Quiz Night

A big thank you

Martyrs to the Cause would like to thank all the other Supporters Trusts & Clubs who have contacted us with messages of support and especially those football fans who have become members over the past week or so. It is much appreciated.

Quiz night

Martyrs to the Cause will be hosting the first of its monthly quiz nights in the Cefn Club on Thursday 19th March, all teams are welcome with the night's takings being split 50/50 between the winning ensemble and the Trust. More details to follow.

20th February 2009

Statement from the Board of Martyrs to the Cause

The Board of Martyrs to the Cause met last night with officers of Supporters Direct, our accountants and the leader of Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council, Mr Jeff Edwards.
From the meeting, we have confirmed our intended structure for running Merthyr Tydfil Football Club FC and are confident that when the time comes for the ownership of the club to pass to the Supporters of the club, we are in a strong position to deliver a democratically run club, inclusive of all Merthyr supporters which will be financially focused, with open and transparent governance.

We have made our intention that we wish to take over the ownership of the club clear to the owner of the club and are waiting on his response.
END OF STATEMENT

Statement from the Board

18th February 2009

Statement from the Board of Martyrs to the Cause

With reports of spiraling debts, staff being unpaid, the threat of games being unplayed and removal of utility services at Merthyr Tydfil FC, the board of Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Society Ltd (Martyrs to the Cause) have today issued the following statement.

The Board of Martyrs to the Cause are 100% committed to preserving football at it's current standard at Merthyr Tydfil FC. The Society however is unwilling to do service pressing debts for the current owner of the club at present for the following reasons;

1) The club has failed to supply or submit accounts since those filed to August 2006.

2) The club is unable to present the Society with levels of income, expenditure or debt.

3) The club has been unable to present a case to show that they have any plan to make the club work as a viable business in the short or long term.

We have re-affirmed our ambition to take on the ownership of the club and change it's constitution to that of a Community Club and to that means we have informed the club that the offer made to the club in a meeting on August 17th 2008 remains open to them. In that meeting, we presented an outline offer to the club, following initial discussions with our legal representatives, the key points of which were as follows:

Firstly Martyrs to the Cause would loan the Club the money (on an unsecured basis but via a legal agreement) needed immediately to meet pressing creditors.

Wyn Holloway’s shares in Merthyr Tydfil Football Club Limited would be immediately transferred to Martyrs to the Cause for no consideration, however we would be prepared to consider the transfer of a controlling stake in the company only, with certain guarantees – to be agreed.

All of this would take place with the simultaneous resignation of the existing directors (without compensation) with a new board appointed by the Trust, which it is expected would be the current board of the trust.

The new board would meet the Club's ongoing debts and commitments.Under the terms of the deal, what we believed to be substantial existing loans and credit from a number of sources, would continue to be guaranteed by the existing directors (as they are now). And as a sign of our intention to ensure eventual repayment of those loans, we proposed that the new board would make monthly goodwill payments in order to assist in the ongoing maintenance of those loans.

We also proposed that annual reviews of this arrangement would be factored in so progress can be monitored by all parties to their satisfaction.However, all of this was contingent on due diligence of the club’s most recent accounts. Martyrs to the Cause offered to assist – financially or otherwise – in releasing these accounts, and would also be willing to discuss providing assistance as part of any deal.We believe that this deal represents an opportunity for Wyn Holloway and the other directors of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club Ltd to be released from their current over-burdening commitments, which must cause significant stress to all of them.

In operating the club, we would be doing so as a team, alongside the fans as owners. We would also be advised by Supporters Direct, which has a great deal of expertise in this area, and which has already assisted with fifteen supporters trusts in taking over or restarting their clubs, four of which are in the Football League. The involvement of the supporters is critical to the future of this football club, and we believe that now is the time for us all to step up to the plate and return our club to its former glories. The board of Martyrs to the Cause is committed to our great club having a future, and that future being under the ownership and control of the supporters of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club.

END OF STATEMENT

John Toshack Night

A big thank you to everyone who made our John Toshack night on Thursday such a huge success, the Cefn Club was full of football fans from all clubs for the visit of the Wales team manager. Mr. Toshack was excellent and spoke for 90 minutes on a range of subjects from Wales to Madrid to South Wales Switchgear.

A big thank you to our hosts at the Cefn Club for making the evening run so smoothly.

The night was a great fund raiser for the Trust and we would hope to repeat such an evening as soon as possible.

Match of the Week - Tamworth v Telford

http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=1202

News from Lewes

http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4123205.Threat_of_administration_grows_at_Lewes/

Come Back to Merthyr Day 3

Well the weather outside is frightful .....

Don't despair we will have a home game soon. So remind that friend, workmate or complete stranger that we still want them up at Penydarren Park on 24th of January for the visit of Yate Town.

The players are doing the business on the pitch let's get a crowd to echo that on the terraces.

Come Back to Merthyr Day, take 3.

What next from mother nature? We're due a tornado!

Come back to Merthyr Day 2

So the great Welsh weather scuppers our New Year's Day at the football, the team set to go top, the biggest crowd of the season expected and the big chill arrives, just typical I suppose.

Today's project to get as many ex-fans (and new faces) into our ground will now be moved to 10th January for the visit of Cambridge City to Penydarren Park, although the principle of the day could be taken for any home match, just bring someone to see the current team as they are worth watching.

Finally, here's to a Happy New Year for all Martyrs fans from your Supporters' Trust.

M2TC Mugs on sale

To buy a Mug - price £6 please e-mail us at;
mike@themartyrs.com

Come Back to Merthyr day

POSTER BELOW

http://www.themartyrs.com/cb2m-poster.pdf

Dorchester Town

Congratulations to the supporters of Dorchester Town who have registered their Trust with Supporters Direct, welcome to the family!

It’s Goals that Count

Martyrs to the Cause, your Supporter’s Trust at Penydarren Park, are continuing to fund the Youth Teams with their Sponsor-A-Goal scheme. Each 1st team goal to be sponsored, a minimum amount of 20p can be pledged, and with the lads playing so well at the moment it should be a bumper season for the scheme. Forms can be collected from the Club Shop or directly from the Trust. We’ve hit the back of the net 45 times (as of 4th December) so far so why not help the Future Martyrs by raising much needed funds each time we celebrate a goal? You don’t have to sponsor the goal scorers, why not pledge a £1 for every clean sheet or a £5 for a penalty save? All pledges are as always gratefully received. An invoice is sent out at the end of the season so there’s nothing to pay until then!

MARTYRS TO THE CAUSE
TRUST BOARD MEETING
27th November 2008
Cefn Social Club 7pm

Present: Mark Evans Chair
Geoff Chinnock
Phil Evans
John Strand
Joanna Williams
Christopher Williams
Ian Howells
Len Sankey
Meurig Price
Huw Thomas
Derek Dowling

1. Apologies
: Mike Donovan Vice Chair

2. Minutes of the previous meeting:
The board approved the minutes dated 30th October and 13th November.

3. Matters arising not on the agenda:
· The Chair welcomed Ian Howells to the meeting
· John Strand will contact Huw Lewis to arrange a meeting
· The away shirts will be on sale at the club shop from 28th November 2008
· Martin Hayes and Colin Bodenham have agreed to be subcommittee members
· John Strand sent a letter of thanks to Dave and Joanne Webb
· Meurig Price is unable to attend the Official Supporters Club meeting on Monday.1st December 2008. The board will be represented by Chris Williams and Ian Howells

4. Financial update
4.1 Mark Evans contacted Cooperative Bank with regards to accessing account information and changing signatories. These will now be Mark Evans, Mike Donovan and Phil Evans who is now Treasurer.

4.2 It was agreed that the current accountants will complete the preparation and auditing of the accounts, but that quotes will be sought for next year.

4.3 The board confirmed that the £300.00 weekly payment of player wages would continue until further notice.

5. Events – Initial planning

5.1 LATCH Collection
The event has now been advertised in the Merthyr Express and the board are seeking as much help on the day as possible. Volunteers included John Strand, Derek Dowling, Joanna Williams and Mark Evans. Phil Evans would help if possible due to his role with 50/50 sales and Ian Howells offered to announce the event over the tannoy.
Action Point: John Strand to contact LATCH for promotional equipment.
Action Point: John Strand to contact MTCBC for permission to collect in the town centre.

5.2 Junior Martyrs Christmas Party
Holding the event at Strikers on a Sunday afternoon near Christmas was suggested. The event would include providing a buffet and selection boxes for the JM’s.

Action Point: Chris Williams and Meurig Price to check hall availability.
Action Point: Mark Evans to ask Nigel Hulbert to be Santa Claus

5.3 Sponsor a Goal – Youth Team
It was confirmed that 11 forms were completed at the OSC meeting 24th November 2008.

5.4 Six – a – side Tournament
This has been arranged for the 30th May 2009 – FA Cup final day. It was proposed that teams be invited from Gloucester and other local sides in the league.

5.5 Player of the Year 2008-09
It was revealed that no arrangements have been made for this event for the first team by the club.
Action Point: Chris Williams to provisionally book the hall for the evening of the last home game of the season.
Action Point : Mike Donovan to arrange the event for the youth teams.

5.6 Leaflet Drop
The board decided that the leaflet promotion be held sometime in the new year after the “Come Back to Merthyr” event on New Year’s Day. John Strand volunteered to design the leaflets and Town and Park wards would be the first area chosen.
Action Point: Publicity subcommittee to focus on leaflet drop at next meeting
Action Point: Chris Williams to raise leaflet drop and ‘CBTM’ event at OSC meeting 1st December 2008

5.7 Player of the Month Award
A £20 Boots voucher will be awarded to the winner of the poll conducted by John Strand. This would be based on home games only.

5.8 Free Kids Entry
Vouchers will be distributed to Boys and Girls Clubs in the local areas, with the highest attending club given an opportunity to train with the first team and receive a signed Wales football. It is hoped this will be piloted at the Farnborough game in March 2009. John Strand offered to print the vouchers.

5.9 Pantomime
Action Point: Mark Evans to look into running a trip to Aberdare Coliseum over the Christmas period


5.10 Events planned by the Club/OSC
· 21st December 2008 – Supporters Disco
· 31st December 2008 – New Year Party
· 24th April 2009 - Centenary Celebration – Garry Shephard has apparently suggested the team wear the centenary kit on this day. Discussions arose regarding sponsorship for the kits possibly in the form of an auction prior to or after the game.
Action Point: Chris Williams to discuss this point with Perry Johnson at the OSC meeting 1st December 2008
Action Point: Mark Evans to source the cost of providing the kit.
· Shirt sponsorship – The option for an additional £50 to be sponsored on a player’s shirt is open to the Trust.


6. Publicity and marketing – Initial planning
These were listed as:
Ø Leaflets
Ø Merthyr Express column
Ø Matchday programme
Ø MTTC Website
Action Point: Mike Donovan to set up members of publicity subcommittee as users on the website.
Ø Town centre mailshot
Ø Promotional items such as beer mats
Action Point: John Strand to contact Rhymney Brewery to investigate promotional items

7. Any other business
It was agreed to investigate the possibility of resurrecting the Golden Goal competition as a replacement to the 50/50 draw to potentially raise more on a match days.
Action Point: Chris Williams to raise this at the OSC meeting on 1st December 2008

8. Date and time of next meeting
Thursday 11th December 2008 7pm at Cefn Social Club.

Another non-league club joins the Supporters Direct family

A big welcome to the Supporters Trust at Lewes Football Club who had their launch party on 14th November.

Board Meeting October 30th 2008

MARTYRS TO THE CAUSE
TRUST BOARD MEETING
30th October 2008

Attended : Phil Evans, John Strand, Dave Webb, Joanne Webb, Meurig Price, Mike Donovan, Geoff Chinnock, Len Sankey, Chris Williams, Huw Thomas, Derek Dowling, Mark Evans


Matters arising
Huw Lewis AM was invited to tonight’s meeting, but could not attend. John Strand will write offering alternative dates.

Trust has provided funding to the Club Shop in order that the Team away shirt be available to the supporters? The shirt willhave a commemorative Centenary Badge included.

The Let’s Kick Racism out of Football went well. Suggested that this be publicised in paper. JGS to get permission to use photo from official website.

JGS to contact LATCH to arrange a bucket collection.

Election of officers
The following officers were elected for the coming year.
Chair Mark Evans
Vic Chair Mike Donovan
Treasurer Joanne Webb
Secretary John Strand

Sub committees
It was agreed that the following sub committees be created;

· Co-ordination with the Official Supporters Club
Chris Williams and Meurig Price will approach the Official Supporters Club with a view to setting up regular meetings with Official Supporters Club representatives to discuss finances and other matters of co-operation.

· Fundraising and Events organisation
This will include Mark Evans, Phil Evans, Len Sankey, Geoff Chinnock, Huw Thomas

· Marketing & Publicity
This group will consist of Mike Donovan, Dai Webb, John Strand, Meurig Price

· Finance
Officers of the Board

· Administration and Internal Communications
John Strand, Huw Thomas, Chris Williams, Joanna Williams (co-opted member)

· Liaison with Supporters Direct
Dai Webb

· Disabled Supporters Liaison
Derek Dowling

Sub Committees will meet on second Thursday of each month. The main Board will continue to meet on the last Thursday of the month.

John Strand will prepare a proposed schedule of meetings for the coming year.

Future Strategy
This discussion included a report on expenses that the Trust incurs throughout the year as a warning that the Trust may not be able to continue to afford to pay £300 per week without dipping into reserves, unless increased sources of income are found.

It was agreed that the Finance sub committee would report to the Board with a detailed plan of expenditure and income for the coming year, based on current trends.

In the meanwhile the Trust will continue to pay £300 per week to the players’ budget while this report is being prepared.

Publicity
It was agreed that the new sub committee would consider ways of publicising Trust events more frequently and effectively.

SOCCALOT
It was agreed that the sub committee for Co-ordination meet with the Official Supporters Club to consider ways of improving lottery profits together. In the meanwhile, as already agreed the trust will continue to pay £300 towards players’ wages.

Other Business
Mr Dai Webb and Mr Phil Evans recently attended the national conference of Supporters Direct, our umbrella organisation. Mr Webb reported on the following discussions at the conference.

A discussion was held with Northwich Victoria Trust.

The need to maintain prudent cash reserves in the Trust.

Consider the need for surveys in the town.

The need for a business plan and strategy.

Possibility of developing internal Intranet for members.

Consider taking advantage of government sponsoring opportunities.

Consider links with commercial enterprises who might offer reductions for members – such as Pizza Hut Mr Webb to follow up.

Mr Evans reported that he is making an application to set up a small museum for the club in the club shop

KICK IT OUT

This Saturday will see Merthyr Tydfil FC join the 92 league clubs in showing their support for the One Game, One Community matchday events taking place across the country. Merthyr and Chippenham players will warm up in One Game, One Community T-shirts and Martyrs to the Cause volunteers will hand out Stickers, keyring and magzines highlighting the event.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard supporting the event.

Look out for specific events taking place at all televised Premier League games. BBC's Football Focus and Match Of The Day along with Setanta and Sky Sports will all be featuring the One Game, One Community weeks of action, with high-profile stars explaining what the campaign means to them.

Merthyr are usually the only non league club in Wales to participate in this event. The event is being organised by Martyrs to the Cause.

SOCCALOT - WON

October 13th 2008

No.s 02, 04, 10 & 23
Drawn by Stuart Cartlidge.
The winning numbers were matched by D. Thomas. The £6,450 was claimed.

Next week's jacpot will be £1,000.

Martyrs to the Cause - AGM Report

The Trust held its AGM at the Cefn Coed Club on Thursday 9th October.

The minutes of the Trust are below this post.

The meeting was much better attended than previous AGMs, with around 30 people. There were the usual annual reports from the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.

The elections to the Board, in which over 90% of members voted, saw a return of the five members previously serving on the Board, to join the seven current members whose period of tenure continues into the next year.

Under Other Business there was a continuation of the ongoing discussion about the relationship of the Trust, the Football Club and the Supporters club, and the extent to which the Trust should support the club financially.

Varying views were expressed. Some felt that more of Soccalot profits should go to the club. Other were of the view that prudent reserves should be continue to be built up.

That facts are;
That the funds given by the trust to the club in the last year exceeded income by about £6000.
The amount already committed to the Academy and the club for the current season are more than 50% of projected income. The elected Trust Board will continue to review this question on a month to month basis.

Martyrs to the Cause
Minutes of Annual General Meeting
Held at Cefn Coed Social Club
Thursday, 9th October 2008
7.00pm

Agenda

Apologies
An apology was received from Mark Evans, who was unable to attend because of work commitments.

Chair’s Report
Chairman Mr Dave Webb gave a report of the years activities. The main points of the report covered the following;
The relationship between the Football Club, the Supporters Club and the Trust in the last year.
The Trust’s attempts to improve communications.
The rules governing the Trust, as a registered Trust under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 – 78.
Fundraising.
Community activities.
The Trusts relationship with Supporters direct.
Levels of Membership.

Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer Mrs Joanne Webb reported that over the past year the Trusts Reserves had reduced in the past year, because donations to the Youth teams and the first team had exceeded income.
The balance at the beginning of the year was £37,500. The current balance after reserved Soccalot prize money and other commitments is £31,500.
Mrs Webb emphasised the need to maintain prudent reserves to enable the Trust to meet its long term objectives.

Secretary’s Report
Acting secretary John Strand reported the fact that Mr Mark Evans had resigned as secretary in the spring for business and personal reasons. Since then John Strand has informally carried out secretary’s duties – taking minutes, dealing with correspondence, dealing with membership matters and overseeing the recent election of Trust Board members.
Membership is currently 67, which is a reduction of about 20 from the highest point in the last year. Of those 67 members 62 took the trouble to post their vote in the recent election for the Trust Board.

Appointment of Auditors
It was proposed that the current auditors be re-appointed, but it was agreed that quotes be obtained from alternative sources.

Election Results
The election to the Board of the Merthyr Tydfil Supporters Society for 2008/2009 was overseen by returning officer Councillor Allan Jones. The results are as follows;

Voting slips received 62

Results of voting
Mike Donovan 48
David Druce 13
Mark Evans 56
Ian Howells 13
Matthew Randell 13 (withdrew after ballot papers issued)
John Strand 55
David Webb 37
Chris Williams 49

The Board members for the coming year are as follows (seven board members carry forward on the basis of elections in previous years in line with the constitution)

Mike Donovan Mark Evans John Strand David Webb Chris Williams Joanne Webb Phil Evans Derek Dowling Len Sankey Meurig Price Geoff Chinnock Huw Thomas

Aims & objectives in coming year
Mr Dave Webb the Chairman outlined aims of the coming year, which are as follows;
Establish sub committees to include non Board members to develop Trust activities.
To look for opportunities to develop community activities – similar to the Kick Out Racism Campaign.
To improve communications with public bodies – such as Welsh Assembly, which has recently announced its intention of working with Supporters direct to give Welsh sports fans a greater say in how their clubs are run.


Other Business
A discussion took place around the question of the relationship of the Trust with the Football Club and Supporters Club, and the extent to which the Trust should provide funds for First Team operations.

Some felt that the Trust should commit substantial funds to First Team costs. The view was expressed that some Soccalot sellers would like more of the money they raise to go towards First Team costs. Conversely some Soccalot sellers are keen for a substantial amount of their money raised to be kept by the Trust as reserves.

The current facts are that in recent months the Soccalot has raised approximately £300 per week (equivalent £15,000 per year). Other sources of income such as Friday night 50/50 and matchday 50/50 have been lost. During the last year funds paid to the club were at least £25,000. For the current season £7900 (about 50% of projected income in the next 12 months) is committed to supporting Academy and First team activities.