Bobbie Goulding's enthusiasm inspired supporters at one of the Nest Egg's biggest turnouts yet. Supporters at Wednesday night's meeting heard Bobbie's views on - amongst other things - the forthcoming season, his squad, the importance of supporters and his unique rapport with referees!

As the Nest Egg sets out to increase membership in 2004, Bobbie's input looks to be the ideal catalyst for development of many aspects of the club.

Full details are below

Morning everyone. Despite the weather's best efforts, last night's Nest Egg meeting was, arguably, the most enjoyable and positive yet. A great turnout - including some new faces who we welcome aboard - was inspired and delighted by Bobby Goulding who took questions from the floor. Without doubt, his positive attitude and sheer enthusiasm is infefctious and augurs well for a good season - win, lose or draw (though, obviously, we'd rather have more of the former and less of the latter).

So thanks to Bobbie for coming along - this really does feel like an exciting new start for everyone. Thanks too to everyone who cocked a snook at the cold to make it such a good night.

And, as always, thanks to Rachel for the high-speed minutes

Agenda

Account Balance
Miscellaneous
Annual Subs
Questions to Bobbie Goulding

Nest Egg Balance

The current account balance stands at around £1,200 which is a good platform for the forthcoming season.

Craig Nagy was thanked for his donation of £270, which was the commission he made as a Saturday Yankee agent.

Miscellaneous

Jim informed everyone that he had received a letter of thanks for the Nest Egg donation which was sent to Rob Hall before Christmas. He donation was much appreciated by Rob and his family.

Jim had been working on some exclusive souvenir t-shirts for the Dynamo Moscow Challenge Cup game. These were ready and available to buy at the meeting for just £10 each. They proved to be very popular with the majority of the members. There are already several requests for mail order sales and, once these have been fulfilled, any spare shirts will be available at the Hunslet game on Sunday. It already looks like they might sell out!

Regarding raising the profile of the Nest Egg, Jim confirmed that Mark Reynolds has sorted out an exciting 'sponsorship' deal where the shirts worn by the bench staff (water carrier, physio, trainer etc) will that carry the Wording "Hornets Nest Egg - Onward Together" on the back. This will mean that the Nest Egg name will be seen on the pitch, which is great publicity.

A warm welcome was given to a long distance member of the Nest Egg. Aussie James Freund from the Sydney branch of the Hornets supporters club was our special guest. He was at the Oldham game and weather permitting, will be at the Hunslet game.

Payment of Subs

As the Nest Egg plans to become a Supporters Trust, there has to be a membership fee affordable to everyone. Hence, this year, the joining fee will be £5 and any amount above this will be considered a donation to the trust. As with last season, the Nest egg will be grateful for any donation, so please pay what ever you can afford.

Last season the Nest egg raised close to £8,000 - more than £6,500 of which was invested in Rochdale Hornets. It is hoped that we can achieve even more this season and several new members have also recently joined.

With regards to becoming a Trust, Jim has contacted Supporters Direct several times to get information but has had no response. Since new Year he has contacted them a couple more time without any luck. He has now e-mailed them with outlines of our plans and copies of our draft constitution and 'manifesto'. In his e-mail Jm has asked for the basic information on how the Nest Egg becomes a Trust. If a reply is received, it will be discussed at the next meeting. We hold our breath...

Bobbie Goulding

Bobbie had travelled over from Widnes for the meeting and happily took a wide range of questions from the floor. The members did seem a little awestruck, but once they'd warmed up, Bobbie was very enthusiastic in his responses and the mood in the room was really positive.

The main issues discussed were:-

Brian first thanked Bobbie for attending the meeting and showing his support to the Nest Egg. He asked what Bobbie had planned for the short term future whilst at Hornets.

Bobbie stated that his short term objectives were to have a good training session tonight and then get a win on Sunday at Hunslet. He has always wanted to get into coaching and the job at Hornets was a great opportunity. In the longer term, he would like Hornets to get to the semi-finals of the Arriva Trains competition and also progress to the next round of the Challenge Cup. Other than that, Bobbie is not getting carried away and is not looking beyond the first 6 weeks.

Ray then asked if there were anymore signings planned and also what the position is regarding Paul Owen.

Bobbie is quite happy with the forwards as the feels that hey are amongst the biggest and strongest in the National League. Bobbie also explained that he's got a great mix of youth, enthusiasm and experience in the side. We also have some very fast wingers and talented centres. Bobbie did state that he would like to bring in a couple more outside backs, just to add a bit more strength in depth, but on the whole he is pleased with the group of players we currently have.

With regards to Paul Owen, Bobbie wants him to play for Hornets as he is considered to be the best full back in the first division (yes, better even then Leigh's fast-fading wundrkinder Neil Turley), but he is currently waiting until Paul is fit again to discuss this further.

Still on the subject of players, Jim asked Bobbie who he thought stood out in the Oldham game and Peter asked how many players wre contracfed beyond the Arriva Trains Cup competition.

Bobbie thought that all the players performed well against Oldham and gave 110%. Lee Birdseye had an outstanding game and didn't miss a conversion. Local lad Sam Butterworth was impressive and Liam Williams showed some great pace. Paul Anderson played will in the captain's role and has been training hard.

Regarding player contracts, all players are contracted for the 2004 season - and these are to be re-negotiated at the end March but Bobbie reassured everyone that his team is here for the full season (with the exception in a couple of cases of a Super League offer).

Bobbie aims to have one of the fittest sides in the league and play attractive football. Everyone at the club has a point to prove and will be giving 110%. A high level of fitness training in the gym and concentration on defensive techniques will continue throughout the season . As Bobbie said: we've all got a point to prove and the players will be hungry for success.

Clive asked if Bobbie will be playing this season. On the same subject, another supporter raised the issue of Bobbies past reputation as a bit of a firebrand.

Bobbie will be playing this season, but it won't be in the Arriva Trains competition. He has to consult with his surgeon first, but hopes to be fit for the start of National League 1. After seeing the enthusiasm and commitment from the other players, he can't wait to be part of it.

Regarding his reputation, he says that this is all in the past now and we must look forward to the future. Bobbie said that he always tells his players to be disciplined and focused, so he has to take note of his own advice.

"Hopefully by the summer, the media talk will be about positive aspects of Hornets and not my past reputation." he said

Questions were then raised regarding attracting more support and if anything had been planned for the junior supporters.

Bobbie felt that as much publicity as possible is good for the club. "Children are the future," he said, "... so we need to target them" Junior games played at half time will bring children to Spotland and they would all generally bring a paying adult to watch. Some of these people would then come again and slowly, the attendances would increase.

Already Bobbie has been doing some development work at local schools and has given away some season tickets. Bobbie highlighted the possibility of a collaboration with local clubs such as Mayfield to encourage more kids to come.

Hornets' initiatives will also have coverage and advertising every week in the Observer's free paper, The Express which has a circulation of over 4000.

More questions regarding publicity and media interest then followed.

There has been a lot of media interest in Bobbie since his arrival at Hornets. He revealed that there are features on him in this weekend's Times, Guardian and the Sun. There is a 2 page spread in the Rugby League World magazine and there will be regular coverage in the Rochdale Express. He confirmed that he will be doing several radio interviews and that local TV news broadcasters will be doing a piece before the Moscow game.

The general feeling was that there was a positive "Buzz" around the club again and Bobbie had brought new ideas and enthusiasm. He assured supporters that the player will acknowledge the fans for their support after every game and he and the team are committed to mixing with supporters in the bar after every home game.

Bobbie will also be doing a pre-match stint n the bar before every home game - announcing the team and meeting supporters and sponsors.

On sponsorship, Bobbie announced that his colleague Martin Ball - who is busy exploring new sponsorship opportunities - has this week brought in sponsorship worth several thousand pounds. More positive news to bring the questions to a close.

On begalf of the Nest Egg Ray Myers thanked Bobbie for coming and giving us hope for the future.

Bobbie concluded that this has to be a new start, there is no point talking about last season - that is history. We should all look forward as the future is with the current players who will give 110% in each game.

It was agreed that If we all get behind the players, we can have a good year ahead.

Jim informed us that the new replica shirts should be in stock within about 6 weeks.

The coach for Hunslet on Sunday will be leaving the ground at 1.15 and the Town Hall at 1.30pm

So let's see you all there there for a sing and a big win!

Onward Hornets, Onward.

PS - The raffle raised £73!