Leicester City Football Club Fans Consultative Committee Meeting – King Power Stadium
Wednesday 26 November 2014
Today features the second part of the minutes, the meeting was in an open discussion session where we re-commence
Priority ticket system – It was felt that when we go on sale we should state that there is an initial allocation of xxx tickets and these can rise to xxx should there be sufficient uptake.
SP explained that tickets go on sale roughly 6 weeks in advance of each game. We have to make a commitment to the away club for tickets 4 weeks before each fixture. CD felt that the priority system is working well this season although the initial communication to explain the system wasn’t great. This was acknowledged by the Club.
DS explained that last season’s changed fixtures due to TV games impacted on the priority system.
ACTION POINTS – SP to ensure that all future communications regarding away tickets stipulates initial allocation followed by number of total tickets available should there by sufficient uptake. Actioned.
Option to purchase tickets on the day at the away club – SP advised it depends on the club, some do not allow it.
Will there by a Winter Wonderland this year? – SW advised unfortunately that isn’t possible as the closest game leading up to Christmas is against Manchester City on Saturday 13 December and due to the police classification of the game this would not be allowed. It was the same last year and the owners made a donation to the LCFC Foxes Foundation in place of Winter Wonderland.
City transport links – SW advised that we are engaging quite a lot with the council and have a meeting scheduled with them next week and this topic will be on the agenda. They are very open to suggestions. At the moment we often have 32,000 people leaving the stadium at the same time which causes congestion around the whole city.
Sunderland brought 55 coaches which had an impact on everyone leaving the ground. We have to consider everyone's safety.
Roads closed before the game – The roads will normally stay closed until the game has kicked off. The number of coaches at the game necessitates what action is taken. SW advised that 30 minutes before kick-off is the norm but the decision is taken on a match by match basis based on how busy the outside of the stadium is. The decisions that are taken are to ensure everyone’s safety.
Drum in L Block/general atmosphere – has a smaller group elsewhere in the stadium (in addition to L Block) been considered? SW said that this is exactly the sort of topic we would like to discuss. The current drum has been re-skinned. JT advised that we have 5 drums the current one is the biggest and the biggest drum has the deepest sound. This season we have had to move Lee Jobber due to the TV gantry being used by Sky for every game. SW advised we are happy to consider having a supporter in the Kop and L Section who can communicate with each other through microphones to enhance the matchday atmosphere and have a larger impact around the stadium. The South East corner location may be an option. JT to look at options.
SW explained we have been trying to obtain 6 or 8 huge drums from Thailand. YK asked if we could record the sound of these drums and then play it through the microphones. We would need to give this some more thought but will look into it. SW felt this would be an ideal topic for our first focus group. Anyone who would like to be considered for this to advise MK through the dedicated e-mail address. SW said we should target the first home game in January for activation. Please consider what you see at other grounds and feedback if you like anything in particular. It was noted there is also the potential to have the Public Announcer pitchside. YK thought it would be a great idea to zoom in on the crowd and show the images on the large video screens. SW advised we have an extended media team due to the Premier League activity so we should be able to arrange this. IF to activate for the Liverpool game.
ACTION POINTS – JT to look at options for adding an additional person or group to play another drum/s. JT to look into 2 supporters using microphones to communicate in different parts of the ground. MEMBERS to feedback through the dedicated e-mail address if they would like to be part of a focus group. MEMBERS to feedback any good ideas they see at other grounds. IF to arrange with the media team to show crowd images on the video screens before the game starting from the Liverpool game.
Having checked with our media team, our current camera does not have a zoom or changeable lens. If this is something we choose to proceed with the Club will need to purchase an additional camera however it would only be suitable for pre-match build-up.
A second drum is now being used in SK1.
It is proving difficult to use microphones in different parts of the ground due to the radio signal in the stadium. As the drums are working well independently the atmosphere is being monitored.
Members to contact MZ via fcc@lcfc.co.uk if they would like to be part of the focus group.
Music before the game – A general discussion took place regarding everyone’s preferences and the current format. JT explained that we have consulted with the fans a number of times before but with 32,000 people in the stadium, and music being a very personal choice, it is difficult to come up with something that pleases everyone. SW said we should look at the play list again. We could ask supporters to send in requests for supporter tracks to be played 2pm – 2.30pm. SW said we could look at changing the static music 15 minutes before kick-off. RT felt there was the potential to have a squad member choose a song and they write in the programme why they chose it. SW felt this was a very good idea and could be linked into the player profile in the matchday magazine. IF to speak to the media team.
ACTION POINTS – JT to activate a communication plan asking supporters for their music requests. IF to speak to the media team regarding the music leading up to kick off. IF to speak to the media team regarding the players’ favourite piece of music linked into the matchday magazine player profile piece.
After consultation with the Head of Media and Matchday Magazine Editor, the Club will take the above into consideration when planning for next season.
King Power re-branding around the stadium – SW explained that the King Power font/logo has changed but we will re-brand the stadium as one exercise in close season. If all goes well we will re-vamp the concourses also to create a more pleasant environment for our fans.
Rugby World Cup 2015 – IF gave an update and in particular transport arrangements.
“Real time” clock on the video screens – Due to the configuration of the graphics on the screen there is not sufficient space to put a clock on the video screen.
Is the Club considering contactless payments? Compass has spent £250k on technology in relation to tills and they are currently looking at new ways where we could potentially look at contactless. SW advised that the Club is also looking into this form of payment in relation to the ticketing and retail operation. It was noted that a number of credit card companies do not offer this facility.
Is there a plan to open another bar as the 1884 gets very full on a matchday? SW advised there is the potential for a ground floor opportunity and we will probably look at this as part of a refurbishment programme for next season. We need to take into consideration matchdays and non-matchdays as well as the demographic.
Fan Village – The Club is looking at the potential of having a Fan Village next season. We would like fans to arrive earlier and make it a day out. SW said that the owners want to make King Power stadium a fantastic destination.
Community Trust – AD felt that the Club doesn’t communicate the great work that the Community Trust undertakes to full advantage and felt it would be a good idea for them to have representation at this meeting. SW agreed.
ACTION POINT – SW to speak to the Community Trust Director and invite him on to the FCC. Actioned.
“Safe-Standing” – SW explained that “safe-standing” is not legal and therefore there would be no point in the Club staging a roadshow as it would not benefit anyone and whilst she is open minded the Club is obliged to follow regulations. We are not able to designate an area for safe standing. SW travelled to London to meet people in relation to both sides of the argument so that she could personally understand the complete issue.
Choosing your own seats at away games – SP explained that we have been trialling this for a small number of supporters. SP advised that we have to sell tickets in a specific order in accordance with the away clubs instructions. Supporters can request where they would like to sit but this has to be done block by block as allocated by the away club.
Premier League Survey – MZ advised that the Premier League are carrying out a survey on behalf of all Premier League Clubs in relation to the matchday experience. This will enable us to benchmark other clubs. Please encourage as many people as possible to complete the survey.
ACTION POINTS – MZ to send the link to all committee members. MEMBERS encourage other supporters to complete the survey. Actioned.
Foxes Remembered – CD thought it was a brilliant event. SW felt it was very important for the Club to be involved and at the same time support the Royal British Legion with this wonderful initiative.
Communicating FCC members to supporters – can we tell supporters who the committee members are?
ACTION POINT – JT to arrange for the information to be put on the website and on poster sites around the stadium. Actioned.
NEXT MEETING:
SW advised that we will arrange our next meeting at the Training Ground so that everyone can see our amazing facility.(Foxes Trust note, the Trust has chased the club for the date of the next meeting a number ot times, given it is approaching 6 months since the last meeting it is unlikely the club will deliver its commitment noted earlier in the minutes to hold 4 meetings per year)
Please note that since the meeting Jon Rudkin has been appointed as Director of Football.
Present: Alan Digby (Foxes Trust), Ali Grimsley (Leicestershire Constabulary), Angela White (LCFC), Chloe Dexter (East Stand), Cliff Ginetta (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), Jamie Tabor (LCFC), Jim Donnelly (LCFC) Jon Rudkin (LCFC Academy Director), Marek Zacharkiw (LCFC), Michelle McLean (Family Stand), Nicholas Palmer (West Stand), Peter Hill (Family Stand), Richard Lymbery (Compass General Manager), Richard Tullis (West Stand), Scott Paul (LCFC), Simon Capper (LCFC Finance Director), Susan Whelan (LCFC Chief Executive Officer), Stuart Symons (East Stand), Yogesh Kholia (Spion Kop)
Apologies: Andrew Neville (LCFC Football Operations Director), Andy Gubbins (Leicester City Disabled Supporters Association), James Challinor (Spion Kop) Robert Maybury (East Stand), Simon Grindrod (Fosse Club, Keith Weller Lounge)