Of the previous board, it seemed the majority were not present and had given their apologies. Chris Kelly, however did make the meeting and watched from the back. The 'panel' at the front was five strong, each of whom spoke in turn. Brian Newman in his role of secretary reported that membership levels were similar to last year, though many had left, and were replaced by new members. Tim Wells reported an overall profit of 161.25 on the coaches, which ranged from a loss of 309 from the Hednesford game to a profit of 215 for the Leyton Orient game. This represents good business ensuring the facilitation of inexpensive travel to away matches. He also announced that travle prices would have to rise. A point was raised that perhaps journies should incorporate pub stops rather than service station stops...

The treasurer announced that, despite the obligatory donation to the club from the club shop, the SC had made 503, which was added to the balance to give 4,783 in the bank. A point that would later be raised.

The election of the new committee was a very simple and quick process. The new committee is as follows:

Some eyebrows were raised at Colin Deadman's appointment as chair having not sat on the committe previously, but the position did need filling, and no-one else stod for the position. He is a keen supporter of the K's and has publicly disagreed with many of Chirs Kelly's decision before.

A proposal was put forward by Mark Murphy that a portion (up to 3000) of the SC's bank balance should be given as a donation to the club, which "could do with a bob or two" else it would remain dead money. He pointed out that the SC should not be about making money and that it should support the club whenever possible. This was greeted somewhat contensiously. The Doc was one of many who wanted to know just how it would be spent, and suggested that improving the ladies' toilets was one such way. Other ideas included making the car park larger and suplementing OAP season ticket, or day ticket entry. Gavin Hall a.k.a. Monty raised some good points that it might be unwise to spend money on the toilets when redevelopment is imminent, and that perhaps it should be spent on subsidising coach travel in the light of the warning of price increases. In his right to reply Mark Murphy pointed out that the motion was to allow the democratcially elected dommitte to make that decision and that it was specifically unspecific in terms of the precise amount and where it would be spent. After this the motion was passed by 43 votes to 11. Significantly, Colin Deadman, the new chair, voted against the motion. Mark noted that many of the points that were raised were perfectly valid but not appropriate here.

After this came a speech from new committe member Peter Borrett who, together with John Edwards, would like to create a database of people "who care about the club". Apparently, "the people who care aren't the 500 or so regulars who go to the games" but instead are those with other interests such as being parents of those playing in the youth team, or being an ex-tea lady. The man who "couldn't make the Trophy final" went on to say that this list should be of about 1000 names, and these people could then receive a newsletter, rather than having information from the usual routes. He did not suggest how to pay for this newsletter or its posting costs. He also proposed to set up Kilroy-esque discussion groups to debate matters so that the right answers are given at the right time. This would avoid "the embarressment" of Eagle's question at the naming of the new sponsor about Trophy Final publicity. Peter Borrett seems to have some good "new management style" ideas, but whether or not they are practical is a matter for the board to discover.

There were many other interesting, significant, or amusing points. The Four SC members who passed away this year were remembered. Gary Spickett was thanked for his sterling work for the SC over seven years, and Mark Osborne was also thanked as he stood down from his previous vice chair position. K's Web was mentioned and thanked by Mark Murphy and The Doc amongst others and the existence of this site will be raised at future meetings with respect to publicity, sharing information and the like. Lawrence Cooley made no friends at this meeting. After the faux-pas of saying "we've won the conference" he had petty public squables with a pensioner about the price rises, which made even the 15 year olds there wish he would be a bit more mature, and looked for praise for carpeting Geoff Chapple's office when suggestions were that the board aren't really doing enough. The fact that other supporters do just as much as they can was then raised and applauded. Mark Murphy described the board as being "very hard to communicate with" answering a question as to why the SC and the club don't work together more often.

All in all, the meeting lasted just over 90 minutes. We all know a better way to spend 90 minutes at Kingsmeadow, but this had to be done, and it was done so well. The new SC board will deliver, and with friend of K's Web Simon Murray on the committe we can expect to know more of what's going on and how this site can help.

Rushden And Diamonds 3/1
Kettering 7/1
Scarborough 8/1
Doncaster 9/1
Yeovil 10/1
Woking 10/1
Stevenage 10/1
Kingstonian 14/1
Hayes 14/1
Hereford 16/1
Kidderminster 20/1
Northwich 25/1
Hednesford 25/1
Dover 25/1
Nuneaton 28/1
Forest Green 33/1
Altrincham 33/1
Sutton Utd 40/1
Morecambe 40/1
Telford 50/1
Southport 50/1
Welling 66/1

Marble = Jon Tolley tel: 0181 391 1621
Eagle = Gary Ekins tel: 0181 397 8481

The Inland revenue is investigating Kingstonian over a financial technicality which could land the club with a one off tax bill of 665,000.

The club's taxation officers are in discussion with the Inland revenue about a Capital Gains Tax Liability from the sale of their old Richmond Road (RIP) ground in 1989.

The sum - ?665,279 was "rolled over" into the purchase of the new Kingsmeadow ground in 1989.

But, according to the auditors, the transition of the club into a limited company in 1996 may have given rise to a situation where the capital gains liability would crystallise. In other words, the bill must be paid.

This, of course, is added to the operating losses fo 226,000 in the 12 months to July 1998. Kelly said the figures were "alarming but not unexpected" (so he expects alarming figures ??) and pointed out the good aspects of life at K's at present, urging fans to buy shares, asking "What can I do for the club?" rather than "What can the club do for me?". Two issues arise from this. Firstly, does the entire board share the former attitude, and secondly, what should fans who have been bitterly opposed to the issuing of shares do to continue actively supporting the club?