Notes From The MSC / Club Meeting

Held at the Den - 30th November 2007

Present: John Berylson (PLC and Football Club Chairman), Heather Rabbats (Executive Deputy Chairman), Andy Ambler (Football Club Chief Operating Officer), Bob Asprey (MSC Chairman), Mark Holland (MSC), Ted Robinson (MSC), Sam Masson (MSC) and Graeme Smale (MSC Secretary).

Appointment of Kenny Jackett

John said that the Board had taken their time in recruiting the new manager in order to appoint someone who met all the criteria. In Kenny Jackett they thought they had found the right man to take the club forward. Kenny had expressed the desire to recruit players who would improve the squad, understand the club and its fans. Transfer targets had been identified and money would be available in the January transfer window for team strengthening.

Matchday Stewarding And Policing

Bob said that there had recently been a significant rise in complaints regarding stewarding at home games. Many supporters felt that some stewards went out of their way to be aggressive, rude and unhelpful and showed no interest in building a rapport with the fans. In response Andy said that the club took all complaints seriously and reviewed them against all photographic and other evidence available. Stewards found to be responsible for unacceptable conduct are dismissed and in fact two matchday employees had been recently been identified and sacked for exhibiting such conduct. Heather said that the Club had recently lost numerous stewards to the 02 Arena and that it was now even more difficult to recruit good people in this area. However, 65% of the club's stewards have been at the Den since last season. John recognized that stewards have a responsibility to the fans and undertook to ensure that this was reflected in the supervisors briefings. The club are also undertaking 'mystery guest' visits to check attitudes and competence.

Bob asked if an MSC representative could visit the Police Control Room during a match and this was agreed. Heather also offered the chance for a committee member to walk through the full procedures that are carried out on matchdays.

Smoking

The stewarding of the toilets was raised again by Bob, who also asked whether the club could reserve an outside area for smokers at half-time. Andy explained that the police will not permit such an area, and that the club are obliged to ensure that the new smoking legislation is enforced on their premises, just as theatres and cinemas are. The club are in regular contact with fellow FL clubs to find any initiatives that might improve matters, but it was hoped that supporters would act responsibly and understand that smoking inside the stadium could result in them and the club being prosecuted. Again, the smoking ban and its enforcement is imposed by the government not the club.

Banning Orders

The club is currently reviewing its banning orders, with the intention of publishing a minimum and maximum ban period for each bannable offence. The MSC will participate in this review.

It was confirmed that the appeal system for banned supporters is still in place, and that banned fans can have their bans reviewed. John undertook to participate in some reviews the following day.

Bob raised the subject of swearing and it was agreed that whilst much swearing is inevitable, a constant stream of abuse is not acceptable. Contrary to popular belief, only 2 fans have received bans for this this season, and both cases were exceptional.

Andy did point out, however, that due to numerous requests received from parents, in the future an effort would be made to enforce no swearing in the family (or 'no-swearing') area. This might not be the East Lower.

Catering

After a few quieter, improving weeks Bob had forwarded to the club a whole raft of complaints regarding the catering at the Yeovil match. There had been numerous cases of basic products not being available causing much aggravation, worst of all being the family enclosure.

Andy said that Lindleys were very keen to make the catering operation work and had been meeting with club representatives within the last week. The performance had not been anything like acceptable and they have been tasked with improvement at the Bournemouth (although a small crowd was anticipated) and Oldham matches.

Bob undertook to continue passing complaints to the Andy, who will ensure that the contractors deliver a visible improvement. 'Mystery guest' visits will include the catering performance.

There is a plan to provide draught beer from some kiosks, but only when Courage provide the appropriate dispensing system for speed and quality.

Lions Live Radio Show

Bob explained that following hard work by MSC's George Lampey, the supporters club had now brought to fruition the weekly radio show on a Thursday evening, broadcast by South London Radio on 107.3 fm.

George, Ted and Graeme currently run the show in their spare time along with SLR's Dan Davies, and receive no monetary reward for their efforts. It is run by the fans for the fans. Graeme explained that Pete Garston, Joe Little and Lions legend Brian Horne had appeared on the show, and asked whether the club could provide Board Members, the new manager or current players to contribute to the programme. John said that as long as their contractual arrangements allowed they would try to secure current players and the manager. Heather and Andy were supportive and agreed to contribute to future programmes.

Away Travel And Ticketing

Andy said that he was still to set up a meeting with Billy Neil, the Junior Lions and the MSC concerning the provision of coaches for away travel.

The question of why the club could not take credit card ticket bookings over the telephone for members to buy away tickets had been raised on the radio show. Andy asked for more time to research this problem as it was connected to the TicketMaster contract.

Millwall E-Newsletter

Bob reported that the long awaited e-newsletter had been received by very few members. His personal intervention had resulted in the newsletter being re-distributed, with much more success, albeit almost a week later. The episode had highlighted the difficulty encountered trying to contact Millwall, the lack of communication at the Den and the shortcomings of the IT system currently in use. Bob was also unhappy with the way the MSC section of the newsletter had been shortened. Andy replied that it had been the first one and provided a lot of learning for everyone. Some of the systems at the Den are indeed poor but will take time and investment to improve. Heather explained that the first transmission had not succeeded due to technical problems. The meeting agreed that the newsletter was of good quality and looked professional in format.

'Arry's Bar

Ted announced that he had arranged for Kevin Bremner to be present in 'Arry's to answer fans' questions, prior to the Oldham match. He asked Andy to ensure that a PA would be available. Andy agreed that the club would look after the former player and his family on the day.

Bob undertook to ensure that MSC provide a representative in the bar from 1 pm. on each Saturday matchday, in order to receive VIPs, directors or anyone else wanting to talk to fans.

Fans Forum

Bob asked if a Fans Forum could be planned for the new year to enable fans to meet Kenny Jackett and John Berylson. This was agreed and a date will be fixed for February.

Fan On The Board

The election will be in March/Aril next year and the MSC would be calling for candidates in January. It was hoped that the club's e-mail facility to members could be used to reduce some of the time consuming work and expense. MSC had sent the club the job description that had been devised for the first election and John and Andy were happy with this. The only suggested revision was to extend the period of office from two to three years, in recognition of the time it takes to get up to speed, and in line with the rest of the board members.

Frank Whipple

Bob thanked the club for the way it had contributed to supporter Frank Whipple's one hundredth birthday celebrations.

Corporate Identity

Bob raised the issue of the multiplicity and the varied quality of lion images now being used and the lack of corporate identity. Andy agreed that it is an issue and that it is now work in progress.

Next meeting

Thursday January 17th 2008