In attendance were:

1. Annual reports

1.1.Chairman's Report (Dean Hollands)

FC Crusaders aspires to sporting ideals, creation of a team spirit and recognition of each child's contribution and performance, irrespective of results. This, my last Chairman's Report, marks an important stage in the development of our Club, as we leave behind our foundation, from which we have all gained great experience. Lessons were learned, some the hard way, and mistakes were undoubtedly made, however, I believe we shall strengthen those founding aims in the year ahead. This commitment is best demonstrated in the changes the Management Committee is proposing to the Articles of Association at this AGM.

For just over a year, I have had the privilege of being your first Chairman and, when I look back, I recall with much excitement and trepidation how much there was to do to make the Club the success we hoped and promised you it would be. At times, it seemed we were competing against the clock in a battle to meet deadlines. However, mindful of the pledges we had made and in an effort to achieve the objectives we had set ourselves at our inaugural AGM, we adapted, we overcame and we often improvised to ensure we promoted an environment where children could play competitive football in a sporting manner and develop their skills, physical fitness and football awareness in a safe and friendly environment.

The aims that underpinned our actions were

• No player is even remotely aware of being in an A or a B team

• Each team is supportive of the other

• Players get regular games to develop confidence, match fitness and awareness

• Parents see some return on their free time investment as they watch their children play and grow into rounded players and team members

We promised you we would:

• Enter two teams into the Guildford Shere and District League.

We entered two teams, the Lions playing in the Premiership and the Dragons playing in the First Division, and I am pleased to say that both teams performed well and finishing a 7th and 8th respectively.

• Provide regular Saturday morning training for our players

Training was provided throughout out the season without cancellation. This went very well, and my thanks go to those who have regularly supported me, in particular, Jeremy Hutchins, Simon Taylor and Roger Smith. I am delighted to report that Ryan Furbum will be helping us next season. He is a qualified FA Coach, employed by Wimbledon FC on their youth development program and currently working towards a UEFA coaching badge. This means we will have two FA qualified coaches at the Club. On behalf of the Management Committee, I would like to welcome Ryan to FC Crusaders.

• Hold a summer barbecue, a quiz night, a jumble sale a Christmas party and a presentation evening.
  

All of these were achieved and helped to raise much-needed funds for the Club.

Additionally, we entered tournaments and went on tour to Clacton, where I am pleased to report that one of the teams was presented with the tournament sportsmanship award, an accolade that admirably reflects the aims and objectives of the Club.

There were, however, some areas in which we were not entirely successful. Amongst our aims, we said, "no player would be even remotely aware of being in an A or a B team." Despite our best efforts to prevent this by having names instead of the usual A and B and ensuring this concept was never verbalised to the players, the players themselves undertook to make this distinction. The lesson here is that we should not underestimate the intelligence or perceptions of the players. The Management Committee recognises this particular aim to be an aspiration that is too difficult to achieve in full when playing competitive football. We also said we would arrange courses to add to our number of qualified first aiders, but we did not fulfil that objective. We hope to progress it this year.

The Management Committee endured and delighted in the boundless spectrum of emotions that made last year so challengingly different from any other. I am delighted and impressed by the way most aims and objectives have been realised. This is due to our currently small but dedicated Management Committee and the support of you, the player's families.

Despite only being formed for one season, the reputation of our Club precedes us, which for me has been our crowning glory and has enabled us to embrace our growth in anticipation of our move to 11-aside football. We kicked off by offering football to 23 boys in two teams; this has grown to probably 34 boys who will represent the Club in 2002/2003 in three 7-a-side teams in the GSDL and the Surrey Primary League.

In the short term, we have the necessary infrastructure to support our growth without compromising our high standards or jeopardising our reputation. Nevertheless, to sustain this development in the long term will require more coaching and management assistance and support for the Management Committee in arranging regular fund raising activities and social events for the Club.

We are a forward-thinking Club and this ability to look ahead is key to our success. This coming season will in many ways be more important than the last, particularly in terms of developing team resilience by balancing ability among the squads, providing much needed stability and making a seamless transition to 11-a-side football. One thing is for sure; it will be no less demanding on the players, supporters and Management Committee members.

On closing, I should like to thank last year's sponsors, ADAC for their financial support and ACS Soccer for providing our away kit. ACS have agreed to sponsor us again this season by providing a significant discount if we decide to purchase new kit from them. I should also like to thank the sponsors of our perpetual shields and Boxgrove School for the use of their facilities.

As we prepare to embark on yet another epic voyage of discovery, new friendships will doubtless be made as we welcome the families of those players who join us. I should particularly like to encourage everyone associated with the Club to strengthen its social fabric by ensuring that old friendships are maintained or renewed with the same vigour and passion as they were first created.

1.2. Secretary's Report (Penny Bolton)

The Club:

· Maintained a register of Player Members.

· Provided all paperwork to Surrey County Football Association as required.

· Provided all Guildford, Shere and District League paperwork and notified results within specified timescales.

· Incurred no League or County FA fines.

· Maintained sufficient first aid cover for training and matches. Some qualifications require renewal in the coming season.

· Made Data Protection Act checks on coaches and all officials taking responsibility for the children.

1.3. Treasurer's Report (Andrew Potterton)

This is a statement of Club receipts and payments for 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002.

RECEIPTS	£	£
Annual subscriptions		378.00
Donations		2,265.41
Training and match fees		1,787.10
Fund raising activities		990.05
Social events		1,102.39
Tournament fees		120.00
Summer tour		3,593.66
Sale of kit for non-players (parents)		505.50
		10,742.11
LESS EXPENDITURE
County affiliation	11.73
League subscriptions	100.00
Pitch hire	261.00
Kit and equipment	1,915.44
Expenses of fund raising	332.24
Expenses of social events	864.55
officials' expenses (postage etc)	77.49
Tournament fees	398.00
Summer tour	3,676.00
Trophies and medals	865.77
Purchase of kit for non-players	509.50
	9,011.72
Surplus for the season		1,730.39
Club fund at the start of the season		0.00
Add surplus for the season		1,730.39
		1,730.39
Represented by
Cash in hand of officials		20.00
Cash at bank (current account)		1,710.39
		1,730.39

The Chairman's, Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports were approved by those at the meeting. The Management Committee was thanked by those present for its efforts in the Club's first season.

2. Review of the Club's general performance in 2001/2002 and its plans for team structure in 2002/2003

The general opinion among those present was that both Dragons and Lions have had a successful first League season and that the boys were generally placed at the outset in the appropriate squad. Some concern was expressed about a mid-season change to squad placement and about squad selections for the end-of-season tournaments, where it was felt that successes were not as evenly spread among the boys. Some players became disillusioned by their tournament results and were clearly not enjoying their football. The Management Committee announced to the meeting a number of initiatives for the coming season it believes will achieve a balance between the dual and sometimes opposing desires to be able to compete at an appropriate level in the short term and, in the longer term, to develop each boy's footballing ability, confidence, fitness and awareness.

Those present at the meeting agreed with the Management Committee's decisions:

1. To apply to enter three teams in the Guildford, Shere and District League (under-11mini soccer) and one team in the Surrey Primary League (under-11 mini soccer). It is likely that the three GSDL teams will be in the same league, against teams who were in the 2001/2002 First Division.

2. To establish three squads of players (2 of 10 and 1 of 13) each of sufficient strength to be able to compete in the competitions for which they are entered.

3. To achieve this through membership growth rather than breaking up the Lions squad unnecessarily.

4. To commit to maintaining stability once the squads are announced, so that later changes are avoided unless absolutely necessary.

5. To nominate 10 boys from the 13-player "Lions" squad to play in the SPL.

6. To appoint a Team Manager for the additional squad and Assistant Managers as appropriate for each squad. A number of parents at the meeting offered to become managers or assistant managers.

7. To rely on the Team Managers to divide the players into three squads that will ensure adequate strength and stability; if agreement cannot be reached, to guide the Team Managers towards a decision and ultimately, to make the decision if the Team Managers cannot reach agreement.

8. To inform parents of the decisions made about squad placement as soon as possible (but not to tell the boys until the new season starts); to explain the reason for any change to parents and to listen to any concerns.

9. To arrange 11-a-side friendly matches for all the boys to ensure adequate preparation for the 2003/2004 season.

10. To ask our Coaches, Team Managers and Assistant Team Managers to meet regularly to share ideas, discuss tactics and any issues arising. Minutes from these meetings will be passed to the Club Secretary after approval by all present.

11. To change Saturday training session start time to 9.30 and end time to 11.30.

3. Articles of Association

Those attending the meeting approved the Management Committee's proposed amendments to the Articles of Association as the foundation of the Club's activities going forward. A set of amended Articles is attached to these minutes but the amendments may be summarised as:

· Article 2: Removal of redundant reference to Management team.

· Article4: Replacement of "parents" with 'families".

· Article 5: Clarification of membership application process.

· Article 9: Assignment of player register maintenance to Club Secretary.

· Article 10:Change of month of AGM to March.

· Article 12:Change to issue date of annual report and financial statement.

· Article 13:Enlargement of Management Committee I clarification of roles.

· Article 14: Management Committee Meeting arrangements.

· Article 17: Removal of kit ownership reference - replaced by...

· Article 17: Statement on ownership and return of perpetual shields.

· Article 22: Strengthening of statement on need to attend regular training.

· Article 23: Clarification of Treasurer's role I responsibilities.

· Article 24: Change to annual membership fee structure.

· Article 25: Removal of training fee reference, to tie in with Article 24.

· Article27: Explanation of membership status if fees remain unpaid.

· Article29: Strengthening of Club's commitment to sporting behaviour.

· Article 30: Expansion of wording on spectators' responsibilities.

· Article36: New article promoting players' safety travelling to and from training.

· Article 37: New article setting up meetings between Coaches I Managers.

· Article 38:New article on distribution of funds if Club winds up its affairs.

4. Management Committee elections

Dean Hollands having retired from the position, Ian Lee was elected by those at the meeting as Chairman of the Club. Those at the meeting thanked Dean for performing the role in the 2001/2002 season.

Penny Bolton was re-elected as Club Secretary.

Andrew Potterton was re~elected as Club Treasurer.

Sandra Bateup, Peter Christmas, Mark Cooke and Alan Dolby were elected as Management Committee Members.

Roger Smith and Dean Hollands remain as Management Committee Members in their roles as Team Managers, in accordance with Article 13 of the Articles of Association. A further Team Manager will automatically become a Management Committee Member upon his or her appointment, in accordance with Article 13 of the Articles of Association. Any Assistant Managers appointed will not become Management Committee Members (unless they are already elected Members of the Management Committee).

As a result of these elections, the Club's Management Committee Membership has increased from four to ten, meeting all requirements of Article 13 of the Articles of Association, as amended at this Annual General Meeting.

5. Fee structure for 200212003 season

The Management Committee recommended to those present at the meeting that, for ease of administration, the existing practice of collecting a weekly training fee should cease.

This recommendation was accepted by those attending the meeting, who approved the following fee structure:

For each Player Member there will be:

A single membership I registration I training fee of £80.00; A match fee of £1.00 per match played.

The £80 fee is due on 1 August 2002, but may be paid in £20 instalments, the first in cash or by cheque received on or before that date, together with three further cheques dated I October 2002,1 December 2002 and I February 2003. If anyone is unable to pay the fee this way, the Club Secretary will be pleased to discuss other payment arrangements in confidence. The Club does not want anyone not to rejoin simply because of this administrative change.

Should bad weather or lack of availability of training facilities or coaches cause more than five training sessions to be cancelled in the 2002/2003 season, a refund of £2.00 per cancelled session will be paid for each player with "live" membership at the time of each cancellation. Article 24 of the Articles of Association (as amended at this Annual General Meeting) refers.

Any guest players will be charged £2.00 per training session they attend.

6. Other Business

6.1. Membership:

It was agreed that membership should not exceed its currently proposed number, which if everyone re-signs and the potential new members come in, should be 34 players.

6.2. First aid:

The Club agreed to fund training for more first aiders.

6.3. Training award:

The Club agreed to evaluate an idea that, to increase players' regular attendance at training, an award based on number of attendance's should be made at the end of the next season.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 10.30 pm.

Penny Bolton, Club Secretary 16 July 2002