SUPPORTERS TRUST A.G.M. 2008
9th December 2008
The Trust held it's 5th AGM at The Pilot Inn, Berwick, at noon on Saturday 6th December.

With the Trust part of a consortium tantalisingly poised on the brink of a supporter-led takeover of Berwick Rangers Football Club,the meeting took on extra significance. As a consequence, The Pilot was packed to the rafters to hear BRFC direcor and chairman-in-waiting Brian Porteous confirm that the takeover was still on course but was taking time to complete simply because the banks were carrying out due diligence checks on new guarantors. It was likely that the entire process would take several more weeks to complete, but Brian assured supporters that there were no significant problems and that the takeover would be completed in due course.

Following Brian Porteous's report,supporters were treated to an entertaining bout of reminiscences from club legend and bon viveur Eric Tait, who regaled his audience with colourful tales of his experiences at the club, with the focus on arguably the greatest Gers side ever, the 1978-79 championship winning team. He also exhorted supporters to use the opportunities presented by the takeover to create a genuine community club which would provide real chances for local talent to make it into the first team. Eric was hard act to follow, but James Proctor, Development Manager with Supporters Direct (Scotland) and a good friend of the Trust movement, built on the messages relayed by the preceding speakers to reinforce the message that getting it right off the pitch is as imporant as achieving success on the pitch.

The formal business of the AGM ensued and the key decisions were as follows:

Trust membership continues to increase and currently stands at 213

Trust auditors reappointed for the new financial year,but with a less onerous brief following changes to the audit requirements stipulated by Supporters Direct,resulting in lower audit costs

It was reported that the Trust board had been reappointed in 2007 for a period of 2 years,and that the next full round of elections would be held in March 2010; there were still 2 vacancies on the trust board and one of these was filled by Eric Deighton,who was co-opted on to the board at the meeting

The Trust would be working in partnership with the Supporters Club to put together a programme of fundraising and other activities for 2009

The overall feeling from the meeting was extremely positive,with the emphasis on supporters working together in the best interests of the club. Further developments will be reported to the trust membership through this website and the regular communications bulletins.

A final mention to Stephen Scott of The Pilot and his staff,to whom many thanks are due for their excellent hospitality, including a fine selection beers which kept the meeting adequately lubricated. If you enjoy a good pint of real ale from local and national brewers, make sure you call in.

MINUTES NOW AVAILABLE HERE

Top: Karen Thorburn, Eric Tait, John Bell & Gordon Dickson
Bottom: Eric Tait, Brian Porteous & James Proctor