I think we were going to give the training a miss. When we looked at how long we'd have it'd be very tight to fit in a session along with everything else. Plus we'd run the risk of folk turning up without their kit expecting the AGM only.

Hi all, sorry to drag over this again but the more I think about accepting the Hunslet offer yet staying at Morley the less it makes sense to me. Its essentially renting a house and inheriting the next door mansion, would you continue to rent and leave next door dormant? No, you'd move so why arent we?

If we accept the offer and stay at Morley what benefit do we get? We still need to pay subscriptions to cover the rent and it seems we manage to make a small profit from our current setup of £2 a week so we dont really need the extra funding. We are giving up the name and heritage etc for very little if we stay at Morley. The coaching sessions available would be the only positive to me.

By going to Hunslet the facilities are better, its free and we maybe able to attract some of the lasses from the girls teams that have recently signed up with Hunslet.

As I say sorry to drag it up again, I'm just not seeing the benefits to staying at Morley when theres a better and free alternative.

Apologies for having to leave early last night. Would it be possible to get a summary of the decisions made from last nights AGM ?

Kirk, I think the main reason for staying at Morley was because it being the more convenient location for most. Have to admit getting home was quite a pain last night, going through city centre and many traffic lights.

One point we didn't really touch on was the distance to the pitch at Hunslet, considering where we would have to park. Currently, we struggle to start training at 7.15 let alone 7pm.

I shall post some minutes in due course (workload permitting!)

Kirk, I think we're committed for the rental up at Morley until August/September the decision we took was to continue until then with a visit a month down at Hunslet for some coaching (if we want), when the time comes for renewal of the lease then we need to make another decision after sampling what the stadium has to offer (including the hike to the pitch) and what price we can negotiate with Morley.

I know what your saying but the stadium isn't ideal for all and i think what we pretty much had a unanimous decision on was to see how it goes and make a decision later this year on the location once the rental agreement with Morley ends.

Been away too long to be able to argue this properly.. but FREEDOOM of speach an all....

Firstly to say the clubs never been looked after so better with Uncle, Sam and mainly Scotts effort over the last couple of years... I've not seen any of the three take expensive holidays, build extensions on their houses or take trips to bristols finest lapdancing bars on club funds well done guys.

The hunslet offer from what I've read does seem an attractive offer but I cant help but think it would be the demise of Leeds Lost Loiners.

Set up at the back of the southstand on the training pitches for the fellow loiner members as a social gathering to show off your skills and a up afterwards. nothing much has changed over the years.. and the great line of "if it aint broke dont fix it" comes to mind.

I think joining up with hunslet would inevitably result in them taking over the monday nights for their own training and the identity of what is Lostloiners now.

I apologies to Scott for what does seem like a good idea and a lot of effort on his part, but myself I cant help but think it would be the end of a good thing we've already got!!

Missing you look making me look good.

Gregor.

Kirk - you do make a fair point. To me it seems daft to have generally superior facilities available for free and then paying an additional amount to play somewhere of not quite so high a standard. One thought that occured to me driving back to this end is that effectively (if perhaps slightly simplistically) to reject the Hunslet offer would mean that people would be happy to pay £100 a year to keep the name and history of the Loiners intact. An interesting perspective on it?

Getting back to the point... my understanding of the situation is as outlined by Kev that we have a commitment with Morley for the next 6 months which effectively gives us the ideal chance to give Hunslet a try out on a 6 month probationary period to see how it works for both sides without buring any bridges with Morley. Seems sensible and I think that was what was almost unanimously voted for...

For the record on the subject of convenience, I live north Leeds so Hunselt is more convenient for me (although I realise its less convenient for most!).

Finally, I had actually also had some thoughts around Gregor's final point. I think its important that we are clear with Hunslet that we would want to maintain complete operational autonomy. We would want complete control of how we train etc and not be dictated to by them at all, beyond using their name and being open to new players joining us.

I think the way forward is to test the water at Hunslet for the odd training sessions as agreed. We'll then get a clearer idea of the pro's and cons.

In the meantime we've an agreement with Morley to honour so we continue as we are for some time. In that time we should get a clearer idea of whether we want to move or not.

Personally I'm happier training at Morley given the distances involved and the cosy set up we currently have. However that may change once I get to experience what's on offer down at Hunslet. I'm prepared to see how it goes for now.

Indeed, all in jest.

The showers at Hunslet were nicer.

Did I miss anything else because I am not sure what else it was that was so much better than Morley? Certainly not the picth, probably not the light and certainly not as convenient.

I can live with getting down and dirty in the showers at Morley.

1.0 Present

3.0 Introduction

After returning from the tour of the facilities Sam welcomed the attendees to the meeting and briefly explained the proposed agenda.

4.0 Officers

Although no official titles have been allocated, Scott, Harry and Sam have been dealing with the finances, Morley rent, RFL, Tag Merit League, equipment, etc. There were no other volunteers nor nominees for the duties therefore it was agreed that they continue the good work.

5.0 Subs

Sam explained the problems last year with lack of funds and that Scott had paid some bills himself when the club could not afford it. It was agreed that this should not happen in future. The suggestion was that the subs be increased to £3 to build up a “float” in the accounts for any unforeseen expenditures and also for the presentation night, etc.
During the discussions it was agreed that the accounts were being closely monitored by Scott which should prevent a repeat of last year. Scott confirmed that the accounts were currently approximately £300 in credit.
It was proposed that the subs remain at £2 per week but are reviewed during the summer to ensure that this is sufficient, if Scott sees the accounts dwindling he will notify the members and the subs can be raised to £3 if necessary. This was decided by a majority vote.

6.0 Tag League

Sam explained the proposed changes in the Tag Merit League which was being taken over by the RFL. This would ensure that the rules were strictly non-contact, virtually as we play each week.

Gareth and Adam H left the meeting.

Discussions took place regarding the RFL proposed points system at Tournaments and the fees for each player. It was not clear whether the £10 fee covered all the festivals and also the insurance that we currently pay for. Sam, Scott and Harry to check with Tom Allen (RFL).

Teams are also encouraged to play friendly games as well as the tournaments/festivals. The Lost Loiners are planning to attend the Murrayfield tournament, Rochdale Festival and also are scheduled to play a friendly at Bridgend on the 10th April. It was agreed that we would not attempt to play at every one.

Scott, Sam & Harry are to get confirmation of tournament dates, venues and whether they are mixed sexes or not, as soon as possible, to plan teams and transport, etc. Scott explained that the Scorpions are playing against Hunslet on 22nd August and that if they wanted to play us that day it could be a curtain-raiser! It was agreed that Harry would contact Bridgend.

7.0 Hunslet Offer

Ian Johnson (Hunslet) was invited to address the meeting and explain the offer from Hunslet Hawks. The offer is described on the previous note to members (attached).
Discussions took place regarding the offer which highlighted the following concerns:
• The all-weather pitches would possibly be unavailable in snow and/or heavy frost.
• The travel distance from Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax is greater and would make a 7pm start more difficult.
• The training pitch is a considerable walk from the changing rooms which potentially adds to the delayed start.
• If we moved to Hunslet and things didn’t work out would we have burnt our boats with Morley?
• We would have to change the club name and we have just spent a lot of money on a new kit!

Advantages were also discussed:
• Free training at Hunslet
• More options for pitches when flooded.
• Funding towards kit, equipment and transport to games
• Free use of function room for events, subject to availability
• Closer to Wakefield and Leeds therefore easier for some members

After some discussions and alternative suggestions the consensus was to vote on the proposal to accept the partnership with Hunslet Hawks for the next 12 months at least but still train at Morley and pay £2 subs. The annual rent at Morley will be paid in full by June and will be due for renewal in September. The situation will be reviewed in August. We would however hold a coaching/training session at South Leeds once every month, or so. This would enable us to compare the two venues and the travel situation, etc. The name Lost Loiners could be retained as a nickname if desired.

This proposal was agreed by a majority vote.

The meeting was closed by Sam who thanked everyone for attending.

Harry. Can you summarise that in just a couple of sentences please?

Thanks H. Apologies for the early departure but I have to have my fix of exercise to maintain this figure.

The above outcome sounds to me like an eminently sensible solution.