Opening Address by CEO:
Susan Whelan welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new committee. The format for the evening was outlined and the structure of the Club’s Administration was detailed.
Meeting Facilitator (Data Marketing Executive):
Tom Rowell talked everyone through a visual presentation giving the background to the formation of the new committee and the reasons behind it. The dates of the meetings for the year have already been set:
30 May 2013, 29 August 2013, 28 November 2013
A new designated e-mail address has been set up specifically for committee members.
TR reported that a Junior Fans Forum had already been held with some interesting ideas received from our young supporters and another meeting will be scheduled for later in the year.
Website:
It was noted that since Christmas the website had improved in relation to some of the earlier issues. The Finance Director gave details of the Football League’s responsibility for the setting up of the website agreement which covers most Football League clubs and the issues arising from the transfer to a new website provider in the summer. The Commercial Director talked about further scheduled improvements from 1 March.
The CEO and Commercial Director gave details of the new LCFC TV channel which is now in the process of being set up and also detailed on-going proposals regarding the upgrading of concourse and hospitality area TVs and stadium digitisation.
A supporter representative asked whether the future plans included improvements to the website’s mobile app. The Commercial Director confirmed that FLi (Football League Interactive) are making improvements to an ipad/tablet friendly version which it is hoped will be completed by the summer.
Clarification was given regarding the two websites of lcfc.com and lcfcdirect.com.
The Finance Director confirmed that it is likely that within the next few weeks supporters will be able to print off their barcoded ticket(s) at home rather than have them mailed out or collected.
LED perimeter advertising boards:
The current LED boards are on trial until the end of the season and following feedback from supporters after the game v Huddersfield Town, adjustments have been made in relation to the brightness and the speed of some of the graphics. Supporter representatives all agreed that improvements had been made and supporters had been listened to.
The CEO gave details of the increased brightness requirement for televised games, both daytime and evening, and advised that the board advertising would continue to be monitored for the remainder of the season. A decision had not yet been taken regarding the use of LED boards for next season but it was accepted that all FA Premier League clubs are using the system and that media values are stronger (versus the static boards previously used). LED was also discussed in the broader context of stadium upgrades and improvement to the concourses and matchday experience.
In response to a supporter request it would not be possible to include, for example, the name of a child attending their first game, owing to the potential numbers involved. However it was agreed that another form of recognition could be looked into. Birthday messages were currently sent electronically to junior members but actual cards in the post would be looked into for next season, also a ‘birthday board’ in the Family Stand was another option being considered.
A committee member enquired why the camera panning the crowd was no longer used. Jamie Tabor explained this had only been possible when we broadcast the games back to Thailand as there were additional cameras. Unfortunately the Club has not been able to reach an agreement with the Football League, at this moment in time, regarding broadcasting rights to Thailand.
Midweek fixtures/television games:
The CEO explained that as a Championship Club we are contractually obliged to change our kick off days/times if Sky wish to cover the game. This is part of the agreement between the Football League and Sky and a refusal to stage the game can only be sanctioned by the Safety Advisory Group – an independent external body, on safety grounds. The financial rewards from Sky have dramatically reduced for Championship Clubs and doesn’t always compensate fully for the lack of revenue from ticket sales.
The Commercial Director advised that a promotional plan regarding ticket initiatives was about to be launched in an attempt to increase the attendance at forthcoming televised games.
Several supporter representatives voiced concern that many junior supporters were unable to attend mid-week games and this could adversely affect attendances in future.
The situation regarding the Middlesbrough game going ahead, despite adverse weather conditions, was discussed and it was felt that if the full background had been shared with the fans, i.e. that the Club has to do everything in its power to stage league games otherwise they can be deducted 3 points, that they would have been more understanding of the situation. It was re-confirmed that Sky played no role in the game going ahead. The Club took these comments on board for the future. The Police representative also confirmed that as the stadium, roads and pavements around the stadium were safe there were no grounds to cancel the game on safety grounds.
Jim Donnelly confirmed that unlike last season, it was now possible, on paying the difference, to upgrade from Gold to a Platinum fixture under the seat exchange system. This had not been possible previously due to the ticketing software.
Atmosphere:
The CEO asked supporters to come up with ideas to improve the atmosphere in the stadium. It was accepted that there are problems with the audio system and during the close season the acoustics will be looked at to see if improvements can be made.
Ticket initiatives will be offered whenever possible to increase attendances for the remaining games of the season without being detrimental to season ticket holders.
Safe standing/banning standing:
The CEO confirmed that the stadium license is granted on the basis that King Power Stadium is an all seater stadium in line with the Football League and FA Premier League requirements. The CEO had attended a meeting in Westminster on safe standing which she had found very informative. The Club feel that the correct channel to lobby for any change to the legislation should be through the Football League, who are re-evaluating information and liaising with all Football League clubs.
Whilst some supporters were in favour of being able to stand, others expressed concern about preferring to sit and being unable to see the game owing to supporters standing up in front of them. The CEO advised that the Club would look at trying to find a way to ensure those who wanted to sit could do so without having their enjoyment of the game compromised.
Secondary topics:
Supporter representatives were invited to volunteer to join a sub-committee to meet separately, between full committee meetings, to discuss the following commercial issues:
- Ticket pricing/ticket offers/reduction of attendance
- Online ticketing
- Memberships
- Refunds on ticket purchases (fixture changes)
- Cup game priority for STH
- Match-day catering
Applications should be directed through the new dedicated e-mail address and all applicants should write a short resume on why they would like to be part of a sub-committee group.
Any other business:
- In response to a supporter enquiry, the Commercial Director explained why the Fans fixture had changed from the Leeds game to the Birmingham game.
- Discussions regarding ‘dynamic ticketing’ are still ongoing.
- Concern was expressed at the lack of bar/food facilities for supporters in the North, South and East Stands as the Sports Bar is not able to cater for the numbers, forcing them to eat and drink at venues other than the Club, prior to a game. The Club confirmed options are being considered.
- TR will look at the best way for supporters to be able to contact their FCC representative – whether that is by email or by their photographs being displayed in the concourses.
- In response to a question it was noted that automated doors for the City Fanstore had not been included in the original design owing to cost and planning constraints. This could be looked at, at a future date.
- A consultation meeting for supporters who use Fox Away Travel has been arranged for Tuesday, 9 April at 6.30pm.
- The priority system for purchasing away tickets was discussed but was generally felt that it couldn’t be improved.
- The recent player signing session was hailed as a great success but it was noted that due to the unprecedented amount of people who attended that a small amount of supporters were unable to obtain posed photographs.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm.
Held on THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2013 – 6.30PM IN THE BANKS LOUNGE
Present: Alan Digby, Jamie Tabor (LCFC), Ali Grimsley, Jim Donnell (LCFC) , Andy Cox, Kathy Freeman,
Angela White (LCFC), Marilynne Hallam, Bernard Rice, Mark English, Beverley Wallis, Mitchell Topham,
Brian Langston, Pat McConnell (LCFC), Cameron Nimmo, Richard Tullis, Chloe Dexter, Tom Rowell (LCFC), Edward Ball, Trevor Kirtley, Gregory Floy, Yogesh Kholia
Directors of LCFC: Susan Whelan – Chief Executive Officer, Simon Capper – Finance, Ian Flanagan – Commercial Director, Andrew Neville – Football Director
Apologies: Andy Gubbins, Matthew Crick, Cliff Ginnetta, Steve Robertshaw, Jon Rudkin
Notes issued by LCFC