THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

I have been on the Trust board since 2005, and my current role as Membership Secretary entails looking after and updating our database of Trust members’ details, processing new and renewed memberships and reactivating lapsed ones.

Membership costs a minimum of just £1 per year, although larger donations are always welcomed. This can be renewed each season at the Trust hut, or, alternatively, members can choose to donate to us by standing order of a minimum of £5 per month. Brand new members must fill out a membership form, but if you are renewing your membership or have previously been a member of the Trust at any time since its inception, just bring your membership card (if you have one) to the Trust hut.

On home matchdays, before the game and at half time, I can usually be found in at the Trust hut to deal with anything to do with membership. Additionally, this is the place to go for details of prices and departure times for away travel, which the Trust runs to the vast majority of Fleet away games. Generally, this will be in the form of one or two minibuses, although a coach will run if there is sufficient interest. Prices depend on numbers travelling - naturally, with the Trust’s away travel being a non-profit-making endeavour, the more that travel, the lower the cost - but will very rarely exceed £20 return per trip, and for our shorter journeys will often be lower.

Travel departs from outside Stonebridge Road, and - aside from a service station stop each way and the obligatory (availability of chippies permitting) post-match meal on the longer trips - is direct to and from the away venue in question. Having travelled to all kinds of far-flung places over the last few seasons, I can heartily recommend it - particularly to those who enjoy scholarly lectures and (on special occasions) poetry readings, delivered by my esteemed colleague Mr Pilkinton; and those who have a penchant for spotting particular landmarks, such as churches, when on their travels, and enjoy competing against others in said pastime...

An additional note: while stocks last, we are currently giving away free commemorative 2007/2008 FA Trophy final mugs to both brand new members, our members with rolling membership by monthly standing order, and those who renew their membership for the current season. Again, just ask at the Trust hut.