WELCOME BY SUSAN WHELAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
Susan Whelan welcomed everyone to this evening’s meeting and apologised for not attending the last meeting due to being called to Thailand for a business trip on the day of the last meeting.
The new First Team Manager has settled in well and the Club has achieved all of our targets during the summer, with thanks to Jon Rudkin and Andrew Neville. The team has made a great start to the season and the atmosphere at the training ground is settled, strong and calm.
The usual renovation work has taken place in close season, including the renovation of pitches and we will be building a new 3G pitch at the training ground which will hopefully be finished by the end of October, subject to planning permission being granted. This will further enhance the training facility.
Within the Club we continue to improve our procedures to make ourselves more efficient, and in terms of training we have integrated both training ground and stadium staff. We hope that these measure will improve standards throughout the Club.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Please feedback to [email protected] if there is something you would like the Club to develop |
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JIM DONNELLY: Distribute minutes within one week of the meeting and e-mail reminders of action points to members |
Back of house staff have been working hard in relation to the atmosphere within the stadium and participation of the supporters is paramount. King Power stadium is now renowned for the great atmosphere and being a fortress. The manager and players have commented that the atmosphere makes a difference to them.
SW commented that she wants to build on the great work the Club is doing and it is important to involve our supporters. We would like to do something for every home game and we need to be creative. It was noted that whilst there were some reservations initially last season, in relation to the clap banners, they are hugely successful and we will continue to have them for all league games this season, or until the fans decide they no longer add to the atmosphere.
The Union FS TIFO’s have been very popular and the Club will continue to offer our support to work with them, to assist with the matchday atmosphere. It is important that we have continual dialogue back and forth.
In summary, SW reported that we have been very busy in close season and we are looking forward to the season continuing in a positive fashion and doing as much as we can to deliver both on and off the pitch.
PREVIOUS MEETING ACTION POINTS AND FEEDBACK:
Ali Grimsley advised that the minutes of 27 May 2015, stated that “It was noted that the police do not allow alcohol on coaches travelling to away games”. It should have stated the “law” as opposed to the “police”.
New season cards:
It was communicated to all season ticket holders that they would receive new season cards for the 2015/16 season.
Matchday Magazine:
IF to look into the Club producing a downloadable version of the matchday magazine:
IF advised that a downloadable version of the matchday magazine will be available when the Club updates our digital platform next season. The Club has appointed a digital consultancy to work with us to switch over from FLi to the Club in 2017.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Feedback any ideas for the matchday magazine to [email protected] by 1 October 2015 |
IF to look into reinstating the matchday magazine subscriptions:
IF advised that the Club will reactivate this with immediate effect and relaunch on the Club website. We had previously discontinued the service due to a low uptake. It was noted that the matchday magazine is also available to purchase from the Fanstore. AW advised that we have changed our operation for distribution of the matchday magazines and this had resulted in an oversight of having no additional stock in the Fanstore during the week after the game. This will be remedied with immediate effect. YK suggested the potential for using a voucher system to collect your magazine.
Away Supporters Survey:
The survey had been completed by supporters who travel to away games but do not use Fox Away Travel.
Stuart Johncock explained the stats:
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444 respondents
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40% of supporters attended between 1-5 away games,
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27% attended between 6-11,
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20% between 12-17
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13% went to 18 or over.
70% of supporters used a private car to travel to away games, compared to:
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Fox Travel Away (43%)
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Train (36%)
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Ausden Clark (12%)
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Other coach providers (4%)
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Other methods (2%)
When asked about the Away Supporters Initiative supporters preferred:
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Money off tickets (40%)
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Ausden Clark (12%)
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Discounted Fox travel Away (33%)
Compared to:
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Free t-shirts (9%)
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A free £5 food and drink voucher (8%).
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90% of supporters used www.lcfc.com to find out information for away games
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Strongly Agree |
Agree |
Neutral |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Don’t know |
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The purchasing process for away game tickets was straight forward. |
24.15% |
54.67% |
10.48% |
7.74% |
2.51% |
0.46 |
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Customer service was exceptional when purchasing tickets. |
24.60% |
45.56% |
20.27% |
5.92% |
2.28% |
1.37% |
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The delivery or collection of tickets was hassle free. |
34.62% |
49.66% |
9.34% |
2.51% |
1.82% |
2.05% |
James Challinor was really surprised that the food and drink voucher was so low and also money off tickets was so high which defeats the object of the Away Supporter Initiative funds. SW said that it also upsets the Club greatly when other Clubs’ ticket prices are too high and in fact the Club was going to give supporters a food voucher to spend at Norwich until they released their away ticket prices. SW felt it was important to have as many of our fans at our away games as possible.
The Club provided vouchers for free food and drink at the Bournemouth game but it was reported that unfortunately the food ran out, even though we had made Bournemouth aware of the voucher initiative and the amount of supporters they would be required to cater for.
SW advised that last season the Club spent double the Premier League Away Supporter Initiative funds. SW said it is important that we give the fans what they want wherever possible. SW advised it will be discussed further at Premier League meetings as to how the money is used in the future.
After the conclusion of SJ’s presentation and a general discussion relating to the survey, SW felt we should further research the Club’s fan base in order to obtain a more considered opinion across the whole supporter demographic. We should further develop the strategy and ask a focus group to work with the Club, as soon as possible, perhaps prior to a game to discuss ASI.
It was noted the Club provides as many coaches that are required to fulfil our supporters travel requests. Fox Away Travel is subsidised by the Away Supporter Initiative with all supporters paying £10 per game.
SW advised that last season we spent approximately 25% of the ASI funds on the Away End of the stadium.
SW confirmed that the Premier League are not allowed to regulate club pricing structures.
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STUART JOHNCOCK: To arrange a focus group as soon as possible, including FCC members, to further develop a strategy and ideas in relation to the Away Supporter Initiative. Any committee members wishing to be part of the forum should e-mail [email protected] by 25 September with a view to the focus group meeting taking place on 28 September 2015 |
“FLY THE FLAG” SUPPORTER COMPETITION:
SW commented that the Club unfurled a crowd flag at the Spurs game and there was a mixed reaction from a limited number of supporters regarding the design. The Club wanted to involve the fans by running a design competition. We have received around 70 applicants and the Club designer has put them into a useable format. A team of staff have put forward 12 of the best designs for the FCC members to consider, and if all members can vote this evening, in order of their preference, we will add up the votes at the end of the meeting and the top 3 designs will be shown on the Club website, Facebook and Twitter for supporters to vote for their favourite. The winner will be involved in the unfurling at the Arsenal game and will also receive hospitality. Voting will be controlled in the same way we audit the Player of the Year votes.
Part two of these minutes will be published tomorrow