SCFF meeting 7pm Friday 11th February '05

The 'Tollgate'

Present:
Terry Hughes Chair
Chris Morgan Vice-Chair
Laurence King Secretary
Tony Tams Stoke City Supporters Club
John Slaney Knypersley & Biddulph Supporters Club Clive Edwards
Rob Stanway
Shaun Fynn

Minutes of the last meeting: agreed.

Matters Arising:

FF volunteers, and operation:
Work continues to attract more active volunteers to participate (if interested please contact us), in addition to developing means for supporters to easily communicate their views with the

Forum (see Website report below). There was also discussion on how to develop opportunities for regular meetings during the open and close season with supporters and representatives. The SCFC Chief Executive is keen to have regular meetings with the Forum (see report below).

Matchday experience:
 Items raised at the last meeting with the Club (ie catering, family stand congestion, wheelchair access, disabled bays) are with the Club for consideration or awaiting further meetings.

True Supporters Card: The Club have recently announced that they are seeking suggestions for a change of name. The Forum has issued a statement welcoming the move as the start of what we hope are a number of changes to improve its acceptability to fans.

Matchday & Season Ticket Update:

Following the exceptional price offer of last season, most fans will be expecting an increase for next season. However, the Forum have begun some discussion with the Club about pricing structures for next year, which have so far been positive and constructive. We are looking for views from supporters over the coming weeks on this issue that is crucial to us and to the Club. The Forum are looking for information on comparative prices and structures, clearer pricing policy and marketing strategy. Of note, the Club has a low 'young' fanbase in comparison to most, which needs to be addressed.

Meetings with Tony Scholes, SCFC Chief Executive:

The FF Chair has held a number of meetings with Tony Scholes over recent weeks with the intent on both sides of establishing regular and constructive dialogue with the Club. These have so far proved to be much more positive and candid than the Forum has experienced under previous senior SCFC management. The Forum is in the process of discussing some of the more immediate issues such as ticket prices and true supporters card, whilst also beginning to identify many other supporter and matchday experience issues that need to be addressed.

Matchday Experience:

The Forum is in the process of drawing together a list of items, many discussed over the years, to develop, seek views of all supporters, and then pursue with the Club, Councils and/or Police so as to improve where required all aspects of the matchday experience. There are a number of ongoing items; we await a regular meeting on catering, however the Club are at the moment considering the provision of outlet concessions outside the ground more probably for next season.

In the meantime, a further meeting is being arranged with the Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Mike Wolfe to pursue issues such as parking, access in the vicinity of the Britannia Stadium, and its ownership.

Websites update:

It is a prime objective of the Forum to obtain as many views from supporters as it can and represent them to the Club in the best interest of all. To do that requires effective communication, and to that end the Forum is increasing the number of websites it has available through groups or organisations willing to add a Forum web page. The Forum currently has pages on; the Oatcake, the East Anglia SCSC, StokeCity-Mad, Merseyside Potters, official SCFC website, and a site should be available shortly via Radio Stoke. Please make use of them.

Any Other Business:

Young Supporters - in recognising the need to promote more young support,the Forum is considering what can done to improve communication with them. In discussion with the Club, both sides are considering a possible link with 'Junior Potters'.

Finance - The costs incurred in running the Forum are minimal and have been covered by donations from participating bodies and the generosity of the people participating. Funds are currently low however. The Forum accepted the nomination Shaun Fynn to be Treasurer to administer any Forum finance.