Minutes of Hammers United Committee Meeting held on Monday October 11th.
Present:
P Colborne(Chairman). A Byrne, A McConnell (Joint Secretaries).
Committee members: G Bernard, R Blane, S Patel, A Payne, D Procter, L Rogers, V Ryan, T Twohig.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5.30 pm and gave apologies received from D Holder.
Independent Supporters Committee
The Chairman gave a full report on the Independent Supporters Committee.
The Club was not complying with the MOU. It was not engaging meaningfully with the Supporters groups.
Some members of the ISC had ignored process and met the Club behind the ISC’s back.
It was apparent that some members of the ISC did not canvass or report back to members and were infact answerable to no-one.
Both Joint Secretaries and Roy Blane had served on ISC committees and reported back accordingly.
Roy Blane argued passionately that the ISC had failed dismally and should be disbanded.
A Mconnell added that the ISC had agreed that a meeting be set up between the club, 3 reps from the ISC and the FSA to discuss consultation.
Sue Watson had met Karren Brady and agreed a joint statement unilaterally!!
This led to full and frank debate round the table. The committee were very disappointed that the club were in effect using the ISC as a box ticking exercise.
They were amazed to hear that ISC members, including the present Chair had met the club behind the ISC’s back and that the Chair had done this before.
They were aghast to hear that the ISC was not a democratic constraint.
This led to Lee Rogers moving:
1.That the Joint Secretaries write to the ISC reporting that Hammers United would be conducting a full review into the terms agreed in the MOU as we believe that some factors have fallen into disrepute.
2.That the Joint Secretaries write to Sue Watson seeking clarification on her meeting with Karren Brady.
S Patel moved an amendment whereby the results of the review be circulated to membership and the West Ham fanbase as a whole. This was seconded by P Colborne.
The amended motion was carried 10 votes to 1.
Protest
The Chairman gave a full report which was noted.
Other Business
The Chairman reported on pink cancer shirt being stolen from a West Ham Supporter at the last home game, and the distress experienced by this supporter.
L Rogers moved Hammers United buy her a new replacement shirt, seconded G Bernard and carried unanimously.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 6.50 pm thanking all for attending.
