Hi, just a quick update re meeting last night with Andrew Dixon & Matty Ashurst

Last seasons "sponsor a try" with just a couple of payments outstanding, will have raised total of £1141 into the funds, massive thanks to all who contributed.

Anyone wishing to venture into the scheme next season, please pass your details on to Karl Reik or myself.
You can sponsor any amount 50p/£1 whatever, it can be done home only or home & away.

The new Forever Reds website is now active, it will give us better email communication, so can members please be sure we have your correct email address.

The committee have suggested we look at doing an award/donation to local amateur RL clubs, maybe in the form of a competition on the lines of the Valentine cup, but for juniors. Jean has spoken to NW counties for their support to which they have agreed.

Next meeting in the new year we are hoping to invite the stadium manager Pam Martin along to listen to suggestions for the coming season from the fans.

Hopefully, events will have got sorted regards investment for the club, & we hope we can set up some dialogue with whoever it may be as to future plans.

As for answers to the ongoing situation, the invited players confirmed that they don't know anything that is going on, & just have to carry on as normal pre season.
Asked if it is affecting the pre season ie. ball skills if they have not got all the positional players in situ.
At this moment pre season concentrates on strength & conditional work, but yes, it will need to be sorted ASAP.
All the players are enjoying the varied training they are involved in, it's hard at the moment, but obviously Phil & Mark Barry recognized that fitness was an issue last season. Need to be a lot tougher on the park.The moral within the camp is good, just waiting to see what transpires re new arrivals.
Andrew was asked if its a strange situation being the only new signing at present, said no, isn't a problem.
Asked why he left Saints, said he wasn't getting enough game time week in week out & that's what he wants. So saw a move as a progression in his career.
Both players feel the club needs to up the profile need to get out in the community more & encourage kids to watch rugby, more school visits etc.
Both players were asked what they thought the new season will bring to the club, Andrew said may catch teams by surprise, they could underestimate us, we are an unknown quantity, good to play some of the top teams earlier on, we need to be on top of our game. Remarked we played some entertaining rugby earlier in the season, need to get back to playing that way & who knows, we could shock a few teams, they could write us off, but who knows.

Thanks for all who attended, see you all in new year.

Thanks, Shirl.

Very disappointed in the turn out. it seems that plenty of people on here want to moan and slag the club off but wont give Forever Reds an hour of their time to help them out. Well done to all attended. Would it be a point Shirl if the meeting went on the road, maybe in Walkden/Little Hulton and Swinton?

Its hard to get to meetings sometimes have you thought of that? I haven't been able to go for over a year due to always having to work on the day a meeting has been announced or having family commitments. It's not like I can take the kids to a meeting like this.
It's not always down to apathy!

I've not been to a meeting in ages either, some it it is apathy some other commitments.
I still fully support the ideals of the Trust.

How easy would it be to do a web chat or interactivate SKPE type thing once a quarter?

Maybe the meetings could be held at a more central location as not everyone has their own transport.
People from say Walkden are not going to want the hassle of buses to get to the Chandos Club. Just a thought.