Many thanks to Dan Fearnley for providing the following answers to my questions.
Are you a shareholder? Yes indeed I am. As the previous board member responsible for the community share scheme I couldn't really not be!
How do you think the PST and its Board can most effectively support and influence the future growth and development of Portsmouth Community Football Club? Quite a complex question and as you can see from my statement, I try and keep things brief. The number 1 priority will always be to ensure the football club remains sustainably run, this means that a rolling 3/5 year business plan should be managed by the Directors, with the PST rep's ensuring that it strikes a sensible balance between being competitive on the pitch versus long term sustainability. I firmly believe that we should trust the PST Club directors to act on our behalf, however there should be accountability. A set of accounts (may not include commercially sensitive details such as player wages, etc) should be published and each football club board member from PST should have to produce 6 monthly summary of progress - as any PLC or well run business should do. I am standing on a pledge to improve the family experience, but also raise new revenue - there will also be other new revenue opportunities that the PST can help steer and support to ensure the community ethos is at our heart.
As a PST Board member what would be your top priority for the next 12 months? Can I have more than one? 1) Getting to the dry land of cleared debt as fast as possible, 2) Remaining competitive on the pitch, after all if we don't do this our revenue will surely drop and 3) Improving family match day experience.
What role do you think borrowing should play in Pompey's long-term financial strategy? As part of a sustainable 3 year business plan it is perfectly fine. My preference is always to borrow for capital expenditure that can demonstrate a return on investment. This is not without risk, but is certainly a manageable. E.g. improved stadium. I would be against borrowing for buying players.
How would you like to see the Trust improve how it communicates with members and prospective members? I think more open meetings, maybe around the area is the best way. The reality is that unless you have someone working at least part time, communication will always have to fit in around other board members priorities such as family and work. I'm not convinced the social media, online communication is hitting the spot. I wouldn't suggest stopping it, but have more face to face events.
What do you think should be done to increase PST membership? I think we have to explore an "opt in" scheme at season ticket renewal.
How do you think the Club can, once it has paid off its debts, give something back to the local charities and firms let down so badly by previous regimes? If the business plan can support it, e.g. make sure we remain competitive in our core business aim...football...then I'd support it. However I wouldn't simply support this for a small bit of PR or if it affected the business plan. On the basis I don't think we are likely to be profitable for a long time, I think the most likely outcome is simply rebuild trust and ensure this never happens again.
Pompey have drawn local rivals at home in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. History tells us it will be a glorious 4-1 victory. Everybody on the PCFC database wants to be there. On what basis do you think PCFC should allocate tickets? Now you've got too much time Mr/Mrs Royal!! The only fair way is based upon the number of games attended in the last 2 or 3 seasons (as long as we have the data). You could argue that home games = 1 point and away 2 points.
How often do you think a community football club should be changing its kits? On a personal level I'd rather wear the same kit for 3 years.......however it comes back to our business plan. If a new kit each year makes a significant impact on the clubs finances then it would be very hard to change the policy. The challenge would be, what would the impact of a longer lifecycle of kits? If it is marginal, then extend the life.
Do you have any commercial relationships with PCFC or any of its sponsors? Nope.
Dan is one of 6 candidates competing for 5 places. Votes have to be cast by September 5th. More details about the election, including the election statements of each candidate, can be viewed at http://www.pompeytrust.com/pages/pst-election.
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