Post by coopboard on Mar 7, 2017 11:14:35 GMT
STOCKPORT COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB
&
STOCKPORT COUNTY SUPPORTERS’ CO-OPERATIVE
MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 2 MARCH 2017,
LEGENDS LOUNGE, EDGELEY PARK AT 6.30PM
ATTENDANCE
Present for SCFC: Steve Bellis Gary Burton, Malcolm Cooke (until question 6 inclusive), Jon Keighren, Richard Park (until question 6 inclusive)
Present for SCSC: Pete Towey (Chair), Ian Brown, Caroline Burt (Independent Secretary), Paul Charnock, Nick Lee, John Giles, Dave Marchbank,
Apologies: Damian Beaumont, Billy Byrne, Christine Robinson
The meeting opened with a presentation by John Giles on the Guardian Account on behalf of the Supporters Cooperative. This was well received and the Club indicated interest in and support for the ideas.
The Club then responded to questions from the Supporters Cooperative.
QUESTION 1
Would it be possible to provide match tickets for the Hatters Half marathon on Sunday 3rd September for our runners and volunteers?
Yes, no problem.
QUESTION 2
Would the club be willing to allow the Co-op to hold table top sales in the Cheadle End concourse to raise money for the Guardian Account? We would be looking for these to take place on a monthly basis (Sunday morning) from September through to April. This is to avoid a clash with Help the Hatters car boot sales
We don’t see a problem with this but will need to confirm responsibilities in relation to opening up / locking up etc.
QUESTION 3
Are the club happy for the Co-op to pass a copy of the full accounts to be analysed by a qualified accountant who has volunteered to help the Co-op?
Yes.
QUESTION 5
The reduction in total net liabilities from £1,812K to £1,296K in Jun 2016 is very welcome, but this figure is still exceptionally high for a 6th division club. What steps are being taken to further reduce liabilities during 2017 / 2018 and move the club closer to a debt free position?
The Clubs revised 5 Year Plan document- `Stockport County- Moving Forward’ included the business objective of changing active shareholder loans from debt to equity for 2016/17. This remains the objective and achievable.
There has also been an audit inventory of every item in the club that will help with the balance sheet.
QUESTION 6
Attendances have increased strongly over the last few months, including a record league attendance for FC United. What is the revised projected profit / loss to 30th Jun 2017?
The Club is anticipating a small profit for the current year, which compares with a loss of £100k last year. The Club has also supported the Manager’s budget, increasing this during the season when required.
There are also other unexpected costs to cover. The website is dropping us this year and although it could have been better, it did bring in £8,000 per year to the club so not only are we losing that revenue, we also need to pay to build a new website.
Malcolm Cooke and Richard Park left the meeting
QUESTION 7
What is the club's view on policing at Edgeley Park on a match day? In particular the police presence for Darlington and FC United. Would the club like any assistance from the Co-op to help reduce police numbers / costs? For example - writing to Tony Lloyd (Police Commissioner).
Gary Burton regularly meets with the Safety Advisory Committee (SAG) to ensure that, as far as possible, policing costs are kept to a minimum. After the Chorley game there should not be any further costs this season.
The Police response at home games, is influenced by reports from away fixtures, and the Club sees pitch encroachments / flare throwing as unhelpful in combating the argument for extra police at games. As the number of incidents reduces, this will give the club better bargaining power. It is hoped that fans will help to self-police.
The experience of previous fixtures with FCUM influenced the decision to make the game all ticket. In the event the Club worked with the police nearer match day and made significant late improvements (sales of tickets on day etc). Not perfect `solutions’ but concessions negotiated nonetheless. It was recognised that the FCUM did require a police presence due to the size of the crowd.
Of the 1,500 season ticket holders, only 10 didn’t attend the game!
QUESTION 8
The 'free tickets for schools' is an excellent initiative and is essential for building future generations of support. Can the club consider a strategy to encourage families that attend on a free ticket to return?
For example - pass every family that attends a voucher, which entitles them to purchase an adult and child ticket for £15 (rather than the £20 ticket price). The reason is £20 is a big step from paying nothing. A voucher will create 'pester power' and the parent is more likely to pay £15 and return.
Critically, the club can monitor the success of the scheme, as SCFC will have data to identify which families have returned for a 2nd visit.
Yes, the Club would be supportive of such ideas.
QUESTION 9
In previous seasons, the club ran a promotion whereby fans contributed £300 and in return the club provided 100 tickets to a school selected by the club (based on a high level of interest). Would the club consider reintroducing this scheme, as a way of helping the Community Foundation and encouraging more youngsters to visit Edgeley Park?
Absolutely but this would now go through the commercial department rather than the Community Foundation.
£300 would equate to 3 presentations to 3 schools and it isn’t just about the match tickets, the presentations include health education. This is something that is going to be reviewed in coming months.
QUESTION 10
Would the club be willing to meet with Tim Wightman and Rob Walters from Stockport Family Church? They would like to discuss the following topics for this year's Christmas Carol service?
Yes! It was a great event last year. A meeting needs to be set up in the coming months.
It would also be an excellent opportunity to hand out vouchers for children to attend a match.
QUESTION 11
Would Jim, Mike Flynn and some players will attend the CAMRA beer festival? The date is Thursday 1st June at EP
Whilst Jim Gannon will not be available it should be possible to arrange for other County staff / team members to attend. This will depend on which players have been retained, but they will be encouraged to attend. Club Directors will also be in attendance.
QUESTION 12
For future all ticket games, can we have assurances that late opening hours will be announced earlier next time there is a similar situation, rather than it being in response to people moaning?
The club acknowledged that this should have been announced much earlier.
QUESTION 13
Please can the club comment on one supporter having to ring the club over 40 times on the Wednesday before the game to try and buy tickets for FC United and not getting any response?
This is regretted, but a consequence, unfortunately, of the current staffing levels at Edgeley Park. With so few people employed, all invariably multi-tasking issues such as this are an inevitable consequence.
In this situation, people are encouraged to leave a message on the answering machine as once the ticket office was shut, staff stayed and called back everyone who had left a message. This is something that will be made known going forward.
QUESTION 14
For the Salford game, is the game going to be played at their home ground? If so, how many tickets are we getting? Are the club happy with that amount? How will tickets be allocated to fans?
Sale of tickets will be to Season Ticket holders commencing Thursday 9 March. Full details on COWS. However, with more season ticket holders than tickets available, some fans are going to be disappointed.
QUESTION 15
Could the club let SCSC know the pre season fixtures as soon as they are confirmed so that we can organise some fund raising events / quizzes to coincide?
Yes, no problem. Although this will depend on what league we are in. If we are still in Conference North, we’d be looking for Conference National opponent. If we were to be promoted, we’d be looking for league opponents.
&
STOCKPORT COUNTY SUPPORTERS’ CO-OPERATIVE
MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 2 MARCH 2017,
LEGENDS LOUNGE, EDGELEY PARK AT 6.30PM
ATTENDANCE
Present for SCFC: Steve Bellis Gary Burton, Malcolm Cooke (until question 6 inclusive), Jon Keighren, Richard Park (until question 6 inclusive)
Present for SCSC: Pete Towey (Chair), Ian Brown, Caroline Burt (Independent Secretary), Paul Charnock, Nick Lee, John Giles, Dave Marchbank,
Apologies: Damian Beaumont, Billy Byrne, Christine Robinson
The meeting opened with a presentation by John Giles on the Guardian Account on behalf of the Supporters Cooperative. This was well received and the Club indicated interest in and support for the ideas.
The Club then responded to questions from the Supporters Cooperative.
QUESTION 1
Would it be possible to provide match tickets for the Hatters Half marathon on Sunday 3rd September for our runners and volunteers?
Yes, no problem.
QUESTION 2
Would the club be willing to allow the Co-op to hold table top sales in the Cheadle End concourse to raise money for the Guardian Account? We would be looking for these to take place on a monthly basis (Sunday morning) from September through to April. This is to avoid a clash with Help the Hatters car boot sales
We don’t see a problem with this but will need to confirm responsibilities in relation to opening up / locking up etc.
QUESTION 3
Are the club happy for the Co-op to pass a copy of the full accounts to be analysed by a qualified accountant who has volunteered to help the Co-op?
Yes.
QUESTION 5
The reduction in total net liabilities from £1,812K to £1,296K in Jun 2016 is very welcome, but this figure is still exceptionally high for a 6th division club. What steps are being taken to further reduce liabilities during 2017 / 2018 and move the club closer to a debt free position?
The Clubs revised 5 Year Plan document- `Stockport County- Moving Forward’ included the business objective of changing active shareholder loans from debt to equity for 2016/17. This remains the objective and achievable.
There has also been an audit inventory of every item in the club that will help with the balance sheet.
QUESTION 6
Attendances have increased strongly over the last few months, including a record league attendance for FC United. What is the revised projected profit / loss to 30th Jun 2017?
The Club is anticipating a small profit for the current year, which compares with a loss of £100k last year. The Club has also supported the Manager’s budget, increasing this during the season when required.
There are also other unexpected costs to cover. The website is dropping us this year and although it could have been better, it did bring in £8,000 per year to the club so not only are we losing that revenue, we also need to pay to build a new website.
Malcolm Cooke and Richard Park left the meeting
QUESTION 7
What is the club's view on policing at Edgeley Park on a match day? In particular the police presence for Darlington and FC United. Would the club like any assistance from the Co-op to help reduce police numbers / costs? For example - writing to Tony Lloyd (Police Commissioner).
Gary Burton regularly meets with the Safety Advisory Committee (SAG) to ensure that, as far as possible, policing costs are kept to a minimum. After the Chorley game there should not be any further costs this season.
The Police response at home games, is influenced by reports from away fixtures, and the Club sees pitch encroachments / flare throwing as unhelpful in combating the argument for extra police at games. As the number of incidents reduces, this will give the club better bargaining power. It is hoped that fans will help to self-police.
The experience of previous fixtures with FCUM influenced the decision to make the game all ticket. In the event the Club worked with the police nearer match day and made significant late improvements (sales of tickets on day etc). Not perfect `solutions’ but concessions negotiated nonetheless. It was recognised that the FCUM did require a police presence due to the size of the crowd.
Of the 1,500 season ticket holders, only 10 didn’t attend the game!
QUESTION 8
The 'free tickets for schools' is an excellent initiative and is essential for building future generations of support. Can the club consider a strategy to encourage families that attend on a free ticket to return?
For example - pass every family that attends a voucher, which entitles them to purchase an adult and child ticket for £15 (rather than the £20 ticket price). The reason is £20 is a big step from paying nothing. A voucher will create 'pester power' and the parent is more likely to pay £15 and return.
Critically, the club can monitor the success of the scheme, as SCFC will have data to identify which families have returned for a 2nd visit.
Yes, the Club would be supportive of such ideas.
QUESTION 9
In previous seasons, the club ran a promotion whereby fans contributed £300 and in return the club provided 100 tickets to a school selected by the club (based on a high level of interest). Would the club consider reintroducing this scheme, as a way of helping the Community Foundation and encouraging more youngsters to visit Edgeley Park?
Absolutely but this would now go through the commercial department rather than the Community Foundation.
£300 would equate to 3 presentations to 3 schools and it isn’t just about the match tickets, the presentations include health education. This is something that is going to be reviewed in coming months.
QUESTION 10
Would the club be willing to meet with Tim Wightman and Rob Walters from Stockport Family Church? They would like to discuss the following topics for this year's Christmas Carol service?
Yes! It was a great event last year. A meeting needs to be set up in the coming months.
It would also be an excellent opportunity to hand out vouchers for children to attend a match.
QUESTION 11
Would Jim, Mike Flynn and some players will attend the CAMRA beer festival? The date is Thursday 1st June at EP
Whilst Jim Gannon will not be available it should be possible to arrange for other County staff / team members to attend. This will depend on which players have been retained, but they will be encouraged to attend. Club Directors will also be in attendance.
QUESTION 12
For future all ticket games, can we have assurances that late opening hours will be announced earlier next time there is a similar situation, rather than it being in response to people moaning?
The club acknowledged that this should have been announced much earlier.
QUESTION 13
Please can the club comment on one supporter having to ring the club over 40 times on the Wednesday before the game to try and buy tickets for FC United and not getting any response?
This is regretted, but a consequence, unfortunately, of the current staffing levels at Edgeley Park. With so few people employed, all invariably multi-tasking issues such as this are an inevitable consequence.
In this situation, people are encouraged to leave a message on the answering machine as once the ticket office was shut, staff stayed and called back everyone who had left a message. This is something that will be made known going forward.
QUESTION 14
For the Salford game, is the game going to be played at their home ground? If so, how many tickets are we getting? Are the club happy with that amount? How will tickets be allocated to fans?
Sale of tickets will be to Season Ticket holders commencing Thursday 9 March. Full details on COWS. However, with more season ticket holders than tickets available, some fans are going to be disappointed.
QUESTION 15
Could the club let SCSC know the pre season fixtures as soon as they are confirmed so that we can organise some fund raising events / quizzes to coincide?
Yes, no problem. Although this will depend on what league we are in. If we are still in Conference North, we’d be looking for Conference National opponent. If we were to be promoted, we’d be looking for league opponents.