Ken Kinnersley has issued his fifth volunteers bulletin.
Operations Director
Hereford FC
Firstly, a personal “thank you” to the many fans who have sent their congratulations on my appointment as a Non-Executive Director with Hereford FC. The post of Operations Director is a daunting task as it involves co-ordinating the numerous elements required to ensure “The Street” is ready for football by July.
In considering the offer there were two important elements. Firstly, on taking up the Volunteers Co-ordinators role I was humbled by the “welcome” I received from all the directors and since then I have been impressed by the emotional engagement they all have with the club. The professionalism of the Hereford FC team, their dedication, humour and the help given to me as a “newcomer” has been unbelievable.
Secondly, I have very much enjoyed the direct contact with our extensive band of “fan volunteers” and it was clear from the outset that the role would retain responsibility for volunteers. The added benefit is that I now have a detailed overall picture of the many facets that need to be addressed and, hopefully, the timetable for the various component parts to come together. This knowledge will make for a much more cohesive and directed programme of work for you as volunteers.
Just for the record, I’m certainly not working single handedly and I’ve also realised there are a number of unsung hero’s working tirelessly and at their own expense behind the scenes to make this happen for all of us. It would be impossible to describe or explain the huge amount of work that has already been undertaken …. but there is still so much more to do!
Unfortunately, what it does not enable me to do is speed up your engagement in the process. I’m afraid that patience is still the order of the day as will be explained.
So, exciting times at Edgar Street since our last Bulletin. The first of Herefordshire Council’s contractors have now started the difficult and time consuming task of removing asbestos from the roof void over the rooms in the Merton stand. The work is scheduled to take 10 days.
Negotiations are progressing well over the remedial and new installation electrics required in various parts of the building, the stands and on the floodlights. The final contract arrangements are likely to take another week, with a two week contractors lead time before commencing work, followed by about four weeks to undertake the work, so, the aim is to have this work completed by 5 June.
As a new company operating out of Edgar Street, Hereford FC are required to apply for a new safety certificate as opposed to enjoying the benefit of the existing certification. As a consequence we are in the process of arranging an early advisory inspection by the relevant authorities to ensure we are fully au fait with the various works required to ensure we satisfy the requirements. We are aware that works will be necessary to comply with Fire Regulations and that there are some issues around the stands that our risk assessment has already identified.
The following detail is subject to final discussions with the various contractors but if we are able to keep roughly to our ideal programme time table we will aim to have the stadium fit for purpose by 3 July which is 7 days before our first home friendly when we entertain FC United of Manchester. The 7 days “grace" is to allow for a small tolerance regarding contract slippage, finishing touches, dry runs and testing systems.
Therefore, the planned work programme allows a period of three full weeks starting Sat 6 June for our volunteers to engage in an intensive clean-up of the stands, the pitch perimeter, various buildings, toilets and some difficult to reach areas where waste has accumulated and poses a fire hazard.
We hasten to add, however, that these time scales must only be regarded as a guide and we will all have to be flexible.
This week we have finalised insurance cover for volunteers on site - the restrictions now are the nature of the works being undertaken. However, as a first step towards restoring order we would like to organise a small work party to spend a day cleaning up the outside area right around the stadium. The rubbish and litter lying around the pace is a disgrace and serves to give the impression that we just don’t care about our club or our ground.
So, anyone who is available and willing to join the first clean-up squad on Sunday 26 April between 0930 and 1500 or earlier if we have finished - would you please do no more than just “reply” to this email with the word "AVAILABLE” in the subject header. When we have made an assessment of the number reasonably required to work efficiently then we will nominate a number of you selected at random to join the squad. There is no point in calling everyone in as there will be limited work and it would be a waste of your time. If you are not called this time you will have an opportunity later because we will need many more, probably everyone who is available when the real hard work starts in the stadium. For example we have to clean every seat in the stadium of stickers and pigeon poo!
For the avoidance of doubt, and as always, this will be unpaid work, no expenses will be paid and we will be relying heavily on your integrity to turn up if you say you will by replying “AVAILABLE”.
We will provide much more details of what you will need to bring and what we will be providing in the “acceptance” we will send to the volunteers who are selected at random for the squad. I will send an initial email to confirm receipt but thereafter if you do not hear from me with details you will know you have escaped.
Please note only those registered as volunteers AND in receipt of a specific
email from the club can be used due to insurance liability issues - thus
there is no point in fans who are NOT in receipt of the email getting
up early on a Sunday morning - getting to the stadium and just “turning
up" because we will not be able to use them. Sad as that may seem - we
don’t want an "uninsured” personal injury claim to ruin us before we’ve
had a match at the street.