Attendees:
Barry Kilby, Andrew Watson, Cathy Pickup and 14 or 15 Supporters Club representatives.
The meeting was held in the
Chairman’s Lounge in the Bob Lord Stand and was held in a fairly informal and very
friendly manner with the club representatives answering questions and comments from the
supporters.
Suggestion was put forward from
Rossendale Clarets for an away season ticket and a flyer handed out for a scheme run by
Wolves. They sell about 750. The idea is that the money paid is £150 and goes towards
discounts off the price of away tickets purchased. Gets the money in upfront but
introduces another priority above season tickets. Club would investigate but didn’t
seem overly keen.
Away tickets have been sent back to
most clubs and the method of using stubs has worked. Note: this season’s stubs may
be needed for the early games next season.
All season ticket vouchers handed in
are checked and anybody who has accidentally ripped two out together is phoned up and
informed. Happens 4 or 5 times per game. Have looked at introducing photo card scheme to
replace books. Club have checked Bolton, Huddersfield and Wigan (all new grounds) and
Rangers (old ground). Rangers costs £300K. Cost per book for printing is 84p. May mean
reduction in number of stewards/turnstile operators.
New catering manager (Chris) has been
appointed with existing one (Graham) taking retirement. Suggestion was made that Balti
Pies are made available. Supplier has changed from Whites to Ashworths as quality had gone
down since operation moved to Manchester. Mixed reaction to new pies last week. 3000
– 7000 sold each week.
New box office manager has been
appointed. Has experience of Sainsbury’s loyalty card which could help with photo
card scheme for merchandising discounts.
Centre of excellence is on wish-list of
improvements. Difficulty with regards to planning permission at Gawthorpe. Definitely
cannot afford academy – no chance of competing with Man U, Liverpool and even
Blackburn. The coaches are very good but the standard coming through is not. Costs £300K
per year. Acknowledged that the scouting system is weak and needs building up.
No shirt sponsorship deal for next year
yet. It’s a case of getting the right price. Many companies have been approached.
Complaints about children on the loose
during Reserves Family Fun nights. No more this year.
Standards of the buses for Blackburn
was very poor. Looked like the Dingles! Not what the club ordered.
Golden Gamble sellers cause bottlenecks
at the top of stairs. Safety to look at.
Depending on the importance of the
game, Graham Taylor is to receive an award before the game at the Turf.
Cricket Club have had a number of
letters of support from Fulledge residents since the meeting but are now looking at two
other sites, one of which is Lancashire County Council land.
Jimmy McIlroy stand hospitality is on
the wish list of improvements. Cost £800K. Would like to do it as all hospitality in
Longside sold.
One of the supporters (Phil from the
Shooters?) thanked the board, the staff and the players for making it a very successful
season.
CISA raised the problem of racist
chanting at the Blackburn game and thought it inappropriate that the club had praised the
fans behaviour. Club meant no trouble and no arrests. Everybody agreed chanting was wrong
but instant reaction to Dingles chant. Some racist comments noted in certain areas of the
ground – should be reported to the club, either via the stewards at the time or by
noting seat numbers and letting the club know later. A small number of fans have been
ejected.
Final question: a young supporter had
asked when Bertie Bee was going to get a girlfriend?
