July 2023 Update

July 2023’s update including AGM highlights.

Well it’s July 2023 and we finally have a new manager – Daniel Farke. I’m sure the whole branch would like to extend a heartfelt handshake to the guy and wish him all the very best.

All we need now is EFL to ratify our new owners and with it confirmation of who owns ER. Yeah, I’m aiming high, but honestly, is it really too much to ask to know who owns the club and who owns the pitch and/or stadium? Seriously? Is it too much to ask?

Anyway, back to the July 2023 update.

Thanks to all who attended the AGM on Sunday 2nd July 2023, and all those branch members who attended the LUSC AGM earlier in the day. It’s been a bizarre end of season and pre season but I’ll digress further in the up coming blog. The branch is about our members. We are a not for profit organisation with all monies made being churned back into the branch with the odd donation to St Michael’s Hospice and the Firestation Christmas Food drive. There is an awful lot of work going into the branch to keep it going year in year out. But, despite all the obstacles being chucked at us, we are still going.

The branch managed to run a bus to every game last season, despite growing issues with away tickets. A number of games ran at a massive loss. Some games broke even due to help from other supporters travelling on the bus, and some managed a surplus. Thanks to all members who travelled with us. Thanks to all those who did their part by securing their own tickets. Some of the trips were long and fruitless but it isn’t just about the 90 minutes on the pitch is it? It is about the day spent with friends and fellow football fans.

Memberships were slightly down last year. But given the cost of lockdown crisis and the ridiculously high energy bills etc. we have done well to be the fourth largest UK LUSC group. Let alone managing to run a bus to every fixture.

The 40th anniversary do was very well attended last year, thanks to all attendees. Our monthly branch meetings are still going ahead, fixture changes notwithstanding.

Branch members turned out in force for the LUSC Annual Quiz held at ER, along with a team from Ripon. It is highly unlikely the branch are ever going to win the quiz. Especially given there are so many questions about Leeds United, but we do turn up in good numbers. Any branch member is encouraged to attend. It is a good event and the pork pies are tasty! You get to meet up with other LUSC members for a chin wag. It’s just like an away day but less people are pissed and there’s no 90 minutes of football to ruin your day. There is also a trophy at the night.

We are still attending the LUSC branch meetings at ER and on zoom, and will continue to do so. Any member of the branch is welcome to attend the LUSC face to face meetings at ER, only branch officials can vote though.

Our members continue to vote in numbers for the monthly Player of The Month. Congratulations by the way to Player of the Season 2022/3 Jack Harrison. Please stay and help us get promotion out of EFL, thank God we stopped you leaving. It’s a shame Klichy got kicked out before we could save him too. We might still be in the PL if he’d have been in our midfield. Seeing as he didn’t mind passing the ball forwards, as opposed to backwards or sideways.

Our sponsorship of Joe Gelhardt was abruptly halted when they sent him out on loan to The Mackems, where he did quite well with some Mackems actually wanting him to permanently stay. During his absence we were given Ain’t Nobody like –  Weston McKennie. Plays with Adams – for the USA. He’s gone back to Juve now, so hopefully we get Joffy back. As soon as I know, you’ll know. That song, by the way, was truly terrible. If the sponsorship price increases to beyond our means, we will organise an extraordinary meeting to discuss what our options are. Unless it coincides with a monthly branch meeting.

Renewal forms have been emailed out to everyone on the emailing list and posted out 1st July 2023. £1.10 for a 1st class stamp! can you believe it? Anyone who hasn’t received one, please email pjmcmanus2011@yahoo.co.uk . Renewal price remains the same as last season, and seasons before. It seems a little unfair to increase it given the cost of living has gone up so much. Unlike Leeds United, we have not put the prices up but promised to give you all some money back if we didn’t stay up. Oh, and only given you another 10 days for you to remember your password and get the refund back.

The website https://www.harrogatewhites.co.uk will continue to be used, as it still a good tool for new members. Anyone who possesses a working knowledge of WordPress is most welcome to join. We still have photos waiting to be put up in the gallery for anyone who can do it better than the GDB.

We will not be running any transport to any of the pre season fixtures. Apologies, we were not aware the trains would be on strike – again. Safe travels to all who can afford the time and money to go to Norway, I’m sure it will be a great, albeit expensive, trip.

Monthly branch meetings will continue to be held on the 1st Sunday of the month, unless we are playing. Our August meeting will be held on Sunday 13th, seeing as we are playing on the 6th.

It took us a long long time, and a dip into Division 3, last time we got relegated. Fingers crossed, it will be a quicker return this time round. I never saw us get promoted last time due to the clownfest that was lockdown. The open top bus round town that was promised, never materialised. We better see it this time round! Oh and I want to see the panda again

(thanks to googlepictures for this)

On On On