REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS
This was the first accounting period for Wednesdayite Limited which took over the operations of the supporters trust for season 2014/2015 onwards.
Despite a reduction in the number of directors we managed a season where we broke records for both the car park and coaches.
The car park had 314 season permit holders using the car park as well as 4,690 cash paying cars over 24 games, generating income of £23,169 being more than double that achieved in 2012/13 of £11,391 when Mr David Barlow was responsible for its takings. The car park's landlord (Tesco Plc) sold its interest in the land to a Property Developer in January 2015, having previously negotiated a peppercorn lease with Tesco, the new owners served us the required 3 months' notice to terminate the lease, after negotiations they agreed for the lease to continue to run until the end of the season.
The away coach operation went from strength to strength, thanks to the efforts of Jeff Williams. We continued our excellent relationship with Wilfreda Beehive and chartered 35 coaches to all 26 away games in the season carrying 1,676 passengers. Producing gross income of just short of £30,000.
Membership was slightly down on 2012/13 at 652 members, the membership pack was well received and many members commented that it was the best pack ever. (until they got the 2015/16 pack).
We continued to operate our, free to members, match day lounge at Niagara , giving members and their guests somewhere to meet with fellow Wednesdayites pre-match.
Peter Shaw managed to organise two Hirsty Bar's in the season, attracting 264 attendees, with net proceeds going to the Community Programme.
We continued our support of Steve Adams who operates our Primary school coaching scheme, Steve visited six different primary schools giving them over 200 hours of free in school time sports coaching to around 1,700 children.
Donations in the year totalled £11,719 with £5,500 going to Sheffield Wednesday Ladies Football Club £1,743 going to the academy at SWFC and £1,377 going to the SWFC community programme,
We also continued our sponsorship of Rhys McCabe for 2014/15.
We continued to fund match tickets via our smile ticket scheme , our spend this season was £1,730 helping over 100 people to attend a match.
Overall we generated a surplus of £24,000, however in order to secure the car park for 2015/16 we agreed to pay a rent of £20,000 in advance for the season, so until the season permits went on sale for 2015/16 we had minimal operating cash.
THE FUTURE
2015/16 has seen the car park continue to be as busy as 2014/15 despite us having to increase the prices because of the rent increase, we consulted with the car park users on the prices for the season and set prices based on their feedback. The car park has also been used for a circus and a film crew this year generating an additional £1,000 for the company.
It is anticipated that this will be our last season operating the car park as the new owners have development plans.
The coach service has continued to prove increasingly popular with our fantastic away following, with four away games and hopefully ply off games we have already exceeded our passenger numbers for previous years, with 1,946 passengers being carried on 38 coaches to our 22 away games so far this season.
The lounge has opened for every league and cup game this season, thanks to the support of Nigel and Dan Short in looking after this.
We continue to rely on a very small team of directors and volunteers in keeping the organisation going.
If you can help us and fellow fans by giving your time please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating your full name and contact details, or speak to Paul or Jeff on the car park on any matchday.
We intend to have a members meeting before the end of the season and will let members know the date and time in due course.
