The ‘Twelfth Man’ Initiative 24 June 2009

1. The ‘Twelfth Man’ Initiative24 June 2009 Presented by Oxvox Commercial Committee

2. Introduction • The meeting is to discuss the implementation of a fund for the sole purpose of squad strengthening. • OxVox feel that their initial proposal, the Yellow Transfer Fund, has now become unworkable. • OxVox committee has therefore voted in favour of a new proposal which retains the same aims and principles. • We don’t think it is right that is JUST an OxVox initiative. • We want to involve ALL of the supporters. • That’s why we have invited you along tonight....thanks for coming.

3. Topics of Discussion • To explain, briefly, the reasons behind the withdrawal of our original proposal – Yellow Transfer Fund. • To present a new proposal ‘The 12th Man Initiative’ with features and benefits. • To open the floor to a cross section of supporters to discuss and improve the initiative, • Together with Kelvin Thomas and David Jackson, • Together, to agree on the way forward together with terms & conditions.

4. Yellows Transfer Fund • March/April 2009: In an on-line survey 75% of OxVox members voting wanted the committee to create and focus on a fund to help towards the signing of players such as James Constable. • The fund was to encourage the notion of buying a specific player. • The fund in its original form has lost its key aims, as the club are currently perceived to be able to sign players for fees. Examples include Mark Creighton and Simon Clist. • Our membership and research of a wider cross-section of OUFC supporters subsequently expressed reservations about this project.

5. Yellows Transfer Fund – continued….. • Supporters understand through the media that ‘external sources’ are contributing to the club’s current purchasing of new players. • Furthermore, OxVox felt we were unable to have a fund for example, to subsidise player costs when that player has already been purchased. • Supporters would naturally question ‘why?’. The purpose of any fund is to raise and present income to FURTHER strengthen the squad, not to fund past transactions. • The committee unanimously voted that in this format the YTF would neither be a success or at best, very difficult to persuade supporters to contribute. Particularly in the current economic climate. • Therefore, the fund was considered unworkable.

6. Yellows Transfer Fund – continued….. • But only in THIS FORMAT.....

7. Yellows Transfer Fund – continued….. • The concept of supporters and club working together for the common good is great for the club’s ‘heart and soul’ • But it is also IMPORTANT during a time of great economic uncertainty. • E.g. Only this week we hear of Setanta’s demise, worth £80,000 p.a. to club, plus significant media exposure for club.

8. The ‘12th Man Initiative’ • A fund that revolves around the idea that fans’ support for the squad AS A WHOLE gives ‘us’ an extra man on the pitch. • That is achieved by the fund providing an unbudgeted financial input – allowing the fans to literally provide an extra player and making a tangible difference at a critical point in the season. • The fund is designed to pay either a Transfer Fee, Loan Fee, Players’ wages or an emergency LOAN signing’s wages. • The eventual goal being that our investment yields a return to the Football League. • In addition, it increases the attraction of contribution from both supporters and wider Oxfordshire community. WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER. There is more……..

9. The ‘12th Man Initiative’ –Key Benefits • Provides FANTASTIC publicity to Oxford United both locally and nationally. • Produces an immediate and instant, albeit modest, sum of money for the club. • Importantly, it creates a feel good atmosphere of togetherness between club, supporters and community. • The initiative has a broad appeal beyond the ‘OXVOX’ banner. • WE WANT TO INVOLVE THE SUPPORTERS AND THE COMMUNITY.

10. The ‘12th Man’USP’s • The ‘12th Man’ is the key branding behind the fund. • Fans across the country all relate to being the ‘12th man’. We want to be the true symbolisation of Oxford United's 12th man ... and through this powerful image make money for the club. • Oxford United fans relate to it more than most through our fantastic, passionate and intimidating support – we are literally the ‘12th man’ – even Chris Wilder agrees with this .... see later. • We can also suggest an alternative slogan to the 12th Man; this being ‘DO IT FOR THE SHIRT!’ This can be used to ‘badge’ appropriate fund raising activities.

11. The ‘12th Man’ USP’s • ‘DO IT FOR THE SHIRT’ – what does it mean?

12. The ‘12th Man’ USP’s • ‘DO IT FOR THE SHIRT’ – it’s up to us what that means. • Goes beyond straight donations, (though they will remain important.) • Encourages groups of supporters (like OxVox, RageOnline , GE, Ultimate Yellows) to run events and carry out their own fundraising. • AIM: To make money for the club, and have some fun. • Local business input too, why not involve sponsors? Get local media on side, have ‘DO IT FOR THE SHIRT’ events. • To start... OxVox already have : • 1, the CultZeros T shirt scheme. • 2, Summer Fans 5 a side competition... More to follow. • What else...? your input is welcome and vital.

13. The ‘12th Man’ USP’s • The new proposal is: • Creative, Imaginative and Unique. • There is NO outlay or work for the club other than their unequivocal support of the scheme and its working committee. • The fund generates OUFC money, it improves the club’s community image, AND increases the chances of success on the field. • Finally, THE 12TH MAN affects what ‘most’ fans are interested in – The First Team.

14. What we need for the ‘12th Man - Do It For The Shirt’ Fund to succeed • Oxford United Football Club have agreed to ‘RETIRE’ the number 12 shirt in recognition of this campaign. • The symbolization of SUPPORTERS being the 12th man is a KEY and FUNDAMENTAL point. • A player cannot be allocated the shirt – it will always belong in spirit .. and IN REALITY NOW to the fans of Oxford United. • We have already agreed to IMMEDIATELY sponsor the number 12 shirt instead of sponsoring a player. We will pay the full rate of £275+VAT for both the Home and Away Kit of the number 12 shirt - £550+VAT. • This offer allows the entire playing squad to be sponsored by other sponsors and fans, it provides an additional £550+VAT to the CLUB as we will not be sponsoring an individual.

15. What we need in return and our aims • OxVox will want, naturally, to be featured on the Player Sponsor page with our shirt, the number 12 shirt, along with our sponsorship. • The mascot at each home game should lead the team out in Oxford United kit – with the number 12 and the name ’The 12th Man’. The message is important to the ‘ongoing’ success of this fund. • The idea, to be carried on, year in, year out for the same purpose, with the intention that each year we raise more than the previous season. • We feel we can raise £10,000 in Year One – representing a modest but significant contribution. As momentum builds, the supporters can raise more. This is no one-off for one season!

16. ‘We are the 12th Man’. • The fund’s sole purpose is to strengthen the squad and contribute to the success of Oxford United.

17. ‘We are the 12th Man’. • Forget the recession, let’s use our tremendous supporter base to make a real difference to the club’s fortunes. • On and off the field!

18. ‘We are the 12th Man’.

19. Questions and discussion? • We invite questions and input from our audience.