End of Season Issue
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The fanzine of the Argyle Fans’ Trust End of Season Issue Issue No. 4 Price 50p 1 Steve Dean needs help to keep Greens on Screen going If YOU can help, go to the site (address above) and email him ATD The Fastest Growing Independent Argyle Forum VERITAS VOS LIBERABIT WWW.ARGYLETD.COM 2 Kick Off Welcome to our end-of-season, bumper edition of the Grass is Greener. As ever, this issue contains a variety of articles with a wide range of topics and views. At the time of writing, Argyle sit in the last play-off place with seven games to go. It is likely to be a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat experience over the next month or so—two if we go all the way to Wembley. The Trust is planning a number of activities between now and next season. We are presenting our own Player of the Year trophy. We will be having a pitch at the Home Park Sunday boot sale—the first one on Sunday 12th April. We will be having a team at the Static Cycling event in the GTs’ tent on Saturday 25th April. We are supporting the RBL VE night on Friday 8th May - see pages 6 and 7. We have other fundraising events in mind - you can read about this on the next page. With all these we need your help and support. Please go to the website for full details. And the fanzine will be back in August. Send us your ideas and contributions to [email protected]. Resurgam! Celia Ellacott Editor Contributors: Andy Byford, Sam Down, Alex Fletcher, Bob Foale, Kevin Hodges, Ian Newell, A Ref, Dermot Roberts, Dave Rowntree (photographs), Gordon Sparks, Bob Wright. AFT Board: Chairman - Bob Foale Vice Chairman - Sam Down, (Acting) Secretary - Tim Chown: [email protected] Membership - Sally Snow, Bob Wright: [email protected] Fundraising - Virginia Pike: [email protected] Communications - Tim Chown: [email protected] Fanzine - Celia Ellacott Social Media - Sam Down, Josh Pope Treasurer - Paul Bartolini: [email protected] Board member - Ed Shillabeer. Web: www.argylefanstrust.com Facebook: facebook.com/TheArgyleTrust Twitter: @TheArgyleTrust 3 Onside Trust News Bob takes the Chair I am delighted and honoured to have been elected Chairman of the Argyle Fans’ Trust. My name is Bob Foale. I am a Plymothian, have lived in Devon for most of my life and have been an Argyle fan since 1962. I have four daughters and a son, and three grandchildren, so we are now into the fourth generati on of Argyle-supporti ng Foales. Having recently reti red aft er 26 years as a head teacher in the county, I now have the ti me not only to support the Trust more fully, but also to att end matches – I have been to every game home and away this season. As it states on our website, we believe that responsible supporter engagement in decision-making in partnership with the owner, the City Council, and other bodies with a legiti mate interest in the Club, is necessary to pave the way to renewed sustainability. To that end, we are meeti ng Martyn Starnes, PAFC’s Chief Executi ve, on a monthly basis, as well as speaking with members of the City Council, including the leader, Tudor Evans. We have already been in discussions over the ownership of parts of Home Park, next season’s ti cket prices, the conti nuati on of the open fans’ forums and the future of the grandstand. Most importantly, in the short term, progress is being made towards the establishment of a replacement for the now defunct Far Post Club, so that supporters can relax in the warm before and aft er a match, meeti ng friends to enjoy a drink and something to eat. This season, the Fans’ Trust has been proud to make a donati on to the Club to secure back of the shirt sponsorship status. That means Argyle players have been wearing the RBL poppy and WWI centenary logo for all their matches this season, home and away. Providing a link between the Club and the community is another important part of what we do. Why not visit our website: www.argylefanstrust.com where you can donate to the RBL shirt fund or, bett er sti ll join your fellow thousand members of the Argyle Fans’ Trust today? Virginia joins the Board Virginia Pike has been co-opted onto the AFT Board and will lead on events and fundraising. Virginia who lives in Plymouth and works in telemarketi ng, has been an Argyle fan since 1960. There are already a number of projects in the pipeline for the rest of the year leading up to the Trust’s fi ft h anniversary in December. These include a Golf Day and a Memorabilia Fair. If you have any ideas for an AFT social event you would like to see, send them to: [email protected] 4 Onside Trust News Fans’ Forum - Saturday 28th February Finances: * PAFC confirmed a break-even situation for 2014 * debts to football creditors have been reduced. The majority (both in number and value but more in number) took up the Council loan offer. There is about ‘half a million’ left * the Club will get more money from tv deals in years to come. Grandstand/HHP: * the City cannot support three multi screen cinemas; therefore, a Bretonside development which is expected to be given planning permission, renders a commercial HHP redundant * other avenues are bring explored with the Council but nothing is expected to happen until after the May elections * James Brent confirmed that the existing grandstand will be open next season * temporary seating will not be reinstated in the Mayflower as it would be uneconomic but segregation would be decreased to increase capacity were Argyle to be promoted * Martyn Starnes confirmed that discussions are at an early stage about providing an alternative supporters’ facility to the defunct Far Post Club * James Brent confirmed that no further thought had been given to the option to buy the ground in Autumn 2016. Season tickets: * Peter Jones announced a freeze on ST prices in the earlybird period. The Club reserved the right to increase these prices if Argyle were promoted but supporters who had already purchased their STs would not be surcharged. Players: * Anthony O’Connor had not wanted to sign a long-term contract at any Club: this delayed his return to Argyle * Andy Kellett was set to sign on deadline day until this was surprisingly scuppered by Man Utd. * Drew Talbot (now recalled) and Olly Lee would not be available were Argyle to reach the play-offs. Tareiq Holmes-Dennis may be available but could also be recalled. Bobby Reid would definitely be available. AFT Board members have been having regular meetings with Martyn Starnes, Argyle’s CEO. The most recent was on 21st March. You can find details on our website: www.argylefanstrust.com The next meeting is on 1st May. If you have any questions you want asked, let us know. 5 Onside Trust News Poppy shirt sponsorship The Argyle Fans’ Trust has been fundraising uniquely to sponsor the back of the current home shirt on behalf of the Royal British Legion. The deal has allowed us to raise the profile of the RBL in football and has increased donations by way of the poppy pots around Home Park. We need that final effort to push us over the line and ensure we reach our goal. To donate to the effort, go to our website. We appreciate every last penny that has gone towards our shirt fund so far. Every penny helps. Please give as little or as much as you would like. What Does the Royal British Legion Do? Ask your average person on the street what the Royal British Legion does and they will probably mention the poppy appeal and old men drinking. I’d like to change that perception. Here in Ivybridge we have a thriving RBL with more than 120 members. For an annual subscription of £17, they benefit from a quarterly magazine and comradeship through local activities and events. What we do can be broken down into four areas or pillars: Remembrance - this is probably what we are best known for. Ivybridge men and women wear their poppies with pride and more than 2000 attended the annual Remembrance Day service last year - the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One. In addition, branch members designed, built and funded our living memorial to WW1. ‘Harry’s Patch’ touched not only the town but the county and nation. Devon County Council gave our branch a ‘best garden award’. Welfare - we are very active behind the scenes helping those serving and veterans who have fallen on hard times. Ivybridge Branch has two volunteer welfare workers On Friday 8th May, VE Day Ivybridge RBL will be holding a ‘dress up if you like’ 40s Swing Night at the Sportsmans Inn, Ivybridge. 40s music Hog roast with traditional wartime veg Plymouth Pipe Band • Children’s choir Auction and raffle Preliminaries at 6.00; food 7.40; swing dancing from 8.00. Tickets £7.50 each direct from Sportsman’s Inn thesportsmansinn.co.uk or 07984131309 6 who visit members of the service community and off er vital assistance. In 2014 I visited 12 veterans and helped them with housing issues, mobility scooters, debt problems and, in a couple of occasions, emergency assistance via food vouchers and with funeral expenses. We have formed strong links with the Argyle Fans’ Trust and have enjoyed social events and fundraising during the season.