Regular Bulletin from the DAFC Board

DAFC's Board of Directors reflect on the past year

The SPL Chapter closes

Another season has drawn to a close and it is naturally disappointing for everyone at the Club, that we did not quite make the grade. As much as you want to compete against the best in life, a number of well documented factors seemed to conspire against us in the SPL such as the Kilmarnock home game, the Rangers ticket money and more generally kick off times, injuries and a disappointing run of results at East End Park. Ultimately, these latter aspects impacted on our home attendance's, however, the Board would like to take this opportunity to pass on our sincere thanks to the core support of the Club for their loyalty, backing and financial contribution during these difficult times. It is greatly appreciated by everyone at the Club and emphasises again the community spirit we have at DAFC. The support at the recent Inverness and Hibernian games was fantastic under the circumstances, as well as being colourful, musical and noisy! We must pay credit to the younger fans in particular who organised themselves with such great spirits, to create a real spectacle at the last few games.

The new season in Division One will bring its own challenges but we can approach it with great optimism with a very experienced manager at the helm, and a reshaped playing pool. Jim Jefferies has outlined already with his first signing, the type of player he is working hard to attract to East End Park. The fuller extent of the revised playing squad for 2012-13 (re-signed and existing players) will take shape over the next few weeks, but Jim has already demonstrated in a short period of time he is a straight talking, capable and canny manager. We know what happened the last time we went down to the SPL - so it may be that looking at a younger squad could be the way forward. The budget for the new season has been finalised, and whilst this will reduce from last season, we anticipate it will still allow us to be very competitive. Unfortunately, there will be cuts across a number of areas but it is important for fans to be aware, that a number of existing players under contract for next year will receive a reduced level of income commensurate with playing in a lower division. This was agreed at the start of last season, to prevent us carrying an SPL wage bill in Division One should we not retain our status, as this had caused the Club difficulties in the past. We have 7 players currently under contract for next season in the first team squad, and we will probably be looking to increase this to approximately 22 depending on wage terms, in addition to a group of players who will also be able to appear in the new Under 20 League, which comes into play next season.

In many respects, leaving the SPL behind at the current time with the uncertainties that exist, may not be a bad thing, and provide us with an opportunity to regroup and come back stronger. As many people have already remarked Division One next year looks to be very exciting with so many teams in close proximity, which includes the derbies against Raith Rovers, Falkirk, Cowdenbeath and Dundee!

When everyone at the Club is pulling together on and off the pitch, DAFC is a force to be reckoned with in Division One, and the Board are aware that supporters would like more regular communication, hence the reason we continue to publish our Bulletin on a quarterly basis. Supporters should be reassured that the Board are supporters too, and have the interests of the Club at heart. Safe standing is another matter we would be keen to progress, as we know a number of supporters would prefer to stand, but at the current time it is too costly an exercise to contemplate. As highlighted above, the younger fans have been very proactive and we would encourage anyone else with ideas on how to enhance the match day experience or atmosphere to contact the Club at enquiries@dafc.co.uk As we know from past experience, other teams in Division one will be lifted just by visiting East End Park, so our own supporters can really be the 12th man next season.

We continue to invest in our youth development, which for a Club like DAFC has to be the way ahead. Stephen Wright and his Team have taken real strides this year in further enhancing our system, as well as the identification and development of some promising talent. We all share the same hope of seeing a few of our younger players making a real contribution to the First Team, both next season and in many that follow.

Our historical debt situation, unlike other Club's is well structured, which avoids any bank interference but as we previously reported, like all other Club's our cash flow, in such difficult times, continues to be challenging. We have implemented a further cost reduction programme since the Autumn in terms of staff costs, utilities, policing and stewarding and continue to be well supported by the directors personally. Relegation will inevitably bring changes, which we have identified within our revised budget, however the close season when we have no gate receipts but many of the same outlays, is one of the most difficult times of the year. In addition, our "parachute payment" from the SPL is not actually received until August!

This is where the fans can greatly assist the Club by purchasing Season Tickets for the new season. We have recently announced our Early Bird Discount terms and benefits, and the price of a Season ticket will remain the same as it was in 2010-11. The Board hope that this offer will be attractive to our fans, and encourage as many as possible to take advantage on or before 2 June 2012. Not only are season ticket renewals important for all Football Club's in terms of cash flow over the summer months, but allow the Club to invest in the playing squad, in advance of the new season. In addition, we are offering further discounts to Season Ticket Holders if they can encourage another fan to purchase one before the new season.

Everyone at the Club continues to work tirelessly behind the scenes, despite not having massive resource and the Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff and Club volunteers for their persistence and enthusiasm. The close season is a busy time in terms of commercial activities to maximise sponsorship and marketing opportunities, which is particularly challenging at this time and as previously highlighted many aspects of this will continue to be branded under "The Pars Need You" initiative to raise awareness. On this note, the Board would also like to thank the support of its many sponsors this season who contribute in so many ways from pitch side or match programme advertising to corporate hospitality. As previously expressed, we would like to pay special mention to the Purvis Group, who will be our shirt sponsor for the eighth consecutive season next season, and their support is invaluable in so many ways.

Finally, last close season, we spent a considerable sum of money on East End Park to meet the revised SPL requirements, which will not be required this year, but the pitch itself does requires ongoing maintenance particularly the area in front of the Main Stand. We continue to invest in our community and training facilities at Pitreavie. The three 5 a side pitches have recently been resurfaced and a funding application is being reviewed by Sport Scotland for the new full sized 3G artificial pitch at Pitreavie, which will benefit the wider community as well as the playing staff, and it is anticipated work will commence late October. We hope everyone associated with DAFC has a good summer break and we can all return in late July, fully refreshed, looking forward to an exciting season in front of us!