As the club has failed to published the minutes on the official site of the FCC meeting held at the beginning of 2012 (which took 6 months to circulate), the Trust is breaking with convention and publishing the minutes first in this article. The attendee list (with key are at the foot of this piece)
Introduction:
- SWh opened the meeting by apologising for the length of time since the last meeting and stated that the Club was dedicated to excellence. Management had prioritised both on and off the field but recognised still work to be done.
- SWh summarised the Club’s progress to date, as follows, and explained about the owners very large charity foundation and programme of social responsibility in Thailand.
- SWh felt it was important that everyone was involved in helping to achieve our common goal of reaching the Premier League.
- SWh was pleased to advise that the pitch is very much up to standard and had been rated 4.64 out of 5 compared to 3.5 last year.
- The Training Ground refurbishment was completed during the close season.
- The Club is very happy to have Nigel back as Manager and he has the absolute support of the Board in every way possible.
- As everyone will have noticed the City Fanstore underwent a complete re-vamp.
- We have a new look Matchday Magazine which has won a number of awards.
- Unfortunately the first phase of the new Ticketing and Access Control system installation didn’t go as planned due to the service provider however we are hopeful that all the teething problems have now been rectified. The new system integrates retail and ticketing plus a CRM system which will enable us to communicate with the fans in a far more strategic way going forward.
- We are hopeful that Access control will be fully operational for next season.
- SWh was very pleased to advise that we shall be upgrading the Family Stand in close season.
- We are currently growing our junior memberships and our Grassroots Scheme is very successful giving hundreds of children the opportunity to get involved in matchday experiences.
- Our telephone system and telephone numbers will change in close season. Our email addresses have been changed to make it easier to get in touch with the Club. These can be found on the website.
- Some of our corporate and hospitality areas will be enhanced in the close season.
- SWh discussed how happy she was that the Club had started the LCFC Foxes Foundation and for the fantastic ongoing contributions by our fans. Any ideas for One in a Million fundraising would be very welcome.
Minutes of previous meeting
- Linda Barron confirmed correct record.
Supporter Engagement Department
AW presented an insight into the newly formed Supporter Engagement Department which reports directly into the CEO and Board Office. Staff members as follows:
Angela White – Manager CEO & Board Office
Pat McConnell – PA to Manager CEO & Board Office
Jim Donnelly – Fanzone
Lou McConnell – Grassroots/Junior & Family Administrator
Stuart Johncock – Junior & Family Officer
John Hutchinson – Club Historian
Dale Bradshaw – Children’s Officer
Since the meeting Darren Izzard has joined the team as Supporter Engagement Co-ordinator
- Managers of Advertising and Sponsorship, Sales, Media and Marketing, and Supporter Engagement meet every week and also meet regularly with SWh.
- Communication channels have been improved.
- The Family Information Point has been opened in the Family Stand with JD available to speak to fans on match days, on a trial basis.
- JD heads up Fanzone and supporters can speak to Jim directly rather than leaving an answer phone message.
- The Supporter Engagement team are currently developing the Club’s Outreach programme and over the next few months will be going out into the community to raise the profile of the Club and interact with supporters in their own environments. Members were asked to let Jim know of any suitable events too.
- Lou McConnell has taken over the role of Grassroots Co-Ordinator and liaises with all Grassroot clubs re matchday experiences of Player Escorts, Guard of Honour and Shake the Shirt. Stuart Johncock and Lou had recently held a focus group meeting with a number of clubs and had gathered important feedback from them.
- Over the next few months we shall be developing a new schools programme to roll out in the next academic year.
- Fox Away Travel now falls under the remit of the Supporter Engagement Department.
LCFC Foxes Foundation
- TB gave an update on the LCFC Foxes Foundation, outlining the key events held so far and listing those planned in the near future. Comments were also sought on the campaign so far.
- IB reported that an online auction of the stadium freeze has raised in the region of £2500 so far. JT to ensure details are included on the Club’s main website and other social networking sites.
- Fund-raising suggestions included adding the option of a donation when purchasing a ticket, having collecting tins at each food and drink station in the concourse, and using local radio to promote the campaign. It was noted that a meeting with the Leicester Mercury is planned and Ian Stinger of BBC Radio Leicester is being particularly supportive. CG felt functions that the ‘ordinary fan’ could attend would be successful. An open training session and a QnA night are already being planned. Any further ideas should be emailed to Fanzone.
Supporter Research
- TB reported on the findings of the Club’s recent research amongst supporters. Any further ideas would be welcomed.
- Supporters felt that although the Fanstore was a fantastic facility, staff needed to be trained to ensure they have sufficient knowledge of the business. CT outlined the progress to date with the new Sales Centre/Phone room. It was noted however, there would always continue to be very busy periods when waiting time was inevitable.
Season tickets 2012-13
- CT invited comments from all members.
- IB felt a minimal increase would be fair but certain areas, eg OAPs could be looked at more favourably.
- CG felt the balance was about right. Some Clubs don’t give OAPs concession rates until age 65. CG felt it was unfair that blocks L,K,N had to relocate for Cup games.
- AGu asked that prices for disabled supporters be available as soon as season tickets are launched.
- Several people felt that with the current climate and many people losing their jobs, prices should be kept as low as possible.
- KB felt season tickets had evolved into a good package with cheaper tickets for Cup games.
- IC felt a minimal increase at worst but conceded our season ticket prices compared favourably with other clubs.
- AD – no increase if possible. Tough climate for a lot of people.
- LB felt if the direct debit charges were dropped this would help enormously. Maybe replace with a small set up fee. SWh advised that this would be considered.
- Seat exchange was mentioned as being a good idea and although difficult to administer this season felt it was an idea which had been well received.
- CT thanked everyone for their feedback. Further comments could always be sent to him direct or via Fanzone.
Matchday Experiences/atmosphere
- The general consensus was that the Fan Village at the Real Madrid game and the Winter Wonderland at the Peterborough game were very successful but Reading not so.
- The Thai boxing event had been postponed for this season.
- Several members felt the announcers at Forest and Hull were good at raising the atmosphere and we lacked something like that here. Forest crowd noise is also played through the loud speakers.
- It was noted that the PA system in some areas of the stadium made it difficult to hear Birch clearly.
- It was hoped that the TV’s in the East Stand would be working in the not too distant future.
- IC felt the kids’ relay races were the best half time entertainment.
- LH felt Legends being interviewed at half time was also good but sometimes this was hampered by not be able to hear properly.
- LH felt an area of non-reserved seating could be popular and would enable people to arrive early and sit with friends.
- A discussion followed on safe standing areas however there are no plans for the Club to look into this, at this at this moment in time.
- A request was made for the half time entertainment to be shown on the concourse TVs, and also the game. JT to investigate.
- A general discussion took place regarding in-stadia betting. It was noted that many supporters use online betting. However a new betting company will be given a trial in the corporate area in the near future.
- Toilet facilities outside the stadium were requested, especially when Fan Villages are organised.
- EB asked whether any further thought had been given to match day home travel. AW reported that Arriva had been in touch with a proposal and that this was now being given consideration. Since the meeting this is now in place and working successfully.
- A wider variety of children’s-wear sizes was requested and this would be looked into. It was felt that the range of children’s wear also needed to be extended.
- EB requested that the jewellery range be evaluated as currently it is very male orientated. LB agreed. CT said he would report comments back to the Retail & Merchandising Manager.
- The quality of replica shirts was raised, together with the poor sizing of women’s shirts. SWh agreed that the problems were as frustrating for the Club as for the supporters.
- LB raised the question of the Filbert Street car park and the fact that cars were held back whilst the adjoining car park released theirs. Police representatives confirmed that the adjacent car park is unofficial and is causing the problems. However this is out of the Club’s control and all complaints should be directed to the City Council Highways Department. It is hoped that the interim planning application by the unofficial car park will be resolved soon.
Any Other Business
- LH raised the point of policing at the recent Nottingham Forest game. AG reported that although they were consulted it was too close to the game and not ideal for planning. However it was a unique situation with so many travelling supporters. There were 11 arrests, 9 Leicester, 2 Forest with no major incidents.
TB thanked everyone for attending.
Present:
Jamie Tabor (JT) Ian Cockerill (IC)
Andrew Neville (AN) Alan Digby (AD)
Simon Capper (SC) Ellen Bale (EB)
Ian Bason (IB) Lee Jobber (LJ)
Cliff Ginetta (CG) Harj Hir (HH)
Ali Grimley (AG) Chris Tinbergen (CT)
Jon Greenland (JG) Linda Barron (LB)
Andy Cox (AC) Simon Winfield (SW)
Steve Robertshaw (SR) Raj Kumar (RK)
Andy Gubbins (AGu) Peter Johnson (PJ)
ChristineGubbins (CG) Angela White (AW)
Lisa Hunt (LH) Tom Bettles (TB)
Kevin Buckingham (KB) Susan Whelan (SWh)
Pat McConnell (PM)
Apologies:
Kevin Bourgault Richard Gamble