Sean B
6th November 2004, 10:28
E.G.M & COMMITTEE MEETING
SUNDAY 24TH October 2004 (12 noon)
O’Brien’s Pub, Stretford, Manchester
PRESENT
Karen Matthews, Margaret Orhan, Julian Lord, Andrea Grainger, James Coombes, G.Owen, Sharon Cowell, Steve Owen, W.Thorpe, Daniel James, K.Russell, P. Killeen, David O’Donnell, Sam Bullock, Charlie Battersby, Chris Small, Gary McIntyre, Mark O’Loughlin, John Skelton, Tom Skelton, Andrew McIntyre, Richard Stubbs, Gary Dennison, Paula Kershaw, Helen Coe, A.D.Jemlay, Bill Mather, Andy Green, K.White, K Juman, K.Fox, Rob Lowe, Steven Cunningham, Ian Dunlop, Andrew Dunlop, Geoff Spurrier, Paul Bryce, Jon Bryce, Anthony Edwards, Eric Halsall, Greg Whittaker, Lynette Cawthra, Tim Shaw, Richard Tran, Ian Worsley, Charlie Barlow, P.H.Yergoa, Thomas Faltouns, Rebecca Hunter, Richard Falkner, Irene Ballantyne, Paul Whatmore, Tony Lloyd, Blaine Emmett, Tom Eisner, Jon Hodgson, Ben Oxtoby, John Wroe, Anthony Fitzsimmons, Brett Whitchoad, Steve Senior, Brian Lomas, A Lomas, S.D.Etherington, S.Tilzey, Martin Brick, Jeff Parish, Dec O’Boyle, Michael Reilley, Kelly Hurst, Shiela Claydon, Jackie Bryan, Stan England, Pauline England, Phil Blachinfil, Jonah, Mark Thain, Harvey Parkes, Ayman Fazey, Andrew Brits, Andrea Jones, Eddie Taylor, Pete Grubb, Ian Thatcher, Theresa Towle, Duncan Drasdo, John Irane, David Kone, C.Hadfield, Margaret Hindle, M.J.Purcell, J.Pantavri-Smith, T.Lee, D.Shillington, A.Spaggard, L.Wager, D.Evans, P.Slack, P.Bainbridge, Nick Towle, Oliver Houston and Roger Brierley.
E.G.M
APOLOGIES
Apologies have been received from Paul Brooks, John Hurst and Tanya Taylor.
AGREEMENT ON VOTING SHARE SCHEME SHARES AT MU PLC A.G.M.
Nick Towle explained the rationale behind what SU should and would be doing regarding the votes. He went over all scenarios, telling the meeting that it all depended on the circumstances regarding any takeover and taking into consideration, PIRC recommendations. Eric Halsall proposed the resolution that:
The Chair of SU be and is herby empowered and authorised to vote those shares in Manchester United plc, which are held by SU members in the SU Share Scheme, at the Annual General Meeting of Manchester United plc to be held on 12 November 2004, in the manner directed by members at this Extraordinary General Meeting or, in the absence of any such direction, in any manner which the Directors see fit in accordance with the objectives and constitution of SU.
This was seconded from the floor of the meeting and passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous Committee Meeting, held on Saturday 21st August 2004, were approved as a true record.
MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
BRIEF PROGRESS REPORTS
i) Duncan briefly reported SU will break through the 15,000 member barrier as soon as the backlog was processed. There were 46,000 cards ready to be distributed before the Arsenal match and elsewhere.
ii) There was to be a slight change to the design of the web site, to do with the Trust being proposed, to attract both joiners and donators.
iii) Oliver proposed informing the meeting about the media report later on.
iv) Margaret stated that all the Patrons had been contacted for quotes to be used in publicity and in the media. Most had responded in a very positive way. The latest celebrity Red to join the Patrons list is “Mani” from The Stone Roses. He is delighted to help SU’s cause and is thrilled to be connected to SU.
v) Karen told the meeting that SU had a healthy balance in the bank, but that, obviously there would be several payments, both in and out, in the near future.
vi) Sean thanked everyone for the magnificent help SU has received and thought that, if SU can get to 100,000 members, Glazer could be “seen off.”
vii) Julian stated that, if a bid were to come in, a weekly “special” newsletter, consisting of a 2 page electronic version, would be published.
STRATEGY FOR MU PLC A.G.M
The strategy was discussed and passed.
AGM CO-ORDINATOR’S TIMETABLE
This was considered not to be necessary, at the moment.
NOT FOR SALE CAMPAIGN
Nick stated that the newspaper headlines from the morning editions, of “SOLD TRAFFORD” and “FOR SALE”, were appalling. It means that if O.T were to be sold to, for instance, a pension fund company and the Club were to lease it back, paying an annual rent, United could be in a worse financial position than Leeds United.
Questions were asked, from the floor, as to what could be done to prevent this happening. A suggestion was made as to whether it might be possible to send a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, asking for O.T to be given “listed building status”, or to make it a “Site of National Interest.” This was one idea to be considered.
Nick answered the question “what’s in this for the Board?” with the reply, “Nothing for the present Board.” Glazer would use the idea of sell and leaseback to make the supporters pay for the buying of our own club. Reds here and also in America are becoming very vocal about the dangers surrounding United at present.
Ian, from The Red Action Group, said that Question Time is from Florida next week.
Eric Halsall reported that the response has been magnificent.
Oliver talked about SU’s media coverage and how positive it has been. He informed the meeting that Glazer is reported to have had to borrow to purchase the shares he has already acquired and that there was no reason to suppose he would not have to borrow even more heavily to purchase more.
Tony Lloyd M.P then took the microphone to tell the meeting that there are a couple of motions prepared, to go before the House of Commons. He suggested that everyone contact their local M.P. to persuade him/her to sign the motions. He talked about how the political set-up could stand against a takeover and that Glazer was not the only individual to fight. United should be owned by the supporters and that everyone should come together to stop the Club being taken over by anyone else at all.
Nick reported that Patron Lord Alf Morris had asked two questions in the House of Lords and restated that the fight will go on, until it is won.
Sean, passionately, informed the meeting as to the difference between investor and supporter shareholders, ending by telling everyone to go out, recruit and talk to everyone they could think of, about SU and the fight to come. He stated that all members should be giving shares as Christmas presents and talked about “shares not shirts”
Andy, a fund manager, stated that Glazer is trying to borrow vast amounts of money to further his ambitions regarding the Club. If anyone knows someone who has shares and is not an SU member, they were to try to get them to “pledge” their shares to SU. Sing at O.T and make the Board know that United is NOT FOR SALE.
Richard Stubbs reported that he had talked with friends around Old Trafford, who are happy with the way SU is conducting its business at the moment. He stated that Charlie, who makes the NFS flags, says all profits on future flags will go to buying shares.
Nick reported the statement made by the Board, that they would consider the shareholders and supporters when any bid came in. SU must give the Board arguments as to why they should reject any future bid.
Eric Halsall emailed the F.A about their statement that Glazer was a “fit and proper person” and asked the members to all do the same. He told of his own history with United and pleaded for the future of the unborn Reds.
Oliver listed all SU’s objections to Glazer and his takeover plans.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There being no further business, Nick closed the meeting, along with Sean, who told everyone about the card distribution, asked everyone to buy a flag and ordered all the members to go and “Reclaim Our Club.”
SUNDAY 24TH October 2004 (12 noon)
O’Brien’s Pub, Stretford, Manchester
PRESENT
Karen Matthews, Margaret Orhan, Julian Lord, Andrea Grainger, James Coombes, G.Owen, Sharon Cowell, Steve Owen, W.Thorpe, Daniel James, K.Russell, P. Killeen, David O’Donnell, Sam Bullock, Charlie Battersby, Chris Small, Gary McIntyre, Mark O’Loughlin, John Skelton, Tom Skelton, Andrew McIntyre, Richard Stubbs, Gary Dennison, Paula Kershaw, Helen Coe, A.D.Jemlay, Bill Mather, Andy Green, K.White, K Juman, K.Fox, Rob Lowe, Steven Cunningham, Ian Dunlop, Andrew Dunlop, Geoff Spurrier, Paul Bryce, Jon Bryce, Anthony Edwards, Eric Halsall, Greg Whittaker, Lynette Cawthra, Tim Shaw, Richard Tran, Ian Worsley, Charlie Barlow, P.H.Yergoa, Thomas Faltouns, Rebecca Hunter, Richard Falkner, Irene Ballantyne, Paul Whatmore, Tony Lloyd, Blaine Emmett, Tom Eisner, Jon Hodgson, Ben Oxtoby, John Wroe, Anthony Fitzsimmons, Brett Whitchoad, Steve Senior, Brian Lomas, A Lomas, S.D.Etherington, S.Tilzey, Martin Brick, Jeff Parish, Dec O’Boyle, Michael Reilley, Kelly Hurst, Shiela Claydon, Jackie Bryan, Stan England, Pauline England, Phil Blachinfil, Jonah, Mark Thain, Harvey Parkes, Ayman Fazey, Andrew Brits, Andrea Jones, Eddie Taylor, Pete Grubb, Ian Thatcher, Theresa Towle, Duncan Drasdo, John Irane, David Kone, C.Hadfield, Margaret Hindle, M.J.Purcell, J.Pantavri-Smith, T.Lee, D.Shillington, A.Spaggard, L.Wager, D.Evans, P.Slack, P.Bainbridge, Nick Towle, Oliver Houston and Roger Brierley.
E.G.M
APOLOGIES
Apologies have been received from Paul Brooks, John Hurst and Tanya Taylor.
AGREEMENT ON VOTING SHARE SCHEME SHARES AT MU PLC A.G.M.
Nick Towle explained the rationale behind what SU should and would be doing regarding the votes. He went over all scenarios, telling the meeting that it all depended on the circumstances regarding any takeover and taking into consideration, PIRC recommendations. Eric Halsall proposed the resolution that:
The Chair of SU be and is herby empowered and authorised to vote those shares in Manchester United plc, which are held by SU members in the SU Share Scheme, at the Annual General Meeting of Manchester United plc to be held on 12 November 2004, in the manner directed by members at this Extraordinary General Meeting or, in the absence of any such direction, in any manner which the Directors see fit in accordance with the objectives and constitution of SU.
This was seconded from the floor of the meeting and passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous Committee Meeting, held on Saturday 21st August 2004, were approved as a true record.
MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
BRIEF PROGRESS REPORTS
i) Duncan briefly reported SU will break through the 15,000 member barrier as soon as the backlog was processed. There were 46,000 cards ready to be distributed before the Arsenal match and elsewhere.
ii) There was to be a slight change to the design of the web site, to do with the Trust being proposed, to attract both joiners and donators.
iii) Oliver proposed informing the meeting about the media report later on.
iv) Margaret stated that all the Patrons had been contacted for quotes to be used in publicity and in the media. Most had responded in a very positive way. The latest celebrity Red to join the Patrons list is “Mani” from The Stone Roses. He is delighted to help SU’s cause and is thrilled to be connected to SU.
v) Karen told the meeting that SU had a healthy balance in the bank, but that, obviously there would be several payments, both in and out, in the near future.
vi) Sean thanked everyone for the magnificent help SU has received and thought that, if SU can get to 100,000 members, Glazer could be “seen off.”
vii) Julian stated that, if a bid were to come in, a weekly “special” newsletter, consisting of a 2 page electronic version, would be published.
STRATEGY FOR MU PLC A.G.M
The strategy was discussed and passed.
AGM CO-ORDINATOR’S TIMETABLE
This was considered not to be necessary, at the moment.
NOT FOR SALE CAMPAIGN
Nick stated that the newspaper headlines from the morning editions, of “SOLD TRAFFORD” and “FOR SALE”, were appalling. It means that if O.T were to be sold to, for instance, a pension fund company and the Club were to lease it back, paying an annual rent, United could be in a worse financial position than Leeds United.
Questions were asked, from the floor, as to what could be done to prevent this happening. A suggestion was made as to whether it might be possible to send a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, asking for O.T to be given “listed building status”, or to make it a “Site of National Interest.” This was one idea to be considered.
Nick answered the question “what’s in this for the Board?” with the reply, “Nothing for the present Board.” Glazer would use the idea of sell and leaseback to make the supporters pay for the buying of our own club. Reds here and also in America are becoming very vocal about the dangers surrounding United at present.
Ian, from The Red Action Group, said that Question Time is from Florida next week.
Eric Halsall reported that the response has been magnificent.
Oliver talked about SU’s media coverage and how positive it has been. He informed the meeting that Glazer is reported to have had to borrow to purchase the shares he has already acquired and that there was no reason to suppose he would not have to borrow even more heavily to purchase more.
Tony Lloyd M.P then took the microphone to tell the meeting that there are a couple of motions prepared, to go before the House of Commons. He suggested that everyone contact their local M.P. to persuade him/her to sign the motions. He talked about how the political set-up could stand against a takeover and that Glazer was not the only individual to fight. United should be owned by the supporters and that everyone should come together to stop the Club being taken over by anyone else at all.
Nick reported that Patron Lord Alf Morris had asked two questions in the House of Lords and restated that the fight will go on, until it is won.
Sean, passionately, informed the meeting as to the difference between investor and supporter shareholders, ending by telling everyone to go out, recruit and talk to everyone they could think of, about SU and the fight to come. He stated that all members should be giving shares as Christmas presents and talked about “shares not shirts”
Andy, a fund manager, stated that Glazer is trying to borrow vast amounts of money to further his ambitions regarding the Club. If anyone knows someone who has shares and is not an SU member, they were to try to get them to “pledge” their shares to SU. Sing at O.T and make the Board know that United is NOT FOR SALE.
Richard Stubbs reported that he had talked with friends around Old Trafford, who are happy with the way SU is conducting its business at the moment. He stated that Charlie, who makes the NFS flags, says all profits on future flags will go to buying shares.
Nick reported the statement made by the Board, that they would consider the shareholders and supporters when any bid came in. SU must give the Board arguments as to why they should reject any future bid.
Eric Halsall emailed the F.A about their statement that Glazer was a “fit and proper person” and asked the members to all do the same. He told of his own history with United and pleaded for the future of the unborn Reds.
Oliver listed all SU’s objections to Glazer and his takeover plans.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There being no further business, Nick closed the meeting, along with Sean, who told everyone about the card distribution, asked everyone to buy a flag and ordered all the members to go and “Reclaim Our Club.”