Ed has presented his view of the Trust Board's consideration of gambling sponsorship.
As is often the case, there is an alternative view. I was a Trust Board member between 2018 and 2019 and this is mine.
The Trust Board, at its meeting of 10th December 2018, discussed the issue of sponsorship from gambling companies at some length. This was after we were made aware that the Commercial Team had accepted an offer of such sponsorship, which in real terms, was relatively small and provided a logo being included on team shorts. The Trust Board were told that the gambling company approached the Commercial Team with their offer, rather than the other way around. I don't recall anyone informing the Trust Board that the Commercial Team were “super chuffed" about the deal. If this was the case, it was certainly different to my understanding of how the initial deal came about. Interestingly, at around this time, from memory, the players had received a presentation of the personal problems that were attached to gambling, as a learning/awareness session from an external organisation.
The Trust Board discussion included the dilemma that by refusing such sponsorship, we would potentially place ourselves at a financial disadvantage, compared to other Clubs, but recognised the problems that gambling presented to individuals, and as a community focused organisation, with a large number of young supporters, were concerned about the effects of promoting gambling. Our resolution at that meeting was to accept the sponsorship, but to inform the Club that our default position was to oppose gambling sponsorship and advertising as a general rule but that any specific related matters that are considered by the Club Board should be brought to the Trust Board for consideration. We were attempting to seek a balance, with the option that if a substantial deal was brought to the Club, we would consider the ramifications and effect. From the minutes, it appears that Ed did not attend this meeting.
At the April 2019 Trust Board, attended by Ed according to the Minutes, the Trust policy on gambling was again discussed and agreed no change to our policy outlined at the December 2018 meeting.
The Trust Board meeting of August 2019, again attended by Ed according to the Minutes, were informed that the Commercial Team had found an alternative sponsor to the gambling company, with no loss of income but maintaining an approach consistent with the Trust Board's view.
Just because lots of other Clubs and national football organisations accept gambling sponsorship, in my view, if doesn't make it right. Even though we're a relatively small Club, with little influence in the world of football politics, I was pleased that the Trust Board took a principled stand, with the caveat of reviewing any future decision that may have a material financial impact on the Club.
As is often the case, there is an alternative view. I was a Trust Board member between 2018 and 2019 and this is mine.
The Trust Board, at its meeting of 10th December 2018, discussed the issue of sponsorship from gambling companies at some length. This was after we were made aware that the Commercial Team had accepted an offer of such sponsorship, which in real terms, was relatively small and provided a logo being included on team shorts. The Trust Board were told that the gambling company approached the Commercial Team with their offer, rather than the other way around. I don't recall anyone informing the Trust Board that the Commercial Team were “super chuffed" about the deal. If this was the case, it was certainly different to my understanding of how the initial deal came about. Interestingly, at around this time, from memory, the players had received a presentation of the personal problems that were attached to gambling, as a learning/awareness session from an external organisation.
The Trust Board discussion included the dilemma that by refusing such sponsorship, we would potentially place ourselves at a financial disadvantage, compared to other Clubs, but recognised the problems that gambling presented to individuals, and as a community focused organisation, with a large number of young supporters, were concerned about the effects of promoting gambling. Our resolution at that meeting was to accept the sponsorship, but to inform the Club that our default position was to oppose gambling sponsorship and advertising as a general rule but that any specific related matters that are considered by the Club Board should be brought to the Trust Board for consideration. We were attempting to seek a balance, with the option that if a substantial deal was brought to the Club, we would consider the ramifications and effect. From the minutes, it appears that Ed did not attend this meeting.
At the April 2019 Trust Board, attended by Ed according to the Minutes, the Trust policy on gambling was again discussed and agreed no change to our policy outlined at the December 2018 meeting.
The Trust Board meeting of August 2019, again attended by Ed according to the Minutes, were informed that the Commercial Team had found an alternative sponsor to the gambling company, with no loss of income but maintaining an approach consistent with the Trust Board's view.
Just because lots of other Clubs and national football organisations accept gambling sponsorship, in my view, if doesn't make it right. Even though we're a relatively small Club, with little influence in the world of football politics, I was pleased that the Trust Board took a principled stand, with the caveat of reviewing any future decision that may have a material financial impact on the Club.