Hartlepool United FC and The Hart Of Our Club 1908
Memorandum of Understanding – 2020
Parties
The parties to this Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) are:
- The Hart Of Our Club 1908 is a community Interest Company registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with registration number 13002117 and whose registered address is 61 Bridge Street, Kington, HR5 3DJ.
- Hartlepool United Football Club Ltd (also known as Hartlepool United), company number 00098191, Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ (“the Club”).
1 Background
1.1) The Club is a professional football club which is currently a member of the English National League (the “NL”) and is affiliated to the Football Association (the “FA”).
1.2) The HOOC1908 is a community interest company with a primary mission to help support the club with controlled donations and help strengthen HUFC’s standing in the community. Its members are fans of the Club.
1.3) As part of the Government Expert Working Group on Football Supporter Ownership and Engagement from the start of the 2016/17 season it has been a requirement for all EPL and EFL clubs to meet structured dialogue commitments and while this is not yet a requirement within the National League best practise allows for that commitment to be made between the Club and its fans.
1.4) The minimum level of commitment is for senior representatives of the Club (owners, directors, senior executive management) to meet with a representative group of supporters, a minimum of two times a year.
1.5) The matters for discussion will often be of a strategic nature and may relate to the management and day to day running of the club.
1.6) Where meetings are not open to all supporters wishing to attend, the supporter representatives must be elected, selected or invited in line with basic democratic principles; and individuals cannot be excluded by the Club without good reason (the Club acting reasonably).
This is not a legally binding document or contract, but it is a statement of the principles that The HOOC1908 and the Club subscribe to, to create an effective, mutually beneficial, structured communication channel.
2 The HOOC1908 and Club will meet these commitments in the following ways.
2.1 The HOOC1908 will:
2.1.1) Be properly incorporated and constituted with a democratic ‘one member one vote’ governance structure, filing annual returns with the FCA, and offering an open and affordable membership to any supporter of the Club.
2.1.2) Consult with its membership regularly on issues of importance particularly ahead of structured dialogue meetings with the Club.
2.1.3) Discuss and agree with its members specific projects and initiatives which it will put forward to HUFC at these meetings. These will be organised and funded by donations from The HOOC1908 members.
2.1.4) Liaise with other supporters’ groups and stakeholders on suitable topics for discussion ahead of structured dialogue meetings, respecting other existing communication and supporter dialogue structures that exist between supporters’ groups and the Club.
2.1.5) Send suitable people to meetings with other groups and HUFC to clearly convey the views, opinions, and ideas of its membership.
2.1.5) Take accurate notes of the matters discussed at each meeting (save where the Club asks The HOOC1908 not to record any confidential or sensitive matters) for publication by the Club and The HOOC1908.
2.1.6) Commit to meeting the Club on a minimum of a bimonthly basis as part of the structured dialogue commitments. In addition, regular ad hoc dialogue will take place on a needs must basis.
2.1.7) Commit to proactively assist with the running of the club on a volunteer basis.
2.1.8) The HOOC1908 will commit to working with HUFC to not only improve the matchday experience for the club’s fans but also help to consolidate and improve further HUFC’s standing in the community.
2.2 The Club will:
2.2.1) Commit to meeting the HOOC1908 representatives on a minimum of a bimonthly basis as part of the structured dialogue commitments.
2.2.2) Provide a suitable level of information split into appropriate categories and with a level of detail that builds trust and understanding of how the club is being run but equally this will be within the boundaries of confidentiality.
2.2.3) Use the structured dialogue format to consult about significant decisions including but not limited to; any permanent ground move, change of club badge, change from blue and white as the home colours, change of use of the ground.
2.2.4) Use the structured dialogue meetings to discuss wider league/national consultation that will affect the club and its supporters.
2.2.5) Take the opportunity to discuss any meaningful potential ownership changes including future opportunity for supporters to invest in the Club.
2.2.6) Not exclude individuals without good reason.
2.2.7) Send suitable senior club representatives to structured dialogue meetings who have the appropriate knowledge of the club and decision-making authority.
3 Both parties will:
3.1) Agree agenda items in a timely manner, circulating supporting information to be read ahead of the meeting where necessary.
3.2) Ensure that all structured dialogue meetings are properly recorded, and minutes agreed by both parties are published in a timely coordinated manner.
3.3) Respect that some items may be sensitive and deemed confidential, and therefore cannot be reported.
3.4) Ensure meetings are ‘structured’ so that any topics that either party wants to discuss can be done so in an appropriate and respectful environment.
3.5) Promote and educate supporters on the various methods of engagement and their primary purpose.
Each party hereby confirms its agreement to the terms contained in this memorandum of understanding.
Signed on behalf of The HOOC1908:
Name:
Position:
Date:
Signed on behalf of the Club:
Name:
Position:
Date: