The first monthly supporters’ drop-in session was held in the Ernie Moss room at the Technique Stadium on Thursday, April 6 (it will be held on the first Thursday of each month) and around a dozen fans plus members of the forum committee attended. There was audio link that elicited several questions, but the audio quality was not ideal and an alternative method will be sought for future meetings.
Fans also had the opportunity to ask questions via email in advance of the meeting via [email protected] and this remains the best way to register any questions pertaining to matchday experiences (home and away) and any other supporter concerns.
Ahead of the open meeting, the dominant subject that supporters contacted the forum about was the change in the club’s policy regarding over-80s season ticket pricing. Last season, there were around 230 season ticket holders in this £50 category, many in premium location seats, and the non-attendance rate was close to 50%. This equated to (after VAT) £1.81 per seat per match which the club felt was unsustainable in the current financial circumstances.
Every comment was passed onto the club and there were several meetings to determine whether a withdrawal of the policy change would be made, but after substantial debate, the decision was made not to reverse the change. The disappointment of the withdrawal of the discount for Spire Lotto membership was also passed on to the club, but for similar financial reasons, this policy also remained unchanged.
For the 2024/25 season, the club have indicated that they will ensure the forum has sight of season ticket proposals before they are published so any potential issues can be addressed ahead of any announcement rather than afterwards, as was the case for 2023/24.
Other questions raised and being considered include:
- Card readers for programme sellers
- Concourse food offers (please suggest any items you would like to see)
- Stewarding both home and away, especially not being in an allocated seat in packed away areas
- The offer for matchday hospitality
- Provision of a cycle shed
- Karen Child (East) Stand queues
- Loading cup games onto season ticket cards
- Areas where maintenance was required (Karen Child East Stand gutters)
- Creation of a Fanzone
- Where’s the proposed fixtures board (on the way!)
Tom Lloyd has stepped down from the forum and Luke Searston has been appointed with a view to being able to convey the views of younger supporters. Further vacancies exist and supporters can email the forum (email address above) indicating that they would like to join the forum and, if necessary, elections will be organised.
