Fans Consultative Committee Meeting Minutes – Weds 9 December 2015 – Part 1
WELCOME BY SUSAN WHELAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
Susan welcomed everyone. The Club is in an improved position and the stability this year will mean we can plan in advance for next season.
We have a couple of big games coming up, including a celebration of Jamie Vardy’s Premier League record-breaking achievement of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches. He has been very gracious regarding his performance and there is a real team effort with a lot of camaraderie between the entire team.
Susan commented that later on in the meeting we look forward to your comments and ideas in relation to improving the concourses and other areas for next season.
ACTION POINTS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING:
Matchday Magazines Subscriptions:
These will be reactivated as a half season package, starting from the Bournemouth game
Concourse Flooring:
All concourse flooring is being upgraded and will be complete by the Chelsea game.
Wine and Guinness to be sold in the Concourses:
This has been trialled for the last three fixtures in the West, South and North Stands. Three bottles of wine and two Guiness were sold in total. Both products have now been withdrawn due to the low uptake.
Matchday Music Survey:
This will be activated in January 2016 – JT TO ACTION
AGENDA ITEMS:
The only agenda items received from FCC members were from Alan Digby (Foxes Trust), as follows:
Car Park Season Tickets:
Alan requested an update on selling/renewal arrangements for 2016/17 due to the prolonged process last season.
It was explained that due to the potential fan village concept that was considered in close season, which would have taken up a proportion of the car park and the large area required for broadcasting vehicles, we were not in a position to release the spaces. It was confirmed that next season we will go on sale with car parking at the same time as season tickets and supporters will be able to pay on direct debit.
How many Priority One Members are there?
We have 1440 Priority One Members of which 500 are registered on the Club’s Away Ticketing Scheme.
Please clarify the selling/seating allocation arrangements for away games and is the Club aware of the issue at the Southampton game?
A general discussion took place regarding the process of how away tickets are sold. James Challinor pointed out that it is difficult for the Club to know what is deemed as the best seats as this is down to supporters’ personal preference.
Supporters who are part of the Away Ticketing Scheme are now given an option of where to sit although the Club still has to fulfil the host club’s selling criteria. It was also noted that the Club reserves the first three rows for supporters with disabilities and seniors.
Jim Donnelly is aware of the issue where 2 of our female supporters were assaulted. Jim has been in close contact with them and the assailant was arrested and has been banned from all football stadia for three years.
Family Stand issues during this Season:
Jim Donnelly advised that in close season 400 people were moved out of this area as they no longer fulfilled the correct criteria for sitting in the Family Stand.
Following an audit of the Family Stand the Club is aware there are some supporters who do not fulfil the Club’s criteria for sitting in this Stand and they have been moved to another area of the ground.
It was also felt that the behaviour in some areas of the Family Stand is not conducive for families. Ali Grimsley advised that the situation was monitored from the matchday control room and this season there had been some improvement. It is an ongoing issue and we rely on supporters reporting unacceptable behaviour to the Club so that we can follow up.
DISCUSSION POINT:
Away Supporter Focus Group:
Stuart Johncock thanked the committee members who had formed part of the Focus Group and presented their findings:
The group felt that the Away Priority Scheme form should include an option of where supporters would like to sit. As a consequence the forms have been updated accordingly.
Not all staff in the City Fanstore give supporters the option of where to sit when purchasing away tickets. The Ticketing Manager has now briefed staff accordingly and furthermore to ensure that supporters with disabilities and seniors have the option of sitting in the first three rows, subject to availability.
Our on-line ticket map now shows supporters where seats are situated at away grounds.
The group asked if the Club could advise supporters in advance when their bank accounts would be debited for away tickets and if a scheme could be developed for payments. The Club now sends an e-mail and SMS to supporters one week prior to the away game going on sale to inform them that their account will be debited.
The Focus Group really appreciated the Club operating an in-house Sales Centre.
The Group would like supporters to be sent a personalised e-mail/SMS to each Priority Group to inform them the date they are eligible to purchase away tickets. The Club will implement this system when a new CRM system is in place.
The Group showed an interest in train travel to London, arranged by the Club. This will form part of our close-season planning for next season.
The Club was asked to research Swansea’s “Jack Army Away Membership Scheme” to see if there would be any benefits to the Club. Over the course of the next few months the Club will be looking at the potential for different membership schemes for next season.
The Focus Group said how grateful they are for receiving the give-aways from the Club and felt that supporters prefer flags, scarves and balloons rather than t-shirts.
With regards to the Premier League Away Supporter Initiative, supporters were disheartened that the Club had to use some of the money to subsidise the cost of the Norwich tickets. They would prefer to receive a gift voucher. This could also be used towards the cost of a ticket if desired by the supporter. The Club will be offering a £10/£5 voucher (Adults/Children) for those supporters who have purchased Liverpool tickets, to be redeemed in the City Fanstore up until the Bournemouth game.
It was noted that subsidised Fox coach travel does not benefit all fans travelling to away games.
Everyone felt that the display at the WBA game looked fantastic. The Club also explained that it is sometimes difficult to gain permission from other clubs, for give-aways that are handed out at away grounds.
James Challinor advised that the Supporters Federation are collating information to share with clubs advising what individual clubs allow/don’t allow e.g. flags, banners etc., which will be very useful.
Part two of these minutes will be published tomorrow