At its last ever AGM, the FSF’s Northern & North Wales Division was divided into three new divisions - East Pennines, North West/North Wales and North East. New committees were also formally elected for two of the new divisions. A committee for the new Football Supporters Northeast division has also been elected.
East Pennines
The area covering Yorkshire / Humber area, to initially be termed the East Pennines Division elected Alan Bloore to oversee all aspects of the division until the first meeting is held shortly after the start of the season.
In his Barnsley Supporters’ Trust role, Alan has been heavily involved in backing Barnsley FC’s Stronger Together campaign, which lead to a reduction in season ticket prices and free entry to Oakwell for children under the age of 12, has taken on the role of Chair/Co-coordinator.
You can contact Alan Bloore, with reference to the day and date of the next East Pennines meeting, at alan.bloore@fsf.org.uk or on 07711 386307
NorthWest/NorthWales
The North West / North Wales division elected a Chairman - Carroll Clark (Email Carroll - mobile: 07899 823055),
Vice Chairman - Allan Galley (Email Alan -mobile: 07867744901), Secretar
Phill Gatenby (Email Phill – mobile: 07843446397),
and Treasurer Ian Lyon (Email Ian - mobile: 07979046491).
Lindsay England (Email Lindsay – mobile: 07788 474754) was elected as divisional representative to the FSF National Council.
Football Supporters Northeast
At a meeting at the Garden House Hotel, Durham City, on May 22, 2008, Football Supporters Northeast was formed to cover the Tyne, Wear and Tees. Despite the counter attraction of the Champions League final on the telly, a total of 16 supporters of seven different clubs attended -
Andrew Flemming (Halifax Town), Kerry Walmsley (Halifax Town), Gary Stevens (Sunderland), Gareth Stevens (Sunderland), Thom Bradley (Middlesbrough), Graham Bleanch (Newcastle United), Mark Randall (AFC Wimbledon),Tony Potts (Sunderland), Scott Bentley (Sunderland), Ginnette Bentley (Sunderland) Kevin Gibson (Sunderland), Daniela Wurbs (FC St. Pauli), Michael Brunskill (Sunderland), Tom Jarvis (Sunderland), Elaine Greenall (Liverpool), Peter Daykin (Sunderland), Jez Robinson (Jarrow Roofing AFC).
1. Committee
A committee was elected, comprising of Chairman - Thom Bradley (Email Thom – mobile: 07753842533)
Deputy Chair/Campaigns Co-ordinator - Scott Bentley (Email Scott)
Secretary/Treasurer - Ginnette Bentley (Email Ginnette – mobile: 07834693255)
National Council Representative: Graham Bleanch (Email Graham – mobile: 07717111034)
2. Financial Structure
The meeting voted to adopt a financial structure in line with the new arrangements, applying for a budget from central FSF National Council funds rather than holding our own account.
Action:
Ginnette to make contact with Carroll with a view to producing a budget early in the new season.
3. Campaigns Two initial campaigning areas were highlighted as having specific relevance to the northeast:
1. Advance purchase train travel for football fans, lack of refundable tickets and problems caused by fixture/kick off changes.
2. Inappropriate policing, Middlesbrough FC & northeast derby matches
Action: Scott to prepare starting point for campaigning strategy and form groups to work on each. Scott is to approach Ash Connor, with a view to finding out background on both these issues.
4. Next Meeting
Start of next season, date, time and venue tbc by committee.
