7th July 2020

Meeting with the board

On Monday evening CUSP members met with CUFC Directors Shaun Grady, Dave Matthews Jones (Chair) Godric Smith Duncan Foyle and Ian Mather. Here are the minutes from the meeting:

Financial position

The Directors reiterated that they were cautiously confident that the Club would be able to weather the current situation which was clearly challenging every part of society. The Board were meeting at least weekly to discuss and review progress against different financial scenarios and wider developments around Covid. Clearly the Government support had been very helpful along with the advance season ticket sales from fans.The new shirt was selling well with over 300 sold in the first few days. Paul Barry was in regular contact with the Board and remained committed to providing the necessary support to the Club at what was obviously a difficult time for the travel industry globally.

The Board confirmed that they would plan to hold a meeting for fans and stakeholders in the first half of September where it would be the intention to talk more about the Club’s financial position both in regard to the accounts for recent seasons and the one ahead. It made sense to do this then at a time when there should be greater clarity for the 20/21 season for all Clubs. The meeting would likely be by Zoom and it was hoped that Paul Barry could attend.

Playing Staff

The Club continued to plan for next season. Mark Bonner and Ben Strang were actively looking at potential player options for 20/21. It was hoped to have further news on the playing front in the next week or two. The Club was also in the process of interviewing and appointing an Assistant Head Coach to work alongside Mark Bonner.

Communications

The Club was committed to improving its communication with fans wherever possible. CUSP agreed to give some further suggestions and ideas for how best to do this - in particular, focussed on when the new season started.

Lottery

The CUSP Lottery Working Group updated on current progress. It was hoped that the Lottery could be relaunched in the coming weeks.