Short Report from Hereford United AGM

Hereford United (1939) Ltd held their annual general meeting this evening at the Three Counties Hotel, Belmont, Hereford.

As usual Graham Turner was in the chair and also on top table were fellow directors Joan Fennessy, Grenville Smith and Hugh Brooks together with 18 shareholders including one who had driven from Somerset for the half-hour meeting.

The main purpose of the meeting was to approve the accounts for the year ending May 31st 2009 in which a profit of £26,899 was made.

Several questions pertaining to the accounts were asked. These included a question why the trade debtors had increased. The chairman replied that some money had been owed to the club by the Football League after relegation from League One.

In another answer the chairman told the meeting that the Football League had made some advance money from television rights available to clubs which Hereford United had taken up.

The cost of loan players was noted by another shareholder. The chairman said that the club would continue to bring in loan players if need-be.

The recent poor performance on the pitch and disappointing gates were mentioned by one shareholder. However whilst the chairman said he noted what had been said he wasn't prepared to discuss it as it fell outside the remit of the meeting.

Another shareholder felt the accountant's charges were high. The chairman replied that the club had looked at these but were happy with Baker Tilley (who were later re-appointed).

Both Graham Turner and Hugh Brooks were re-elected as directors of the club. No other names were proposed.

Mention was made of the Chairman's report which accompanied the minutes in which Graham Turner had written about the future of the club (see Tuesday's BN for more details) and questions were asked about the re-building of the Merton Meadow End at Edgar Street.

The chairman made it clear that he hoped the Meadow End would be re-built within five years at the latest. At present it looked as though this may have to be an all-seated stand. This was because if the club received money from the Football Foundation for around half the cost of the re-building of the Blackfriars End there may be conditions attached to that grant.

However he was very aware that some supporters would prefer to stand.

The plans for the New Blackfriars Stand were on view for shareholders to look at.

The chairman was asked about the cost. He replied that he thought just over £1M. The plans are due to go to Herefordshire Council tomorrow or Monday. The club had not yet asked for tenders to build the stand.

The 'New Blackfriars Stand' is 12 rows high and will have seats for 1492 supporters. As well there will be provision for 16 disabled supporters and 16 helpers.

And the club is going green, as rainwater from the roof will be held in tanks for use through the sprinkler system. All they need now are wind-turbines on the top of each floodlight gantry!

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