the new football season.
Action: AR to phone members who have ticked the relevant skills box in joining form.
Action: Other board members to develop papers further and create list of help/skills required to complete them.

Sponsorship
Action: AR to contact Bill O’Neill to confirm unused sponsorship for team sheets.

Treasurers Report
In GC’s absence a full report was unavailable. Monthly income and bank balances were shared in the meeting.

Membership Update
Currently 217 members, a net loss of 20 members over the last 12 months.
There was recognition that there should be a more public push on memberships, both new and renewals, at the start of each season.

Events
It was agreed to look at how events could be used to increase the trust’s profile and income over the next year.
Action: Steve Wallace to look at possible events for later in the year.

Communication Update
SL reported that sponsorship of the Rovers Lottery was available. SL’s company would be willing to make a significant contribution to the cost should the Trust board wish to take up the sponsorship. It was agreed that any sponsorship of this size needs to be matched with a push to increase membership and/or events income.
Action: Get opinion of all board members on whether to take up the sponsorship.

Rally Round the Rovers
Rovers Down South dinner had gone well. There are other events planned over the next couple of months.

Fans Forum
Main topic had been the possible refurbishment of the Raith Suite and its effect on the 200 Club.

New board members and their roles
The board thanked Blair White for his service in his second stint on the board and for his many hours of work as membership secretary.
Niall Russell and Steve Wallace were formally co-opted to the Trust Board.
Action: Blair to work with Niall Russell to hand over the membership information.
Action: AR to add Niall and Steve’s email addresses to the board list.

AOCB
Supporters Direct Scotland
Action: JM and JP to attend meeting of Scottish Trusts in Stirling on Sunday 1 April.

Board Meetings
Agreed they would be held on the last Monday of every 2nd month. Venues in Kirkcaldy to be looked at with Novar Bar as the backup venue.

Date of next meeting
Monday 28 May 2012.The meeting will be held in the Novar Bar, Kirkcaldy unless otherwise advised.

Pleased to welcome two new members on Board

Steven Lawther — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:34:53 +0000

The Raith Supporters Trust has appointed two new Board members as we gear up for the next few years. Rover’s fans Steve Wallace and Niall Russell are the new recruits while Blair White has stepped down after his second spell on the Raith Supporters Trust Board.

Niall and Steve have both been supporting the Rovers since the eighties so it is great to have another two real Rovers diehards on the Board of the Supporters Trust. Niall works as a Freelance IT Training Consultant and is involved in the running of the official Raith Rovers website, while Steve works as a buyer for a large supermarket chain and is a veteran of the Rover’s European adventure to the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Munich.

We’d like to thank Blair White for the effort he has put in over the last few years. Blair has done a tremendous job on the membership side of things and leaves us in a strong position with membership numbers up from four years ago. The more fans that join the Trust the stronger voice we have in influencing the direction of the club.

We will be announcing a few new initiatives from the Trust in the coming weeks so look out for the announcements. If you want to get involved in helping out the Supporters Trust in any way then please just get in touch.

The Fans’ Plan for the Future of Scottish Football

Alan Russell — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:02:44 +0000

Supporters Direct Scotland, the voice of football supporters’ trusts in Scotland, today publishes The Fans’ Plan – key recommendations to shape the future of Scottish league football based on the results of supporters’ surveys over the past two years and a detailed analysis of the issues facing the game.

The Fans’ Plan calls for:

greater competition within Scottish league football structures
equal funding for each team in a league
support for clubs by central league management to increase the average attendance over a season of 20% by 2016, and achieve an average stadium capacity utilisation of 65% within 10 years
two leagues of 16 teams, and a qualifying league of 10
re-introducing the League Cup, with a mini-league qualifying format structured on a geographical basis with four teams in each group
improved training and professional development for all players including greater use of Modern Apprenticeships and post-career planning
the establishment and implementation of a strong club licensing scheme

Read the full article on the Supporters Direct website

Sportsman’s Brunch

Alan Russell — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:15:23 +0000

The Backroom Boys at Stark’s Park are holding their 4th Sportsmans Brunch on Sunday 11th March, 1pm at the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes.

Guest Speakers include Paul Reid and Les Peters, and kit manager Brian Marr welcomes all members of the Raith Rovers family along to join in the fun and to help fundraise for the Backroom Boys.

Tickets are £25 (which includes a 3 course meal) and can be purchased from the office by coming and paying the money/cheque or calling Laura Jarvis on 01592 263514 to book the place.