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The Barmy Bog End Army » What is going wrong with our football club » 21/1/2022 1:53 pm

Members Club
Replies: 53

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As some members have asked for an explanation as to the current situation I will respond with a 'one off'. This being an unofficial forum this isn't the appropriate place for general communication of an official nature. The main board together with the MC board have fixed on a policy that we engage with those who have a positive attitude to what we are all trying to achieve. Unfortunately because so much that gets written here that is not based on any evidence but indulges in making unwarranted and untrue attacks on individuals there has been little incentive to engage.
So having got that out of the way I will attempt to give you an update. To give it any kind of context though it has to begin with what has gone before both with us and football in general, particularly how its financed. The fact is the money that comes into football has been syphoned up to the very top level, clubs lower down to fight over what is left. The further you go down the pyramid the less there is to spread around, hardly any club can survive on attendance income and some have resorted to bringing in wealthy directors who treat the team as a hobby until their enthusiasm runs out. Do a search and see how many clubs had money thrown into them and seemed to be going places that have gone in the other direction. That's not the policy at T&M.
If I see another entry about our good old days, I shan't know whether to scream or cry. Over 40 years ago the seeds of destruction were sown through the failure to modernise its practices, its infrastructure and running of its finances were outdated. These situations are a 'slow burn' so by the time we were due to leave Sandy Lane it was on the verge of liquidation, and having scraped through that we almost ended up doing the same thing by running football the same way as the 'good old days'. at the new ground.
 
So to now answer the question 'What is the plan' it is summarised in this statement T&M UTD FC AND IMPERIAL FIELDS have to be made financially vi

The Barmy Bog End Army » One minute silence for Martin Hazelwood » 09/8/2021 1:24 pm

We haven't done anything yet, we are waiting until after the holiday period. We will be celebrating the contribution to the club of Martin Hazlewood and John Cooper both of whom were directors of the Members Club, the fans section of the club's ownership. We will be inviting family members to be our guests for a match on a Saturday when we will remember both men before the game.

The Barmy Bog End Army » Martin Hazlewood » 14/6/2021 4:24 pm

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Replies: 10

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Martin Hazlewood had been a long time committee member at Sandy Lane and when we moved to Imperial Fields he was a founding member and first chairman of the newly formed Members Club. His son, Henry, has written a short piece about his father, which you can read  below.

I hope you are well. I'm contacting you on behalf of my father, Martin Hazlewood, who sadly passed away on Wednesday 9th June. He had a short battle with bladder cancer and died surrounded by family. My dad was a life-long Tooting & Mitcham fan and despite the ups and downs in his life, the football club seemed to be his one constant. I think this was pretty well summed up when my brother and I collected him from his flat for the last time, to return back to family in Suffolk. Dad opted to only take one item from his flat which was a Tooting and Mitcham calendar that took position next to his bed until the moment he passed. We believe dad was once Chairman of the club going back 20 years or so ago? We all remember this being an incredibly fond time of his life. In more recent years, he was renowned for entwining friends to come along and watch Tooting play - me and my brother have some memorable occasions where we were the recipients of this offer! I wanted to reach out to you as dad had very few wishes for when he had passed... no funeral service... no fuss. However his one specific request was to be cremated (which will take place on 21st June) and for his ashes to be scattered on the Tooting and Mitcham pitch. I appreciate that this may not fully be possible but I know he would have loved it if you think this is something you can do. If not, I'd love to know if you have any other suggestions... Thank you for your time and look forward to your reply. Kind regards, Henry Hazlewood

The Barmy Bog End Army » under 23's volunteers » 16/10/2020 11:04 am

The under 23's start their campaign on Monday and we need a volunteer or two to check people in and make sure we comply with the covid guidelines. Its not such a big operation as the first team games quite minimal but please can you step up quickly, many thanks. Chris Woolley
 

The Barmy Bog End Army » The club and Covid ...... Latest news, please read. » 02/10/2020 3:41 pm

Members Club
Replies: 16

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Not very helpful comments I'm afraid. Whatever the way rules are being applied they are to help keep safe from illness and even dying. The club volunteers are working doubly hard to make the fans as safe as we can and its taking a lot more work so if they can be shown some appreciation that will go a long way, thanks

The Barmy Bog End Army » To all Members » 02/6/2020 9:28 pm

In case any of the Members of the MC only occasionally look at their emails you should check your inboxes. The virtual AGM has started.
In case any member has not received it that maybe because we are using an old email address. If that is you can you send your current email address to info@tmumembers.co.uk .

The Barmy Bog End Army » Members Club AGM » 25/4/2020 1:32 pm

It had been planned to hold the AGM this April but with there being no end in sight to the social distancing rules it now needs to be postponed indefinitely. So we have come up with a plan to have a virtual meeting of sorts. Zoom is likely to be too much of a challenge for getting the whole membership involved so we are going to settle on email. 
We want to try to make the most of this opportunity and not just do the bog standard version of approving the accounts and accepting the Chairman's report etc. We have a very active board of directors and they will all share something of what they have been doing. Also Steve Adkins is going to report on the new development ad we will hear something from the Community Club. Although the AGM is for the period up to 30 June 2019 we will actually be reporting up to the present time.
We plan to get all the reports to you in one go and we will try to find the best way for you to vote on appointment/reappointment of directors. We are aiming to have this to members in the next two weeks but there is something for you to do now. Please can you make sure that we have your latest email address and if you wish to stand or nominate another member as a director please will you send that to us during the next week. 
You can make contact on this or any other items using info@tmumembers.co.uk.
We will be in touch shortly.
Kind regards

Chris Woolley - Chairman

 

The Barmy Bog End Army » Growing the Club for the future » 19/12/2019 5:09 pm

For those who were not at the game on Saturday or who have not been around as often as they would like, you may have missed what is planned for the next phase of the plans to develop the ground. It's always been the plan to develop the whole site in a way that provides the greatest benefit to the community whilst at the same time keeping Tooting & Mitcham Utd FC at the heart of Imperial Fields project. 
This year sees the 1st XI pushing to win the league with a view to seeing us at least a couple of levels higher in the near future. All our fans will have experienced just how hard it is to maintain football in the semi professional setting. Since the 80's we have been fighting relegation more times than chasing promotion. Essential to long term success is financial viability and not relying on benefactors, which is what the club is now pursuing. Have a look at the link below and you will get an idea how we are working to make the site as a whole a really viable business, which will help to maintain our club for the long term. Once you have finished reading please write in to the town planners with your support for this next phase of the T&M application and be a part of the long term success for our future
www.tmunited.org/new-facilities.
 

The Barmy Bog End Army » FIRST CLASS PR. » 19/12/2019 9:32 am

Thanks Alan. This was an initiative by the Members Club which Nick Shaw and his team have worked on. Anyone who is a member you will be getting one either by post or can be collected at the ground. If you don't hear anything do get in touch

The Barmy Bog End Army » TEN GRAND CHARLIE » 17/9/2019 1:27 pm

Just to let everyone know that Charlie is in the Princess Alexandra hospital, Harlow where he is getting the best care. There are still a few niggling things they are sorting out before he can come home which he is frustrated about so if anyone wants to send a message to him I am sure it would be appreciated. He is in Lock Ward the details of which can be found on the hospital website,

The Barmy Bog End Army » Dave McCann » 15/8/2019 11:25 am

Just to update you all regarding the passing of Dave McCann. At next Tuesdays match we will be remembering him along with Martin Harvey who also passed recently..

Dave's funeral will take place at Beckenham Crematorium, Elmers End on Fri 6 September at 10.15 am.
If you would like to attend please would you let us know at info@tmumembers.co.uk as we have been asked to confirm numbers, thanks

The Barmy Bog End Army » Website » 09/7/2019 11:20 am

For those of you who haven't yet seen it there is a brand new Tooting & Mitcham FC website www.tmunited.org . A lot of hard work has gone into creating this and thanks go to our own Charlie Rose for all his hard work.

If you scroll along the top to where it says MORE you will find the Members Club section link. There you will discover some of the deals that members will get which have never been available before. Have a good search through the whole site and let us hear your constructive comments

The Barmy Bog End Army » Race Night » 13/4/2019 9:34 am

For all of those who missed it the race night turned out to be an absolute winner. Well done again to Nick and his team with two successes in a week. A lot fun with all the different planned events plus the unplanned one of the hog roast setting all the fire alarms off more than once. For those who attended spread the word and lets see even more at the next extravaganza.

The Barmy Bog End Army » Members Club fans forum » 12/4/2019 12:32 pm

Just to respond to Alan's well made points which deserve a little more light being shone on them.  This is a one off and we can then put it to bed for good. For over a decade there has been an element who have tried to undermine just about everything at the club and we can remember how toxic this forum had become. There have been those who have tried their utmost to defame all and sundry including the MC. Those involved in saving the MC for future fans have had to overcome that influential but small minority and only just last year one of them suggested on the forum the shares should be given away. That environment not only discouraged new members but others left, so it was all about survival. 
Now its all change for the better as we create a new team off the field to match the one on it. New members with new skills such as marketing and media means volunteers can work in groups instead of alone and we have real talent in a variety of areas. The one you all have seen, Nick Shaw is bubbling with enthusiasm with his team as they seek out all kinds sponsorship for the future. This is just the beginning and with a new finance director, membership secretary and others it really is an exciting time for fans to volunteer. It also allows the chairman to conduct the orchestra rather than just bang a drum; and to represent the fans at the top table where a lot of essential non football matters take place.
So there it is, the past is gone and heralds a bright new future. As we go round the other clubs we hear the same story, no one will volunteer to run them, so its left to a few. We are in a great place now.
Coming to the issue of the foul language in the bar, this will be taken up with the managers. One of the joys of being a member is having a stake in the business and you are quite within your rights to tell someone to stop, so don't be shy.

The Barmy Bog End Army » Members Club fans forum » 11/4/2019 1:04 pm

What a great time last night with a big crowd turning out to engage and find out more. Nick Shaw, the MC's newest director was compere and did a terrific job. First up were the football managers with some senior players to give an update on progress and to answer Q&A's, which was not so much a grilling but a celebration with them all getting a round of applause. You have to guess who were the seniors on show, which won't be hard when you hear that the biggest laugh came when they were asked what their favourite colour cards were, red or yellow.

Then came an update on the Members Club and the various discounts that have been negotiated for next season along with some of the events that are to be put on, with the first being this Friday's race night. At last fans were realising how important it is owning a stake in the club and its business which resulted in new members signing up on the night.

Lyn Catchpole shared about the charity match at the end of the season and that a TV personality will be attending.

Finally Steve Adkins did a Q&A which again was well received and all in all a good night was had by all and a new sense of oneness between the fans, the coaches and managers and everyone involved in the club was very apparent.  

The Barmy Bog End Army » Members Club Membership » 19/3/2019 12:10 pm

Hi everyone yes its quite right the MC has been having meetings and the various teams have been working hard at developing new initiatives. By the way we all have first names and can be approached at any time. We have relied a little too much on word of mouth and that is because we have been putting together a new communications team. Its been an exciting time because we have had an influx of new volunteers all who just want to do things for the club without expecting anything in return. They come from the world of PR, marketing, business and lately from the world of the media. It's taking time to bed in but already you will see the changes to the official website. 
Rather than steal their thunder we won't go into too much detail as we plan to hold a meeting soon which will be open to all fans this time. I think members would prefer that to an EGM which is more about formal business and we aim to have an AGM by the end of the season and we have had mainly positive feed back from the last one. Before that though there is going to be a race night, watch this space.
Lastly we have a brand new membership secretary, Tom Paine, do get to know him because fans being members is essential if we want to look after our shareholding in the club and help make the future secure
 

The Barmy Bog End Army » CHRIS JACKSON » 17/1/2019 8:10 pm

Chris Jackson, along with John Cooper and Dave McCann, has recently been made a Vice President of Tooting & Mitcham Utd FC in recognition of decades of selfless service to the football club. These are the first VP's that the football club has created since we have been at Imperial Fields.
Chris is now learning to relax away from the rough and tumble that it takes to run a football club and still watches as a supporter. We trust everyone will wish all three an enjoyable 'retirement'. 

The Barmy Bog End Army » Christmas » 25/12/2018 11:37 am

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all

The Barmy Bog End Army » Members Club Membership » 02/10/2018 1:33 pm

Hi everyone. Its that time of year again when we start a new round of initiatives for fund raising in addition to the volunteer services we provide to keep the show on the road. Our target again, which we have been doing for a number of years, is to provide financial support for football budget and specifically our management team. 
It also the time of year when you renew your membership and a big thank you to those who have already renewed and paid up. Its vital that the membership stays strong and doesn't waiver, as we look to the future.

Andy Harrup is our membership secretary and as you know he had a serious health scare earlier this year. He is currently having a well earned break in the sun for a week or so. Previously he has had a fair bit of nonsense thrown at him about the members club which hasn't made his task any easier. So this year make his life easier when he gets back and give him your completed forms. They can be found on info@tmumembers.co.uk 

One valid criticism is a lack of information and we are working on that. As a start Graham Newsom is heading up communications within the club as a whole. We are looking also to create some social events for members and that is Glen Slade's current project. Don't hold back in sending in your questions, we will try to answer where we can and where things are confidential we still have someone sitting at the top table on the members behalf.  

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