4 players needed in January

[steve@dcfd]

Steve, are these questions?

Yes the paragraphs that says could you say?

[NickDRFC]

He’s probably too busy sticking pins in his voodoo doll of JR to answer them 😜

[silent majority]

Steve, are these questions?

Yes the paragraphs that says could you say?

Before I do that let me just explain what these new rules regarding fan engagement really mean. Essentially at all levels of the game regular meetings must take place with supporters that allows them to ask searching questions with regard to governance, finance etc etc. So at a national level the EPL and EFL are holding regular meetings, so far 2 per season, with the FSF and SD. Its for those organisations to then disseminate that information amongst its member supporter clubs or trusts.

At a club level regular meetings will take place between senior officials, and/or owners, with that clubs supporters. At DRFC we haven't had to change that much as we already had a good system in place. So we have carried on with the Meet the Owners evenings plus regular meetings throughout the season with  the Supporters Board. The idea is that at any of these meetings you can ask the important questions about what is happening at the club. And that's why I keep saying that people should ask the searching questions, they have the opportunity to do so. Having said that, within the regular supporters board meetings some things are discussed that are sensitive and therefore not for public discussion and that's only right and sensible. Therefore whoever is attending any of these meetings should have an excellent idea about what the club is about and how its progressing.

Right, question one is about opinions isn't it? Have the club utilised the budget in the best way possible?No doubt DF would say yes, but it will be one for reflection at some point rather than it being a straight black and white situation.

Being present at that meeting I remember the phrase about taking our eye off the ball. That's not quite how I saw it then. DF had come on board at that point and funds were provided to allow him to bring in players immediately which he did. We saw a steady rise up the table as we were getting to the January transfer window. I doubt very much if a collective decision would be made with regard to any further funding, or lack of. The way that the club tends to work is that TB and DW would have made funds available if that's what the chief officers requested and could support that with a business plan. The management of that team falls to the Chair and he would make the final decision. DF would say whether he wanted players or not but the final say has to be made by the Chair, that's his role. Most managers are always asking for extra players so somebody has to control that! As it happens we did very little in that window and then suffered several injuries to players just after the window had closed. That was my interpretation of what they meant about taking their eye off the ball, not being prepared for all eventualities.

As yet I have no idea about this coming window. These are player issues and because of that I don't see it as part of my role. Governance is the key issue, and how we manage budgets and finance has to be priority. Within that, which players we sign and how much we spend on each is for people far better qualified than me to be making.

[steve@dcfd]

Thank you for replying and I appreciate that somethings will be sensitive. One more question you talk about supporters board meetings when are they held and are all supporters welcome to come and participate.

[silent majority]

Thank you for replying and I appreciate that somethings will be sensitive. One more question you talk about supporters board meetings when are they held and are all supporters welcome to come and participate.

They are held on Saturday mornings at about 11am and before a home game. We had one last Saturday and they are usually about every 6 weeks. At the moment  those present are invited but are representative of our supporter base, i.e Supporters Club, VSC, and diverse in that male and female supporters are invited, plus younger and disabled reps are well represented.

[Filo]

Thank you for replying and I appreciate that somethings will be sensitive. One more question you talk about supporters board meetings when are they held and are all supporters welcome to come and participate.

They are held on Saturday mornings at about 11am and before a home game. We had one last Saturday and they are usually about every 6 weeks. At the moment  those present are invited but are representative of our supporter base, i.e Supporters Club, VSC, and diverse in that male and female supporters are invited, plus younger and disabled reps are well represented.

Are the DRSG not represented now?

[RoversAlias]

Thank you for replying and I appreciate that somethings will be sensitive. One more question you talk about supporters board meetings when are they held and are all supporters welcome to come and participate.

They are held on Saturday mornings at about 11am and before a home game. We had one last Saturday and they are usually about every 6 weeks. At the moment  those present are invited but are representative of our supporter base, i.e Supporters Club, VSC, and diverse in that male and female supporters are invited, plus younger and disabled reps are well represented.

Are the DRSG not represented now?

Is the DRSG even still operating?