FAN meeting 28th November

[Nomad]

On 18/11/2016 at 17:08, Welcome To The Jungle said:

Do the club have any plans to help the atmosphere improve in the Atyeo and/or the rest of the ground? 

Yes - the plan is to digitally remaster the atmosphere from the 70's and play it from the seat speakers clandestinely installed in the lower West stand. Unsold seats will have mannequins installed who will raise arms and open mouths in tune with the chants played. The aim is to encourage other fans to join in.

A similar project was planned for the Atyeo but was scrapped as we know they are the best and loudest fans in the world. They also couldn't find any footage to remaster their favourite 'You're not singing over there, you c***'s'. 

The Dolman project was laughed off the table as they (me included) are all too hard of hearing and would find it rather confusing.

 

[Wolf Island]

Disappointing that there wasn't a chance to discuss the club shop and how Reading's is much better and how we should knock through into the coffee shop and how more City posters and key rings should be available.

[Phileas Fogg]

Thanks to those that attended and recorded the minutes.

I feel though that most of the questions asked, as I raised before the meeting, are about small issues and could be answered by the likes of Adam Baker or Mike Kelly on here/Twitter. These could be published on the website in a sort of FAQ section.

I think that because FAN is a pretty rare event, it's a good opportunity to hold the club to account for bigger issues and get proper answers. I would like to see more challenging questions about larger issues. I feel they'll be quite happy with the questions asked as they've gotten a pretty easy ride there. I hope that doesn't come across as a criticism to those who take time to attend, because it's not intended to be.

It's good to get some clarity about the SLO role, would like a more public 'announcement' on the OS so fans not on the forum or twitter know exactly who to contact. Will Adam be visible on matchdays or will he be busy doing media stuff? 

[Dollymarie]

The plan is for the next FAN to be held before a match, so that guests can attend to see how things work. Questions will still need to be pre-submitted, and club officials will be there before their match day commitments. More details on that shortly, along with the rest of the minutes, that I know are being worked on. 

[phantom]

3 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

I feel though that most of the questions asked, as I raised before the meeting, are about small issues and could be answered by the likes of Adam Baker or Mike Kelly on here/Twitter. These could be published on the website in a sort of FAQ section.

Have I missed something here @Phileas Fogg I thought these were answanswered befbefore the FAN? 

We're still waiting for the minutes? 

[Phileas Fogg]

1 hour ago, phantom said:

Have I missed something here @Phileas Fogg I thought these were answanswered befbefore the FAN? 

We're still waiting for the minutes? 

Apologies - skim read the topic and have misunderstood! 

[phantom]

1 hour ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Apologies - skim read the topic and have misunderstood! 

Don't worry, when it was first posted I was mid reply until I realised

I blame @Dollymarie 

[phantom]

Latest details from the supporter meeting at Ashton Gate on November 28th.

Attendance
FAN: Jeremy Palmer (JP, Chair), Mike Adams (MA, Secretary), Marie Day (MD), John Greenwood (JG), Miles Hendy (MH), Rob Palmer (RP), Alan Payne (AP), Keith Perry (KP), Phil Sweet, Rob Wood (RW). 
The Club: Adam Baker (ABr), Andrew Billingham (ABm), Mark Kelly (MK), Rachel Lemar (RL). 
Guests: John Croker (JC), Ben Mitchell (BM), Dave Walker (DW). 
Apologies: Terry Bond (TB), Les Bowen (LB), John Carnell (JCl), Matt Coombs (MC), Jon Darch (JD), Rob Jones (RJ), Mike Rix (MR)

1. Matters Arising & Club response pre-meeting
Junior FAN – possibility of setting up 
Marie and Vicky Barlow had met in October with the following outcomes including FAN discussion: 
a)  Young fans would be asked for ‘wish list’ – letters sent to parental addresses 
b)  Replies to be collated with a view to running matchday activities as in previous years 
c)  They would like to trial any questionnaires devised with the birthday party guests present. 
d)  An indoor dome or similar area would be very beneficial 
e)  Non-playing squad members and academy players could attend eg for autographs 
Action:  Marie and Vicky to meet again in December or January based on their availability 
ABm said 780 youngsters were involved in the Brighton game as part of the groups packages 

2.  Club Kit 2017/18 – result of consultation
a)  ABr reported on 677 responses from 7,000 emails issued by the Club: 
Q1.  Rate our home kit out of ten - average 7.8 – this is our biggest-selling home kit for 10 years. 
Q2.  Rate our away kit out of ten - average 6.4 
Q3.  Do you support Bristol’s sporting teams with a similar/same look?    Yes 31%          No 46%    Not Sure 23% 
Q4.  Which is your favourite Bristol Sport produced kit?        2014/15 37%   2015/16 32%   2016/17 23% 
b)  An increasing range of women’s sizes is available and training wear sales are improving. 
c)  Launch of new kit – the conclusion was for team to wear next season’s kit for the last game of the current season and sell from then onwards during the off-season. 
d)  STC discount for online sales – impossible due to current IT system; Bristol Sport is working for solutions to this and expects significant improvements in 9-12 months. 

3.  FAN membership and attendance record
a)  Mike circulated the attendance record for ten meetings.  Action:  Mike to contact two members. 
b)  Elections to FAN to be held near the end of the season, suggestions: 
•  candidates to provide 100-word summary + photo to be placed online 
•  target the 5,000 new STC holders over the last two years for nominations 
•  matchday meetings–next set for Saturday 18th February 2017, 11:30, inviting observers 
•  promote FAN quoting its value to the club over its first 10 meetings – including input into the 2014/15 home kit, season card refer a friend offer and improved age categories, plus moves to increase the attendance at Ashton Gate (Blackburn offer) 
•  relaunch after the elections 
•  articles to be produced promoting FAN on website, matchday programme & CCTV 

4.  Matchday Experience
a)  WiFi – MK circulated a paper detailing the number of WiFi connections achieved increasing from 450 at the Newcastle game to 1046 at the Brighton game.  Stress testing to continue. 
b)  Half-time queues – MK reported these most acute in Lansdown Stand, possibly due to new staff.  Dolman remains a problem while there are only two concessions. 
c)  Clear pathway around concourse – MK said they do not want permanent lines because of other non-matchday users.  TVs are being realigned to help. 
d)  Scoreboard – the club has invested £250,000 in screens as used at the Etihad Stadium.  A TV studio will be completed in the next six months, then investment made in the next technology, allowing more on-screen interaction. 
Action:  Bristol Sport to investigate replacing the showing of the live match by team line-ups, action replays and substitutions with the draw winners at half-time. 

5.  Ticketing - season cards 2017/18 & away supporter accommodation
Half-season cards were launched on the day of the meeting and 51 sold on the first day. The Upper Lansdown will need to be used more frequently and there may be a knock-on effects with other parts of the ground. The club wants to review all areas of the stadium, including the Atyeo Stand and Family Section. They plan to engage fully with supporters throughout this process. Two factors in the pricing structure are – the price should reduce upwards the further away from the pitch and sideways the further away from the half-way line.  Supporters might reasonably expect seats to be cheaper in the Lansdown Upper Tier than in the Lower Tier. With the overall economic outlook, it was thought that there should be a general freeze on current season card prices. One ticket machine is installed in the Store now to purchase, but not print, tickets. 
Action:  the club to consult with supporters as part of the full review. 

[Items on CATS & Away Games ‘loyalty points’ were not taken due to time constraints] 

Next meeting
Saturday, February 18th 2017, 11:30am-1pm.

Read more at http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fan-meeting-minutes-november-2016-3451465.aspx#WZOVyV1MyWPCiVBU.99

[phantom]

2 minutes ago, phantom said:

2.  Club Kit 2017/18 – result of consultation

Q1.  Rate our home kit out of ten - average 7.8 – this is our biggest-selling home kit for 10 years. 

Q4.  Which is your favourite Bristol Sport produced kit?        2014/15 37%   2015/16 32%   2016/17 23% 

Best selling kit, yet least favourite?

Seems odd

[View from the Dolman]

12 minutes ago, phantom said:

Best selling kit, yet least favourite?

Seems odd

People were more motivated to complete the survey if they disliked the current kit?

[Bristol Rob]

30 minutes ago, phantom said:

Latest details from the supporter meeting at Ashton Gate on November 28th.

Attendance
FAN: Jeremy Palmer (JP, Chair), Mike Adams (MA, Secretary), Marie Day (MD), John Greenwood (JG), Miles Hendy (MH), Rob Palmer (RP), Alan Payne (AP), Keith Perry (KP), Phil Sweet, Rob Wood (RW). 
The Club: Adam Baker (ABr), Andrew Billingham (ABm), Mark Kelly (MK), Rachel Lemar (RL). 
Guests: John Croker (JC), Ben Mitchell (BM), Dave Walker (DW). 
Apologies: Terry Bond (TB), Les Bowen (LB), John Carnell (JCl), Matt Coombs (MC), Jon Darch (JD), Rob Jones (RJ), Mike Rix (MR)

1. Matters Arising & Club response pre-meeting
Junior FAN – possibility of setting up 
Marie and Vicky Barlow had met in October with the following outcomes including FAN discussion: 
a)  Young fans would be asked for ‘wish list’ – letters sent to parental addresses 
b)  Replies to be collated with a view to running matchday activities as in previous years 
c)  They would like to trial any questionnaires devised with the birthday party guests present. 
d)  An indoor dome or similar area would be very beneficial 
e)  Non-playing squad members and academy players could attend eg for autographs 
Action:  Marie and Vicky to meet again in December or January based on their availability 
ABm said 780 youngsters were involved in the Brighton game as part of the groups packages 

2.  Club Kit 2017/18 – result of consultation
a)  ABr reported on 677 responses from 7,000 emails issued by the Club: 
Q1.  Rate our home kit out of ten - average 7.8 – this is our biggest-selling home kit for 10 years. 
Q2.  Rate our away kit out of ten - average 6.4 
Q3.  Do you support Bristol’s sporting teams with a similar/same look?    Yes 31%          No 46%    Not Sure 23% 
Q4.  Which is your favourite Bristol Sport produced kit?        2014/15 37%   2015/16 32%   2016/17 23% 
b)  An increasing range of women’s sizes is available and training wear sales are improving. 
c)  Launch of new kit – the conclusion was for team to wear next season’s kit for the last game of the current season and sell from then onwards during the off-season. 
d)  STC discount for online sales – impossible due to current IT system; Bristol Sport is working for solutions to this and expects significant improvements in 9-12 months. 

3.  FAN membership and attendance record
a)  Mike circulated the attendance record for ten meetings.  Action:  Mike to contact two members. 
b)  Elections to FAN to be held near the end of the season, suggestions: 
•  candidates to provide 100-word summary + photo to be placed online 
•  target the 5,000 new STC holders over the last two years for nominations 
•  matchday meetings–next set for Saturday 18th February 2017, 11:30, inviting observers 
•  promote FAN quoting its value to the club over its first 10 meetings – including input into the 2014/15 home kit, season card refer a friend offer and improved age categories, plus moves to increase the attendance at Ashton Gate (Blackburn offer) 
•  relaunch after the elections 
•  articles to be produced promoting FAN on website, matchday programme & CCTV 

4.  Matchday Experience
a)  WiFi – MK circulated a paper detailing the number of WiFi connections achieved increasing from 450 at the Newcastle game to 1046 at the Brighton game.  Stress testing to continue. 
b)  Half-time queues – MK reported these most acute in Lansdown Stand, possibly due to new staff.  Dolman remains a problem while there are only two concessions. 
c)  Clear pathway around concourse – MK said they do not want permanent lines because of other non-matchday users.  TVs are being realigned to help. 
d)  Scoreboard – the club has invested £250,000 in screens as used at the Etihad Stadium.  A TV studio will be completed in the next six months, then investment made in the next technology, allowing more on-screen interaction. 
Action:  Bristol Sport to investigate replacing the showing of the live match by team line-ups, action replays and substitutions with the draw winners at half-time. 

5.  Ticketing - season cards 2017/18 & away supporter accommodation
Half-season cards were launched on the day of the meeting and 51 sold on the first day. The Upper Lansdown will need to be used more frequently and there may be a knock-on effects with other parts of the ground. The club wants to review all areas of the stadium, including the Atyeo Stand and Family Section. They plan to engage fully with supporters throughout this process. Two factors in the pricing structure are – the price should reduce upwards the further away from the pitch and sideways the further away from the half-way line.  Supporters might reasonably expect seats to be cheaper in the Lansdown Upper Tier than in the Lower Tier. With the overall economic outlook, it was thought that there should be a general freeze on current season card prices. One ticket machine is installed in the Store now to purchase, but not print, tickets. 
Action:  the club to consult with supporters as part of the full review. 

[Items on CATS & Away Games ‘loyalty points’ were not taken due to time constraints] 

Next meeting
Saturday, February 18th 2017, 11:30am-1pm.

Read more at http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fan-meeting-minutes-november-2016-3451465.aspx#WZOVyV1MyWPCiVBU.99

Appreciate that people give up their time for this, but it does beg the question 'why?' Every meeting seems to be the same.

Largely irrelevant questions that could be answered online and haven't been made public before the meeting (such as some sort of kids consultation thing) look to be discussed at length before the same answer of 'the club/Bristol Sport will look in to it' and that's it.

What happened to the actions from the last meeting, or the questions we we collectively asked to submit on here? And why is the fact someone on the FAN committee is going to contact 2 people of any relevance to the people you are representing?

Apologies if this seems harsh, but the output of each meeting seems to get increasingly less relevant 

[Dollymarie]

@Bristol Rob I posted the response to the questions that had been asked on here already. They had gone to the club in advance and so that was why I had posted them sooner. 

[phantom]

32 minutes ago, Bristol Rob said:

What happened to the actions from the last meeting?

@Bristol Rob these are the areas from the last meeting that could have been updated at this recent meeting

http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fan-meeting-minutes-september-2016-3294655.aspx
 

ABm [action] will research the possibility of making more use of Parson Street railway station. 

Bus routes to have free pass with match ticket? - ABm [action] will research the possibility of bringing in a system for SCHs and Members from 2017/18.

Foul language –The situation will be better after the Derby game – the new in-house stewarding service will take over. There will be a means of reporting incidents by text and quoting your seat number.

Growth strategies in the Community
Bristol Schools  - the Woodcock Shield and League Shield are reported as thriving. Bristol Boys, a source of many City players in the past, require sponsorship; would BSL or BCFC consider this opportunity?  A match in Greville Smyth Park on a matchday between two “schools-of-the-day” with follow up activities at the match [action all matters VB & MA] 

Ticketing arrangements for 2016/17
Since the last FAN meeting BSL had agreed to all-in prices. Still outstanding is the ability: 
a) to have at least one method of paying for tickets without an attendant booking fee 
b) to buy tickets in the shop with help from assistants if necessary 
JC explained the position fully then ABm [action] said he supported the sale of tickets in the shop; he will investigate and report back to the next meeting: 

Midweek games and potential for sponsorship to allow free travel
ABm [action] said “absolutely” – we introduced this at Stoke City and are currently seeking a suitable partner/sponsor. However, he confirmed it was no quick fix, and admitted it may only be possible in the Premier League, given the size of the sponsorship outlay needed. 
A special weekender in Newcastle was mooted; ABm questioned the likely take-up. Marie offered her services, being CRB checked for that purpose. [action VB to give update at next meeting] 

 

[Bristol Rob]

7 minutes ago, phantom said:

@Bristol Rob these are the areas from the last meeting that could have been updated at this recent meeting

http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fan-meeting-minutes-september-2016-3294655.aspx
 

ABm [action] will research the possibility of making more use of Parson Street railway station. 

 

 

Bus routes to have free pass with match ticket? - ABm [action] will research the possibility of bringing in a system for SCHs and Members from 2017/18.

 

 

Foul language –The situation will be better after the Derby game – the new in-house stewarding service will take over. There will be a means of reporting incidents by text and quoting your seat number.

 

 

Growth strategies in the Community
Bristol Schools  - the Woodcock Shield and League Shield are reported as thriving. Bristol Boys, a source of many City players in the past, require sponsorship; would BSL or BCFC consider this opportunity?  A match in Greville Smyth Park on a matchday between two “schools-of-the-day” with follow up activities at the match [action all matters VB & MA] 

 

 

Ticketing arrangements for 2016/17
Since the last FAN meeting BSL had agreed to all-in prices. Still outstanding is the ability: 
a) to have at least one method of paying for tickets without an attendant booking fee 
b) to buy tickets in the shop with help from assistants if necessary 
JC explained the position fully then ABm [action] said he supported the sale of tickets in the shop; he will investigate and report back to the next meeting: 

 

 

Midweek games and potential for sponsorship to allow free travel
ABm [action] said “absolutely” – we introduced this at Stoke City and are currently seeking a suitable partner/sponsor. However, he confirmed it was no quick fix, and admitted it may only be possible in the Premier League, given the size of the sponsorship outlay needed. 
A special weekender in Newcastle was mooted; ABm questioned the likely take-up. Marie offered her services, being CRB checked for that purpose. [action VB to give update at next meeting] 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting that. (Difficult to do from my phone!)

So, for the FAN reps...

Given that there were 17 (seventeen) people in attendance - which seems an awful lot - what items from the last two meetings can now be considered 'closed?'

It might be that these meetings are only scheduled to last for a short period of time, which would explain why little is resolved, but if your key partners in these meetings constantly take items away to get an answer on things, what dates have you agreed with then that these actions will be resolved?

 

[T R]

On 11/18/2016 at 08:40, spudski said:

Can we get an 'official' response from the Club, as to why they won't change or recognise the 1894 date of the club forming please Dolly.

 

Why hasn't this question been asked or answered? To many of us it is an important question. It is one of the first questions on here

[Septic Peg]

5 hours ago, phantom said:

One ticket machine is installed in the Store now to purchase, but not print, tickets. 
Action:  the club to consult with supporters as part of the full review. 
 

So in effect, we can now purchase match tickets on a non-match day from the shop. I'm guessing via card transactions so no cash option. Please correct me if I'm wrong. And we can't print them there and then so can only assume, we either have to pay for postage on top or collect on the relevant match day. @Dollymarie @phantom

[Bristol Rob]

25 minutes ago, Septic Peg said:

So in effect, we can now purchase match tickets on a non-match day from the shop. I'm guessing via card transactions so no cash option. Please correct me if I'm wrong. And we can't print them there and then so can only assume, we either have to pay for postage on top or collect on the relevant match day. @Dollymarie @phantom

What sort of defeats the object if that is the case.

[Dollymarie]

41 minutes ago, Septic Peg said:

So in effect, we can now purchase match tickets on a non-match day from the shop. I'm guessing via card transactions so no cash option. Please correct me if I'm wrong. And we can't print them there and then so can only assume, we either have to pay for postage on top or collect on the relevant match day. @Dollymarie @phantom

I agree it's ridiculous. What you can do is go in the shop, purchase a ticket, and have it emailed home to you for you to print off at home. 

The club say they are working on a more straightforward method. We have left them in no doubt that the current system is just not good enough. 

[Bristol Rob]

47 minutes ago, Dollymarie said:

I agree it's ridiculous. What you can do is go in the shop, purchase a ticket, and have it emailed home to you for you to print off at home. 

The club say they are working on a more straightforward method. We have left them in no doubt that the current system is just not good enough. 

Shame that never made the minutes! 

[Lack of Action Man]

1 hour ago, Threshing Red said:

Why hasn't this question been asked or answered? To many of us it is an important question. It is one of the first questions on here

And the ridiculously small shop/lacklustre product range.

[Bristol Rob]

19 minutes ago, OddBallJim said:

And the ridiculously small shop/lacklustre product range.

Or indeed the lack of warm water and cold hand dryers - again, mentioned on a number of occasions.

[T R]

I take it this question wasn't asked in the meeting, could you make sure it is asked in the next one please?

[Bristol Rob]

So are there any updates from the previous actions the club took away, any explanation as to why questions that were raised ages ago haven't been asked any anything else to add to the minutes - such as FAN leaving the club in 'no doubt' as to how stupid the ticket system in the shop that lets you buy a ticket bit not print it might be?

 

[spudski]

On ‎05‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 16:43, Threshing Red said:

Why hasn't this question been asked or answered? To many of us it is an important question. It is one of the first questions on here

This question is a bit like area 51...we all know it exists, but no one will acknowledge it.

[T R]

1 hour ago, spudski said:

This question is a bit like area 51...we all know it exists, but no one will acknowledge it.

It's turning into an ashton gate conspiracy, even the trust members are keeping quiet. I read on the main website that Lansdown will protect city's heritage but no mention about true dates. It is all because they missed out on the true anniversary. 

[spudski]

4 minutes ago, Threshing Red said:

It's turning into an ashton gate conspiracy, even the trust members are keeping quiet. I read on the main website that Lansdown will protect city's heritage but no mention about true dates. It is all because they missed out on the true anniversary. 

Wasn't that under a previous board and owner though TR? Scott Davidson?

All reference to Bristol City FC before his time showed us as being formed earlier.

How can one man be allowed to wipe out our history?

Can't believe it's being ignored tbh.

[T R]

17 minutes ago, spudski said:

Wasn't that under a previous board and owner though TR? Scott Davidson?

All reference to Bristol City FC before his time showed us as being formed earlier.

How can one man be allowed to wipe out our history?

Can't believe it's being ignored tbh.

Yes it was under Davidsons reign but you think the present board and Lansdown would know everything about the clubs history and dates. They must be finding it too complicated to put it right. 

[T R]

On 12/5/2016 at 11:42, phantom said:

5.  Ticketing - season cards 2017/18 & away supporter accommodation
Half-season cards were launched on the day of the meeting and 51 sold on the first day. The Upper Lansdown will need to be used more frequently and there may be a knock-on effects with other parts of the ground. The club wants to review all areas of the stadium, including the Atyeo Stand and Family Section. They plan to engage fully with supporters throughout this process. Two factors in the pricing structure are – the price should reduce upwards the further away from the pitch and sideways the further away from the half-way line.  Supporters might reasonably expect seats to be cheaper in the Lansdown Upper Tier than in the Lower Tier. With the overall economic outlook, it was thought that there should be a general freeze on current season card prices. One ticket machine is installed in the Store now to purchase, but not print, tickets. 

Thought that was an interesting comment, are we about to play musical chairs again?

[Lanterne Rouge]

4 minutes ago, Threshing Red said:

Thought that was an interesting comment, are we about to play musical chairs again?

I read it as they want to have the Upper Lansdown open a lot more often

[T R]

7 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

I read it as they want to have the Upper Lansdown open a lot more often

Yeah I read it that way first but when they said they will keep engaged with the supporters during this process I started to have my doubts that they just want to move the Atyeo again, anyway just a conspiracy theory of mine.