What is the The Fans Consultative Committee?
Using the Basic Concept developed post Administration, by Nigel Richie of the Foxes Trust, with a few amendments from the Club; the meetings are “formal” discussions between the Club & its “Supporter Representatives”. The Foxes Trust attends along with the other Fans Organisations (Official Supporters Club & Disabled Supporters Association) with a number of “selected” fans, numbering approx 12. These come from various Groups, including, Season Ticket Holders, Members, Corporate Members, Match by Match supporters, and fans from all parts of the ground, and Senior LCFC staff.
When are the Meetings Held?
The last meeting was on Thursday 9th December 2010, and the meetings are normally every 3-4 Months.
What Format do they take?
Meetings generally have a have a structured format, (i.e.: An Official Agenda is produced – it is normally a mixture of some items that Club wish to discuss and some that the FCC Members have raised for discussion. Although there is generally an around the table – Any Other Business (AOB) session at the end.
Who attends from the Club?
The Meetings are Chaired by Tom Bettles in his role as Head of Fanzone / Supporter Liaison Officer, in December also in attendance from the club were “TOP” (Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn – Owner), Lee Hoos, (Chief Executive) Andrew Neville (Club Secretary), Chris Tinbergen, (Head of Non-Football Administration) Jamie Tabor (Marketing Manager), and Paul Hunt (Commercial Director), along with Angela White who was taking the minutes. This was TOP’s first meeting with fans, so it was eagerly anticipated to see what he was like & his thoughts for the club going forward.
Where can you view the Minutes of the Meetings?
The Minutes are always published on the Club Website (under Fans & FCC) & on the Foxes Trust Website. (This article was delayed from publication on the Trust website until the official minutes of the last meeting were issued & published which only happened earlier this month)……..
Main Points Discussed at the Last Meeting in December 2010
Lee Hoos gave a brief Chief Executive update on the season so far, and clarified some of the changes and the reasons behind them.
Away Ticket Allocation
A discussion centred on the problems of:
a/ The Top Priority Away Ticket Supporters more often than not, getting the worst seats. Generally this is caused by the Host club, issuing instructions to LCFC on which rows/blocks to sell first.
b/ Standing issues that “reserved” seats at away grounds are causing, where people who don’t sit obstruct the view of the fans that do. It was felt where at all possible that the allocation should be unreserved. Given those who want to stand (subject to the Host club ground regulations/tolerance of standing) the chance of doing so at the back or in an area away from the main body of seated fans.
The use of Former Players in Matchday Marketing of Games.
A point raised by a FCC Member who felt that using Steve Walsh for example, to encourage people to buy tickets for fixtures was not a good idea, as it was felt that players from that era are not really known by the current fanbase. It was felt that using current squad members would be better. The club explained that it used both in its Marketing campaigns, but that current squad members were not always readily available for this type of work due to playing commitments etc., and took the decision on who to use on a Match by Match basis.
Food Kiosks
The usual problems of:
a/ Queuing times at half time.
b/ Running out / not stocking of certain items in some of the Kiosks in various parts of the stadium.
c/ Problems with the Staff not being correctly Trained and “communication problems”.The Club advised any Fans with issues of this nature to contact them via FanZone so they could take the matter up with the catering supplier.
Season Tickets 2011/2012.
A discussion took place on Prices & payment methods the club are hoping to use. Whilst the prices were not revealed, the club advised that it was looking at the Direct Debit Payment Scheme with a view to changing it.
The club currently has approx 14,500 Season Ticket Holders (STH). Also for 2011/2012 the STH would have an exclusive email service advising of special STH offers & promotions etc. The Club could not also confirm what impact the increase of VAT from 17.5% to 20% on the 4th January 2011, would have on both next years Season Ticket Prices & indeed match day prices for the current Season as well as next.
The general feeling of the meeting was that the tickets are fairly priced in relation to some of our “near neighbours”, but that any increase – given the economic situation in the country – should be minimal, if there had to be one at all. The FCC also felt, the club had to work harder/smarter on convincing fans of the benefits of having a Season Ticket.
2011/2012 Kit.
The Club advised that it would be looking at changing both the Home & Away Kit for next season. As regards the Away Kit a straw poll was taken of the members as to the main colour. White was the winner among votes for Red, Black, Yellow & even a Purple! So watch this space in the summer to see what colour is actually used!
In AOB:
It was mentioned that the Bristol City game has a clash with Tigers & as yet it had not been decided who was to move to accommodate. The Manchester City Cup Tickets would be £15 for STH’s, the whole stadium would be open, and that STH’s had until close of business on Boxing Day to secure their seats.
So this gives an overview of what the FCC is, and who attends. It would be more effective if these meetings were more “regular”, but it hopefully gives the club valuable feedback from the fans and should allow them to make more informed decisions on matters that affect fans going forward.