Notes From The MSC / Club Meeting

Held at the Den - 13th September 2007

Present: Stewart Till (Football Club Chairman), Andy Ambler (Football Club Chief Operating Officer), Bob Asprey (MSC Chairman), Paul Burkmar (MSC), Mark Holland (MSC), Ted Robinson (MSC) and Graeme Smale (MSC Secretary).

'Arry's Bar

Some of the MSCs recommendations have been implemented, the faster and cheaper food, the Sky TV and the club have introduced a happy hour. The club offered to distribute team sheets to 'Arry's Bar also. It was noted that the staff shortage is now resolved. The MSCs aspiration is still to organize events in the bar in order to get fans in earlier, and Bob and Ted will meet with Billy Neil in order to be updated on when old players may be available. It was noted that whilst many old players are happy to come and talk to fans informally, most are not enthusiastic about question and answer sessions.

The Gates

Paul Burkmar now has finally confirmed the design of the shields and found a supplier for them. He is also ready to finalise the design of the gates, and showed computer generated visuals of the options, which received unanimous approval. It has been a long hard road to get this far. With the club changing its main entrance from Zampa Road to Stockholm Road, Paul was keen to know what the most appropriate location for the gates would be. Andy agreed to consult the current regeneration plans in order to resolve this satisfactorily. The proposed motto above the gates of "We fear no foe where 'er we go" was questioned, but Paul explained that this had been the choice of the fans.

The Lions Directory

Paul reported that he had so far received between 15 and 20 local businesses wishing to advertise in the Directory. Distributing leaflets to fans is planned for before the Walsall game, and Paul hoped to get a good number of volunteers for this task from the potential beneficiaries, Millwall Academy, The Junior Lions, The Lions Trust and the MSC.

Andy agreed that the leaflets could be distributed in the Executive Lounge and Boxes before the game. Paul will supply artwork to Andy so that the Directory could be further pushed at the forthcoming Swindon and Northampton home fixtures by advertising on the big screen.

Kiosk Operations

Bob reported that there were still a few complaints about not all kiosks being open in the East and West, and that in the family enclosure they had run out of sweets. Andy said that the performance of the catering contractor was constantly under review, and that they were carrying out more in-house training. An improvement is still expected. It was noted that volumes and takings are better than last season. Bob asked for a price comparison to be provided to determine whether comparable prices have risen and what is charged elsewhere. Bob will continue to forward complaints to Andy.

Fan On The Board

Since an election for the Fan Director is to take place early next year, MSC wanted to know how the club viewed the position and whether any improvements could be made.

It was agreed that Peter Garston had been largely a success. More efforts are required to engage the fans beyond the message boards. MSC agreed to revisit the criteria for the role and will send these criteria to the club. Andy said that he was surprised, when he joined the club, to find that the elected supporter was a full board member, unlike the practice at many other clubs.

Away Travel

This was stimulated by the club's failure to provide travel to the matches at Swansea and Crewe. It was accepted that coaches cannot run at a loss and when the numbers are low they are difficult to arrange. However, between the club and the Junior Lions there seemed to be a lack of will to find a solution and the coaches had been cancelled rather than an alternative found. Andy agreed to speak to Billy Neil.

Policing And Pay On The Day

Ability for fans to pay on the day facility was proving very hard to obtain from away clubs due to the behaviour of a small group of young fans at Doncaster and Southend. If this continues further restrictions on travelling fans may be insisted on.

Students

Bob asked whether the club would be interested in initiatives to encourage students to become part of the fanbase. Stewart agreed to consider what incentives might be offered to 'reps' at London colleges.

Stock Exchange Announcement

Andy confirmed that the £1.2m announced in the Stock Exchange announcement this was not new money but to meet the commitment made the PLC EGM.

Smoking

MSC had started to receive complaints about fans smoking in the toilets during matches, causing a foul environment. Andy undertook to investigate.

Lions Live Radio Show

This initiative was being held back by the question of sponsorship and MSC had now offered to contribute if it would get the show on the air. George Lampey, the committee member driving this, will update Andy with the latest developments.

Next meeting

Thursday 18th October