Fans Working Group
- Thread starter PLT
- Start date
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Ah, you don't know about the others NOT going, nor some of the others that are? Fair enough, you're at a disadvantage, so I'll leave it there.
Of course, based on this and other contrary replies on another thread, I could be forgiven for thinking you're fishing for arguments yet again, but I'm sure you wouldn't do that.
That being the case, it's even more of a token gesture. Unless they're planning to reply to the same question several times with no opportunity for feedback, or more likely, to explain to a few why things have to be done as they are.
It's a recipe for chaos, and a far from constructive way of approaching discussions.
Lets go round again baby
So I've named people who are going, you dont you just "know" and wont tell. Yawn same old same old We all know who's fishing.
FTFY.
Give it a rest Chazz. I never mentioned Allams, nor did I say they are nodding dogs. That's just you spinning for a row.
A sop to consultation, a game of charades with those who want to be included in the farce. Insist the on going name-change nonsense is reversed and stopped before attending anything. The lie grows, as does the debt; egos will follow. What do you believe you will achieve?
The new OSC board are working on a new benefits package at the moment, but it basically depends on what the club gives them. Generally it's free entry to all OSC events (including player visits, fans forums and player of the year events), a free stadium tour and some other stuff. There's some info on their website but it's about to be updated anyway depending on what the club offer.
Interesting meeting. AN are doing a proper write-up I think but here's a few thoughts. We spent almost 5 hours talking about various stuff and were really well looked after with food and drink etc. which was unexpected but nice. Most of the content discussed was quite pleasing. I got the impression they are going to start doing some serious marketing. The badge was explained as being a by-product of the uncertainty surrounding the name at the time the kit was commissioned rather than an Allam dummy spit about not being able to change the name. I suggested that this being the case, the 'new' badge shouldn't necessarily be permanent and that we should have the name back on it once we actually have a long-term name, James didn't disagree with that.
A guy from the council who heads up the SAG (the group who make decisions about safety in the ground) was there and explained some issues about segregation and safe standing in the future. Apparently the KC isn't equipped to increase the capacity through safe standing (which theoretically gives you 50% more capacity in areas where its fitted) because it's already at it's limits in terms of people per exit and getting people out in an emergency. In other words the club/SMC would make a loss by installing safe standing at the KC if and when it does become possible by law. This guy wasn't some jobsworth, he was interested in getting more people in the ground but is held back by regulations etc from elsewhere. Particularly in relation to getting people out quickly in the case of the KC.
There was also the guy who looks after all the catering on the concourses there. His staff served loads of food which is to be on the concourses next year and it was a lot better than stadium food usually is with a decent range of stuff, more than just the usual hot dog burger etc. I know this is a minor issue and no concern of mine really but it will interest some. Or just Tickler.
I made Chazz's suggestion about a 'Yorkshire Cup' sort of thing in pre-season and it was confirmed that this is actually something the club have already considered for the future.
Season pass sales are a lot better than I expected. We're about 900 short of last season's total apparently, but James was keen to stress this isn't a conclusive total figure as they're still expecting more.
Regarding the seat move, the away end is dynamic so for the smaller followings we can have the full North stand. The Ulltras have arranged for most if not all of their lot to be close together in N2 I believe, so hopefully my concern that the move could kill the atmosphere won't happen. James has made efforts to work with groups who currently sit near each other and wanted to stay together so that they can continue to do so. CTWD, AN, OSC, Ulltras, Away Direct were all represented.
The elephant in the room was of course the name change which was tentatively discussed but we obviously couldn't get much info about it without the owners present. I suggested that for this group to work we need to be able to discuss what is the biggest issue for most fans as part of it, and that it'd be good to get Ehab there so we can get some understanding between club and fans on where we're actually going now. Because as nice as it is to be able to discuss ticketing and marketing, it pales into insignificance for many people compared to the name change and the stance the club has taken with confrontational statements etc to actually oppose its own fans.
It was definitely useful, and I feel better about some things than before. James staying back til 11pm on a Friday night to talk to the fans was most appreciated. I've probably missed half of what was said but as I said before AN will do a more coherent write-up.
A guy from the council who heads up the SAG (the group who make decisions about safety in the ground) was there and explained some issues about segregation and safe standing in the future. Apparently the KC isn't equipped to increase the capacity through safe standing (which theoretically gives you 50% more capacity in areas where its fitted) because it's already at it's limits in terms of people per exit and getting people out in an emergency. In other words the club/SMC would make a loss by installing safe standing at the KC if and when it does become possible by law. This guy wasn't some jobsworth, he was interested in getting more people in the ground but is held back by regulations etc from elsewhere. Particularly in relation to getting people out quickly in the case of the KC.
There was also the guy who looks after all the catering on the concourses there. His staff served loads of food which is to be on the concourses next year and it was a lot better than stadium food usually is with a decent range of stuff, more than just the usual hot dog burger etc. I know this is a minor issue and no concern of mine really but it will interest some. Or just Tickler.
I made Chazz's suggestion about a 'Yorkshire Cup' sort of thing in pre-season and it was confirmed that this is actually something the club have already considered for the future.
Season pass sales are a lot better than I expected. We're about 900 short of last season's total apparently, but James was keen to stress this isn't a conclusive total figure as they're still expecting more.
Regarding the seat move, the away end is dynamic so for the smaller followings we can have the full North stand. The Ulltras have arranged for most if not all of their lot to be close together in N2 I believe, so hopefully my concern that the move could kill the atmosphere won't happen. James has made efforts to work with groups who currently sit near each other and wanted to stay together so that they can continue to do so. CTWD, AN, OSC, Ulltras, Away Direct were all represented.
The elephant in the room was of course the name change which was tentatively discussed but we obviously couldn't get much info about it without the owners present. I suggested that for this group to work we need to be able to discuss what is the biggest issue for most fans as part of it, and that it'd be good to get Ehab there so we can get some understanding between club and fans on where we're actually going now. Because as nice as it is to be able to discuss ticketing and marketing, it pales into insignificance for many people compared to the name change and the stance the club has taken with confrontational statements etc to actually oppose its own fans.
It was definitely useful, and I feel better about some things than before. James staying back til 11pm on a Friday night to talk to the fans was most appreciated. I've probably missed half of what was said but as I said before AN will do a more coherent write-up.
The kit (including badge) had to be confirmed by Feb 1st and we didn't know the name of the team then. That is of course the club's fault only, but that was the reason given for the badge change.
OLM also got a mention. There was some quite detailed discussion about trademarking of the badge and its components between James and a guy with professional experience of that sort of thing, but I thought it was funny that the club held back from applying for a particular trademark for the badge because they knew OLM would find the application and post it everywhere
The kit (including badge) had to be confirmed by Feb 1st and we didn't know the name of the team then. That is of course the club's fault only, but that was the reason given for the badge change.
OLM also got a mention. There was some quite detailed discussion about trademarking of the badge and its components between James and a guy with professional experience of that sort of thing, but I thought it was funny that the club held back from applying for a particular trademark for the badge because they knew OLM would find the application and post it everywhere
So an own goal and massive **** up then.....
I don't think anyone's disputing that the whole name change thing was/still is exactly that.
I was very surprised to see that I got invited to the Fans Working Group even though I am an expat, anti-name change, and had never submitted my name to be part of the group. Admittedly, I had made a suggestion to James Mooney a few weeks back about making the home European Qualifying rounds free to all season ticket holders but that was the extent of it. Maybe they just wanted some foreign representation! As far as I can see the attempt to set up a Fans Working Group is laudable and I applaud the effort to involve overseas fans.
Cheers PLT, I'll keep an eye out for the AN report.
Sounds like you quite enjoyed it, and got more out of it than you expected. Good to hear about the marketing, and the Ulltra's seem happy enough too.
So no nodding dogs, no cover up, no patting you on the head, JM isn't the devil, no token gestures, no chaos and you had constructive discussions and Aggron is still a whiney bitch seeking attention by bleating about stuff he knows nowt about.
Seriously, this is a first step in a positive direction and of course, he has to nitpick and make up crap. Good job he doesn't need the club to do his marketing for him eh?
I assume you'll be eager to go to the next one too?
Anyhoo, thanks, knowing your stance on stuff normally, this was a refreshing read, and I appreciate your honesty and candour.
Sounds like you quite enjoyed it, and got more out of it than you expected. Good to hear about the marketing, and the Ulltra's seem happy enough too.
So no nodding dogs, no cover up, no patting you on the head, JM isn't the devil, no token gestures, no chaos and you had constructive discussions and Aggron is still a whiney bitch seeking attention by bleating about stuff he knows nowt about.
Seriously, this is a first step in a positive direction and of course, he has to nitpick and make up crap. Good job he doesn't need the club to do his marketing for him eh?
I assume you'll be eager to go to the next one too?
Anyhoo, thanks, knowing your stance on stuff normally, this was a refreshing read, and I appreciate your honesty and candour.