Notes From The MSC / Club Meeting

Held At The Den - 4th May 2007

Present: Stewart Till (Football Club Chairman), Andy Ambler (Football Club Chief Operating Officer), Bob Asprey (MSC Chairman), Dave Hart, (MSC), David Orr (MSC) and Graeme Smale (MSC Secretary).

Bob thanking everyone for attending and stating that he had succeeded Suzanne Roberts- Attwood as MSC Chairman. Andy Ambler was also welcomed to the club.

Club Contacts

Stewart explained that following Ken Brown's departure, Andy had taken the role of Chief Operating Office and his exact role and duties are currently being defined by Andy and Heather. These should become clear within the next couple of months. Andy was certainly the point of contact for all fan matters formerly dealt withby Ken Brown.

Ticketing Ideas

It was noted that prior season ticket sales data was still required to enable evaluation of a number of ideas and concepts.

Carnets and the number of games to be included in a carnet booklet were discussed.

Suggestions included giving five games for the price of four provided the five games occurred before mid-season; Linking evening games with Saturday fixtures or giving a run of three unattractive games for the price of two.

It was decided that the standard of opposition in League One would probably not warrant a category system for home games.

Action: Conclude discussions at next meeting, 31 st May

Membership Benefits

MSC are keen to establish a ticket discount for members. The prior suggestion of giving members a £2 discount was raised again, alongside a £1 increase in ticket prices around the ground, or alternatively just in the South Stand. This idea is attractive, as it would allow the Club to increase prices for away fans in the North Stand, would offer a significant membership benefit and reward those fans who attend regularly. Andy was not keen on giving discounted prices on the actual match-day but saw the benefit of encouraging members to buy tickets in advance. MSC members could, for instance, purchase a discounted ticket for the next home game at the preceding home fixture

Family Enclosure

The family enclosure is typically 75% sold but much less full than that on match days.

This seemed to imply that family enclosure tickets being purchased at reduced prices but that, once in the ground, people were moving to more expensive sections. There were also complaints that children were being subjected to bad language or poor behaviour from neighbouring areas of the ground. Stewart stated that he intended to spend a game there next season to understand the real issues and arising problems. Andy asked whether there was any necessity to have a family enclosure that size. The whole of the lower tier of the east stand seemed to be far larger than the real demand and maybe this area should be halved. It was acknowledged that nothing could be done to alter or re-position the enclosure for next season but changes could be made for season 2008 /09.

Action: MSC to seek fan opinion

Communications and Fan Representation: E-mail Facility Update

It was agreed that the supporters club must be able to communicate with its members.

MSC was planning some 4 newsletters a season and the Club could also use these newsletters to inform and remind fans of ticket offers. In past meetings with the Club, Ken Brown had reported that it was proving very difficult for the Club's computer software to allow e-mail access to members included on the database, although he had continued to discuss this problem with Ticketmaster.It was agreed that MSC would share anything sent through the database with the Club, who would in turn co-operate by providing topical information for any MSC newsletter etc.

Action: Andy to investigate technical difficulties

Parking Problems For Next Season

The Club's attention was drawn to two parking problems for next season. It was understood that the parking permits offered to fans by the Club in Stockholm Road would not be available as this road was to be affected by building works. Also, why was motorcycle parking sometimes but not always allowed in the ground itself? AA thought that the latter was probably due to a decision of the Police Commander on match-days.

Action: Andy to investigate both issues

Removal of KOR Banners From The North Stand

These banners were thought by some to be counter productive, to have a negative rather than positive impact. Andy informed the meeting that the existing banners have already been removed as he regarded the area they occupied behind the goal as prime advertising space. Next season he hoped to use the vacated space for advertising. The KOR signs would be positioned elsewhere in the ground, as the Club was required to do.

Andy was asked about placing a sign on the back of the stands that was visible to railway passengers displaying the Club and Ground name. He responded that he would consider this when he could find an advertiser to pay for such a sign.

MSC Funds held by Club

The Club currently holds funds relating to the £1 per member previously agreed as available to the MSC, although the exact sum was unclear.

Action: Ian Toal, MSC Treasurer and Andy to agree financial controls and effect direct control prior to 31 st May financial year end.

The New Shirt

The pictures published by the Club seemed to show a shirt of poor design and Stewart was asked why the fans had not been consulted, as they would be the ultimate purchasers. Stewart said He it was unfortunate that someone who was not a footballer had modeled the first published pictures and urged supporters to reserve judgment until they saw the final shirt. Bukta had changed the collar of the home shirt; the design and material were top quality. The need to consult the fans in the future was recognized. Andy added that the Club had a strong relationship with Bukta and this will be seen in the variety of goods in the shop and the larger range of prices.

Charity Support

Andy suggested that MSC and the Club could establish a 4-member charity sub- committee, who would co-ordinate events and agree how to distribute monies raised.

Action: Bob to discuss with MSC Committee

The Leeds Fixtures

The MSC asked the club to make the earliest possible announcement about arrangements for this fixture. Andy stated that he thought the fixture would be early or late in the season ona Saturday to give the Police as much daylight as possible.

Action: Hold for fixture list

Teamcard

To reduce confusion, 'Teamcard number' and 'MSC membership number' should be clearly differentiated.

Action: Andy to identify what options there may be.

Midweek Games

Although the Rotherhithe tunnel is routinely closed for maintenance on Tuesday evenings, this day is preferred for midweek fixtures for football reasons, ie recovery period between Saturday fixtures

Action: Andy to check possibility of switching maintenance work nights with Transport For London

Date of next meeting

31st May 2007