1. Chairman's Report

Al M thanked everyone for attending. He thanked the hard working committee for ensuring the smooth running of the club. On behalf of LOBFC he thanked Jeremy Taylor for his support and efforts during his 4 year term as our president. JT brought together a link between the Old Boys club and each sporting side as well as increasing the number of members contributing through the direct debit scheme. His successor is John Hastings who was welcomed into the committee and who the club look forward to working with over the next few years.

For all their hard work, he thanked Pieter Heyn (Hon Sec.), Adam Pierce (Hon Fixt Sec), Alex Harari (Hon Treas) in the senior positions in the club as well as Ben Copithorne (Newsletter), Matt Gibson (Web), Nige Bennett, Guy Bransby and Justin Davis. Special mention went to Simon Kelsey who has delivered three excellent dinners in three years and next year is to be replaced by Ben Walls.

Both sides performances were discussed. The 1’s finishing a creditable third in the premier division and the 2’s winning division three. Preparation before the season was the key to the 1’s early successes but maintaining proved difficult. Lee Taylor will captain the 1’s in Dave Gurneys absence with the help of Adam, Ben and James Butcher. Al M and Phil W will captain the 2’s for one further season.

Player registration was discussed. This is a new rule that the Arthurian League has brought in and each player needs to be registered, providing name, address and date of birth.

* V.IMPORTANT * - The Arthurian League have also tightened up the process of cryoffs for anything other than pitch problems.

1st X1 – should they cry off later than Tuesday lunchtime, three points will be deducted automatically and the game will be replayed.

2nd X1 – If they cry off twice in a season after Tuesday lunchtime then 3 points will be deducted and the games replayed.

These new rules are harsh but if the club is organised early there will be no problem. It will be compulsory for each player to use the player registration facility on the website, to make things easier for the captains and to know well in advance if there is to be a problem with a fixture.

2. Hon Secretary's Report

PH listed all offenders who have received yellow and red cards and confirmed that the club have reached stage three in the disciplinary stages. He confirmed that the 1’s had been entered into the AFA senior and the 2’s entered into the AFA intermediate. The club will also enter a 5 aside team for the first time in the Jim Dixson memorial cup at Chigwell on Sunday 7 September.

3. Hon Treasurer's Report

Club accounts were distributed and discussed. The accounts confirmed the importance of the collection of subscriptions and match fees from each player.

Al H was was pleased to confirm that all outstanding debtors had paid up to the start of season 2002-2003. However there is an alarming amount of money still owed to the club for the past season.

Match fees – Ben Evans £100

Discipline – Tim Kemp £10 (yellow), Ali Lindsay £20 (red).

Dinner – All £40:

4. New Ground

The club is urgently looking for facilities for next season. Various grounds have been discussed and each individual to follow up. Decision needed asap.

Al M - Cobham
Fetcham
Harlington
Civil Service SG
Bank of England
Wandsworth Borough

Guy B - Brunel Uni
Maori Ground (Tolworth)

Ben Ev - Kingston Uni (Tolworth)
Robin Hood R’bout grounds

5. Training

Training officially starts at Battersea Park on Wednesday 3 September 2003 at 8pm. For the first few weeks, the two bridges run will take place meeting at 7.20pm at the gates of the astro turf.

Charlie Martin is organising Clapham common training every week upto 3 September. With the need for additional fitness, sprint training, Wandle and Latchmere were discussed but the thoughts were to include more LOBFC players with Monday night football team ‘ the letters’. Tim Kemp to discuss with brother Marcus.

6. Subscriptions and Match Fees

It was agreed that subscriptions would remain at £60 and £30 student with a first year grace for new players.

Match fees will remain at £10 for both home and away fixtures. Substitutes pay £5. Contributions towards petrol for long distance matches will be at captain’s discretion.

7. Dinner

This years dinner will be organised by Ben Walls and Nick Evans and will take place on Friday 19 March 2004 at the SAS Radisson Hotel, Portman Square, London W1 at 7pm. Invites to go out in January.

8. Pre-Season Friendlies

9. Recruitment.

List of 2003 school leavers to be sent to Al M who will then send each player a letter of introduction to LOBFC.

January 2004 fixture to be arranged against the school 1stX1. A meeting at the college could be set up on a Wednesday afternoon to meet the leavers prior to their exams.

More University leavers to be contacted. Al M to arrange for James Butcher to enter Friends reunited website.

10. Positions in club for 2003/4

President - John Hastings
Chairman - Al Mercer
Hon Sec - Pieter Heyn
Hon Fix Sec - Adam Pierce
Hon Treas - Al Harari
1stX1 Capt - Dave Gurney/ Lee Taylor
2nd X1 Capt – Phil White/ Al Mercer
Dinner - Ben Walls
Newletter - Ben Copithorne

Committee members – Guy Bransby, Nige Bennett, Justin Davis, Tim Kemp.

11. Tour to Ireland 2003

Thanks to Simon Brown for organising. The most favourable weekend is Thurs 28 – Sun 31 Aug. Three games can be organised once Simon has confirmed numbers. Accommodation wise, the lads preferred the B&B option to the youth hotel.

At the moment there are 9 confirmed: S Brown, A Pierce, J Davis, J Butcher, L Taylor, B Cullen, L Hannam, O Bailey, G Bransby

Awaiting confirmation 6: P Alcock, P Gouldstone, D Gurney, A Doddesworth, T Maberley, P White.

Once we have confirmed numbers a decision can be made.

12. Any other Business:

Newsletter – to go out in October. Reports needed from Chairman, 1st X1 & 2nd X1 captains, Dunn Draw, Dinner date and last seasons league table.

ARTHUR DUNN CUP DRAW – 1st round LOBFC V Wellingbrough (h) . The tie to be played on or before 6 December 2003.

The meeting finished at 7.45pm.