GTSSC AGM
(09/01/06)

GTSSC AGM took place at Firhill last night and although the hoped for signing news could not be released as yet the promotion were there to answer questions in the latter part of the meeting.

Bulleted lists of what I recall of the comments made last night are below, split into the supporters club section then the promotion section. Any inaccuracies are down to my memory!

GTSSC

• Membership had been around the same level as previous years but a vigorous recruitment drive was planned for this coming season
• Ann Coleman expressed disappointment at STARs, feeling they had encroached on the Supporters Club territory. They had held off their race night to allow STARs to run their launch event but felt that there had been no co-operation the other way.
• The meeting was reminded that the monies raised by the GTSSC goes to the promotion to help towards such things as the ambulance and sponsorship for riders. Glasgow were only able to secure George Stancl last year thanks to a donation from the supporters club.
• The dance at the end of the season made a £476 profit.
• A few of the committee stood down this year but the new committee was elected as follows: -

Chair Ann Coleman
Secretary Donna McDougal
Treasurer Glenn Marsland
Social Convenor Alan McFarlane
Travel Convenor Len Wright
Auditors Donald Forbes
Peter Colvin
Committee Members
Nan Ross
Donald Ross
Margaret McLaughlin
Adam Stokes

• The Dance may possibly be moved back over to the Jackie Husband stand as it was felt this seasons venue was too cramped
• Junior members will in future be informed of the dates of AGM's
• The club will be running a bus to the Open Meeting at Workington on 11th March
• The next GTSSC event is the race night at Burnside Bar in Rutherglen on the 3rd February, 7.00 for a 7.30 start
  
  Promotion
  
• Gave their thanks to GTSSC for their continued support
• Clarified that they asked Derek Smith to set up STARs and urged people to back both organisations as they were both for the benefit of Glasgow Speedway
• Some of the noise and environmental issues have now been resolved
  season tickets have been issued although some are still available as are a few car park passes
• The promotion are working hard to finish the team. They had hoped to be able to announce a rider at the meeting but the time was not yet right to do so although it is hoped there will be an announcement within 24 hours. No announcement would be made until everything was signed.
• It had been 'easy' dealing with Shane as he wanted to give something back to Glasgow.
• Start time again was confirmed as parade 3.45, tapes up 4pm
• The opening meeting of the season is on Sunday 26th March with Press and Practice one week earlier on Sunday 19th.
• Stewart will again be team manager
• As of tonight, NO ONE has approached Glasgow to ask about Ross Brady on loan.
• Glasgow are still keen to sell Brady to free up finances for possible future asset purchases.
• They hope to get a new sponsor along with Travel Inn for the new season in time for the new race jackets
• the date of the 60th anniversary meeting and dinner will not be known till after the fixtures are published so seem likely to be later on in the season than originally thought. The dinner is hoped to be in a city centre hotel the same night as the meeting and past riders should be involved.
• It is hoped to be at Mildenhall the day after the Cardiff GP
• When asked if Sean Wilson was a signing target, all names had been considered but Sean had not returned phone calls made.
• When quizzed on Danny Bird, sympathy was expressed for his plight. He was all geared up and ready for Elite League racing with Reading and there were a couple of EL clubs such as Arena Essex and Ipswich who could fit him in.
• On Frankow, again he is being considered but would come in at no 1
• On Trent, the promotion spoke warmly of him but if they managed to get a second big scorer regretted there would be no room for Trent. If they were going for two final middle order riders then Trent would almost certainly be one of them.
• The promotion acknowledged the need to promote more and have got a marketing company involved this season. Free tickets had been used in the past but unfortunately some regular fans had used them instead of paying. Last season they had approached Radio Clyde but the radio station felt speedway was 'not sexy enough'
• As far as they are aware, Ashfield has not as yet been sold although they are still on notice for July 2007. They would however ask for an extension if this happens to enable them to complete the 2007 season at Ashfield
• The search for a new site/venue continues but as yet nothing has been identified.