Leicester City Football Club Fans Consultative Committee Meeting – King Power Stadium
Wednesday 1 April 2015
Today features the second part of the minutes, at this stage the meeting commenced an open discussion session..
Discussion Points:
Season Ticket Campaign:
The rolling debit scheme has been very well received by supporters. In fact 45% of our Season Ticket Holders this season are registered on the Direct Debit Scheme. Everyone will receive individual letters with their payment details over the course of the next few days.
Richard Tullis asked if there will there be any mailing in relation to season tickets. JT advised that the season ticket information is currently on-line but there will be a postal mailing at the backend of the campaign which will be sent only to those supporters who haven’t yet renewed.
Fosse Club Premium – David Seddon asked the Club to reconsider introducing concessions in this area if we are in the Championship next season. He felt that as season ticket holders have made a commitment and paid up front they should feel valued. SW advised that we are always very careful that season tickets remain the best value way to watch games and that match tickets will never be cheaper on a pro-rata basis. Fosse Club Premium has some additional benefits such as reserved seating inside the Weller Lounge and we will not be re-introducing any concessions in this area.
All committee members should feel free to let us know of any ideas to add value to your season ticket and should e-mail [email protected]
SW clarified the situation regarding supporters with disabilities renewing their season tickets. As they are already DSA members they will be able to re-new their season tickets directly with the Club. Once we go on general sale (Tuesday 26 May), any new supporters with disabilities will be asked to become a DSA member in the first instance, to assist with vetting. However if a supporter decides they don't want to join the DSA, the Club cannot force supporters to do so. When new season tickets go on sale DSA information will be included in the marketing communications.
As part of our business planning we, of course, have to consider a Championship budget scenario. The Club will consider offers for season ticket holders including hospitality clients as well as potential match by match ticket deals if we are in the Championship next season but we reiterate that we are fully focussed on retaining our Premier League status and we hope not be require any Championship contingency scenarios.
Matchday Atmosphere:
JT asked the committee if they have any ideas to enhance the matchday atmosphere. A general discussion took place.
SW asked James Challinor to pass on her thanks to Union FS for helping us hand out the clap banners for our game against West Ham United. JC wanted to thank Jim Donnelly and Kevin Barclay for their assistance this year, on behalf of Union FS. It has helped to create more atmosphere in the Kop (SK1).
JC advised that Union FS have regular meetings. They would like to put leaflets on the seats in certain areas. JT advised that it would be preferable if the Club carried out some targeted marketing on their behalf. JC to make contact with JT to make the necessary arrangements; [email protected]
SW confirmed that to date we have not been able to source any Thai drums to use at the stadium on matchdays.
Away Tickets: Allocation/Priority Scheme:
It was confirmed that we allocate on a first come first served basis and therefore the supporters on the Away Priority Scheme will automatically receive the best tickets and consequently they are the most expensive. Going forward we will give the option for supporters to choose which price band they would prefer.
Chloe Dexter asked if the criteria will remain the same for next season. It was confirmed that all supporters will have to re-apply. We will have to re-assess the criteria based on applications and those on the scheme this season will take priority. We will contact all supporters who are currently registered on any Club schemes in advance of the general communication.
David Seddon felt it was great to choose your own seat at away games.
Jeff Astle Day:
How is the Club involved? – We have contributed towards their matchday programme and website story.
FCC Members:
Committee members were asked that as the end of season is approaching, would the group be interested in representing supporters for another season? It was unanimous that all members would like to remain on the FCC for season 2015/16.
Any Other Business:
A general discussion took place regarding next season’s kit. It was confirmed that the PUMA deal is for 3 years.
If we are in the Championship when the website contract expires in 2017 would the Club have to re-new their contract with FLi?
Ian Flanagan advised that the Football League would prefer clubs in the Championship to use FLi however they would not enforce it.
Does it make life easier or harder with more high powered people being involved with the Club?
Susan Whelan feels that the Premier League is fantastic in so many ways, and how their structure and organisation is set up is incredible. It is a highly professional organisation. We look forward to working with them again next year.
Can the Club promote a car share scheme?
We can facilitate the scheme but it would work better if supporters liaised with each other in their respective areas, due to safeguarding issues. Simon Capper advised that the council are looking for matchday transport solutions in more detail to assist all professional clubs in Leicester.
Could you explain the news story regarding the bid to sell hot food outside the stadium?
Simon Capper advised that we had to apply for a street hawker license, as a formality, even though it was for selling food on the Club’s footprint, and this was an historic license.
Is there scope to put up a tent around the back of the stadium to sell alcohol?
Susan Whelan advised that the Club is looking at this option, taking into consideration the context of the media requirements on the car park.
Everyone felt it would be a good idea, if feasible, to have an area for drinking, eating, somewhere to sit, and screens. Committee members felt that the area should predominantly be for adults although children would also be welcome.
Andy Gubbins passed his thanks to the Club for the refunds that pitchside supporters with disabilities had received.
A general discussion took place regarding the amount of wheelchair spaces that are provided for visiting fans around the country. It was noted that the capacity rule for visiting supporters does not include a specific amount of wheelchair spaces in the away end. In fact LCFC exceeds the guidelines for wheelchair spaces at King Power stadium. SW was not aware of the situation but advised that this could be brought up at a Premier League shareholders meeting. Ali Grimsley felt the onus should be on the Premier League to enforce a minimum requirement. The DSA is making representation to Level Playing Field.
What media coverage will be available if we are in the Championship next season? ………………………………………………………..
Cliff Ginnetta wanted to place on record his thanks to the football club for everything that was done for Terry Orton, the fan that passed away on the way to the Everton game, it is much appreciated.
Present:
Alan Digby (Foxes Trust), Ali Grimsley (Leicestershire Constabulary), Andy Gubbins (DSA), Angela White (LCFC), Chloe Dexter (East Stand), Cliff Ginnetta (LCFC Supporters Club), David Seddon (Fosse Club, Premium Seating), Frank Moss (Hospitality, Premier Lounge), Heather Wood (West Stand), Ian Clements (Spion Kop), Ian Flanagan (LCFC Commercial Director), James Challinor (Spion Kop), Jamie Tabor (LCFC), Jim Donnelly (LCFC) Jon Rudkin (LCFC Director of Football), Michelle McLean (Family Stand), Mick King (LCFC Community Trust Director), Nicholas Palmer (West Stand), Peter Hill (Family Stand)), Richard Tullis (West Stand), Robert Maybury (East Stand) Simon Capper (LCFC Finance Director), Susan Whelan (LCFC Chief Executive Officer), Stuart Symons (East Stand), Yogesh Kholia (Spion Kop).
Apologies:
Andrew Neville, Peter Hill, Richard Lymbery, Simon Grindrod.
THE NEXT FCC MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2015, 6.30PM AT KING POWER STADIUM.