Opening address by Commercial Director:
Ian Flanagan welcomed everyone to the second meeting of the 2013 FCC. The season finale was covered and the clubs feelings regarding the outcome and the positives to be taken.
Discussion of previous meeting minutes:
Minutes from previous meeting reviewed, no issues
IF updated the committee on the LED boards, stating that meetings were on-going for their use in the 2013/14 season.
Agenda item – Atmosphere at the end of season
IF started by stating how, despite tight time restraints the Club had used considerable resources to help to generate as good an atmosphere as possible. IF also emphasised that credit should be given to JT and the marketing team who along with a team of volunteers helped make it possible at the home games.
JT made clear that it was part of a longer term matchday experience strategy and not just for the season finale. The intention is to use the additional flags for specific games throughout the season.
IF in response to a question from MH regarding adopting a new club song reiterated that the club were not looking to impose ritual on supporters and thought it more likely to adopted successfully if fans were to choose their own songs. The Club is reviewing the matchday build-up (including music and video) and welcomed supporter input. With regard to a shortlist of Club songs, IF mentioned that the Club has a Spotify music account and may look to use this to generate supporter feedback on the matchday music/Club songbook.
BW made the point that for the Watford home semi-final she had noted an increased number of families from different ethnic origins attending the game possibly for the first time, and how this was a positive step forward.
Agenda item – Print at home tickets
IF explained that the club had received a total of 133 complaints regarding print at home tickets for the Watford home semi-final leg. The club have looked into all of these cases and all of the issues were related to user error, poor printing, inappropriate care of barcodes and other non-system faults. The Club will restate the appropriate process for print at home tickets before the start of the season.
Agenda item – Play-off ticketing process
IF went over the details regarding the short turnaround time for the club. The time frame this season was shorter than for play-offs in previous seasons. IF said that the club ensured that staffing levels were as high as possible including over the Sunday and bank holiday. There were 16000 dropped calls to the Sales Centre on Sunday 5th May which was an indication of the very high level of demand during the sales period. The Club sold over 28000 tickets to home supporters in less than 5 days (approx. 50% through Fanstore, 30% through LCFCDirect and 20% through the telephone Sales Centre)
BW raised an incident where a seat was double sold; SC was aware of this and said this had happened for around 10 transactions. The issue was due to the online ticketing system (See360) crashing during the purchasing process and the system then releasing supporter’s seats to general sale.
Both GF and CD stated that selling to the general public on the first day wasn’t fair on STH, IF responded by saying that STH had their seats reserved until the Tuesday ( a period of 72 hours)and that by restricting the public on sales dates there would have been even more demand in a shorter time. IF acknowledged the point and agreed to consider additional priority periods for season ticket holders for similar games in future.
BL thought that play-off prices had been expensive. SC and IF explained the play-off pricing process, the Football League regulations on this matter and also an overview of the distribution of monies to all play-off teams.
CD pointed out the potentially misleading nature of one website article stating prices were £22 when they should have been from £22, SC acknowledged that there had been a lot of communications and articles after the Forest game and that the “From” element may have been omitted in an article but also that it had been reiterated in several SMS and email alerts. JT said we would review future communications to ensure that pricing details such as this were made explicit.
CD asked for clarification on the additional tickets for the 2nd leg which had been made advertised on Friday 10th. IF explained that these had been returns from sponsors/corporates and that they had been sold to season ticket holders queuing on a first-come-first served basis with 113 individual transactions on Saturday morning.
MH raised the issue of senior prices being too high compared to other clubs, JD stated that a Kop senior ST worked out at £13 per game, but will look into it further.
Agenda item – Season Ticket campaign 2013/14
IF explained the strategy for the season ticket campaign, the Club’s key aim to retain and grow the supporter base and to keep football affordable, particularly for families. SC noted that the Club were one of a few that are genuinely interest free with their DD scheme.
GF was happy to see that the club had addressed the TV fixture issue of last season with the new refund policy.
SC addressed an issue with family tickets being misunderstood. The policy is that a maximum of two adults per child were allowed, a small number of supporters were misinformed and the club has welcomed them to contact the club.
KF mentioned that her child was very happy to receive the personalised ST brochure; CD agreed that the personalised campaign artwork had received good feedback.
CD asked when memberships were due to launch, IF said this would happen before the new season.
Agenda item – Away priority
The current priority system was discussed with all agreeing it needed revising.
IF explained the new planned system of one credit per game, removing the previous game classification system to make it clearer to supporters. There would be a number of tiers to increase the Clubs priority scheme to a larger amount of people.
MH agreed this was a clearer system and similar to a previous method.
Agenda item – Upgrading Boxes
IF opened this point by stating that the club aims to offer different experiences to suit all tastes and budgets and this was part of the Clubs long term stadium infrastructure improvement strategy. Box holder prices will be released during the week commencing 03/06.
MH asked if there were plans to open any additional bars as the Sportsbar cannot meet demand. IF answered that the club are looking at some options regarding the opening of more bars in the footprint of the stadium or close to the ground.
SC stated that the exterior sponsorship banners are to be replaced this summer but steelworks cleaning is not scheduled this summer due to the cost.
Agenda item – Compass court case
SC addressed the case and its cause. The Club were very unhappy with the event and have held high-level discussions with Compass regarding the matter and reassurances are being sought.
It was made clear that Compass at King Power Stadium now have a 5-star food hygiene rating.
Agenda item – Kit launch
IF announced the kit launch for the 6th of July. Pre-order will be available dates is tbc.
Agenda item – Safety advisory group
SC discussed the background of the SAG and how the club felt it was time for two new members from the FCC to attend the meetings. FCC members encouraged to apply.
Volunteers to contact TR via [email protected]
Agenda item – Subcommittee feedback
TR discussed the first meeting of the subcommittee on the 17th April where additional topics were discussed in more depth. GF and CD provided feedback of the specific points.
Both agreed that the emphasis should be on the game and whilst the extra entertainment was welcome it shouldn’t take away from the 90 minutes of football.
CD would like to see the return of FNF (family night football) as this was a great way to introduce kids to LCFC.
BW raised the issue of a possible lift share/ car pool scheme to help those unable to attend the game, JT explained that the club would support this in principle but that there were potential legal issues with the nature of the scheme, to be explored further.
GF asked if it would be possible to have more staff on the bars in the Fosse Club because they are understaffed. BW asked about the possibility of more vegetarian food to be available in the concourses. IF and SC agreed and will discuss with Compass in the forthcoming meeting.
CD praised the recent fans challenge and stated that it would be good if an all-female version was created; JT agreed and will look into this.
JT discussed the Clubs Grass Roots scheme and planned schools programme. IF explained that there was a new community director who is reworking the club practices in this area.
Agenda item – Other business
MH, CD shared the good feedback they have received for the Junior Takeover event at the stadium.
AN discussed football issues with the committee, investigating the reasons behind the dip in form during Feb, Mar and April. The impact of FFP and how that affects the makeup of the squad.
AN stated that pre-season friendlies will be announced imminently.
AN will attend a Football League AGM next week where the loan issues surrounding Watford will be addressed.
AN confirmed that no first-team players were out of contract this summer.
BW and KF raised the issue of more STH rewards such as extra retail discount throughout the year and Christmas late night openings. JT and IF agreed this would be a good idea and will investigate further.
JT reminded all of similar events run through the course of the previous season and agreed to plan and communicate future events.
IF thanked everyone for their attendance and participation and wished all a happy summer and looked forward to seeing them again for the start of the season.
Meeting closed at 21:30pm
6.30pm in the Banks Lounge
Present: Alan Digby, Ali Grimley, Bernard Rice, Beverley Wallis, Brian Langston, Chloe Dexter, Edward Ball, Gregory Floy, Jamie Tabor (LCFC), Jim Donnelly (LCFC), Kathy Freeman, Marilynne Hallam, Mark English, Mitchell Topham, Tom Rowell (LCFC), Yogesh Kholia, Directors of LCFC: Simon Capper – Finance Director, Ian Flanagan – Commercial Director, Andrew Neville – Football Director
Apologies: Susan Whelan, Jon Rudkin, Angela White, Pat McConnell, Richard Tullis, Trevor Kirtley, Cliff Ginetta, Andy Gubbins, Cameron Nimmo