30-10-2015, 09:19
Apparently the first fan forum committee/steering group meeting was tonight and a couple of posters on Owlstalk were invited, do we know anyone who attended?? I have shamelessly stolen the notes that FlyingOwl posted on Owlstalk tonight about her notes from the meeting and thought it would be good to post it on here. I am not a member on Owlstalk so did not ask permission to copy and paste what she wrote but my intention is not to steal anything or use the post in any derogatory way, so I hope that is ok with everyone.
Here is what FlyingOwl posted:
"Here were my findings from the meeting. I'm sure Ecclesall Owl and OakOwl will chip in if I've missed anything important off.
The main topic of conversation was tickets & getting people into Hillsborough, season ticket sales are up but ticket sales aren't reaching what they may have hoped. However the general consensus was that ticket prices just weren't the issue keeping fans away. The bad press received after the ticket categories were released put a dampener on everything. The club understands that but wants to underline that, apart from the Bristol game perhaps, prices have been spot on in their eyes as well as everyone else in attendance. What they want to know, and I'll put it to you now, is what is keeping the fans away? What do you want to see to bring you back? It's £20 a ticket vs Brighton....you can't ask for much better.
So that's my question to you & what I want to feedback. Genuinely, what do you want to see in order to go to more matches? Trust me, they are completely open to fans views on this. They want bums on seats.
There is an idea about a 2 or 3 year season ticket, with finance maybe being an option. Would that interest anyone?
Other topics raised were...
Arsenal game:
Media coverage has gone through the roof, attention not seen on Sheffield Wednesday in years.
Segregation not up to them at all. All down to the safety officers (SYP etc).
Hoped that many new fans were made that night & old fans who hadn't been in a while, rejuvenated.
Matchday Catering:
Those chairing the interview were initially under the impression that catering and service on kiosks, whether that be in a lounge or on the concourse, had gotten better. They said they invested heavily in training over the summer.
An idea of a 'pool of staff' between us and United was raised. With us not playing on the same days it's possible to have the same servers across both clubs. This would probably increase the standard of applicants as the job would guarantee better hours.
The chairman was not happy with our feedback on catering & will take action if not improved by the next meeting.
To ease the demand on orders for beer a pre-pour system was trialed in one of the suites before the Bristol game. This is a system many on here have suggested because it does take ages to get a drink at half-time & the queues are ridiculous. However, the pre-pour system wasn't working as efficiently as it should due to fans turning their noses up at a drink that was waiting for them...wanting a fresh one etc. Further ideas to provide quicker service are welcome.
Ideas Regarding Atmosphere (feedback needed):
The subject of the band will be properly raised and discussed at the next meeting. General consensus in the room though was in favour of getting rid.
Pre and post match music. A system where we can choose what's played like at Donny? More Wednesday songs before kick off? Is everyone happy with Waterfront as walk out music?
A 'fan coordinator', with a megaphone like in european clubs?
Flags on the Kop like Liverpool? Would need to be discussed with safety officers but this is something the club would be on board with.
Goal music? Yes or No? Was met with a mixed reaction. Paul Bell, the chief of operation, feels that the crowd can die down very quickly after a goal and goal music may boost us again....(I disagreed...)
Away End
Is always a sore point talking about Leppings Lane but without saying the actual words, sooner or later, it will be knocked down.
Club probably didn't realise how ashamed we are of the outside of the away end & how drab it looks. Tarting it up may have gone up on their ''list of projects'' (apparently there are many)
Is talk about maybe moving away fans somewhere else. Mentioned that we get shoved in a corner against Newcastle, Derby, Cardiff to name just a few. Has improved atmosphere at Leeds.
Other than that, there are big plans for our 150th but tight lipped right now. Kevin Pressman was offered a testimonial a while ago and turned it down. Club would revisit it but it's up to KP. Want to really promote the grassroots scheme they have, where kids from sports teams/scouts etc can walk out with the team or wave the big flag/small flags as the teams walk out. Spread the word on that if you have links to teams, doesn't have to be in Sheffield. Club wants to invest in the new generation. Mr Chansiri said he is in this for the long haul."
Here is what FlyingOwl posted:
"Here were my findings from the meeting. I'm sure Ecclesall Owl and OakOwl will chip in if I've missed anything important off.
The main topic of conversation was tickets & getting people into Hillsborough, season ticket sales are up but ticket sales aren't reaching what they may have hoped. However the general consensus was that ticket prices just weren't the issue keeping fans away. The bad press received after the ticket categories were released put a dampener on everything. The club understands that but wants to underline that, apart from the Bristol game perhaps, prices have been spot on in their eyes as well as everyone else in attendance. What they want to know, and I'll put it to you now, is what is keeping the fans away? What do you want to see to bring you back? It's £20 a ticket vs Brighton....you can't ask for much better.
So that's my question to you & what I want to feedback. Genuinely, what do you want to see in order to go to more matches? Trust me, they are completely open to fans views on this. They want bums on seats.
There is an idea about a 2 or 3 year season ticket, with finance maybe being an option. Would that interest anyone?
Other topics raised were...
Arsenal game:
Media coverage has gone through the roof, attention not seen on Sheffield Wednesday in years.
Segregation not up to them at all. All down to the safety officers (SYP etc).
Hoped that many new fans were made that night & old fans who hadn't been in a while, rejuvenated.
Matchday Catering:
Those chairing the interview were initially under the impression that catering and service on kiosks, whether that be in a lounge or on the concourse, had gotten better. They said they invested heavily in training over the summer.
An idea of a 'pool of staff' between us and United was raised. With us not playing on the same days it's possible to have the same servers across both clubs. This would probably increase the standard of applicants as the job would guarantee better hours.
The chairman was not happy with our feedback on catering & will take action if not improved by the next meeting.
To ease the demand on orders for beer a pre-pour system was trialed in one of the suites before the Bristol game. This is a system many on here have suggested because it does take ages to get a drink at half-time & the queues are ridiculous. However, the pre-pour system wasn't working as efficiently as it should due to fans turning their noses up at a drink that was waiting for them...wanting a fresh one etc. Further ideas to provide quicker service are welcome.
Ideas Regarding Atmosphere (feedback needed):
The subject of the band will be properly raised and discussed at the next meeting. General consensus in the room though was in favour of getting rid.
Pre and post match music. A system where we can choose what's played like at Donny? More Wednesday songs before kick off? Is everyone happy with Waterfront as walk out music?
A 'fan coordinator', with a megaphone like in european clubs?
Flags on the Kop like Liverpool? Would need to be discussed with safety officers but this is something the club would be on board with.
Goal music? Yes or No? Was met with a mixed reaction. Paul Bell, the chief of operation, feels that the crowd can die down very quickly after a goal and goal music may boost us again....(I disagreed...)
Away End
Is always a sore point talking about Leppings Lane but without saying the actual words, sooner or later, it will be knocked down.
Club probably didn't realise how ashamed we are of the outside of the away end & how drab it looks. Tarting it up may have gone up on their ''list of projects'' (apparently there are many)
Is talk about maybe moving away fans somewhere else. Mentioned that we get shoved in a corner against Newcastle, Derby, Cardiff to name just a few. Has improved atmosphere at Leeds.
Other than that, there are big plans for our 150th but tight lipped right now. Kevin Pressman was offered a testimonial a while ago and turned it down. Club would revisit it but it's up to KP. Want to really promote the grassroots scheme they have, where kids from sports teams/scouts etc can walk out with the team or wave the big flag/small flags as the teams walk out. Spread the word on that if you have links to teams, doesn't have to be in Sheffield. Club wants to invest in the new generation. Mr Chansiri said he is in this for the long haul."