I was present at the meeting on Monday along with 3 other supporters after an invite from Brian O'Connor. Julie Gaskell, SOC, BOC, Dennis Betts and Paul Cullen were also present. The meeting lasted about 2 and a half hours.
I will try and give a brief summary of what was said, I did not take any notes.
It started with a discussion of the teams poor performance and eventually came to the point of blaming the coaching set up. SOC was not happy with the criticism and some abuse dennis has received. It was stated that the reason we are in this position is because of the standard of squad we have managed to assemble. basically picking up players other teams dont want and taking a chance on others with a past history or injuries.
SOC stated that they had budgeted for 7000 members and we only have 4000 leaving a financial shortfall of which he has put in £400000 and he will not be doing so next season. He also stated that he may decide to walk away at some point in the future and if he did he would never come back, thats how he has dealt with previous interests.
SOC also stated that he wouldnt have Dennis bullied out and if he was, SOC would follow. He also stated if Dennis was dismissed and a new coach was brought in he would have to work with the same group of players and the chances were nothing may change. As there is no more money for new players this season.
It was also stated that there is a lot of good going on at Widnes behind the scenes, we stated that all we see as fans is the 80 mins on a sunday and some of these performances have been pretty dismal. The club suggested that maybe they need to get the message out of the things going on at the club behind the scenes and invite fans to training sessions etc. Also stated of the academy performance and recently beating Warrington. They are bringing local lads through who within 3 years time we be playing in key positions for Widnes.
Dennis explained that one of the problems we have is that some of the players are not mentally tough enough yet and they are working really hard with individual players to improve this.
I have not mentioned everything discussed but basically I went into the meeting wanting rid of Betts and Cullen but came away with a different attitude.
To try and give an overall summary, everyone at the club is as disappointed as the fans and working really hard to improve things. Its our first season in SL and we have a lot of catching up to do, we are going to build on the squad year on year. Adding more quality players next year and eventually bringing our youth through. We are using Huddersfield as a model club, they started from the bottom and worked their way up. we need to be patient as supporters and stay behind the club even though its tough at times.

Spot on, Chief!

I think you will find that simply isn't the case and complete bull is being spouted here.

A players representative is not permitted to speak about any matters concerning his player to any other club unless permitted to do so by the club he is currently under contract with. Regardless of whether it is the player's agent or the player themselves that do this before that permission is given or the free-agent deadline passes this constitutes tapping up for which there are severe penalties including fines.
Even an indirect inducement through the media can be construed as 'tapping up'. So all this... so and so can speak to so and so nonsense is complete bull. If Widnes have not given their permission then they have a right to seek compensation. Compensation is due anyhow due to the age of the player.

Afraid it is the case. The agent as a rep of the player can indicate the duration of a contract. and a club can say they would be interested in players when their contract expires. Unless there is a clause in the contract to the contrary then players , like many people, are free to tell others what they earn. Deny it as much as you like.

If Cullen and Betts do not know who is OOC in 2013 Widnes are pretty well doomed.

Oh my god!!!! you genuinely believe this!!!

I would say that Willie Manu has been tapped up