Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 19th April 2007.
1. Tim Davies welcomed everyone and introduced Milan Mandaric who was attending his first Consultative Committee meeting.
2. The full committee was in attendance.
3. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as a true and accurate record.
4. Matters arising :TD confirmed that a road show would be taking place April 24th and also a school event on May 1st.
5. Milan Mandaric thanked everyone for their warm welcome and talked about his takeover of the club. He said he was frustrated with the timing and had hoped he could have been here earlier. This would have allowed him the opportunity to introduce additional players to the squad in preparation for next season. Having said that he understood that the negotiations had to be completed correctly and throughout the discussions he understood that Leicester City Football Club was the most important issue and not one individual.
He followed up by saying this is a great club with great support as witnessed by the fans reaction in the match v Birmingham City. He confirmed that significant investment will be made in the playing squad. In addition he will be looking to make the club more efficient, cost effective and generally put the club in a financially strong position.
He said that he did not expect the club to be in this position with 3 matches remaining. He had witnessed some encouraging performances particularly Fulham, Coventry City, Ipswich Town and West Bromwich Albion and he was surprised at the recent sequence of results.He reflected on the result and the performance at Plymouth Argyle and decided to act to change the manager. Nigel Worthington was approached and accepted the challenge of keeping the club in The Championship for the final 5 matches.
Mr Mandaric answered questions from the committee on a number of topics including:The arrival of Nigel Worthington and Doug Livermore.The appointment of a permanent manager.His time at Portsmouth FC.Plans for next season and the playing squad…..
6/7. TD said that the request for feedback on next season’s prices had produced mixed results. The prices for next season have still to be agreed and invited comments from the committee.A comparison was made against the standard price of season tickets with clubs in The Championship. We are in lower quartile of pricing and therefore our revenue from season tickets is less than other clubs of a similar status.
A general discussion took place on pricing of season tickets and match tickets and MM and TD answered specific points.
KB said that there had been a number of consecutive seasons of generally poor performances and any price increase needs to be carefully considered.
SW commented the ease that match tickets can be purchased with spare capacity in the stadium.
Kevin Bourgault thought that LCFC fans were loyal and although football is taking a bashing at all levels including pricing he thought that our match v Wolves would see a full stadium.
SW thought the club should move away from discounts.
KB liked the idea of a loyalty bonus for a season ticket holder.
CG said that the club should move away from grading of matches and have one flat rate for each match during the season.
LB asked whether the club had considered a small increase for next season rather than a higher increase the following season.
SW thought that fans will react positively to a possible increase if they had a special player or players to watch.
LH said it was still perceived by some fans that on match by match basis the season ticket holder was not getting value compared to a fan that bought individual tickets.
CT confirmed that the club needed to improve the communication to fans as season tickets holders do always get best value for money throughout the season.
EB thought that our prices are low compared to other clubs.
CG said the club has every right to put up the prices bearing in mind that the prices have not increased in recent seasons.
LB said that fans like the direct debit system.
In conclusion MM and TD thanked the committee for their views and said that the proposals for the 2007-2008 season tickets and match tickets will be published once our League position is clarified.
8. TD thanked the members of the committee that had taken part in a sub committee to discuss kit.He confirmed that the samples for next season were being considered and that a 2 year cycle for the kit is being reintroduced. White shorts or blue shorts were mentioned and KB said we get promoted in blue shorts.
9. AN advised that although there was uncertainty on the name of the manager for next season, the pre-season plans are being formulated.The players are due to return for training at the beginning of July and the club was trying to arrange a home match on Saturday August 4th.
10. Any Other Business.
CG spoke positively about the singing section (N block) and the improved atmosphere.
PJ reported on the fact that the drum was being played by Lee Jobber in L section and all felt the atmosphere was being helped by his involvement.
RK commented on the continuing poor level of service in the concourse kiosks. The possibilities of vouchers to speed up the queues were discussed. TD confirmed that the contract for the kiosk catering was being put out to tender.
AN advised that the club had entered the Pontins Central League (Reserves) for next season with matches probably being played at Hinckley United.
CT said that modifications had been made to the ticket office and ticket trailer queuing system on match days to help reduce the times.
AN advised that the stewards as well as having ‘first names’ identification from next season may also have modifications to the style of clothing.
AN thanked the members of the committee that had attended a meeting before the Norwich City fixture. This was arranged to discuss future funding of the LCFC Academy and particular reference was made to Norwich City that had raised considerable funds since its introduction 10 years ago. This matter is ongoing.
TD updated the meeting on Foxlot and said that the lottery was now being run ‘in house’ and all prizes were up to date with 40% of all monies received given in prize money and the balance to the Academy.
CG said he was pleased that the club would be playing in a Reserve League and that the intermediate step between youth and senior football will help the development of our Academy players.
TD thanked the committee for their help over the season.
Meeting closed at 8.20pm. 11. Next meeting – To be confirmed, probably before the start of next season. New members welcome and in the meantime if consultation is needed emails could be used.
In attendance
Milan Mandaric, Tim Davies, Andrew Neville, Chris Tinbergen, Peter Jones(LCFC)
Linda Barron, Ellen Bale, Andy Gubbins, Chris Gubbins, Kevin Bunney, Andy Wilford, Simon Winfield,Kevin Bourgault, Alan Digby, Cliff Ginnetta, Raj Kumar, Steve Robertshaw, Lisa Hunt