Minutes from FC Voices meeting – 1st July2017
St John’s Church, St George’s Road, Hull
Attendees:Alex Grundy, Richard Ollett, Steve Wray,Lisa Jewitt, Steph Miller, Alan James,Barry Edwards, Louise Williams
Apologies:Kathy Kirk, Karen Horton, Cory Hadfield
Matters arising from minutes of last meeting:
Heritage plaques & Revealing Hull’s Heritage (Lottery funding):
Lisa met with the working group for the councils plaque project along with Geoff Bielby from Hull City Supporters Trust on 7th June at the Guildhall. It has become clear that the council led scheme, which will locate plaques for three players from each club (Hull FC, Hull City and Hull KR), is to deliver the same outcome as the application that the group was making.
The group discussed how to move their application forward in light of this and it was agreed that the application would be reduced down to cover only the media related items that were previously planned (video camera, microphones etc). The working group have said that they would welcome any content that can be gathered in support of the plaques and will lend their support to the Lottery funding application.
Lisa is to speak to James Clark regarding the three Hull FC plaques and where they will be located.
Walton Street car park:
It has been established that car parking passes are still available to purchase for use throughout the season.
Street lights – the faulty street lights that have been reported previously are to be checked at the next home game (Lisa)
Hot water in ladies toilet:
Feedback is needed from the group on whether this has been resolved at the next home game
Agenda items:
Family stand:
The group have received feedback that the players coming over to the Family stand post match to clap the fans seated there has tailed off and this is disappointing the fans in that area (particularly the children). Louise also mentioned that players coming over to the stand at half time has reduced and Lisa will let James Clark know. Update - on checking with the club, James confirmed that players do still go over at half-time and this is monitored at every game by the club staff.
Semi final tickets:
The group have received mixed feedback on how semi-final ticket sales have been handled with strong feedback having been received from some fans. There have been complaints that members were not given priority purchase on Wednesday 21st when a small percentage of tickets went on sale. In total the club advise that over 95% of all tickets were actually made available to members.
It should also be noted that many fans were happy to purchase via the RFL so that they could secure their tickets although some did report that this was a lengthy process.
There has also been feedback that information on how to purchase disabled tickets was unclear and when contacting the RFL calls for disabled tickets were going through to one member of staffs voicemail as their lines were engaged on calls.
Phone bills of around the £30 mark have been reported as the number for Ticketmaster was a premium rate phone line.
Additionally, although tickets were advertised as going on sale via the RFL at 10am, they actually went on sale online at 12.01am meaning that many fans bought them early when they realised.
As of the date of this meeting there are still tickets available to purchase meaning that the panic over tickets selling out has been, ultimately, unwarranted.
The group have been asked by several people if the same process that was used in 2016 could be used again should FC get to the final, Lisa is to ask James Clark. It should be noted that there were complaints to the club in 2016 as the only option to purchase was by queueing, there was no phone or online option for out of town fans / those at work or otherwise unable to queue.
Feedback from the club:
In 2016 there were queues around the stadium for two days, so thisyears solution is felt to be an improvement.
a) The RFL insisted on going on sale on Wednesday, the club were extremely reluctant
b) The Club did not ask anyone to queue and at no stage suggested tickets would sell out
c) Over the counter sales was the only option to guarantee members could get tickets in exclusive period as no ticket office facility available via the stadium
d) The feedback received by the club has been predominantly about the lack of availability of a phone or internet service, rather than the queues. However, as seen during this period, there is no easy way to pacify all fans
e) The Club are already exploring plans for the final should we get there, but this isn’t easy without a ticket office
Direct debits – several fans have asked the group about when information will be released on the 2018 direct debit scheme, Lisa is to contact James Clark for an answer that can be shared. Update – information will be released along with 2018 membership packs to fall in line with those timings rather than separately as in previous years
Approval of minutes of last meeting:
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
Treasurers’ report:
Current balance is £3,234.60
Any other business:
FC Voices website – Steph advised that Shaun is having issues when updating the website as the web provider has changed our information. Lisa asked Steph to let her know if support is needed to resolve the problem.
Business club – Lisa attended the match day Business Club which is looked after by the ex-players at the home game on 23rd June and explained to the group how this works. A number of local businesses are hosted in the Raich Carter suite and there is a speaker from the club / special guest and / or a player who is not playing in that match. The man of the match then also speaks after the game. Up to 60-70 people are in attendance at each game.
Date of next meeting:
5th August2017 at St John’s Church, St George’s Road, Hull
Should you have any questions or comments for the group please contact us via email () or via our 24 hour answer phone (07527 965276).
All correspondence will be discussed at the group’s next meeting and a response published in the meeting minutes.
I declare these minutes to be a true and accurate account of the meeting held on 1st July 2017.
Signed ……………………………………………………(Chairperson)
……………………………………………………(Seconded)
……………………………………………………(Secretary)