A representative of Union FS was present at the FCC meeting held on Wednesday 26th November at Filbert Way. It should be pointed out that these minutes from the meeting are unofficial, based around notes made by our representative at the time. The minutes are not intended to be a word-for-word repetition of the meeting as it turns out it’s pretty tricky to make detailed notes while also being an active participant. If you were present on the night and notice anything inaccurate or missing, please comment on this post or email us at filbospirit@gmail.com to let us know. The Club will publish a copy of the official minutes in due course.
Agenda:
- Welcome
- Apologies
- Committee member introduction
- Process of FCC meeting
- Feedback on minutes from last full meeting
- Action points from last meeting
- LCFC Foxes Foundation activities and information
- Thailand International Academy
- Open Discussion
- Close of meeting
Present:
SW – Susan Whelan (LCFC Chief Executive Officer)
SC – Simon Capper (LCFC Finance Director)
IF – Ian Flanagan (LCFC Commercial Director)
JR – John Rudkin (LCFC Academy Director – arrived approximately half way through due to attending a Premier League meeting beforehand)
MZ – Marek Zacharkiw (LCFC CRM Marketing Executive)
AW – Angela White (LCFC – taking the official minutes I believe)
JT – Jamie Tabor (LCFC Head of Marketing)
SP – Scott Paul (LCFC Head of Ticketing)
JD – Jim Donnelly (LCFC Supporter Liaison Officer)
AG – Ali Grimsley (Leicestershire Police – Head of match day policing operations)
R – Richard ? (General Manager of the company responsible for match day catering)
Also in attendance were the supporters selected to represent the different age groups for each of the four stands at the ground. Representatives from the Foxes Trust, Leicester City Supporters Club and Leicester City Disabled Supporters Association were also present.
* I believe I may have missed a couple of Club officials off the list as I didn’t have chance to get everyone’s names down. If anyone can help fill in the blanks, that would be great. Otherwise, the Club’s official minutes will provide a full list of attendees.
Introduction
SW opened the meeting and advised of apologies.
All committee members introduced themselves round the table.
SW explained how the format of the meeting would work.
Feedback & action points from last meeting
SW took us through key points from the last meeting and explained what action had been taken on issues raised.
SW advised that stadium improvements had been carried out over the summer, mostly focussed around the hospitality areas.
SW explained it had not been possible to implement ‘scoreflash’ due to English Premier League rules.
SW also declared that a media survey has been drawn up by the Club. This will be sent to FCC members in order to gather feedback about the survey itself and take on board any suggested improvements. Once all are happy, the aim will be to circulate it to all supporters to canvass opinion on how the Club uses media.
Foxes Foundation activities and information
SW handed over to MZ to talk about the Foxes Foundation.
MZ explained that the Foxes Foundation is the umbrella name that refers to all of the Club’s charitable activities.
MZ stated that the Foxes Foundation has already raised over £1 million since its inception.
MZ introduced a range of festive products that will be available in the Fanstore this Christmas. All profits from sales of these products will go to the Foxes Foundation.
MZ gave an overview of upcoming charitable activities, including the Birch’s Bingo Night and the Santa Fun Run on Sunday 7th December.
Thailand International Academy
SW took the committee through the Thailand International Academy as JR had not yet arrived back from a Premier League meeting earlier in the evening.
SW explained why the academy has been set up and that giving opportunities to young people is something very important to our owners. SW explained that the opportunity is as much about education as it is about football.
Open Discussion
SW invited questions from the floor.
Q. Will the electric advertising boards eventually go around all four sides of the pitch?
A. SW said ‘no’. The electric ad boards are only required on three sides of the pitch due to the position of the television cameras in the East Stand.
Q. The tannoy is difficult to hear from the stands. Can anything be done about this?
A. JT explained that the Club have upgraded the PA system. They are aware of problems with lack of clarity and have looked in to this several times. It’s still not clear where the problem lies although it is likely down to the different methods of delivery of e.g. the PA announcer and the Birch.
Q. Are there any more reciprocal agreements in place regarding away tickets, both in terms of pricing and allocation? The example of Liverpool was used where we are being charged up to £47 and have been given an allocation of only 1,813, while they have been given a larger allocation and cheaper-priced tickets for their visit to Leicester next week.
A. SW stated that the Club are working with others to secure further reciprocal deals for this season but some clubs are more open to this than others. SP explained that the allocations, such as the 1,813 for Liverpool, are initial allocations and more tickets can be requested by the Club, up to approximately 3,000. This is the most any club realistically expects to get for an away game in the Premier League.
Q. Are there plans for the Club to subsidise away tickets directly, using money from the Premier League Away Fans’ Fund?
A. SW explained that the Club had already done this at Swansea and has also subsidised travel, the affects of which will become clearer as the season progresses. Ideas have also been discussed as how to make away games more attractive for families to attend together.
Q. Why is the allocation for Hull away so small?
A. SP explained this is an initial allocation. The Club has the option to take more tickets for the game but will judge this decision on sales for the initial allocation. They will be penalised if they take up the option for more tickets but cannot sell them. SP noted that for 6 of 7 away games so far this season, we have taken up the full allocation and sold out completely. A point was raised from the floor that it should be made clear that an initial allocation is an initial allocation and fans should be informed about the option for the Club to take more tickets. This was acknowledged by SP.
Q. Can away tickets be sold on the gate at the day of the game?
A. SP advised that this is technically possible but extremely unlikely that any Premier League clubs would allow it.
Q. Will there be a Christmas fair this year?
A. SW said there will not be a Christmas fair this year as the pre-Christmas home fixture against Manchester City is in a higher risk category and is therefore unsuitable.
Q. Has a conclusion been reached regarding working with the council to provide better transport links to and from home fixtures?
A. SW stated this is still work in progress. The council are open to it but the logistics still need to be worked out.
Q. When roads around the stadium are closed before a home game, do they stay closed during the game?
A. AG advised that the roads are re-opened once play is in progress, as long as everything is ok and there have been no incidents.
Q. What are other committee members’ opinions on the drum in L block? Has the Club had any feedback on the drum or considered using a smaller one?
A. SW said that the Club would like to find out more supporters’ opinions about the drum and encouraged feedback from the committee members. JT advised that there are five different sizes of drum available to the drummer. They have found the largest to be most effective as it offers a deeper sound which carries further. It was agreed that it would be desirable to get all sections of the ground singing in unison, rather than different chants coming from different areas at the same time. SW said the Club are open to the idea of a ‘Kop leader’ to facilitate chanting in the Kop and this could be explored further. One committee member suggested using a microphone to channel the sound of the drum through the speakers to enhance the sound. SW said the idea could be looked in to. JT and SW suggested it may be worth organising a separate group to meet and discuss the issue of atmosphere.
Q. Have the Club received any complaints about the drum?
A. No. JT said one man moved his season ticket elsewhere as he didn’t want to be near the drum. Otherwise, feedback has been positive.
Q. Could the role of the PA announcer be made more visual/interactive?
A. SW & JT said the Club are open to changing the role of the PA announcer to see which approach works best.
Q. Could the Club make better use of the screens by zooming in on supporters in the stands during the build-up to the match/at half time? This could be used for birthdays, special occasions etc.
A. SW & JT said this is a good idea which the Club can look in to straight away.
Q. Has the Club considered changing the pre-game build-up music and consulting the fans about this?
A. SW said the Club is open to changing the pre-match music. It was acknowledged by all present that it is impossible to satisfy all supporters’ individual tastes. JT explained that presently, a selection of current and chart music is chosen on a match-by-match basis by the media team, for the period up to approximately 2.40pm. After this, there is a ‘static’ list of tracks which have been selected with input from Nigel Pearson, from 2.40pm until the post-horn gallop. Suggestions from the floor to improve the pre-match music included turning off the music completely for the 15-20 minutes before kick-off in order to let the atmosphere build organically, and asking a different player from the squad to choose the last 15-20 mins of build-up music for each game. The last suggestion could be coupled with a feature on the player’s song selection in the match day programme.
Q. Why does the scoreboard no longer have a clock on it?
A. IF said the scoreboard had been tidied up in the off season.
Q. Will the Club be introducing a contactless payment option at refreshment kiosks?
A. R advised that the Club invested heavily in till technology over the summer and hopes to offer a contactless option in the future, hopefully from the start of next season. However, it is still a limited technology at the moment and the logistics of implementing it are still being worked out.
Q. Is there a plan to open another bar due to the popularity of the 1884 Sports Bar on match days?
A. SW indicated that there is further refurbishment due to take place next year which may include a new bar. There is a lot to be considered in terms of the concept and making it viable to open on non-match days as well. The Club are keen to get more fans to the ground as early as possible on match days to make a proper occasion of each game. SW has looked in to other fan villages in order to gather ideas and find a formula that will work.
Q. Football in the Community is not recognised enough. Should they have a place on the FCC?
A. SW said this is a good idea and would like closer links with Football in the Community. SW pointed out that the Club has offered continued support to Football in the Community, both financially and in terms of time resources.
Q. Union FS have been liaising with the Safe Standing Roadshow about the possibility of bringing the safe-standing demonstration unit to Leicester. Is this something the Club would be open to?
A. SW stated that there is no appetite for safe standing or dialogue over the issue by authorities at Premier League level. SW explained that she is not convinced by the merits of safe standing, citing the example of Germany where large fences are needed to separate supporters. SW did not see the benefit of the Safe Standing Roadshow coming to Leicester or what it would achieve; indicating that the way things are now is ok, with common-sense stewarding the best approach. One committee member suggested, even if the Club are not interested in viewing the demonstration unit, it would still be beneficial to supporters to have the chance to see it as the issue of safe standing is primarily about choice. Thus, supporters should be given the chance to view the unit and learn more about safe standing, enabling them to make a more informed choice if consulted on the matter in the future.
Several committee members praised the Club’s recent innovation of allowing supporters to choose specific seats when purchasing tickets for away matches. All acknowledged this is a good idea.
Meeting closed
Filbo Spirit 