Following talks with the football club, and following the supporters association 2006 AGM held on Wed July 26th, it has been decided to charge an annual membership fee of £5. This will be renewable yearly on July 26th. Until that time we had charged a one off fee of £5 that would last until such a time when we would be able to offer worthwhile benefits to our members to be able to charge an annual fee. I am pleased to announce that a benefits package has now been put in place and that membership fees are now due. The full list of benefits has not yet been finalised and more things may be added during the season, and special surprise benefits may be given from time to time. We as the supporters association realised that the time had come to move on from what some people saw us as being just a travel club, and the football club also wanted us to become more involved with them. Therefore, the football club have worked with us to bring about a number of benefits for our members, and a big thank you goes to Wayne Bradley and the club for what they have come up with. Having a membership fee is not just so that we can say that we now charge one, and it is not so we can report at the next AGM that we have done really well this year and have x amount of pounds in the bank. The reason for it is of course to raise more money. Money not for the supporters association, but more money for the club. We have proved over the last few years that we are able to operate self sufficiently, and that in addition to running transport to every away game we have been able to make donations to football club's playing budget. What we have so far will include the following. 1) As a rusult of increased fuel costs this season we have no option but to increase the cost of travel to away games for the first time in five years. Adult non-members will go up £3 to £15. Under 16's will rise from £5 to £6. The fare for adult members will rise only £2 to £12, a saving of £3 per game. 2) The John Harrison Suite will continue to be a members only bar, before the game, during the game and at half time. After the game it will also be open to players and officials. 3) Members will be able to pre order refreshments from the John Harrison Suite bar for half time and for after the game. 4) Members will have the opportunity of nominating a mascot for home games. 5) Members will have the chance to attend a game as part of the supporters association being match day sponsors, that will include full hospitality as any other match day sponsor would get. 6) Members will have the chance to enter their name into a draw that will give the winner two seats on the official team coach for an away game to be decided. This will include free return travel on the team coach to the game, and hospitality with the directors before during and after the game. Anyone can join by either attending the AGM on July 9th, by filling out a form that will be available around the ground at home games, by calling in the club shop on match days, or by contacting Mark on 01773 836251, Ian on 01246 861457, or Wozza on 07795 552721. Obviously the more members we have, the more money will go towards the playing budget. It was a close call weather to go for a £10 membership fee and a lot of people have said that the package is well worth it and they would be happy to pay £10. We thought that not everyone would be able to afford this or that it would put some people off, so we decided to stick at £5 for the time being. If there is anyone who would still be happy to pay £10 then simply enlist your spouse or partner, as I have done! Wozza Print off a membership form here
