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Blog Post 7 Questions and Action

Introduction

The current situation at Hallam FC looks pretty bleak. In the middle of May we don’t know what Step we will be playing at next season, we don’t know whether we will have a competitive playing budget, we currently don’t have a manager or any coaching staff, and players have started leaving. And whilst all this happens we have near radio silence from the Chairman and Vice- Chairman – apart from the Chairman engaging in social media attacks on a particular fan. What a mess!

In this context the purposes of this blog are to seek answers to questions from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and to propose an action for fans to try to get organised and make their voiced heard.

Questions for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Ground Grading

  1. Turnstiles. We need to meet Grade 4 of the requirements. This means 2 turnstiles.  What is the plan for 2 turnstiles and will it be completed by the end of June deadline?
  2. Dressing Rooms. The work on the extension to the away dressing room has begun which is positive. What is the timescale for completion and will this be done in time for the 30 June deadline?
  3. Cricket Side. I understand that we have to re-instate a 10-metre section of the fencing that was put in place at the end of the 25/26 season. This is for re-inspection. What is the timescale for this and will it be completed in time for the 30 June deadline?
  4. Have the FA or NPL given any further instructions or advice on the above? Have they indicated any timetable for re-inspection?

Manager, Coaching Staff and Players

  1. Where are we with the recruitment of a new manager and coaching staff for 26/27 season? What’s the timetable to have them in place?
  2. Why have a number of players suddenly announced they will be leaving for pastures new? At the 1860 supporters meeting on 29 April Hugo and Leon emphasised the need for clarity for the future. Have there been any conversations with the playing group on what the future holds, if yes what was said?

Ambition for the Club

  1. What is your ambition for the club? What Step in the non-league system do you want us to play at? The conclusion I have drawn from events is that you would be content for the club to be at Step 5. Is that true?
  2. If you have an ambition for the club to operate at higher than Step 5 what is your strategy to achieve this? What club do you believe we can realistically emulate? Emley AFC comes to my mind, what comes to yours?
  3. I Have seen it reported that a senior member of the committee said to some fans during the summer open training session in 2025 “Well you lads have got what you wanted (promotion), but it will kill us.” Is that true?
  4. Following promotion did the Committee discuss the club operating at Step 4 financially? Were any difficulties anticipated? If yes, what was done and why wasn’t there an open conversation with fans? If no, why has the club struggled financially during the season leading to player wage cuts being implemented?
  5. At the 29 April meeting it was reported there will be 3 home pre-season friendlies and that the proceeds from these will pay-off the Directors Loans. How much is owed in Directors Loans? How much are these matches anticipated to raise? When will they take place?
  6. At the 29 April meeting it was reported that the club will be appointing a full-time employee. What role will this be and when will the person commence in role?
  7. At the 29 April meeting it was reported that 2 big sponsors were in the process of being signed up. Have those deals been completed?
  8. How many people are now left on the Committee? When will the AGM of the club take place? The rules say it should be by 30th June, or 28 days after this at the latest.

Action from Here

Fans are worried about the future of the club. The communication from the club amounts to radio silence. There is a need to engage with fans on the broad areas set out above. The club need to establish an urgent meeting open to fans to share the answers to the above questions.

The urgency of the situation demands the meeting needs to be in the next 10 days. If the club have not confirmed by Monday of next week (18th May) a date for the meeting, an independently organised fans meeting will be established to discuss and agree on actions fans can take in response to the current situation. Fans need to have some sense of influence on the immediate events at the club. If the club does not offer the opportunity to have that influence, fans will have to do it for themselves.

11th June Meeting on New Structure

The only recent positive has been that this meeting with FSA to discuss the options for a new structure for the club has been confirmed for 7pm om 11th June at St Columba’s Church in Crosspool.

We need to keep the longer-term issues of the structure etc separate from the immediate challenges the club faces. The new structure process presents a great opportunity for fans and the community to shape the long term future of the club. I encourage as many fans as possible to attend the meeting, read the information on the club web site, consider the presentation from FSA and make their voices heard.

Steve Walmsley

Constructive feedback can be sent to hallamblog1860@gmail.com or to @S10Countryman on X