The session with the manager, hosted by Tam Cowan, filled the first half of the evening and was followed with a club and society panel that examined progress toward fan ownership.
Mark started with an explanation of the circumstances that ended his first spell at the club. He was frank in admitting that we were paying him more than the club could afford and that it was in the club’s best interest that he leave. He then confirmed that his present salary matched our current ability to pay. He did not apply for the job this time around but was delighted to accept the approach.
His recent trip to Barbados, including golf shoes but no swimming trunks, gave him an understanding of the long term plan that aims to build the foundations of long term success.
There was lots of technical talk of team formations and tactics but the idea that he repeated was one picked up from his experience with the Scotland squad. “Take a touch”. He felt that the players were wasteful of first touch passes and that they should ensure that the ball was under control before it was moved on. When we had established safe possession it was then time to move forward.
The expectation was that some wheeling and dealing would be needed if there were to be any change to the playing squad in the January window.
He was pleasantly surprised by the quality of players he inherited and felt confident that they would keep us in the division. His objective is to improve from game to game.
The second half of the evening was taken up with financial issues. Jim McMahon explained in some detail the evolution of the contractual arrangements that bind Les Hutchison, the club and the society. The upshot is that the society has fulfilled its obligations in respect payments and is now building a reserve to enable it to run the club when ownership transfers. Current society income is running close to £9,000 a month and as more sign up with direct debits that will increase. There was a suggestion that the society should publish regular updates about income and membership growth.
The club is expected to clear the Hutchison loan with the society acting as guarantor. The club’s current position was described as sound although last season’s misadventure that ended with us in 11th place will result in a loss of approximately £1 million.
The need for our youth and scouting enterprises to produce a supply of saleable players is clear.
Alan Burrows summed up the evening and offered a vote of thanks to the panel.
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