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Members Forum - Dec 6, 2007 Indeed a memorable night for all who attended, and certainly a pivotal moment for the future of the great club. Held at Dallas Brooks Hall, in front of an almost capacity attendance, the members of the North Melbourne Football Club were informed of the future direction of the club and what was required to ensure its success. Please use the links below to jump directly to a particular section of the meeting, or continue to browse down to view full details. JOHN MAGOWAN INTRO
JOHN MAGOWAN INTRO Then JM discussed how our off field performances did not match our on field success. Low membership, poor stadium deal at TD etc. JM mentioned that in 2002 the club lost 2.5 million and in the most recent year we made a profit of 100k. JM stated it had been a long grind over that period. Being one of the financially weaker clubs we have tried different markets such as Sydney, Canberra and the GC. He stated that we offered to play up to 8 games on the GC. The AFL knocked this back, then we asked for 12 months to decide on the GC and the AFL knocked this back earlier today. At this stage a new slide was presented, it detailed what the board had decided and listed as follows: - To Stay in Melbourne; Loud applause commenced as soon as the audience read the slide and before JM had actually spoken a word. JM then got a chance to actually state the 3 points and detailed that JB was the chairman and would be free to assemble a new board so JB could put the team together he needed to be successful (JB stated later that 3 to 4 current board members would remain on the new board). JM pushed the fact JB is young & energetic and it seemed JM thinks the board needs to be reinvigorated. At this stage JM invited JB to the stage and JB entered the stage to a standing ovation as per the vision you may have seen. JAMES BRAYSHAW HITS THE STAGE - Thanked everyone for the warm welcome and attendance; He then passed onto Rob Mills (of GEMBA not the try hard singer) to discuss the GEMBA findings. JB said he wanted full disclosure and for those in attendance to understand what the club faces. GEMBA REPORT - The report was focused on being based in Melbourne or Co-located, not based on the GC; - The GEMBA report was presented to a peer group made up of Peter Scanlon, Trevor O'Hoy and Geoff Thomlinson; JB thanked Millsy and jokingly mentioned that after he had the joint jumping that they had flattened out a touch after Millsy's presentation. JB DISCUSSING ARDEN ST REDEVELOPMENT Plans for Arden include embracing and engaging the community include: Of course plans include an elite training facility for the players. JB OUTLINING THE PLAN TO STAY IN MELBOURNE - JB introduced it as the plan to "make us a strong if not massive club" Governance Sponsorship Footy Dept Investment Fund Profit for 2008 to 2011 JB then asked for questions from floor. JB was the only club representative to ask questions. Q) Pharro from Bigfooty was first up and said to JB 'with an unblemished record of staunch heterosexuality that - you had me at hello'. He mentioned that the day was not only about the board & shareholders. Discussed the postcard initiative to confirm the thoughts of supporters and to urge the board to back JB's plan. Pharro mentioned the contribution of supporter groups Peninsula Ladies, Shinboner Spirit, WANM and Roo-sistence. Presented the 5000 postcards. Pharro concluded by imploring that NM fans become members. JB: You touched on shareholders. I have unanimous support from the major shareholders that when the time is right, they have resolved to dissolve the shareholder structure and return the club to its members. This to happen sooner rather than later. In saying this JB wanted to recognise the shareholders and said the club would've folded without them. He mentioned Peter De Rauch and said he was here tonight. Q) We will revert the name back to North Melbourne? JB: I always use the name North Melbourne. I agree with you and it’s only a matter of course. Kangaroos would remain our mascot as per Bombers to Essendon. Q) This is a comment more than a question. We have taken lots of risks such as we started Friday Night Footy and lost it to others without benefit, that is inequitable. We took a risk playing games on GC. The AFL said we had to relocate to continue playing there. Other teams (StK & Collingwood) are looking to benefit from it but do not need to relocate. That is inequitable. Also the AFL gave no public guarantee if our relocation went sour down the track. JB: I'm not in the habit of defending the AFL but I will say this, the AFL did underwrite the stadium deal and the deal was financially good to go the GC. Q) 2 Questions. Firstly, re the silence of the club such as when Friday Night Footy was reduced and when there is speculation, innuendo and hearsay. Under your leadership will you stand up for the club? Secondly, Beyond 2009 is the plan to play 11 home games in Melbourne or is the club looking for a secondary market? JB: I hope over the last 5 weeks I have shown my willingness to stand up for the club if I need to. Speaking is all I am good at so if you take that away I'm buggered. We would be foolish not to look at secondary markets and I'm not talking about 8 games. JB pointed to the Hawks deal in Tassie as a terrific deal with a strong Melbourne base. Deal would have to be good for the club. Q) Re the 10 million dollar investment, the stock market is high, is that the type of investment you are referring to? JB: Could well include the stock market. We will have 3 to 4 terrific NM people who will assist us in the correct way to invest the money. We want the best deal and best capital return. The 3 to 4 member panel will oversee the investments and the investors will keep a keen eye on it as it’s their money. Q) Does the club still look to old recruiting zones as an area to grow our support base? JB: What you have is the Western Bulldogs moving west and Essendon moving directly north. We need to spend a lot of time on the channel in the middle as that is what is available to us. JB was asked which are he was referring to? JB said that he is a West Australian who lived in Adelaide for 16 yrs so you are better than me to comment but - you go Werribee out west for the Western Bulldogs and you go Sunbury up North for Essendon, I'm talking about the bit in the middle. Q) On 3AW just before the Melbourne Cup, Eddie McGuire said if North decide to stay in Melbourne that he will help us out. Have you spoken to Eddie about this? Also Andrew Demetriou should remember where he came from. JB: Although he is the enemy he could also be a great ally. I spoke to Eddie today about the decision. He said good on you, stick it up them and he will help out. In some moments of heated discussion, I have reminded AD of the club he played for. Q) I'm a very passionate supporter. I have every season ticket since I was 8 yrs old and I'm now 64 yrs old. I don't want the club to go but moreso I don't want them to disappear. I see the figure 5 on the screen, 1, 3 & 5 all the time. JB said sorry I'm not sure what you are referring to? The supporter responded - "I know the AFL are doing the talk but they can't make us walk". JB: They can't and they won't. That's why the board made the decision it made today as we have the ability to control the destiny of our own club. Don't ever think that myself, the management and the board members aren't as concerned as you for the long term future. I wouldn't have put this plan in place and backed myself to deliver on it if it didn't cater for 10 to 20 yrs from now. That’s why the capital raising is so important and the plan is to make the club bomb proof. Thank you for your continued support Q) I'm from Albury/Wodonga area, there is a lot of support and membership stickers. It’s an area that could be developed into a strong NM region going by the support that already exists. JB: Since the draft was established all clubs have neglected their previously held zones. We need to service not only that 'middle bit' I so beautifully described but also other areas that need attention. Thanks for raising it. Q) Can I clarify a point about the name of the club? I want to hear an undertaking about returning the name of the club back to North Melbourne and you will do all you can to call us North Melbourne. We need the AFL & media calling us North Melbourne. If you want supporters to become members, remember grass roots and where we cam from. We need our identity back. JB: You have my undertaking that North Melbourne will be the name of the club and I don't see the AFL, after this decision has been made today, having a problem with it. Q) Do you have the support of board members who are pro GC? Shareholders who have previously tried to sell their shares to the AFL? We are sick & tired of back room deals and we want take it any longer. JB: Everyone is entitled to their opinions. People who were pro GC have told me they wanted the club to go but after this decision has been made that JB has their full support. The 3 major shareholders are supportive to dissolve the shareholding and return the club to its members when the time is right. If the 3 major shareholders are in agreeance, every other share holder has to fall in line. Q) Lack of transparency is an issue. What will change? JB: I appreciate you saying that. I don't want to comment on the past, I commend Ron Joseph for the 2 members’ forums which I believe were successful. Tonight we had a presentation of the GEMBA report which we didn't have to do. These are examples of transparency but I accept we need to get better. Q) Can we meet the board members? JB: There was a spill of the board. 3 to 4 of the current board will remain. JB said when the new board is formed we will get to meet the new board. The 3 member elected board members (JB, RJ & MB) will stay at least until the shareholding is dissolved and the club is handed back to the members. Then a board voting membership structure will be put in place. Q) What is the value of members & attendance? JB: If you recall the Footy Show when I said if we can get 6000 more members and 5000 more to each game it would mean 1.5 to 2 million dollars difference to the club so members & attendance are certainly very valuable. The person asking the question added if everyone here could get one more person along next year it would be a great start. Q) After today's decision is relocation of the agenda, at least for the foreseeable future? JB: I can't comment on when I'm pushing up daisies, certainly in my opinion we're here, we are a Melbourne based club. We will still consider secondary markets if they are lucrative but as far as relocation goes - it’s off the table. Q) We have left GC behind, let’s get behind James and his plan. JB: We need to get innovative again, we were first with Friday Night games and sponsorship on the jumper. I would love to see us be the first team to play for premiership points o'seas. Bring some innovation back into this great club Q) What do the current players think of the decision? JB: I've spoken to the senior players and they are very supportive of what we are doing. They are delighted a decision has been made. Q) Do you think 17th club will happen, has this been brought into financial modeling from GEMBA. JB: Andrew Demetriou has consistently said they would do it, so have to assume it will happen. If it does happen it will be 2012. The GEMBA information presented tonight is from present to 2011. The capital raising is important so that by 2011 we have extra revenue. Q) Stated that "we all know there are too many teams in Melbourne" . The AFL will do everything in its power to drive a team out of Melbourne. The two things the AFL can use are money and the press. The AFL delivers its message through the mouths of certain journo's, I won't name them but we know who they are. JB: In Rohan Connolly, Damian Barrett, Martin Flanagan, Tim & Sam Lane and Mike Sheehan we have received terrific support. We tend to focus on those that pot us. The best thing we can do is get the profits consistently over 1 mill and membership over 30k. Q) What will happen with the Social Club and we will have pokies. JB: The MSL deal has been dissolved, we have a minor poker machine issue as part of that deal. We are a footy club not a pokies club. Q) Will Archer be on the board? JB: It needs to be remembered that Arch has given 16 yrs of great service. JB said Arch was all for joining the board but after contemplating the role and his other commitments to his family and a brand new business he needs to get up & running - it has been decided that Arch is better suited at the moment to involve himself in initiatives to sell & promote the club while not being stuck in long board meetings. A further comment was added by the supporter that we should stick Arch on Andrew Demetriou. Q) We receive 400k per game on the GC - We received 400k for all Telstra Dome home games. What will we do to receive a better Stadium Deal in Melbourne. JB: Better stadium deal may mean more games at the MCG. May mean negotiating a better deal with Ian Collins at the Dome. Funding for GC games is a gross figure and the Nett figure is less. Funding for GC games will cease after 2009. This is why we need by 2010 to have capital raising in place. Q) I've waited for this decision. If everyone gets one member - we would double our membership. I will tick the Kangaroo for Life option on the membership renewal. JB: Yes, if we can all get one person it would make a great difference. Q) If GC games are pulled in 2008 - 09, how ironclad is the money. JB: It’s a signed contract. The contract is for 9 games with an option for a 10th over 3yrs (2007 to 2009). The 10th game is at the AFL's discretion. We will play 7 games in the first 2 years (3 in '07, 4 in '08). JB expects the 2 remaining games to occur in 2009 to fulfill the contracted 9 game figure but said the optional 10th game (which initially seemed a certainty) is unlikely. Q) The final question was about wearing the blue & white stripes against Collingwood. JB: said he loves the traditional jumper but he also is pragmatic if it means a 500k payday for the club. JB's final words: thank you all for attending, its great to see so many people caring this deeply for this great footy club. Go away from here tonight comfortable in the knowledge that those running the club will be doing everything in their power to make you very proud in the future. The night officially concluded at 8:30pm approx
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