Happy New Year!

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With the recent inaugural Brakes Trust AGM and the election of Trust Board members, we are now the official voice of the supporters of Leamington FC.

However, we did not wait until the AGM to start to engage with local businesses and community groups. In the previous nine months the Brakes Trust have been working on projects that have the potential to bring very real and sustainable financial benefits to the Trust members and of course our club.

The Trust has introduced to the club a significant sponsor, Dean Walton, of Mask-arade, which manufactures and supplies personalised facemasks for partygoers and celebrities. Dean is a keen West Bromwich Albion fan and supporter of football in general. He has attended games the NWG and has been impressed by the club set up and the friendly atmosphere.

Mask-arade is a very successful company based in Southam, which was turned down by the Dragons Den millionaires on television when the directors asked for £50,000 funding, only for it to go on and turnover £750,000 before the end of its first year.

But where the Dragons missed out, The Brakes Trust has gained a friend and valuable sponsor.

Your Board first came into contact with Dean in March when many of you will recall he agreed to supply the masks of Obama and Cameron for the Trust Launch event when England played America in the World Cup on June 12th. The interest and publicity this generated prompted Dean Walton to say he wanted to get closer to the Brakes and he asked the Brakes Trust to come forward with original and interesting sponsorship ideas.

The Steering Committee of the Brakes Trust presented seven original proposals, of which five are being actively considered, three which have been agreed, and two have been put back for a future decision.

The Trust Board met with the Leamington FC Board in December and advised them of the current plans to produce over £3,400 in revenue for the club. The club agreed two of the immediate sponsorships, a Spot the Ball competition for home games with a possible prize of £50, and sponsorship of the electronic scoreboard. Please look out for both and give us your support.

The Club Board welcomed the introduction of new money.

A liaison protocol has been established, whereby a board member from each body will keep the other informed of any new projects, which will potentially bring benefits to our club.

Your Trust Board is also planning a joint venture with Mask-arade and the Courier in the Spring, which will culminate in a major Community based event. Please watch this space for further details.

So, as you can see, the Brakes Trust is already getting results and this before the end of our first 12 months.

Please talk to a Trust Board member if you have promotional ideas of your own, wish to be a volunteer or know of any business that you think may want to be associated with the Brakes Trust or our football club club. Any help will be appreciated.

Here’s to a great 2011 both on and off the pitch!