It has been a while since our last update "from the boardroom" but we thought supporters would appreciate a little insight during these uncertain times.
We find ourselves in the middle of an extremely busy and important period both on and off the pitch right now. The team has been pounding the motorway network of late with lengthy coach journeys to the South West, North East and then the North West of the country, all in the space of just eight days! And it's been a busy week in the Board Room too as we digest the information received from the National League and carefully deliberate on Sutton United's response to the Resolution put before the League's member clubs on Monday evening.
All clubs have been invited to express their preference in respect of the continuation of the current season following the latest announcements by the DCMS and Sport England regarding how National League clubs may need to manage their finances in the continued absence of crowds being allowed into stadiums to watch matches because of COVID-19. There are a number of factors which need careful consideration in this regard and a lot of information to digest. You may also have noted that the National League is urging its member clubs and their fans to add their names to a petition exhorting the Government to reverse the decision to award loans instead of grants. Click HERE to add your support for this petition. We shall obviously keep our supporters updated with all developments as they unfold as this hugely important decision is made by all National League clubs in the coming days and weeks.
In the meantime, a huge thank you to all our wonderful fans for their ongoing support. Whether it's through buying a season ticket, the terrific contribution to the United We Stand 2020 scheme, the purchase of live stream passes to watch matches at home, or participation in any one of a number of other initiatives like Strikers are Key or the Shirt Auction which have helped the club at this difficult time, our supporters continue to demonstrate what a special community Football Club this is and how we really are all “in it together” in this time of need.
We also want to put on record our grateful thanks to all our shareholders for their continued fabulous support, firstly by overwhelmingly backing the Resolution put forward by the club to double the authorised share capital, which has enabled us to bring additional investment to the club, and then to those people who chose to take up their option to buy further shares in the company. The share initiative has also enabled us to welcome some new supporters to the club, including Kenneth Bethune, residing some distance from Gander Green Lane, who now proudly dons the amber and chocolate whilst live streaming matches with his friends in his gin distillery tasting rooms in Beeville, Texas! With U's fans dotted all around the world and indeed shareholders living in Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Spain, The Netherlands, USA, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong, it's fair to say that Sutton United's global impact is gathering pace!
In other news, Christian Fassetta announced just before Christmas that he planned to stand down from his Boardroom responsibilities for personal reasons. We thank Christian very much for his valued contribution over the past three years.
The next few days and weeks are sure to be just as hectic - we'll provide another update just as soon as we can.