Chief exec - Guy Walton
CLUB THANKS
We concluded our ‘New Year message’ with an appeal for additional volunteers that could kindly contribute to the running of The Club. SAFC relies on the hardworking voluntary group of supporters who take roles and responsibilities during match days and other activities at The VC Stadium. Our thanks to all concerned whilst extending invitations to anyone interested in offering their time for specific duties ‘large or small’.
Tuncay continues to work hard and has guided the squad into a challenging position securing the services of striker Michael Byrne filling the attacking void created by Ricky Miller’s departure to Cambridge City.
You may have noticed Young first teamer Seth Burkett has appeared in national papers recently. Although disappointingly, SAFC have not featured in every story, nonetheless The Daniels has secured positive press. Our website has attracted interest from around the sporting globe. To date, the Redtops, the Times, Four Four Two Magazine, GMTV, Radio 1 and 5, Talk Sport and numerous others have covered Seth’s marvellous adventure. We understand the BBC is keen to produce a documentary recording his account of Brazilian soccer. John Burrows may share his thoughts in the match day programme if the BBC decides not to proceed. It is rumoured the current Youth team manager may have some influence on such a decision.
We continue to discuss relocation options with our landlord Burghley Estates and have recently attended meetings assessing the formation of a Planning application. Please be assured when we are able The Club will share information with our shareholders and supporters presenting accordingly.
Home attendances have dropped this season and with only a few exceptions the Non League game has experienced a decline in attendances. Our ‘away’ following remains impressive and it was most pleasing to see that at our recent game v Carlton over half the crowd of 71 were Stamford supporters. The Club thanks both home and away followers for their support during the course of this season and hope you continue to get behind the team for the remaining league and semi final fixtures we have to the season end.
Play Up The Daniels.
A NEW YEARS MESSAGE
Our Christmas & New Year fixture list was decimated by postponements but despite the frustrations there remains a lot happening in the background of the club.
First, of course, is relocation to a new ground. Following the public consultation of the plans in the summer it was clear that the plans should be amended to take account of some of the concerns of nearby residents. Burghley Estates and their planning consultants have worked closely with specific consultants to adjust the plans accordingly and submit an application to South Kesteven planners within the early months of this year.
Within the next few weeks, the Club will also apply to the Football Association for Charter Standard. The Charter sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for all clubs outside the Football League and Premier League. As a benchmark for quality, it will improve the playing experience for all. In particular, the Charter will set standards for the development of youth football within the Club and that is our future. Most supporters know my passion to bring football at all levels under Stamford AFC. The first steps have been to bring all age groups and Ladies teams under the Stamford AFC name, replicating playing kit and creating an educational environment for young players to enjoy the technical, social, physical and psychological aspects of the game. The next steps will be to integrate these other teams, and their management, into the rest of the Club.
It has been a mixed season so far. There was huge disappointment that we went out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy at the first hurdle. Tunch started pre season with virtually a new squad and that takes time to work with players and establish his and the coaching team’s style of play/formations etc and now we all see a good squad emerging and one for the future. We have the semi-final of the Presidents Cup to look forward to in March and a real opportunity to win a trophy together and continue to secure league points ensuring a healthy finish providing foundation for our future aims both on and off the field of play. Tunch has worked hard in his early months of management at Unibond level of football and must be commended and supported on how he has managed our squad in an organized, efficient manner. He has handled the awkward side of management such as finance, communication (and having to spend hours on the phone to yours truly) professionally and with integrity, when many others choose to avoid such issues concentrating purely on “footie matters”.
There has been much talk amongst supporters about the playing budget. I am not going to reveal the funds we pass to Tunch but it is what the Club can afford. I thank him for working within this season’s budget. Some clubs finance their playing budget through a well off benefactor with deep pockets or loans. The risk with that strategy is when benefactors no longer provide money. You do not have to search far away to see what can happen! We do not have that kind of person nor do we want to go down that route and risk the clubs future. The Club has always managed its finances and will continue to ensure decisions taken as a club are for the benefit and welfare of Stamford AFC.
Paying our way means we require sources of revenue. Individually, some supporters are doing a lot for our club. Outside of commercial sponsorship the 200 Club, run by Keith Scarber, is the biggest source of income to the club. Rodders raffle, Sponsor a Player, the Golden Goal is all important. The Supporters Club is arranging several activities between now and the end of the season. If you can’t take part in the organization of the event, then please support the activity – the money raised is vital for the Club.
There have also been comments made amongst supporters about why Bob Feetham, our Chairman, hasn’t attended our games recently. Bob has several reasons, unrelated to Club matters, why he has decided to take some time away this season. Bob remains a loyal and passionate supporter and retains his interest in Club matters. I speak to Bob regularly to update him and ask advice on the many aspects involved in running our football club.
On behalf of the Directors, and everyone involved with The Daniels, I wish all our supporters a Very Happy New Year but I want to end with an appeal. This is true of many other clubs in non league football but we have too few people involved in running the club. During this season we have extended the Board of Directors to include a couple of supporters as part of a Management Team. It’s a first step but one which has been very successful – thanks to Keith Scarber and John Burrows for their help and contribution. We need more help. It doesn’t have to be at that level. There are so many things which need doing if you want to contribute to the running of the Club. If you are not sure what you can do, speak to me on any match day. I know there will be something!!
Enjoy the rest of the season and keep supporting Stamford AFC.
Guy Walton, Chief Executive.
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Stamford’s Chief Executive, Guy Walton on topical football matters
The Daniels must ‘Think Long Term’
I was advised recently by a good friend to read a business report which presented Aston Villa top of the premiership, Manchester United thirteenth and West Ham languishing in last place.
The League table in question is not based on points gained on the field of play but the performance of the Owners & Boards of the Twenty Premier League Clubs. Stoke City featured higher than Liverpool in the final table!
Effective `Stewardship` ensures handing something onto the next generation in better shape than you inherited it and not just the next quarters/half yearly results.
Information collated by The Business Think Tank `Tomorrows Company` states we should not be just looking at league positions and that equally important is assessing whether Directors focus on management continuity, youth development, improved facilities and The Club giving something back to the community.
Clarity of purpose e.g is there a stong youth policy, has the stadium been improved, is the debt level managable? Who makes the decisions, can The Board be trusted not to meddle in team affairs? Does The Club listen to and respects its fans and local community?
Other criteria assessed whether The Board is obsessive about doing the right thing for The Club and football in general.
The premiership ranking has provoked heated debate and no doubt some of the clubs towards the bottom of the league protested that they have been unfairly treated.
The point is not simply about football. The welfare of the club with healthy club finances allows other important criteria to flourish including achieving the clubs ambitions to play a higher grade football. .
Out of interest West Ham, Liverpool, Spurs, Portsmouth and Fulham were bottom of the league closely followed by the big three Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Please be assured The Board at Stamford AFC insures the future of our Club as part of our short, medium and long term strategic aims.
Play Up The Daniels!
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GAFFER TAPED
Late pre season and the start of the league campaign is always a special time in my opinion. A time for optimism, firmly intact, that has flourished over the summer period, and a sense of what can be achieved over the forthcoming months.
We welcome our new management team of Tuncay and Kieran and wish them and the playing squad every future success with The Club.
We are delighted to announce the arrival of this season’s home match kit which forms part of our thirtieth year commemorative season since the clubs FA vase success at Wembley Stadium.
Whilst remembering The Club’s history, we also have exciting projects to pursue including First team ambitions, relocation proposals and nurturing of our youth policy ‘The Young Daniels’.
With kind permission of The Club’s Board of Directors and officials we have formed a Development Board responsible for The Club’s youth and community projects.
SAFC looks forward to evolving as a community service and this will commence by our imminent Football Association Charter Standard application.
We continue to build on the history we are proud of at The Daniels to establish a community club which forms an important part of the local sporting environment.
Play Up The Daniels!!
