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Patron :- Tommy Robson Members of Supporters Direct, The Football Supporters’ Federation and Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service. Sponsored by ‘CHARTERS’ and ‘OAKHAM ALES’
NEWSLETTER No 37 August 2012
Notification of Annual General Meeting and Board Member Nominations.
The POSH PLAYERS Line-up for 2012/2013 Season.
Latest News on Stadium Development.
Pete Lane remembers -- Frank Stimson.
‘FREE’ Trust Membership! when you join the ‘Gold Bond’ Weekly Draw.
Website: www.theposhtrust.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] THE POSH SUPPORTERS’ TRUST Registered in England and Wales with the Financial Services Authority as an Industrial & Provident Society. Registration number: 29533R.
Patron Tommy Robson Chairman Barry Bennett, Vice-Chair Paul Froggitt, Secretary John Henson, Treasurer Geoff Callen Consultant Peter Lloyd. Directors : Ray Cole, Tony Griffin, Keith Jennings, Paul Little, Walter Moore.
The Posh Supporters’ Trust, is a democratic not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision-making process at Peterborough United Football Club. We seek to improve the links between the club and the community it serves, and help the club to grow to the highest level.
OUR AIMS To bring Peterborough United Football Club, Posh fans and the local community closer together. To help disadvantaged and deserving fans to go to a match for free under the "Smile Ticket" scheme. To help the football club by increasing the Posh fan base through our "New Posh Fans Initiative." To support football related activities locally through sponsorship and donations whenever possible. To have a substantial membership in order to represent the views of fans at meetings with the football club and to promote their interests. To have a Supporters' Trust representative on the board of the football club representing the interests of all fans. To build up funds to support our activities and create a reserve to help the club in the longer term in the event of a crisis.
Help Us to Help You!
Become a member – subscription details on the back pages. Make a donation to the Trust. (pay-pal facility on website www.theposhtrust.co.uk) Join the Gold Bond Weekly Draw! And receive your Membership for FREE! Use your membership card at the local businesses that provide excellent discounts to members Shop at Westgate Department Stores, AHF Home Furnishing Superstores and Westgate Optical, asking for the dividend to be credited to the Trust’s share number 473432. Visit and support our Stall on the concourse on match days! Browse our merchandise including various books and magazines. Join or re-new your membership, and take part in the various competitions we will feature. Offer your services to the Trust, if you have any professional or other skills, e g in fund-raising, accountancy, business management, the law etc. Make use of our on-line shopping facility, www.spendandraise.com/theposhtrust/
Website: www.theposhtrust.co.uk E-mail: [email protected]
We thank all those who continue to support the Trust, however they do it.
Published by The Posh Supporters’ Trust, 193 Oakdale Ave, Stanground, Peterboro. PE2 8TH. Printed by Printing Matters, Unit 12c, Brookside Industrial Estate, Sawtry, Cambs. PE28 5SB CHAIRMANS MESSAGE
Welcome to our latest newsletter, and may I wish you a ’Happy New Season’.
Well they did it for us! A very BIG thank-you to everyone at the Posh who defied the bookmakers’ odds and with pride, comfortably retained our Championship status. In this newsletter, we have provided an individual brief on all the current players that will spearhead our 2012 / 2013 campaign to prove the bookies wrong once again.
Our 10th AGM will take place at The Cherry Tree, on Monday 22 October and we hope you will join us on the night. Our patron Tommy Robson, will be in attendance, and Bob Symns will also be present to tell us about the latest developments at London Road, and answer your questions on anything Posh. Finally, the evening will conclude with a traditional Posh Quiz from Mick Robinson.
The Trust is at the Beer Festival again this year with our road-show for your perusal. We will have a selection of Posh shop merchandise available for you to browse. You can renew your membership, join as a new member or simply “Talk POSH” so come along and introduce yourself, buy me a pint or just simply say Hello!
We are planning to implement our next New Posh Fans’ Initiative for games during Oct and Nov 2012. Delivering leaflets on Sun 23 Sept within the City, we urgently need volunteers to join us on the morning to help with the distribution. Can You Help?
Parking at London Rd? With the adjacent housing development and the imminent building work for the new stand, there are no parking spaces available for supporters at the stadium. There are a few Blue Badge parking spaces available on a first come basis. The football club, in partnership with The Helping Hand Group, run a Park and Ride scheme for disabled supporters. This free service, allows fans to park approximately two miles from the stadium, and be transported to the football ground for arrival about one hour before kick-off. You will be taken back to the centre following the final whistle. Fans wishing to use the service need to book in advance through the Ticket Office at London Road or online at www.theposhtickets.com. Bookings are made on a first come basis and include travel for one Carer. If you require transport for additional family/friend members, please contact [email protected] in advance.
Hope to see you at the Beer Festival and Our AGM.
Up The POSH ! Barry
Trust Member Andrew Wintersgill has written a book available now as a kindle edition from Amazon. Andrew, who has been a Posh supporters for 50 years, has written a Fans eye view of the beautiful game celebrated in verse. It is a collection of over a 100 football based poems covering the whole spectrum of the game its many wide and varied aspects from a grass-roots fans perspective. Obviously the London Road influence is not far away! The highs and lows, the joy and tears the changes and turmoil of the last 50 years. Priced at only £2.52 its well worth a read.
‘Posh’ are the Greatest! ………… but which team should we most want to emulate? When Darragh MacAnthony was asked (by this writer as it happens) at his recent book launch at London Rd, which club he most admired in terms of its achievement in going up the leagues, his answer was Swansea City. He said this was because of both the low league position they had come from to reach the ultimate goal of the Premiership, and the way they played football.
As a supporters’ trust member there couldn’t have been a better answer. Swansea City are a shining example of how a club should be run and it has done it the hard way by coming from the brink of relegation to the Football Conference as recently as 2002/3, with a necessary win on the very last day of the season.
It also came back from the brink of going out of business two years before that when the Australian businessman Tony Petty, who owned an Aussie Rules football team, caused complete turmoil at the club after he bought it in 2001. As a result the Swan’s Trust was formed and it was the Trust which led the effort to put together a consortium which eventually bought the club from him. On the way to doing that, the Trust raised in excess of £50,000 and ended up with a 20% stake in the football club and a director on the board, a situation which has extended to the present day. The fans had rescued the club.
The paths of the two clubs have crossed on many occasions, most famously in 1965 when, with Posh’s highest home gate ever, 30,096 were present at London Road in February 1965 for the FA Cup 5th round tie after Posh had knocked out Arsenal in round four. Although the match was drawn, Posh won the replay and went on to lose gallantly at Chelsea in the 6th round.
Swansea had dire times in the early 1970’s having their lowest home league gate of just 1,358 in the 1974-1975 season and in the following campaign hit what older fans will recognise as the ultimate football ignominy – applying for re-election to the Football League.
In recent years of course, Swansea have gone from strength to strength building the new 20,000 seat capacity Liberty stadium in conjunction with the council, and developing the same free flowing football style under successful managers Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rogers that Darren Ferguson has brought to Posh. All this has been done without spending silly money on bringing in players or on paying excessive wages, at least by Championship and Premier League standards. In their last Championship season they spent just £1.7m on players of which £500,000 was a brilliant investment in Scott Sinclair.
Swansea City has also brought on its own players with Joe Allen, who has been associated with the club from the age of nine, now rumored to be on the verge of a £15m move to Liverpool.
But apart from showing how a club can successfully rise up the leagues by being well run and playing good football without spending a king’s ransom, it should also be noted that Swansea City have managed it with a population catchment area for fans of around 230,000. This is not very different from Peterborough’s if you take into account the surrounding towns and villages. Swansea have had similar home league gates to Posh in the past, averaging 5159 in 2002/3 and 6843 in 2003/4, admittedly both in the basement division. It shows how things can change as Swansea now not only sell out the Liberty Stadium but are looking to expand its capacity to 32,000 with a £15m investment.
We never want to lose Posh’s unique character or individuality but Swansea City have shown how a small club can go from being poorly supported and playing poor quality football in the lower leagues to being well run, well supported and playing attractive football at the highest level without breaking the bank. They certainly did well enough to beat Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool at home last season.
It is not unrealistic to think that Posh could one day do the same, and it shows how important it is to have the right culture at the club with a strong community spirit and supporter involvement. Peter Lloyd July 2012
The 10th Annual General Meeting of ‘The Posh Supporters’ Trust’ will take place at The Cherry Tree, Oundle Road Peterborough on Monday 22nd October 2012, starting at 7-30pm
NOMINATIONS for TRUST BOARD MEMBERS Under the Rules of The Posh Supporters’ Trust the following members of the Board must resign from office by rotation, and are eligible for re-election at the AGM. Walter Moore, Keith Jennings and Tony Griffin. Currently there are 4 vacant seats on the Board, so with the 3 being vacated there are 7 seats available for nominations.
The Posh Supporters’ Trust has established a very healthy working relationship with the football club. We have, and will continue to implement various initiatives to introduce ‘New’ fans and disadvantaged fans to London Rd, thereby helping the club progress and increase attendances.
It is important for the football club and its supporters, that we keep the Trust moving in the right direction and remain active with new initiatives. We have regular meetings with the club to discuss the stadium development and any issues that affect the supporters, always seeking to further improve the match-day experience for all fans. We are always looking for volunteers, who can offer a little time, or anyone with professional skills who would enhance our team, either on an occasional basis or as a Board Member.
To keep the Trust moving in the right YOUR Direction, we Urgently need to recruit N ew ‘New Members’ to the Board. TRUST Most of the current Board is ageing and regrettably, cannot serve forever. NEEDS We needs groups of younger members to come forward to ensure the future of YOU! The Posh Supporters’ Trust
With 7 positions on the Board available, we need new people to come forward and bring fresh ideas and skills to the Board. In particular we would like to see younger members, male and female join your Board, to ensure that the ambitions, and views of all generations and genders are considered at all times.
To apply, Members should obtain an Election Nomination Form from the Trust and return the completed form to be received by the Secretary by Friday 14th September 2012 at the latest. For a Nomination Form or to find out more about joining the Board, contact Barry on 01733 761652 or 07710 283676, or Email [email protected]
Should there be more candidates than the number of seats available; the Secretary will arrange an election. The Secretary will issue postal ballot papers and copies of the candidates’ election addresses to all members by Friday, 5th October 2012 , in order that voting can take place prior to the AGM. Voting will be by post or in person at the meeting.
Our Patron Tommy Robson and Posh chief executive Bob Symns will be at the AGM for open discussion about the football club and stadium development. Finally to test your memory, Mick Robinson will host his traditional Posh Quiz.
Please make a note on your Calendar / Diary. TRUST AGM 7-30pm on Monday 22nd October 2012
Members and New Members are welcome, and refreshments will be provided. FOOTBALL CLUBS SUCCESS? ...... BUT AT WHAT COST? Ray Cole reflects on the Governance of Football Clubs I have just finished reading Darragh MacAnthony’s book ‘From Hobby to Obsession’ and what a good read it is. I am encouraged by the prudent business approach Darragh has taken at the Posh and I feel we definitely have a secure future at our club under his guidance.
But how well run are other football clubs? If you were told that 52 clubs out of the 92 top league clubs have suffered insolvency events since 1991 would you be surprised? Well sadly it is a fact. Bad management and insolvency exists in football. Just take a look at the plight of both Rangers and Portsmouth supporters after the poor management at their clubs.
Football clubs depend on money coming in from fans, sponsors and when necessary, benefactors. To be over ambitious requires serious financial input from a benefactor which can result in financial doping by buying success and distorting the balance of competition. Many clubs buy players and pay top wages which they can ill afford, resulting in money flowing out to players and their agents and ending up outside of football. Unless the benefactor is infinitely rich and does not lose interest, the club ends up with not enough assets to cover its debts or sustain their league position. Money needs to stay inside the game.
Should fans be concerned if their benefactor walks away? Just take a look at Newcastle Utd. “MULTI-MILLION-POUND debts have been wiped clean by owner Mike Ashley after he lent the club £140m in his first five years on Tyneside, it was revealed recently” What if he wants it back?
Fans shouldn't be duped by buying success or misinterpreting loans. A benefactor may pull his financial support at anytime, he will want his loan back if his circumstances change. Will the club then be in a position carry on paying wages or repay the loan? When you hear a save our club message, what are you really hearing? Is it the club or the owner(s) you are saving?
Surely it's time for football to look at fixing the problems clubs are getting into by changing the model they run by, to one that is better fit for purpose.
The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee of Parliament has recommended the adoption of a new football licensing system and the Government has said it accepts this recommendation. The parent organisation of supporters trusts, ‘Supporter’s Direct’, has put forward proposals that are currently being debated within parliament.
Well one thing is for sure, when a club becomes insolvent their fans will still be there. Owners, Players, however great / poor will come and go, but the fans don't, they will still be there trying to survive when others move on.
The principle objective of Supporters Trusts, is to safeguard the future existence if our clubs, and to that end we seek to establish a Community Club, and gain Supporters’ representation in the decision making process at our clubs. Sixty eight clubs already have a Supporters’ Trust director on the board. AFC Wimbledon, Exeter City and Brentford are all supporters’ trust owned.
The Posh Supporters’ Trust has a good working relationship with Peterborough United, and we will build upon that relationship as we strive towards regaining a seat of the clubs’ Board. In the meantime, we will continue with our commitment in helping the club to remain economically successful, as we progress through the leagues, knowing that we have a sustainable future. And the Fans of Peterborough United can also play their part by joining the Supporters Trust, and help us to become a stronger body of fans helping the club achieve a sustainable future for it’s supporters to enjoy. After all we all want the same thing - success and a future for our club. WHO - is - WHO, PLAYING IN BLUE? Pictures Courtesy of Joe Dent PUFC
1 Bobby Olejnik 3 Craig Alcock 5 Gabriel Zakuani Signed for Posh during the Craig is one of the most Team Captain Gabby was a summer from Torquay for an consistent performers during multiple Player of the undisclosed fee. Bobby was last season. Signed from Season winner at London born in Austria to Polish Yeovil Town he has proved Road last season, putting in parents and was named in to be Mr Versatile in his first some superb performances the League Two team of the 12 months at the Posh, despite several serious year after keeping 20 clean performing admirably at injuries along the way. A sheets for the Gulls. The right-back, left-back, centre determined centre back, he Austrian u 21 international back and in a holding is always putting his body on the line for the cause. signed for Posh until 2015. midfield role.
13 Joe Day 6 Michael Bostwick Joe who joined Posh from 4 Shaun Brisley Michael was a top target Rushden and Diamonds is a Shaun took a step up into during the summer of 2012 promising goalkeeper who the Championship and was and the central midfielder enjoyed a successful loan an ideal replacement for signed from Stevenage stint with Alfreton Town last Ryan Bennett in the latter ahead of the pre-season trip season. He will be pushing half of last season. Signed to Portugal. A strong, Bobby for the number one from Macclesfield, he is combative midfield man, he spot and he has all the good on the ball, impressive helped his previous club to credentials to challenge for in the air and reads the back to back promotions that position. game well from centre back. after joining from Ebbsfleet. 7 7 Danny Swanson 9 Tyrone Barnett 11 Grant McCann Danny is a highly-rated Tyrone is a powerful front Grant has played a key role attacking midfielder, who man, who made an in helping the Posh attain agreed the move to the immediate impact for the Championship status with Posh in the summer of Posh after joining from over 20 assists and some 2012, from Dundee United. Crawley Town in 2012 for vital goals during the He made over 100 an undisclosed fee. League One campaign. appearances for Dundee , Dominant in the air, he e Grant started his career at scoring 12 goals. Danny’s scored on his debut for the West Ham and has also preferred position is in the club, a superb header in a played for Cheltenham hole behind the strikers. 1-1 draw at Doncaster Town and Scunthorpe Utd. Rovers.
8 Lee Tomlin 10 George Boyd 12 Emile Sinclair Lee joined the Posh from George is a hugely talented Emile joined the Posh from Rushden and Diamonds attacking midfielder, he is Macclesfield, where his and has proved to be a one of the longest-serving pace and power, coupled notable acquisition. He can players at Posh. Signed with his goal-scoring record play as a central striker or from Stevenage for a alerted scouts up and down as an attacking midfielder. Conference record, he can the country. Emile scored Lee packs a powerful shot operate as a central striker, twice on his first game and often shoots from a in the hole behind the front against Burnley, finishing distance man or on the wing. the first season at Posh with 10 league goals.
14 Tommy Rowe Tommy was the Young 16 Daniel Kearns 19 Mark Little Player of the Year at Daniel joined the Posh from Mark joined the Posh London Road last season, Dundalk and he will benefit initially on-loan from he has become a very more than most from the Wolverhampton Wanderers, consistent performer at left- summer break after a year before former boss Gary back after beginning his of continuous football. A Johnson made the deal Posh career as a central former West Ham United permanent. An attack- midfielder. He was signed graduate, he can operate in minded right-back, Mark from Stockport County, and central midfield or from wide has been a regular in the is currently one of the clubs areas where his quick feet Posh starting line-up over longest serving players. and trickery can bamboozle recent seasons. opponents.
15 David Hibbert Dave has suffered with 17 Joe Newell injuries in recent seasons, Joe scored his first 20 Nathaniel but is targeting a comeback professional goal in the Knight-Percival for the beginning of the defeat at Leeds United last Nathaniel completed his 2012-2013 campaign. The season, a memorable move to Posh during the former Shrewsbury Town moment for the youngster summer after a successful front man is very good in during his breakthrough campaign at Wrexham. the air, can hold the ball up year. Originally, a winger, The former winger was and has proved that he Joe has been converted to converted to centre back by knows where the back of a central midfielder by Dean Saunders and has not the net is at previous clubs. Darren Ferguson with great looked back. Although not When fit, will provide success. Confident on the the biggest, he has a excellent competition for the ball, tidy in possession and prodigious leap and has strikers currently at the with the ability to beat an decent pace at his disposal. football club. opponent.
21 Nicky Ajose 23 Lee Frecklington 25 Peter Grant Nicky joined the Posh from Lee is a midfielder, who A commanding centre back Manchester United, but has covers every blade of grass progressing through the found opportunities for first for the team and has proved Centre of Excellence, with team football hard to come over the years that he has a his commitment impressing by. He has spent much of good eye for goal. Lee Darren Ferguson. He was his time at the club out on- joined Posh in 2009 from invited to train with the loan at Chesterfield. Nicky Lincoln City Scotland under 18s during is a small, nippy front man 2011-2012, and is likely to who can also operate from be involved again in the wide areas. forthcoming months.
24 Kgosi Nthle 22 Jonson Clarke-Harris Kgosi is a left-back with 26 Paul Taylor Jonson joined Peterborough enormous potential. He has Paul burst onto the scene United following his release progressed through the during last season scoring a from Coventry City where Peterborough United Centre fine equaliser in a 2-2 draw he was highly regarded. of Excellence and been at Millwall, and went on to He made his debut for the included in several the first become the top scorer for Sky Blues aged 16 and has team squads. During the Posh with 12 goals in the impressed Darren Ferguson summer he was on duty for Championship. He had since arriving at London the South African under 20 scouts flocking to watch him Road The quick and strong side at a tournament in in action. Lightening fast striker signed a professional and extremely strong, th Africa and will be looking to contract on his 18 birthday. push Tommy Rowe for the Taylor has impressed under regular left-back berth. boss Darren Ferguson.
30 Michael Richens 44 Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Michael is an exciting right back who Nathaniel is in his second stint at the Posh penned a three-year deal with the club after a successful loan spell from during the summer. Signed from Luton Wolverhampton. This time, the move was Town he is strong, good in the air and quick made permanent and the 20-year-old will to support the attack, he has already provide great pace and trickery from wide impressed boss Darren Ferguson and the areas. He can also operate as a central management have high hopes for him. strike Bob Symns supports the Safe Standing Campaign. On the 25th June I travelled to Hannover in Germany to visit the city’s Bundesliga football club Hannover 96. The object of the visit was to see firsthand and understand the ‘rail seat’ system which is used extensively throughout Germany where supporters have the choice of whether to sit or stand. I was accompanied by Adi Mowles, Richard Hodgson and Kevin Dawkins (both representatives of Peterborough City Council). The visit was arranged by Jon Darch on behalf of the Football Supporters Federation who have initiated the ‘Safe Standing’ campaign.
As most of our supporters will be aware, at the end of season 2012-2013 (subject to Championship status) we will no longer be able to have ‘Terraced’ ends, current regulations decree that seated accommodation must be installed or the stands will be closed.
The overriding factor in the debate on seating/standing for myself is the safety of our guests, be they home or away supporters or just visiting London Road looking for a goal-fest!
As a frequent visitor to grounds throughout the Football League and Premiership in this country and luckily, across most of Europe, my view is that it would be far safer to stand in a rail seat fitted terrace than stand in a traditional seated area. Now whilst we understand that current regulations insist that supporters should sit down to watch the game, the reality is that standing in certain seated areas has become the ‘norm’ at football matches in this country. Therefore, the visit to Hannover to see how we can better protect and engage our visitors to the Posh.
The trip confirmed all my initial understanding of the rail-seat potential, our existing terraces are safe and well managed, but as of the summer they will be deemed unsafe. That’s unless, heaven forbid, we went down, in which case they would bizarrely be deemed still safe to use. Having seen a new option in Hannover, I am convinced that a standing area fitted with rail seats would be even safer still and I cannot see any logical reason why we should not be allowed to build a new London Road End incorporating such an area. I therefore fully support the FSF’s safe standing campaign and hope that together we can persuade the powers that be to look seriously at the rail seat option. If they wanted to use London Road as a pilot site, we’d be more than happy to oblige!”
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LONDON ROAD STADIUM DEVELOPMENT?
So nothing is happening at Moy’s End! Well, yes it is, and by the time you read this article, speculation may have become a confirmed fact.
On 15 June 2012 Peterborough City Council and Peterborough United Football Club issued a joint statement on the football club ground investment and development.
"The Football Club and the city council are in discussion about the delivery of the new Moy's End stand and educational facilities. Currently, the club have less than 2 years left on their lease and as the council is investing significant funds into this development, discussions have inevitably turned to future leases, the football club's critical ambition to eventually own the ground and the remaining investment needed to secure an all-seater stadium. These discussions are continuing and both parties are keen to conclude them as soon as possible." Statement Ends.
Until these negotiations have been concluded, we understand that the contract to for the work on Moy’s End cannot be awarded. Clearly both the Football Club and the City Council need to be in agreement on a future lease before developing the site.
Following our meeting with the club on Mon 6 August, we were told that the negotiations that have been on-going between the club and the city council are almost concluded and the council will soon be able to award the contract for the demolition and re-building of the Moy’s stand.
Then after the short lead in period from award to commencement of work, site work may be anticipated to commence in October with completion still being programmed prior to the start of the 2013/14 season.
At least the Millwall, Leeds, Bristol City and Wolves fans will be lucky enough to visit the most popular away end in the football league before it disappears.
The sceptics, and I have been amongst them, may say that similar promises about imminent starts on the scheme have been made on a number of occasions this year but nothing has happened. True; but with the deadline for completion of a new stand before the 2013/14 season critical, it does seem that this present timetable is more certain.
The club and council should also soon be announcing the conclusion of the agreement that has reached with regard to the future ownership of the stadium. Indications are that this will be a win/win agreement with both the ambitions of the club and the interests of the taxpayer being satisfied.
Although there are not yet any firm proposals for the rebuilding of the London Road end stand there have been some very positive moves towards the incorporation of Safe Standing areas into the eventual rebuild. Following a visit by representatives from the club and council to the Hannover stadium - and a starring role for Peter Burrow in a film that was being made there! - Bob Symns, on behalf of the club, issued a very positive statement about the wish to incorporate such areas into the new LRE stand. Meetings are being arranged with the various authorities involved and the club are pressing for Posh to be the trail blazers in giving fans what they want.
Now all that is required is for the team to make sure that we are watching them play in at least the Championship from our new stands – C’mon the POSH!
Paul Froggitt. 10 August 12 'A Tribute to Mr Peterborough United – Frank Stimson Posh through and through' – Pete Lane
Welcome to another new season and life again in the Championship under our brilliant team of Chairman Darragh MacAntony and Manager Darren Ferguson.
Darragh must surely be our best Chairman of all time, but lets spare a thought for another great Chairman from days long past, of the Midland League who equally was our Darragh of his day – his name – Frank Stimson. Frank was elected to the Board as a new Director at the Club's A.G.M. In July 1946, with the highest number of 82 votes; he was to become one of the best 'signings' the Club ever made.
Frank was a man of many interests who was Vice President of numerous sporting organisations and President of the Peterborough Co-operative Society. His profession was a Licencee where he was landlord for many years at the popular Peacock Pub in London Road, only a few yards from the London Road football ground.
The Manager at the time of Frank's appointment to the Board was the ex-Arsenal star – Sam Haden. Sam departed in 1948 – when former Exeter City player Jack Blood took over the reigns. Towards the end of season 1949/50 Frank Stimson was voted as the new Chairman of Peterborough United FC taking over from Mr Jack Swain who had announced his retirement. The first Manager under Frank's reign as Chairman was the former England and Sunderland centre forward Bob Gurnery who came into office just prior to Frank's appointment. Bob Gurney left Posh to become Manager of Darlington towards the end of 1951/52 season. On 4th June 1952 ex-Newcastle United goalkeeper Jack Fairbrother became our new player-manager and already Frank Stimson had great plans for the Club announcing at the beginning of 1952 plans for Football League status. An illustrated brochure was designed to state our cause but was all to no avail as we only received 6 votes despite help from the national press.
By the time Posh were gaining recognition for their exploits in the FA Cup and the football world were beginning to take notice. Fairbrother left Posh to become manager of Coventry City directly after our cup defeat away to Cardiff City after unlucky to lose 3-1. Another famous keeper then took over at the helm in February 1954 being ex-Arsenal no.1 George Swindin. Exciting time lay ahead under our Chairman's leadership and still had great ambitions to take us into the Football league but only to be disappointed once more by receiving 18 votes. But Frank made sure the Club were going in the right direction announcing a profit of £2,063 and a substantial rise in gate receipts of £23,978.
In 1955 at the Club's 21st Anniversary Dinner, Jack Fairbrother attended and presented the ball as used in that memorable cup tie against Cardiff City, to Chairman Frank as a token of his esteem for the Club. In June 1955 there was yet more disappointment for Frank and the Club as Posh received only16 votes yet again and failing in their desire of League Football. This would make Frank only more determined in his dream and ambitions for his beloved Posh and announced work would begin very shortly for the building of a brand new grandstand. Shareholders feeling confident with the Board duly re-elected Frank and his fellow Directors to continue their ambitions for the Club at the A.G.M. Both on and off the field the Club was going from strength to strength with record profits of £30,613 gate receipts and Frank's dream of a new stand got under way and Posh won their first Midland League Championship during 1955/56 season.
Posh continued their fine exploits in the FA Cup and were now famed 'giant killers' and at the same time were breaking record attendances at London Road. The following season Posh won their second Championship and despite a hat trick of titles in the following season Chairman Frank could still not realise his dream of Football League statues as yet again Posh could only muster 15 votes.
But then in 1958 more disappointment came when George Swindin left to return to Arsenal as Manager. Frank then was happy to announce that form England and Sheffield United star Jimmy Hagan was to be the new boss. Hagan continued the good work and led Posh to a fourth title, but despite this again poor Frank could not fulfil his dream of League status as Posh registered 26 votes.
Sadly for Frank that's where it ended when tragedy struck as Posh prepared to play their first practice match of the 1959/60 season, the sad news came learning of the death of our beloved Chairman and, sod's law that Posh went on to their 5th successive title and the dream came true as Posh were at long last elected into the Football League, well the rest is history!
The name of Frank Stimson will always be remembered in the History of Peterborough United FC for, despite not living long enough to see his greatest ambition fulfilled, it was down to him for the Club's remarkable rise from those early days. This wonderful, jolly gentleman will never be forgotten.
Finally thank you once again to the Posh Trust for inviting me to contribute in the magazine.
'Up the Posh' Pete
The ‘Posh Smile Tickets’ scheme, provides free match tickets to watch Peterborough United play at London Road, as a special treat for nominated people.
Local community groups and disadvantaged fans can apply for Posh Smile Tickets so they can enjoy watching a game of football which perhaps they would otherwise be unable to enjoy. Fans can also nominate individuals or groups for a special “Posh Smile Ticket Treat” as a means of acknowledging hard work, selfless acts and a commitment to their local community - this could be anything from cleaning up litter to helping an elderly person, or indeed a treat for someone who is seriously ill and their carer.
The scheme helps increase income and gates for the club and at the same time give access to London Road to people who otherwise would not be able to attend a game.
Do you know someone who deserves a Smile Ticket Treat?
Make your nomination Now! contact us on the Trust stall in the south stand, talk to any of our Board members, or Email [email protected]
Peter Lloyd questions the strong-arm tactics used for away football supporters at ‘bubble matches’
On 7th April, Supporters of Portsmouth Football Club could only watch their team play at local rivals Southampton if they travelled from Portsmouth by designated coach from a designated pick up point at a designated time to a designated drop off point.
That’s because the fixture was a “bubble” match and you could only buy a match ticket as a Portsmouth fan if you agreed to these terms. The term bubble comes from the nature of the plan, which is to seal off all the away supporters for the journey to and from the match.
Although this is intended to make supporters going to the match feel safer, the effect is to treat entirely innocent people like criminals being transported across the country. It amounts to “kettling”, but with motorway travel thrown in. It certainly doesn’t sound like the fun day out a football match is supposed to be.
But one reason why it may be less safe is that it is easy for coaches carrying away supporters to be a target for hooligans of the home club. In reality it can be just as safe to walk unobtrusively from your car or from a railway station to and from the ground.
The issue at stake here is compulsion. Everyone should be free to make their own judgment about what is, and what is not, safe in terms of travelling to a match. Once inside a stadium, it is reasonable to expect the owners or operators to take responsibility for safety. This is the way the law and regulations actually work.
If supporters feel safer by going by designated coach then they are free to do so, but equally, if they wish to travel independently they must be allowed to. It should not be for the convenience of the authorities, clubs, local councils or the emergency services to prevent independent travel. But with bubble matches this is the case and you have no choice.
Another form of restrictive arrangement at some bubble matches is to force supporters to travel to a rendezvous many miles from the football ground, at which previously purchased vouchers are exchanged for match tickets. Supporters are then transported to and from the ground by coach. Again, this is a condition of the sale of tickets. This is the only way most Cardiff City supporters could get to their team’s match in London against West Ham United in August 2011. They were forced to travel by coach to South Mimms service station on the M25, get their match tickets and be escorted by the police to London.
Ironically, at the same time as these bubble matches are taking place with their intense restriction on freedom of movement for supporters, attending football matches has been getting much safer.
In the season 21010-11 total match attendance at regulated (professional) matches in England and Wales was over 37 million, by far the biggest spectator events that take place in Britain. The total number of arrests in that season was 3089, and represents less than 0.01% of all spectators, or 1 arrest for every 12,249 spectators. This was a decrease of 9%, or 302 arrests, on 2009-10 totals. These figures show how rare arrests really are. Just 332 of them were for violent disorder, 40% lower than 2009-10. 71% of matches had no arrests, 86% had two or less and 51% of matches were police free.
Yet in recent years there has been a marked increase in pre-entrance pat-down body searches for all those attending as away supporters, and much heavier-handed stewarding. It is not as though the increasingly draconian measures are a reaction to more serious problems inside grounds. Control over supporters’ behaviour has been increasing after serious incidents and risks have been rapidly decreasing.
There can be good reasons for restrictions around football grounds when there are large crowds. However, all sense of proportionality has been lost and everyone should be allowed to choose the method by which they get to a match. This is a basic right of freedom of movement.
The guiding principle for the authorities seems to be that any one incident of bad behavior is unacceptable and any measure is deemed acceptable if it prevents, or is likely to prevent, that incident. All this attitude achieves is disruption and inconvenience to the vast majority of supporters going about a perfectly normal leisure activity – attending a football match. Far from increasing the enjoyment of a match, the bubble creates a climate of fear and increases the suspicion of football supporters by the authorities, especially the police.
Peter Lloyd
TRUST MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT SCHEME Saving You £££££’s
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Members to save themselves £££££££’s by using our Discount Scheme! much more than just the cost of membership.
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Visit our website for full details of Discounts available. Latest Update to 20 August 2012 To receive these generous discounts, Members need to show a valid ‘Posh Supporters Trust Membership/Discount Card’.
www.theposhtrust.co.uk The Posh Supporters Trusts Player Community Trophy. The Trust’s Annual Award for our Player of the Year, is different to all others, as it is awarded for a player’s performance Off the field of Play. The Trophy is presented to the Posh Player, who is judged to have been most active and enthusiastic with the clubs community visits and various community projects throughout the Season.
For the 2011/12 season, it was a close call for several players, and we would like to thank all the players for their excellent work in the community throughout the season. After much deliberation, the Posh Management nominated CRAIG ALCOCK for the 2011 / 2012 seasons award.
The Trophy was presented to Craig at the PISA Craig receiving the Trophy from Barry Bennett Awards at Ebeneezer’s social club on 28th April.
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