Given it’s coming to the end of the year, and it’s been a year that has seem some big events at the Club, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit a couple of those and also to address some potential questions (including specific ones we’ve received) so that everyone is clear where we are as a Club.
In February, a Working Together Agreement (“WTA”) was signed between the Club and the Stirling Albion Supporters’ Society (the “Trust”), who are the majority owners of the Club. The WTA governs the relationship between the Club and its owners. This was a very important moment for the Club because no such agreement had existed since the Trust took ownership of the Club and the lack of such an agreement has been at the root of issues between the Club and the Trust in the past. The WTA defines roles, sets rules for reporting, clarifies matters requiring the authorisation of the Club’s owners and covers the make-up of the Club’s board.
You can find the WTA here
And of course in May, we had the momentous occasion of becoming cinch League 2 champions!!
So, to those questions.
Does the Trust run the Club?
No. Per the WTA, the Trust board delegates the authority to run the Club to the board of the Club.
Is the relationship between the Club and the Trust harmonious or otherwise?
The relationship is very harmonious and transparent. The Club board produces a report for the Trust board on a monthly basis and presents the Club’s accounts and financial performance on a quarterly basis. Two Trust board members sit on the Club’s board, so both parties’ views are represented to each other well. The steps for matters requiring the Club’s owners’ approval per the WTA, for example the appointment of a General Manager, have been followed. In short, we are working together well in line with both the spirit and the specifics of the WTA.
Who is running the Club since Brian Hamilton left?
Brian wasn’t running the Club. Brian was one director on the board.
Who is running the Club on a day to day basis?
Per the WTA, the Club’s board has the overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Club and the creation of strategies for the Club. Our General Manager, Christine Curtis, runs the club on a day-to-day basis, supported by each board member and also helped by Laura Downes, Football Administration Manager.
Is the Football Operations Director role being replaced? If not, who looks after the football side of things?
We have currently not replaced that role and are taking time to review options. The football operations are currently overseen by a combination of the Chairman, the wider board, Andy Kennedy as Football Operations Support and the General Manager, working closely together with the Manager, Darren Young. This arrangement is currently working well. The manager feels supported for first team matters and we are all working together well on strategic football matters.
Who is on the Club’s board?
The Club’s board is made up of Robert Clubb and Jim McAllister, who are the Trust representative directors, and Alasdair Dunn, who is the Chair of the board (a role also defined in the WTA). The board, both individually and as whole, provide support and guidance to the General Manager, manage the overall agenda of the Club and develop strategies. In addition to all this, Robert leads on IT development, process improvements and more, Jim heads up community activities and is the Chair of the Stirling Albion Foundation, and Alasdair looks after all financial matters. Jim is also our Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer.
Will there be an AGM?
Yes. It will hopefully be in January but this will be dependent on when the statutory accounts for 2021/22 are finalised. They are currently going through the audit process.
What is the Club’s financial position?
The budget for the season had a deficit of c. £90k. The Viaplay cup run helped reduce that deficit as has other commercial income such as hospitality and sponsorship, which have been higher than assumed in the budget. However, some costs have been higher than anticipated. Overall, we have made decent inroads into reducing the budget deficit so far. The Club’s bank balance is healthy and there is no cause for concern, however, the Club obviously can’t continue to run at a loss so next year’s budget will be important.
What are the Club’s targets for this season?
Ultimately, our aim this year is to consolidate – to stay in League 1. From there, we can work with Darren over the summer to see how we can make further progress on the field. But obviously we’ll be trying to finish in as high a position as we can this season. In addition to that, we want to continue to improve our off-field efficiency, reduce the budget deficit, work with the Foundation to make sure it is firmly established, build up our volunteer group and develop our staff and volunteers.
What is currently being worked on to improve things?
The website is a development priority, as per the previous separate communication. The next IT-related priority is the Club shop, which currently operates manually in some areas. Our Youth Development set up is currently being reviewed. We work well with Active Stirling and continue to look at stadium enhancements with them. We have started developing a relationship with the University of Stirling. Lastly, we are working on developing an overall strategy and business plan for the club for the future.
Hopefully this update has proved informative and the style easy to read.
Finally, we’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a successful 2024!
Alasdair Dunn, Chair
Robert Clubb, Director
Jim McAllister, Director
The Board of Stirling Albion FC
