Notes of Fans Forum held on Thursday 19th June 2025

In attendance

Lawrence Levy (LL) Tony Gauthier ( TG) Harry Wheeler (HW) Ian Culverhouse (IC) Paul Bastock (PB), Ian Rogers ( IR)

Ian Rogers Supporters Trust chair opened the forum and thanked the club officials for their attendance

LL said this was a long awaited forum, alluded to key issue being ticket prices and briefly explained TG role at the club.

He said relegation last season was a blip in the journey the owners had started on in 2011 , he went on to say that the previous season had incurred a loss of £200k which he and John McGowan had funded and said there was no profiteering by the owners.

The cost of living had affected everyone including the football club for example the cost of utilities , the club has 3 sources of income , admission charges, merchandise and sponsorship.

He made a comparison of Clarence Park against Hemel Hempstead Town FC who owned a larger site and were able to generate non match day revenue. He cited the recent Brewfest which was cancelled .

LL then went on to say that the club officials had agreed on the ticket pricing in order to have a competitive playing budget and that IR had been in attendance and voiced the views of the Supporters Trust that pricing should reflect the league we are in , he mentioned the loss of National league sponsorship .

LL explained the longer term need to have a sustainable club and that they were engaged in dialogue with the council regarding a new ground. He said the future is bright for the club but is very tough right now for supporters and some decisions were going to be unpopular but the owners feel this right for the longer term and that they will still need to provide funding to the club.

Question from the floor, We understand the need to fund the club but the pricing is wrong, it should be £16 on the gate and if you want to maximise revenue a £315 season ticket will not sell at that price the average price in this league is £190 and suggested £250 was more acceptable , also the pricing for a 12 year old at £60 is wrong.

LL said if we reduce prices the playing budget will be the same as Lewes for example and we will not keep our best players. He added we will live by what we have done and prices will not change and asked for supporters ideas on attracting more revenue.

A suggestion was put forward that the club should look for more investors , LL said this was the case and spoke about only having a 5 year licence on the ground and the restrictions placed on Clarence Park adding what is there for an investor to invest in?, Mention was made of the club having to maintain the ground unlike the cricket club who the council undertook work for.

LL asked what fans thought about a new ground and spoke about sustainability.

A project in 2019/20 had looked at using Westminster Lodge to redeveloping as a ground but it would have an athletics track and cited Chelmsford City ground, adding the council do not want s there anyway.

He went onto say another fans forum would be set up specifically to look at the new ground issues and fans engagement in it.

He refreed back to the playing budget saying it is not a step 3 budget.

LL confirmed the new ground would be owned by SACFC and there will be a covenant on the ground to protect it which is part of the planning condition .

A question was asked as to what modelling was done to set pricing , LL said none was used.

The club has sold 24 season tickets to date compared to 48 like for like this time last year

A supporter commented that this policy of pricing will lose community engagement and integrity.

There was a general dissent amongst all supporters prsent and a number said they will not attend home matches .

A question was asked about where the money from the in ground franchising go to? LL said was 20% of their income .

A further point was asked “ At what point with 24 season tickets sold does your plan fall apart?

Adding is there a plan B?

LL threw out a challenge to supporters to come up with ideas to raise funds adding the club are investing in the playing budget.

A comment was made about the clubs communication to fans, saying it was patronising had the wrong tone , better communication would have softened to the blow of price increases

LL said there had been problems with social media , a further comment said the post match interviews were too soft on the manager and not challenging.

LL was asked if he accepted the last time there had been an increase to £18 it had lost 26% in those attending?

LL said apart from the FA cup season the owners had had to put funding in to keep the club running.

A volunteer said it was they who would face the vitriol of supporters on the gate and that they received no recognition for their efforts no pat on the back , LL said he will address this.

A question was asked as to what the price is on the gate is it £16.50 or £18 not clear on the web site , LL again referred to ongoing media problems.

Mention was made of fans podcast which had a large following where pricing and communication were topics a strong view was made that the club had gor the pricing all wrong

LL said he will take the views expressed at this forum away but he had to deal with the facts financially in front of him.

A comment was made that if the club reflected on what had been said tonight they would see sales increase.

LL rounded of the session by explaining the high cost of providing training facilities at local schools for the team.

Summary notes from our Fans' Forum held on 1st August 2019.

SAINTS CITY TRUST (ST. ALBANS CITY SUPPORTERS’ SOCIETY LIMITED)

 ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

The Membership Policy of St. Albans City Supporters’ Society Limited allows for a maximum of 7 elected Board members. There are currently 7 elected members and 3 Co-opted members. In accordance with the Board’s rules, after 2 years following election, half of the Members of the Society Board will resign from office before the AGM. They are eligible to seek re-election. At its meeting on 12thJune 2023 the Board agreed that 4 current Board members would resign and it would seek to fill the now vacant 4 places for elected members.All 4 members who resigned have agreed to seek re-election and will stand against any additional nominations.

As Secretary of the Board I am required to seek nominations a minimum of 8 weeks before the Annual General Meeting. Each nomination must bear the name and address of the candidate and be supported by the countersignature of two other members whose names and addresses must be disclosed. The candidate must also include a declaration that they have not been convicted of any indictable offence (other than a spent conviction as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974).

Candidates are invited to submit to me a nomination and can support this with a written statement of no more than 500 words which may be published on the Society’s website subject to the candidate’s agreement.

No later than 4 weeks before the AGM members will be circulated with ballot papers in the event that there are more than 4 nominations for the 4 vacancies.

Further information on the process and the relatively straightforward requirements of being a Board member can be obtained from me or any other Board members.

The provisional date for the AGM isWednesday 11thOctober and the closing date for applications is 26th August.

Duncan McLeod

Secretary

Email  duncan.mcleod.dmc@gmail.com

Tel. 01727 841823

The Membership Application Form for the 2022/23 season can be downloaded here.

The Membership Application Form for the 2020/21 season can be downloaded here.

Our latest newsletter is now available to download

The entry form for this season's Prediction League Competition can be downloaded here.

Our latest newsletter is now available to download

The entry form for this season's Prediction League Competition can be downloaded here.

Our latest newsletter is now available to download.

The entry form for this season's Prediction League Competition can be downloaded here.

Our latest newsletter is now available to download.

The entry form for this season's prediction league competition can be downloaded here.

Our latest newsletter is now available to download.

Click below to see our latest newsletter. 

Our latest newsletter is now available.  Please click on the link to download a copy.

The updated positions in the Saints City Trust Prediction League, as at 8 February, sees Willie Wilson still in front but under huge pressure from Dave Church, who is now only 2 points behind.

Big moves also from Peter Gaylard who rises 15 places and Kevin Libberton and Michelle Mirfin, who both jump 13 places.  

Still all to play for................

No. and Points

08    Willie Wilson    37
02    Dave Church    35
41    Jack Press    29
05    John Sylvester    29
10    Vince Duffy    28
29    Mick Holland    28
13    Gary Lockerby    28
36    Vernon Hames    27
28    Mick Roberts    27
38    Elise Page    26
37    Karina Hames    25
09    Barry Hilliard    25
34    Kevin Libberton 25
23    Michelle Mirfin    25
17    John Samm    25
06    Alan Brittain    24
43    Peter Gaylard    24
45    David Gower    24
35    David Hames    24
30    John Knock    24
15    Karl Lockerby    24
14    Richard Palmer    24
16    Richard Stanwell 24
44    Phil Hames    22
24    Peter Knock    22
12    Richard Funnell    21
18    Sarah Hilliard    21
33    Patrick Knock    21
39    Ian Rogers    21
21    Lindsey McLeod 20
11    Jørn Olkvam    19
07    Pat Roache    19
01    Martin Nicholls    18
26    John Sanderson    18
42    Michael Hames    17
27    Alan Cobb 16
40    Sue Rogers    16
20    Rhys Evans    15
25    Bill Knock    15
22    Duncan McLeod 14
32    Ben Cleary    13
46    Richard Thompson 13
31    Mick Cleary    12
04    Bill Kendrick    12
19    Pete Toll    12
03    John Kay    11

The final positions in the Saints City Trust Prediction League, as at 6 June, sees a big turnaround in the past 2 months. As stated in the previous post, the F.A. Cup and Champions League could make all the difference to the final outcome..................... and it most certainly did. Vernon Hames moves up 3 places and swoops to take top spot, with Arsenal picking up the F.A. Cup and Barcelona, the Champions League and a giant leap from previous winner Mick Roberts is not quite enough. Willie Wilson, who has held top spot for the whole season slips at the final hurdle, to 5th on countback while the Welsh wizard, Rhys Evans, brings up the rear. Where the points are level, the positions are decided on countback (No. of 4 points/3points etc.) It was the highest points total ever for the winner, which is either down to the skill of the competitors or the increasing predictability of football. 

Well done to all those who entered and a big thank you for taking part. Enjoy the close season and all are welcome to take part next season in the 2015/16 competition. The winners are as follows and their cheques are in the post.

Vernon Hames 42 points wins £75
Dave Church 36 points wins £20
Vince Duffy 35 points wins £10

No. and Points

36 Vernon Hames 42
02 Dave Church 36
10 Vince Duffy 35
28 Mick Roberts 35
08 Willie Wilson 35
41 Jack Press 33
37 Karina Hames 31
35 David Hames 30
34 Kevin Libberton 30
16 Richard Stanwell 29
39 Ian Rogers 29
09 Barry Hilliard 29
05 John Sylvester 29
13 Gary Lockerby 28
23 Michelle Mirfin 27
45 David Gower 27
12 Richard Funnell 27
18 Sarah Hilliard 27
38 Elise Page 27
15 Karl Lockerby 26
06 Alan Brittain 26
17 John Samm 26
14 Richard Palmer 25
29 Mick Holland 25
30 John Knock 25
43 Peter Gaylard 24
07 Pat Roache 24
32 Ben Cleary 23
25 Bill Knock 22
31 Mick Cleary 21
27 Alan Cobb 20
47 Richard Thompson 20
19 Pete Toll 20
42 Michael Hames 20
03 John Kay 20
01 Martin Nicholls 20
33 Patrick Knock 19
11 Jørn Olkvam 19
26 John Sanderson 18
04 Bill Kendrick 18
24 Peter Knock 18
21 Lindsey McLeod 18
44 Phil Hames 17
40 Sue Rogers 16
22 Duncan McLeod 14
20 Rhys Evans 10

The Trust Board meets every 4 to 6 weeks. Minutes are taken and these will be shown in this section.