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Week 4 - About Trust in Luton and our work
Welcome to week 4 of 20 questions. So far, we have addressed the status on representation on the LTFC board, how we would like to work with the club and how we are working with other supporter groups. This week we turn our attention to how TiL works and what we are doing. Again, thank you to everyone who has made responses and comments to us – hopefully we have responded quickly, openly and fully to all those people who had further questions.
We have been asked, and rightly so, what we at TiL are up to and what our views are on a number of key areas concerning the Club. We totally acknowledge that, in our desire to tackle the current issues facing the club, we have been very remiss in keeping you, and the wider fan base, fully up to speed on our aims. For this we sincerely apologise.
We want to continue to represent all sections of the fan base so we have also posted details of what you can do to help and please bear in mind that all support, however small, is greatly appreciated. Please tell fellow supporters, friends and family so that we can ensure our membership remains strong and representative.
If you have further questions that you would like answered, please send them to info@trustinluton.org and we will do our best to respond by return.
Assuring you of our total commitment to the cause at all times,
Liam and all on the Trust in Luton Board Why do we get little communication from TiL?
We totally agree that recent communication has been unacceptably poor. We sincerely apologise to our members for that but promise that improvements are on the way and will be announced at the AGM.
What are TiL doing at the moment?
We would like to reassure all members that this lack of communication is in no way due to a lack of action. The Chairman of TiL, Liam Day, along with the rest of the TiL board, has:
Recognised the need to improve and strengthen the board of TiL. In the first instance, Liam held numerous meetings with people he felt could add experience and weight to the board and meet his vision of turning TiL into one of the most professional fans’ shareholder groups in the country. To that end, the board has 8 new members and Liam has ensured that the board meets regularly and at least once a month. In the time in between, the new board communicate with each other on an almost daily basis.
Held meetings with all other fans’ groups to see how they can best work together with the common aim of fully supporting LTFC to become one of the country’s top sports clubs both in the Football League and in the local community.
Met with planners, councils and MPs on the subject of the relocation of the home of Luton Town FC and to see what options are available to the Club.
Recognised the need to improve communication to all members and as a result has overhauled our database of members and set a date for the next AGM.
Identified the best way of keeping members updated regularly, which will be announced and started from the next AGM.
Met with the representatives from the Club’s board to understand the current financial situation, the situation regarding the FA investigation and the way forward to support the Club in its aspirations
Written to the Club to request information that, as a 10% shareholder, we are entitled to
Continued to pressure the club to honour promises made publicly to fans, both in meetings and the media
What are TiL doing to establish where the profits from transfers have gone?
As has been reported in the media, we, along with LLSC, have secured the commitment from Mr Mitchell, and latterly Mr Pinkney, to open up the accounts to us so that we can see for ourselves what has happened to the £13m+ that has been received from transfers over the past three years. We have also requested information from Mr Pinkney to which we have a statutory right as shareholders (see letters/updates posted on this site on 10 August, 31 August, 4 September and 21 September). Mr Mitchell has since reaffirmed to the Luton News that the Club will honour this promise shortly and so has Mr Pinkney in a telephone call to Liam Day. We are maintaining regular pressure to ensure this happens as soon as possible in order that we can reassure our members and fans. Hopefully, then the Club can move on concentrate on promotion to the Championship.
How is TiL funded?
TiL is funded purely by annual membership fees and donations. We are pleased to report that funds are healthy at the moment due to the number of members renewing and extra donations made by many people (who we give our many and sincere thanks to). However, for a Trust such as ourselves, there is never a time to be complacent and we can only do the best for our members, and talk with conviction of fans’ views, if we have a strong and large membership. To have our views taken seriously by any other company or body (such as Councils, MPs, Luton Town Football Club etc), it is vital that we speak for a large section of the fan base, including fans that may not be able to attend games or live outside the area.
Who is on the Board of TiL?
Patron - Joan Bartholomew
President - John Moore
The TiL Board:
Chair - Liam Day
Treasurer - Les Miller
Membership Secretary - Iain McGill
LTSC Rep - Mark Chapman
Board Members - Stephen Browne Phil Doherty Simon Gibbs Roger Holdstock
Martin King
Tony Murray Matt Phillips
Mark Stephenson
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