Spartans Trust 2025 AGM

Firstly, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that attended our opening AGM last Thursday. In a sense, getting to a stage where we’ve held our first ever AGM and officially been ratified as a Supporters’ Trust is a big achievement. In reality, it’s the culmination of 15 years of work put in by the likes of myself and many others as the Green Army. When taking a step back to look at everything we’ve accomplished over that time – all of us who have been involved at any stage in the Green Army should be immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved and accomplished over the years. To start off as a ‘band of kids behind the net’ to get where we are now is rather wild – and something one of us expected. Before we move on, I’d like to thank every single person who’s played a part in this journey so far, and I hope you’ll continue to support us going forward.

We now end this chapter as the Green Army and go forward as the Spartans Trust – looking to play a huge part in guiding Blyth Spartans AFC into the future and seeing it prosper, after witnessing it’s slow and painful decline across recent years. Together though, with the rest of the CIC – I’m confident that with an organised trust that gives us a strong voice, we’ll take this football club back to where it belongs in time.

Below you can find a brief summary of the outcome from the AGM, as well as some documented minutes, courtesy of Dan Hume. Information on Spartans Trust meetings/open meetings and minutes will be updated on the site across the next year, while also be emailed to members in advance of publication here. Below you can find confirmation of our first elected committee – all of whom will serve an initial one year term.

Before we go on, I’d like to firstly thank Ian, Anth and Dan Haldane for putting themself forward to begin with as they ‘initial working party’ alongside myself. Both Ian Herwick and Anth Seghini have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things Spartans, having served both the football club and the old supporters club for many years in various roles. They’ll be invaluable going forward, as will Dan Haldane – who’s been a great servant to the Green Army for 12 years or so now in many different roles.

I’m very pleased to also welcome on the rest of lads onto the committee – some of whom you’ll know rather well, some may be less well known – but equally important. To start with i’d like to welcome Mark Walker to the committee (known to many of you as Porky). The former landlord of The Masons Arms and former Spartans player (somehow) – Mark has a wealth of Spartans knowledge, and knows the club inside and out. We also have Craig Whiteman on board, who has been a Spartan for over 20 years and has a degree in law. Though it should be stressed, that Craig does not represent us in a legal capacity in anyway. Craig is also currently studying marketing, and comes on board with a lot of fresh and energetic ideas that will more than come in handy. I’d also like to welcome Martin Surtees onboard, who’s been a season ticket holder for 15 years. Martin has a wealth of experience in the corporate world, working for various councils at an executive level. His knowledge of governance and his experience with fundraising will certainly come in handy going forward.

I would also like to welcome aboard Chris Newell, who previously served as a member of the old Supporter’s Club in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Chris is another one who has a wealth of Spartans based knowledge, and is extremely passionate about the club. Finally, we have Rob Shanks. Mr Stoke Spartans – Rob previously served on the Supporter Club committee in the 2000’s and 2010’s. A hard worker who (like many of the above) has travelled home and away supporting the club up an down the country – Rob is another great addition to the committee.

Below is a brief breakdown of what was presented at the AGM, held on Thursday 31 July. The AGM was attended by Dan Rolls (DR), Dan Haldane (DH), Ian Hertwick (IH), Anth Seghini (AS), Martin Surtees (MS), Craig Whiteman (CW), Rob Shanks (RS), Chris Newell (CN). Gareth Cummings (GC) and Kev Miles (KM) also attended, representing the FSA.

• DR opened to the floor, thanking everyone for their attendance and presented a brief chairman’s report, summarising the last 12 months.
• DR and DH presented a brief financial report was also presented, summarising the last 12 months – with the main highlights of that being the rising cost of away travel. Some of this was due to fines for both damage and cleaning.
• KM then spoke to the audience, highlighting the importance of the trust going forward and how big of a role it will play in shaping the club’s future.
• The first phase of elections then followed, with DR, DH, IH and AS all being nominated unanimously to continue you on in their roles.
• CW, MS and MW who had all previously sent in written notice to stand for election read out their declarations of interest to join the committee, all being voted by being nominated and seconded by an audience member.
• CN and RS then nomiated themselves from the crowd and were both nominated and then seconded.
• A brief presentation was then given to the audience about ideas for future fundraising that the Trust would begin work on.
• The evening closed with a Q&A – with many of the questions on future fundraising ideas.

The meeting closed at 8:16pm.

In the coming days the website will be updated with the Articles of Association, along with other various other documents and future meeting schedules.

Thank you for taking the time to read the above and as ever, if you ever have any questions – please feel free to get in touch.