Thanks to all who attended our AGM in Tolka Park last week. It was a very positive meeting with a lot of good points raised and a lot worked on, details of which can be found below, as well as last year’s account results.
On the night we ran a raffle, the results of which were:
1st: Peter Murray (framed signed jersey)
2nd: Ian Smith (matchworn jersey)
3rd: Luke Dunne (a copy of Gods vs Mortals)
The 1895 Trust Co-operative Society Limited
Society Number: 5594R
Special General Meeting
Location: The Bar, Tolka Park
Date: April 20th, 2017
Starting Time: 19:30
Names of Trust committee members: Ben Dale (Acting Treasurer), Lee Daly (Acting Chair), Ruaidhri Croke (PRO),
Conor O’Briain (Acting Secretary), Will Clarke (Acting Community Officer), Gavin Doherty (Membership Officer), Aoife Gorby (Ordinary Member), Ciaran Doyne (Commercial Officer).
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Financial Update.
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Membership Update.
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Presentation on discussions with Club Board reps.
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Debate on any motions submitted.
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Elections to the committee (20:45).
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Any Other Business.
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Question and Answer Session (21:30).
To submit motions for debate or to stand for election to the committee, please email shelstrust@gmail.com.
| The 1895 Trust Co-operative Society Limited |
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| Income and Expenditure Account |
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Year ended
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Year ended
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| for the year ended 30 November 2016 |
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30 November 2016
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30 November 2015
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| Profit and loss |
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| Sales of merchandise |
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444
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|
637
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| Cost of merchandise |
|
20
|
|
755
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| Less closing stock |
|
–
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(329)
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|
|
20
|
|
426
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|
|
|
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| Gross profit/(loss) |
|
424
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|
211
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| Other income |
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| Subscriptions |
|
12,823
|
|
9,446
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| Donations |
|
846
|
|
1,800
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| Fundraising income |
|
360
|
|
401
|
|
|
|
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| Total income |
|
14,453
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|
11,858
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| Expenses |
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| Sponsorship and donations |
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(860)
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|
(888)
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| Online costs |
|
(435)
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|
(382)
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| Printing |
|
(84)
|
|
(245)
|
| Event Costs |
|
–
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|
(265)
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| Administration |
|
(1,003)
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|
(2,116)
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| Cost of subscriptions |
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(575)
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|
(189)
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| Bank Charges |
|
(272)
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|
(44)
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| Registration Fees |
|
(150)
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|
(50)
|
|
|
(3,379)
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|
(4,179)
|
|
|
|
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| Surplus/(deficit) on ordinary activities |
|
11,075
|
|
7,680
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| Balance Sheet |
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| as at 30 November 2015 |
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30 November 2016
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30 November 2015
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| Current assets |
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| Debtors |
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2,790
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|
689
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| Stock (merchandise) |
|
329
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|
329
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| Cash at bank |
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20,655
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|
11,642
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| Cash in hand |
|
60
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|
60
|
|
|
|
|
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23,834
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12,720
|
|
|
|
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| Creditors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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| Accrued audit fees |
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(963)
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|
(1,538)
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| Sundry |
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(765)
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(150)
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|
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| Creditors |
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(1,728)
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(1,688)
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| Net current assets |
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22,107
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11,032
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| Capital and reserves |
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| Opening retained surplus |
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11,032
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|
3,352
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| Retained surplus/(deficit) for period |
|
11,075
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7,680
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| Accumulated surplus |
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22,107
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11,032
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| Trial Balance |
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| for the year ended 30 November 2015 |
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Dr
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Cr
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|
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| Subscriptions |
|
|
|
12,823
|
| Merchandising Income |
|
|
|
444
|
| Fundraising Income |
|
|
|
360
|
| Donations |
|
|
|
846
|
| Opening Retained Surplus |
|
|
|
11,032
|
| Sponsorship |
|
860
|
|
|
| Merchandising Costs |
|
20
|
|
|
| Online costs |
|
435
|
|
|
| Printing |
|
84
|
|
|
| Event Costs |
|
–
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|
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| Administration |
|
1,003
|
|
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| Bank Charges |
|
272
|
|
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| Registration Fees |
|
150
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| Cost of subscriptions |
|
575
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| Cash at bank – Bank of Ireland |
|
–
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| Cash at bank – AIB |
|
20,655
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|
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| Debtors |
|
2,790
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|
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| Cash float |
|
60
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|
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| Creditors |
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|
|
1,728
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| Closing stock (asset) |
|
329
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| Closing stock (profit and loss) |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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27,233
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27,233
|
Summary of Trust Situation in 2017
Current Challenges
Unclear mission and function
The Trust was founded to enable Shels fans to one day take a stake or outright mutual ownership of the football club. However poor relations with the club board, our campaigning on the Dalymount move and lack of consistent achievements have all distracted from or impinged on this goal.
Critically tarnished brand/perception from non-members
The protest at last year’s game against Waterford and the ongoing boycott have increased the divisions within the club. Without people participating in fundraising for the club, which we propose to increase this year, as well as a more divisive atmosphere in general, it will be difficult to achieve fan ownership in part of in full.
Few clear arguments in support of supporter ownership
Although we have accumulated significant funds, they are nowhere near what is required to take on the running of the club, much less see it promoted and return to some form of success. The movement in the UK has also slowed down and hit difficulties, meaning the concept seems less appealing to fans.
Potential Outcomes
Status Quo:
Pursuing our current aims with our current structure for the current season is what we are proposing. However, we have hit significant issues with keeping a consistent committee together and in recruiting new members, which we feel is a result of the challenges outlined previously. Undertaking some fundraising initiatives to benefit the football club will go some way to addressing these we feel and
Conversion to “safety net” model:
Should these efforts fail, we propose to suspend any and all campaigning efforts such as the one undertaken on the Dalymount move and carry out the minimum necessary to keep the Trust as a going concern. We propose focusing entirely on accumulating funds through ongoing subscriptions for a future eventuality when the club’ existence is under threat or there is an environment more conducive to fan ownership. It would also entail shrinking the committee by at least half, with these individuals agreeing to effectively function as trustees, meeting only to fulfill the legal obligations imposed by continuing as a co-operative, such as financial returns or holding of an AGM.
Disbandment:
The other option open to the membership is to disband the Trust and disperse some funds to fans who have contributed through the years. Although not ideal, members must remain realistic about the prospects of achieving anything approximating our aims and aware of the difficulty there has been in renewing the composition of the committee.
Our current recommendation is to continue with the status quo for the rest of the season, and review the situation at an EGM later in the year.
Fundraising for the Club:
To improve our image within the club, assist it through its current situation and give a focus for members, we suggest the Trust makes a commitment to hold the below fundraisers, with a projected target revenue of 12,000.
Mini World Cup: 8,000
Last Man Standing: 2,000
FAI Draw sales: 2,000
