Present at the meeting were Barry Kilby, Frank
Teasdale, Clive Holt, Bob Blakeborough, representatives from the press and representatives
of many of the supporters clubs, including Accrington Clarets, Huddersfield Clarets,
ourselves and CISA, plus all of the more local clubs.
Stan Ternent appeared shortly after the start of
the meeting, which was in a very hot and stuffy room in the Café Claret. The questions
and answers have been expanded from summarised notes written at the time and apologies are
made if they are not quite correct or attributed to the wrong person.
General Comments
The meeting was informal with no minutes being
taken. A list of questions submitted by the supporters club was used as a sort of agenda
read in alphabetical order of club. The atmosphere was fairly friendly with no huge
disagreements. Initials of the respondents are given for each question.
Q: Have the club considered half-season
tickets which could be given as Christmas presents? Or even now, in light of recent
changes and signings, where people may be willing to buy these tickets if they were
available.
BB: Other clubs have tried this and
encountered problems where people wait until they see how things are going before buying,
thus depriving the club of money in the summer when they most need season ticket sales to
tide them over. Calendar year season tickets are being considered as an idea.The fans'
sponsorship game is also available for those wanting to give gifts at Christmas.
Q: Have Burnley considered discounts for
students?
BB: Unlike most clubs who charge 2/3 to
3/4 of full price for children, Burnley do only charge half price for concessions, so this
would mean quite a substantial loss. An option of deferred payments is being considered.
Q: Will the fans have input in the design
of the new kit?
BB: It's too late this time as the deal
is about to be completed for the new kit. A competition is likely to be held to decide the
next kit.
BK: Manufacturer will be announced in the
next few weeks. Good idea to have fan input as Sunderland, for example, had record
receipts after a similar exercise. Good idea, definitely next time.
Q: Is there any possibility that a lift
could be installed in the two new stands for the elderly or partially disabled to
facilitate easier access?
CH: Not feasible due to the cost and
problems with safety, as refuge areas would be required. Cost would be £40-50,000 in
total. Seats are still available in the Bob Lord for those that find the stairs difficult
in the new stands.
Q: Is the current disabled area
permanent, as it is unprotected and open to the elements?
CH: Yes. More protected area is available
in the Cricket Field Stand. The current area was agreed for safety and cost.
Q: Is there an official representative
for the disabled who has input to the board?
CH: No. But all letters are fielded by
him in his position as Ground Director and they are all acknowledged.
Q: Why can't the Burnley fans have the
Cricket field stand back?
CH: Not possible as there is nowhere else
to put the away fans. Vertical segregation of north stand not feasible for safety reasons,
as police do not like fans mingling on concourses. Horizontal segregation, where away fans
are given lower tier, thought likely to lead to trouble from home fans above (witnessed by
Burnley fans at Charlton). All other options would increase policing costs and Cricket
Field Stand is worst standard of accommodation.
Q: What is the club's communication
policy? Why don't they seek fans' opinions, possibly through a survey? Onerous task but
would produce a big benefit. Do the club have a business plan? Fans need to know who to
contact to get info into and out of the club. Do the club take examples of good practice
from other clubs?
BK: They do have an organisation chart,
as it was the first thing he asked for on appointment and they are looking at a full
business plan for the club. Until this is in place there is no point in surveys and
contact points as they may all change.
Q: Is there a complaints procedure?
BK: At the moment each of the directors
has responsibility for a particular area and all correspondence is addressed by relevant
area. Looking at a Chief Executive role but until they have the business plan they could
not say what they wanted them to do, so cannot appoint them.
Q: Have the club considered focus groups
including fans to concentrate on particular issues?
BK: Again. until Business Plan in place,
not much use as everything is likely to change.
Q: Other clubs have contributions from
supporter's clubs in the matchday programme. Why not in ours?
A: Can put entries in box in club shop.
Because the programme is pasted up in standard format some way in advance to keep costs
down, they must be willing to take a regular set amount of space and be willing to get the
copy in on time! Look at all other programmes in Division for ideas and top three over all
divisions.
Q: Why were Burnley fans charged £13 to
stand compared to £14 for Lincoln fans to sit down at recent game?
FT: Confirm in writing and he will take
up with League as prices should be similar for similar accommodation.
Another example quoted was Man City, where we
were charged £12, and Millwall, £16 and no concessions. Also food at Macclesfield was
more expensive for Burnley fans. No league rules on refreshment prices. Mention of the
state of Blackpool's ground and the fact that they will have even less fans next year.
Q: What can be done about the lack of
atmosphere since the Longside went?
FT: Known to be a problem but do not want
a band!
Q: Lack of new merchandise in the shop.
Also not aimed at women or children.
BB: Admitted not much for women.
Children's was enough for demand. There is £200,000 worth of stock but much is in static
lines that aren't very popular and which need to be got rid of to allow new stock in.
FT: Problem is that most children want
the brand names and logos.
A suggestion was made for an end of season sale,
possibly in the gym, with players selling off items.
Q: Any idea where the pre-season tour
will be, as some people would like to plan their holidays?
ST: Few ideas but nothing definite yet.
Q: Is Brad Maylett signed up on a long
term deal yet?
ST: Yes.
Q: How happy are you with the team are
now?
ST: Much happier than a couple of months
ago. Still injury problems and a long way to go, but things are getting better.
Q: Staffing levels at Cafe Claret at
lunchtimes have been very poor. Can take twenty to twenty five minutes to get served.
CH: Arrangements now in place for extra
staff when busy. Has improved. (This was agreed by some supporters.)
Q: Why do tickets still have Endsleigh
logo and John Howarth as secretary printed on them?
FT: Because we had a lot of blanks
printed which are still being used up.
Q: Has any progress been made on the
museum idea?
CH: Good idea. Initial cost for security
etc is a problem. Will be looked at during the summer and anybody with anything that could
be used should contact Ray Simpson, the club historian.
Q: What can the supporters do in terms of
fundraising and trust funds and what purpose could they be put to?
ST: Would like to see big improvements to
Gawthorpe to set it up as a proper School of Excllence. Academy is beyond club's reach as
Sunderland have, for example, spent £10 million on theirs. New facilities would include a
gym and changing rooms and an area for parents. Reckons about £500,000 needed to do a
proper job.
Board pointed out that it is better if
supporters spend their money on this than sponsoring games etc, as local businesses will
always sponsor games and players etc but cannot put money to this type of project.
Q: Can the Cafe Claret be opened for
breakfasts before away travel?
A: Already done.
CH: Season ticket prices will be going up
next year as they have been held for the last two.
Q: Can pre-season games be priced much
lower to attract crowds?
A: Has to be agreed with away team.
Q: When are the stands going to be named
properly?
CH: Talking to sponsors of East Stand. If
stand already has a name then sponsorship revenue is much reduced.
Q: What is Burnley's selection and
training policy for stewards, in light of the recent treatment by away stewards,
particularly at Millwall?
Alex Wood is in charge of the stewards and any
complaints should be directed to him. Having been assessed, Burnley's stewards are
considered some of the best in Lancashire.
Q: Have the board noticed that the
details in the programme regarding the date of the Macclesfield game are still incorrect?
A: No. This will be dealt with.
Q: As the Preston game is being shown
live on Sky, are there going to be any special promotions for the game, as we don't want
to see empty seats which has occurred at other live games?
BB: Extra advertising on local radio, but
as the game is a local derby it is expected to sell well anyway.
A suggestion was made that 'bring a friend'
games are instigated at less popular games, where a regular attender / season ticket
holder brings a friend along who wouldn't normally attend. If promoted by the supporters
clubs the difference to the gate could be assessed.
