Coventry City Supporters' Consultative Group Meeting Minutes - Wednesday, 25th May 2016
Please read the latest meeting minutes from the last Supporters Consultative Group meeting.
Meeting Wednesday 25 May 2016, 6.30pm
Butts Park Arena
Present:
Pat Abel (PA), Chris Anderson (CA), Steve Barnett (SBA), Jim Brown (JB), Steve Brown (SBR), David Busst (DB), Declan Connolly (DC), Darren Davies (DD), Tim Fisher (TF), Michael Garlick (MG), Sandra Garlick (SG), Dale Hayward (DH), Kevin Heffernan (KH), Colin Henderson (CH), Mark Hornby (MH), CJ Joiner (CJ), Alan Ludford (AL), Phil Maynard (PM), Jan Mokrzycki (JM), Dave Morris (DM), Pat Raybould (PR), Tynan Scope (TS), Jon Sharp (JSH), Jonathan Strange, chairman (JS), Robert Tidmarsh (RT), Jodie Turner (JT)
Apologies for Absence:
Apologies were received from Chris McGrath, Chris O’Neill, Mark Sorbie, Ray Stephens and Peter Ward.
Chairman’s Report
JS welcomed Alan Ludford, chairman of the Diamond Club, who attended on behalf of Ray Stephens. He introduced Jon Sharp, chairman, and Phil Maynard, managing director, of Coventry Rugby Club, and warmly thanked them for providing the SCG with a regular venue. JS also welcomed Tim Fisher and Chris Anderson.
JS was keen that Mark Sorbie should remain in contact with the SCG in a consultative role despite health issues making it difficult for him to attend on a regular basis. His contribution on disability issues had been crucial.
JS thanked MH for updating the issues log, DB for his Sky Blues in the Community presentation last meeting and Bruce Walker and Frank Smith for attending last meeting to give an update around transport.
JS congratulated PR for being Highly Commended in the Volunteer Category of the Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Awards for the work she does in the Family Zone and with the JSB’s.
Kieran Crowley sent the following message to the SCG: ‘My final day of employment is Thursday so I won't be present at the SCG meeting on Wednesday, but please do send a note of thanks to everyone at the SCG who has been so supportive of me over the years and Good Luck in the future’ The group heartily reciprocate this and wish him all the best in his new role.
Matters Arising
Circulated previously via email, the meeting accepted the minutes of the last meeting as a true and fair record.
PA and CA have now met with regards to Tickets for Schools.
With regards to the letter published by the Coventry Telegraph attacking the SCG, the objection is not to someone’s right to seek to publish his views. The objection is to the Coventry Telegraph completely ignoring our response.
DM confirmed via email during the meeting that Chris O’Neill would be investigating whether the police officer back on duty after the incident at a City match would be returning to the Ricoh.
Ticketing
CA confirmed that, on an operational level, they are very happy with the way the new Ticketmaster system has rolled out – there has been the occasional hiccup and complaint but they have tried to be responsive when this has happened. Around 70% of purchases so far have been made online, compared to around 20% last year. There have still been a small number of supporters who have elected to purchase their season tickets in the ticket office.
The sales figures have been pleasantly surprising so far, despite the negative publicity in the Coventry Telegraph around season ticket prices. CA wanted to remind supporters that they are the same price as they were two seasons ago. Sales this period against the equivalent timescale last year have doubled; the number of U13’s have more than doubled (although it was U12 last season, but it is still a significant increase). Over 2000 season tickets have been sold so far. JS asked CA if he could give a reason as to why sales have improved. CA suggested the greater ease of being able to purchase them and also possibly the heightened publicity, albeit negative. The club has also started to advertise more – on Facebook, Google ads and on a billboard on London Road.
DD brought some questions from the Coventry City Supporters Forum (more information on this in the AOB section) around ticketing, in which CA and MH answered below:
1. Currently, when an adult season ticket is purchased, a free JSB season ticket is issued. Can this not be applied to individual match tickets, where if a single adult matchday ticket is issued , then a single JSB matchday ticket can be issued for free? (Glenn Watkin)
We already do this – we will try to make it clearer.
2. The club have had no contact with me since I renewed my 2 season tickets this time last year, I’ve had these season tickets for over 20 years. I have another season ticket with a different club and receive regular updates of fixture changes, ticket deals, traffic problems around the stadium on matchdays. For CCFC to contact a long-time customer once a year seems very poor service. (Pam Carvell)
Supporters are urged to check the club have their correct personal details and that preferences are reviewed as regular email correspondence is sent out to season ticket holders. We are getting a new email system too which should improve this further.
3. (a) Why increase the price of Season Tickets whilst we are still only in League One? (Gaz Powell)
Compared to other clubs in League One, our season ticket prices are low. Chesterfield, for example, charge around £540 for their premium zone (compared to £345 that CCFC charge). CJ asked if a comparison table could be produced to show where we fall; CA said they will communicate an average figure for the year and show where we sit in this.
(b) Do you expect the same problems as last year, with Season Tickets being delivered late? (Gaz Powell)
Last year, season tickets in the majority of cases were sent out in mid-July so they were not late.
CA confirmed that supporters would continue to be able to buy match tickets by cash or cheque. CA said that away tickets/away travel would continue to be sold via the ticket office and not on Ticketmaster.
There was a brief Q&A session around ticketing:
KH: Is there anything we can do to better promote the Zebra 10 months payment plan?
CA: We have tried to communicate as much as possible – it is on the website along with all publicity around season tickets.
JS: Prices for non-ambulant/disabled supporters have been increased to match the regular price, rather than being at a concessionary rate.
CA: We have tried to keep in line with consistent practice of others. We don’t want to isolate one group as we could potentially need to make exceptions for other groups.
SBA: Private Seat Licence members have received no information about where they fit in with season tickets and the early bird deadline.
CA: Yes, this is being looked into
JB: When will season tickets be dispatched?
MH: We do not have an exact day but it will be in July – as soon as the date has been confirmed, we will publish this on social media.
JB: Will the season tickets be paper again?
MH: They will be a card again for next season
JB: Will we be able to purchase home cup tickets online?
CA: Yes
Butts Park Arena Proposals
Jon Sharp (JSH), Chairman of Coventry RFC, introduced himself to the group and gave some information from his and the rugby club’s perspective around a possible ground-share with CCFC.
We have developed fraternal relationships with the football club for a long time – we respect each other as two clubs who bear the city’s name. We have been in communications with regards to physio, training, joint marketing, joint tickets etc. There was a Coventry RFC forum recently where 150 members turned up regarding plans for next season, finances etc. The stadium was discussed – the fact it is underdeveloped land and the stadium underutilised, and what could be done to benefit the local community. There was discussion around having a hybrid pitch laid so other sports could be played on it. With regards to the rugby club finances, it is difficult as there are only 15 home games a season. The early discussions around the ground share came up. All that was said to the forum members was that we were looking into the feasibility and practicality of such a venture. The media got a hold of this very quickly and it exploded in the press in the week.
Talks are in the very early stages still. We have had some preliminary architect drawings and planning advice but no more than that. We need to recognise that if the majority of fans do not wish to come here then that is a stumbling block. There are other factors too, such as the political situation, planning on the very tight site and funding/financing. There are still a lot of things to discuss and a lot of issues that would need to be resolved.
There would need to be discussions around the size of the ground – last season Cov RFC’s highest attendance was 2100. Jon would not want there to be a similar situation to Darlington who have 900 fans in a 22,000 seater stadium. Also, the FA and Football League would want fans separated whereas rugby fans sit together, with a standing area included. There are also questions around ownership.
The Coventry Telegraph ran a poll and 56% of fans who responded stated they would like to stay at the Ricoh Arena.
Please read the latest meeting minutes from the last Supporters Consultative Group meeting.
Meeting Wednesday 25 May 2016, 6.30pm
Butts Park Arena
Present:
Pat Abel (PA), Chris Anderson (CA), Steve Barnett (SBA), Jim Brown (JB), Steve Brown (SBR), David Busst (DB), Declan Connolly (DC), Darren Davies (DD), Tim Fisher (TF), Michael Garlick (MG), Sandra Garlick (SG), Dale Hayward (DH), Kevin Heffernan (KH), Colin Henderson (CH), Mark Hornby (MH), CJ Joiner (CJ), Alan Ludford (AL), Phil Maynard (PM), Jan Mokrzycki (JM), Dave Morris (DM), Pat Raybould (PR), Tynan Scope (TS), Jon Sharp (JSH), Jonathan Strange, chairman (JS), Robert Tidmarsh (RT), Jodie Turner (JT)
Apologies for Absence:
Apologies were received from Chris McGrath, Chris O’Neill, Mark Sorbie, Ray Stephens and Peter Ward.
Chairman’s Report
JS welcomed Alan Ludford, chairman of the Diamond Club, who attended on behalf of Ray Stephens. He introduced Jon Sharp, chairman, and Phil Maynard, managing director, of Coventry Rugby Club, and warmly thanked them for providing the SCG with a regular venue. JS also welcomed Tim Fisher and Chris Anderson.
JS was keen that Mark Sorbie should remain in contact with the SCG in a consultative role despite health issues making it difficult for him to attend on a regular basis. His contribution on disability issues had been crucial.
JS thanked MH for updating the issues log, DB for his Sky Blues in the Community presentation last meeting and Bruce Walker and Frank Smith for attending last meeting to give an update around transport.
JS congratulated PR for being Highly Commended in the Volunteer Category of the Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Awards for the work she does in the Family Zone and with the JSB’s.
Kieran Crowley sent the following message to the SCG: ‘My final day of employment is Thursday so I won't be present at the SCG meeting on Wednesday, but please do send a note of thanks to everyone at the SCG who has been so supportive of me over the years and Good Luck in the future’ The group heartily reciprocate this and wish him all the best in his new role.
Matters Arising
Circulated previously via email, the meeting accepted the minutes of the last meeting as a true and fair record.
PA and CA have now met with regards to Tickets for Schools.
With regards to the letter published by the Coventry Telegraph attacking the SCG, the objection is not to someone’s right to seek to publish his views. The objection is to the Coventry Telegraph completely ignoring our response.
DM confirmed via email during the meeting that Chris O’Neill would be investigating whether the police officer back on duty after the incident at a City match would be returning to the Ricoh.
Ticketing
CA confirmed that, on an operational level, they are very happy with the way the new Ticketmaster system has rolled out – there has been the occasional hiccup and complaint but they have tried to be responsive when this has happened. Around 70% of purchases so far have been made online, compared to around 20% last year. There have still been a small number of supporters who have elected to purchase their season tickets in the ticket office.
The sales figures have been pleasantly surprising so far, despite the negative publicity in the Coventry Telegraph around season ticket prices. CA wanted to remind supporters that they are the same price as they were two seasons ago. Sales this period against the equivalent timescale last year have doubled; the number of U13’s have more than doubled (although it was U12 last season, but it is still a significant increase). Over 2000 season tickets have been sold so far. JS asked CA if he could give a reason as to why sales have improved. CA suggested the greater ease of being able to purchase them and also possibly the heightened publicity, albeit negative. The club has also started to advertise more – on Facebook, Google ads and on a billboard on London Road.
DD brought some questions from the Coventry City Supporters Forum (more information on this in the AOB section) around ticketing, in which CA and MH answered below:
1. Currently, when an adult season ticket is purchased, a free JSB season ticket is issued. Can this not be applied to individual match tickets, where if a single adult matchday ticket is issued , then a single JSB matchday ticket can be issued for free? (Glenn Watkin)
We already do this – we will try to make it clearer.
2. The club have had no contact with me since I renewed my 2 season tickets this time last year, I’ve had these season tickets for over 20 years. I have another season ticket with a different club and receive regular updates of fixture changes, ticket deals, traffic problems around the stadium on matchdays. For CCFC to contact a long-time customer once a year seems very poor service. (Pam Carvell)
Supporters are urged to check the club have their correct personal details and that preferences are reviewed as regular email correspondence is sent out to season ticket holders. We are getting a new email system too which should improve this further.
3. (a) Why increase the price of Season Tickets whilst we are still only in League One? (Gaz Powell)
Compared to other clubs in League One, our season ticket prices are low. Chesterfield, for example, charge around £540 for their premium zone (compared to £345 that CCFC charge). CJ asked if a comparison table could be produced to show where we fall; CA said they will communicate an average figure for the year and show where we sit in this.
(b) Do you expect the same problems as last year, with Season Tickets being delivered late? (Gaz Powell)
Last year, season tickets in the majority of cases were sent out in mid-July so they were not late.
CA confirmed that supporters would continue to be able to buy match tickets by cash or cheque. CA said that away tickets/away travel would continue to be sold via the ticket office and not on Ticketmaster.
There was a brief Q&A session around ticketing:
KH: Is there anything we can do to better promote the Zebra 10 months payment plan?
CA: We have tried to communicate as much as possible – it is on the website along with all publicity around season tickets.
JS: Prices for non-ambulant/disabled supporters have been increased to match the regular price, rather than being at a concessionary rate.
CA: We have tried to keep in line with consistent practice of others. We don’t want to isolate one group as we could potentially need to make exceptions for other groups.
SBA: Private Seat Licence members have received no information about where they fit in with season tickets and the early bird deadline.
CA: Yes, this is being looked into
JB: When will season tickets be dispatched?
MH: We do not have an exact day but it will be in July – as soon as the date has been confirmed, we will publish this on social media.
JB: Will the season tickets be paper again?
MH: They will be a card again for next season
JB: Will we be able to purchase home cup tickets online?
CA: Yes
Butts Park Arena Proposals
Jon Sharp (JSH), Chairman of Coventry RFC, introduced himself to the group and gave some information from his and the rugby club’s perspective around a possible ground-share with CCFC.
We have developed fraternal relationships with the football club for a long time – we respect each other as two clubs who bear the city’s name. We have been in communications with regards to physio, training, joint marketing, joint tickets etc. There was a Coventry RFC forum recently where 150 members turned up regarding plans for next season, finances etc. The stadium was discussed – the fact it is underdeveloped land and the stadium underutilised, and what could be done to benefit the local community. There was discussion around having a hybrid pitch laid so other sports could be played on it. With regards to the rugby club finances, it is difficult as there are only 15 home games a season. The early discussions around the ground share came up. All that was said to the forum members was that we were looking into the feasibility and practicality of such a venture. The media got a hold of this very quickly and it exploded in the press in the week.
Talks are in the very early stages still. We have had some preliminary architect drawings and planning advice but no more than that. We need to recognise that if the majority of fans do not wish to come here then that is a stumbling block. There are other factors too, such as the political situation, planning on the very tight site and funding/financing. There are still a lot of things to discuss and a lot of issues that would need to be resolved.
There would need to be discussions around the size of the ground – last season Cov RFC’s highest attendance was 2100. Jon would not want there to be a similar situation to Darlington who have 900 fans in a 22,000 seater stadium. Also, the FA and Football League would want fans separated whereas rugby fans sit together, with a standing area included. There are also questions around ownership.
The Coventry Telegraph ran a poll and 56% of fans who responded stated they would like to stay at the Ricoh Arena.