Newsletters Season 2011/12
Dear member(s) July 2011
It is painful to recall that when I was compiling my letter to you this time last year, it was tinged with the sadness of a loss at Wembley after what had been a really good season. Little did I realise or anticipate at the time, that at the end of the forthcoming season I would be reflecting on an even greater fall from grace resulting in our eventual relegation to League 2. The wheels came off the bandwagon to such an extent that manager Danny Wilson would be relieved of his duties at the club.
Despite those on the field problems, I can look back with some satisfaction as far as the Supporters Club is concerned, as we had yet another successful season of fund raising and involvement with STFC.
Our half time draw for, delivered a best ever season of ticket sales. A remarkable achievement, as the team went months without securing a home win on the field. As always the credit for this success goes to those who stand gallantly in all weathers to bring the draw to you and also to the fans and participants, as without their support in purchasing tickets, none of this would have been possible.
In case you hadn't caught the details the winners of the three prizes at the final home game of the season were;.
1. £1000 P Beadle of Oxford ticket 644 2. S Cooper of Bristol: Wins a Season ticket; Ticket 997 3.T Parker of Swindon: New first team shirt with ticket 486.
On a different note, I am sorry to report the loss of two valued committee members. As most of you will be aware Iris Higgs passed away before the end of the season after a relatively short illness. We all miss her unique style of support for the team and the work she put in for the Supporters Club as well as a valuable steward, friend and social partner for those travelling with SAS Travel to away matches.
Sadly also, Mavis Knight has decided to stand down after serving on the committee for a number of years. Mavis personally organised and championed the “Pounds for Points” fund raiser within the Supporters Club and the return last season with such a low points total from the field of play, paid little service to all her hard work in putting it together. I am delighted to announce that even though Mavis has resigned from the committee she has agreed to continue the Pounds for Points initiative for the coming season and will be looking for fans to participate once again. Let's hope for a few more league points from the team to help swell this particular fund that used entirely in support of youth development.
With our close working relationship with SAS Travel I am delighted that we were able to Co-opt long serving fan Marc Walters onto the committee. Marc will be well known to those travelling to away matches with SAS Travel and it will be a great help to have his input as we try to improve matters for all within the STFC “family”.
There is still a committee vacancy and I would be delighted to receive contact from any member who may wish to help. Any ratification process will take place at the AGM in September.
Returning briefly to mention of the Pounds for Points, itself a vehicle for youth development, we are once again contributing £10000 to cover the cost of the Centre of Excellence trip to the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. The profile that this world wide tournament has amongst the young and upcoming players can be regarded as outstanding particularly when it is recognised that the sides that competing come from Europe, South America and beyond, as well as the giants of the English game. Yet here in their midst are Swindon Town, carrying the flag of the Town they represent.
Last season for the first time, we introduced our “Bingoal” competition. Every member over the age of 16 was sent a FREE bingo card with their membership card. The idea was that the first member to tick off all the numbers on their card coinciding to the minutes that the first team scored goals in all “competitions”, would win a cash prize of £100. Sadly, with the lack of goals scored last season there was no claim for the winning prize. The good news is the competition is back again this season, but with the prize fund rolling over and the winner will now be rewarded with £200 (shared if more than one winner) The numbers to be used are published in the match day programme and published on our website shortly after the conclusion of matches. A new “Bingoal” card will be sent with your membership card for 2011/12.
Looking ahead we wish Paulo a successful time at the Club and help launch the team and club we support into what we all hope will be the excitement of a successful era.
Mention of excitement brings me nicely to a new venture the Supporters Club and our partners SAS Travel have been working on jointly and in conjunction with the Football Club to bring a modern feel to the fans match day experience at the County Ground. We hope to announce the details once everything has been tidied and ready to roll, so keep an eye on our web site for updates as the plans come to fruition.
Once again, it comes to me to thank you for your membership, and your participation in the Supporters Club your involvement is the corner stone of what is achieved and I do hope to welcome you back as members very shortly.
I appreciate some members have already committed for next season, but a renewal form for the coming season is enclosed for your use if you have yet to renew, or can be used to encourage others to join.
Terms and cost of membership remain exactly the same as last season, as do the benefits, detailed on our web site, that also remain unchanged from last season.
Working together we can make a difference to the enjoyment of a day at the County Ground as well as helping to bring successful off the field improvements in the coming season. See you soon.
Roger