Letter from the Brentford FC boardroom, 30th June 2006
Dear Supporters,
I was delighted to be able to represent both Bees United and the Club at Supporters Direct/ntl:Telewest screening of England v Sweden World Cup match. One of the people I met at the event was Richard Caborn, the Sports Minister. He is a passionate Sheffield United supporter and was naturally very excited about his team’s forthcoming season in the Premiership. He was optimistic that it was not going to be just the one season! He is also very passionate about the role supporters’ trusts had to play in the running of football, not just here in the UK but across the whole of Europe. He is currently working with his opposite numbers in governments across Europe to improve the governance of the game and was very pleased with the progress made to date, particularly in trying to make football more financially sustainable. Something I explained to him we knew a lot about at Brentford! It was a very enjoyable and useful evening, particularly being able to ‘compare notes’ with other trusts.
Work is continuing at the Club to improve advanced ticket sales at the Club. It is planned to enable the Internet ordering capability on the ticketing system and we will be looking for volunteers to test the system. So when the request comes please be prepared to help!
The budget for the approaching season has been finalised and has just been published on the Official Site. I not aware of any Premiership or League Club that has done this and shows both the Club’s and Trust’s commitment to transparency. Undoubtedly by publishing this detail the Board have opened themselves for more scrutiny than they, or any other club for that matter, have in the past. I think as a supporters owned Club this is right and proper. It is also essential that you understand the precarious financial position the Club is in and the difficult decisions the Board have to face. You have the opportunity to question the Club Board on the budget, and any other topic that is important to you about the running of the Club, at the Fans’ Forum on 10 July at Griffin Park. Please do come along and ask any questions you may have.
We are also planning to hold a separate event to give you the chance to meet Leroy Rosenior and some of his staff and players. This will take place sometime between 10 July and the start of the season. Do keep an eye on the official site for details.
Let’s work together!
Jon Gosling
Comments can either be sent to me on or directly via comments page.
30th June 2006