The Football Supporters’ Federation Southern Division

Minutes of the meeting held at Reading FC on Sunday, 8 September 2013

Present:

Chair: Tony Roome (Leyton Orient SC)

Deputy Chair: Pam Wilkins (Pompey Supporters’ Trust)

Secretary: Paul Ellix (Individual)

Monica Hartland (President & Stoke City)

Ian Todd (Vice President & Sunderland)

Mark Ogbourne (Individual)Liz Costa (BHASC)

Sarah Watts (BHASC)Chris Reeves (Watford)

Corrin Reeves (Watford)Ian Maynard (STAR)

Lloyd Bristow (Stevenage)Alan Barnes (Woking)

Gerry Claydon (Fulham ST)Dan Crawford Fulham

Sue Maisey (Palace ISA)Tim Hillyer (WISA, AFC Wimbledon)

Myra Hawtree (Norwich)Neil Spingate (Fulham)

  1. Welcome

Chairman Tony Roome welcomed all attendees and thanked them for their attendance. He also thanked STAR for hosting the meeting at Reading FC.

  1. Apologies for absence

Jon KeenSteve Powell

Alan RogersJohn Piper

Martin Garrett

  1. Minutes of meeting held 7 April 2013

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

Tim Hillyer raised a matter arising from minute 3n where he clarified that, FSF policy was made by the Fans’ Parliament and not by staff, as stated in the minute.

  1. Report on “The Supporters’ Summit”

Tony Roome submitted a report of the joint FSF / Supporters Direct event that had been held at the FA National Football Centre, St. George’s Park (incorporating the FSF AGM).

The report highlighted:

  1. Key note speakers:
  2. David Bernstein;
  3. Background to St. George’s Park facility,
  4. Fans’ and local communities importance to clubs’ well-being,
  5. Importance of SLOs, and
  6. Ticket prices – welcoming FSF’s Twenty’s Plenty campaign.
  7. Andy Burnham MP;
  8. Lack of authority of FA, and
  9. Governance and supporter ownership.
  10. Workshops :
  11. Away Fans Matter;
  12. Sustainability;
  13. Reclaim the game;
  14. Tackling Homophobia (action plan);
  15. Fan Engagement (speaker Tim Connolly - VP Sales & Marketing at Green Bay Packers);
  16. Transparency and Vigilence;
  17. Tackling Discrimination (poorly attended); and
  18. Safe Standing.
  19. AGM
  20. Annual Report highlighting:
  21. FSF Organisational changes,
  22. Evidence given to DCMS,
  23. Fans’ embassies,
  24. Campaigns
  25. Twenty’s Plenty,
  26. Away tickets,
  27. Safe Standing,
  28. Watching Football is not a crime.
  29. SLOs;
  30. Motions
  31. Elections – (Jon Keen appointed as FSF Secretary and Tony Roome elected to NC.)

The meeting agreed that the conference:

  1. Was successful – the best for a number of years
  2. The venue is good for such a conference – easy to find people to talk to;
  3. Good quality speakers but little time to question them;
  4. Overall there were too many workshops, which all overran and that Safe Standing has been done to death as a workshop topic;
  5. The fringe stalls outside the conference area were good and interesting.
  6. The FSF AGM impinging on workshop time is a concern.

The Secretary was instructed to write to Malcolm Clarke advising of Southern Division’s concerns.

  1. Homophobia

The meeting debated the situation on tackling homophobia following the session at the Supporters’ Summit and the motion that had been agreed at the FSF AGM.

The meeting felt strongly that the NC was not enacting what had been agreed at the Supporters’ Summit which was an unacceptable situation.

The ACPO stance on homophobia was acknowledged and it was noted that Sussex Police had hardened its stance with the number of arrests increasing (including Derby Fans arrested on concourse and subsequently convicted and received banning orders).

On the wider subject of Diversity:

  1. the meeting noted:
  2. Kick it Out’s smart phone application to report abuse;
  3. That Portsmouth had banned a supporter for making a racist “Tweet”.
  4. Women’s Football:
  5. The meeting agreed to make Women’s Football the key topic at its next meeting including how the FSF can interact better with supporters of women’s football. The Secretary was asked to invite Rachel Pavlov (FA National Football Development Manager) to the meeting.
  6. It was noted that there had been a total re-organisation of women’s football leading to the WPL being comprised of clubs based on finance and not achievements.
  1. Pyramid Report

Alan Barnes submitted a report highlighting:

  1. Summer sideways club moves across the pyramid;
  2. Club amalgamations and mergers;
  3. Matters at Rushden & Diamonds, Cambridge City, Tooting & Mitcham, Guernsey, Woodford United and Kettering Town; and
  4. Farnborough Town’s deal with Paddy Power resulting in the delay to the start of their season

Other matters that were raised included:

  1. Aldershot Town wiping out the points deduction following administration;
  2. Non – League Day
  3. Histon reporting a 30% increase in attendance;
  4. Martin Tyler being a non-league day ambassador;
  5. Reports in National Press and Talk Sport illustrating growing strength and popularity of the day; and
  6. Civil Service FC’s next home game will be in the grounds of Buckingham Palace as part of the FA’s 150 year anniversary.
  1. National Council Report

Pam Wilkins submitted a report on the NC meeting held 26 May in Doncaster and the NC meeting that followed the Supporters’ Summit.

  1. 26 May covered:
  2. motions for Supporters’ Summit,
  3. FA Cup Final – should be after the end of Premier League season. Campaign for train companies to run later trains to ensure supporters can get home after match.
  4. SLOs – PL clubs not keen on fans doing the role.
  5. FSF weekly newsletter has returned
  6. Twenty’s Plenty campaign – aimed at PL clubs primarily
  7. Safe Standing – 21 Championship clubs in favour of trialling and approximately 10 PL clubs.
  8. Meeting following Supporters’ Summit:
  9. Jon Keen confirmed as Secretary
  10. Carroll Clarke appointed as Treasurer
  11. Paul Corkrey co-opted as FSF Cymru delegate
  12. Action plan on homophobia to be produced in 3 months.

Neil Springate submitted a report covering the Football Supporters’ Europe Group Congress 19-21 July. Topics discussed included:

  1. The impact on supporters of safety and security measures,
  2. Forthcoming European Championships, and
  3. Issues affecting smaller leagues across Europe.
  1. Club Reports
  1. Portsmouth– The Trust took over the club in April. Over 10,000 season tickets sold and good away support. Some “bickering” as no one has anything left externally to fight. Catering brought in-house with reduction of prices. Supporters’ group comprising of representatives from different groups set up. Lots of volunteers coming forward.

The meeting proffered its congratulations to Pompey Supporters’ Trust. In response to a question Pam Wilkins indicated that the saga would be written up in due course.

  1. Norwich– Worrying few weeks at end of last season until fear of relegation was lifted.Extra TV money is being used to buy better quality players and improve training ground (£24 million spent). Club won FA Youth Cup beating Chelsea. A ticket reader system has been introduced. Won a supporters award which is being used to fund 2 away trips.
  2. Reading – STAR is concerned about loss of shareholder rights on final takeover of the club at the end of September. Is attempting to have dialogue with TSI. Issues with stewarding at Bolton with one supporter being manhandled out of the ground by the throat.
  3. AFC Wimbledon – Previously reported problems with over-zealous stewarding at Chesterfield having been taken up by the local MP. Problems with flares being let off at Millwall with stewards attacked while trying to deal with incident. Drawing up volunteer agreements with assistance with documents from Chester FC.
  4. Chester FC – Chester Exiles AGM held in London and attended by Neil Young (Manager) and a club director.
  5. Fulham–Club taken over by Shahid Khan (owner of Jacksonville Jaguars). Issues with location of TV cameras affecting up to 1000 seats. Looking at possible solution through locating remotely on top of stand. Club paid for 3 supporter coaches to Sunderland and is looking to do similar throughout season. Neil Springate invigilated at Chelsea ST elections and encouraged them to affiliate to FSF.
  6. Woking– Second season in Conference Premier – budget less than 1/3 of some other clubs. Hayes and Yeading still ground sharing.
  7. Stevenage – Club punching above weight. 900 membersof Supporters’ Association – most living outside town. Spurs have opened club shop in town – Stevenage supporters outraged. Away supporters encouraged to use club house. Building relationship with club’s SLO. Club is debt free.
  8. Hitchin Town–Supermarket proposed purchase of “Top Field” still being thwarted.
  9. Stoke City – No significant issues. Some problems with getting away from the area at the end of games since the council has assumed traffic management responsibilities. Unofficial coaches are charged £280 to park per match.
  10. Watford – Most loanees from last season signed permanently. Working proceeding on South East corner of the ground. East stand to be demolished. Over 10k season tickets sold – few pay on the day seats available. Ticket reader system “played up” at league cup game leading to some supporters not getting access until nearly half time. Catering now done by the Lindlay Group who are also involved with refurbishment of South East corner. The hospital has planning permission for a link road and rail link with a station. The contract with Saracens has ended.
  11. Crawley– Stadium renamed as Checker Trade Stadium in a 5-year sponsorship deal. Wolves’ game moved to Friday night leading to a £140 train fare or a 5 hour coach journey. Coaches stoned by Wolves supporters. The Sheffield United game has been moved to a Friday as Sheffield Wednesday are at home on the scheduled Saturday.
  12. Leyton Orient – Great start to season. Argument about the stadium continues – judicial review aimed at ground sharing decision. Supporters will be opposed to moving to Olympic Stadium. Has received a “Family Club” award. Brentford game moved to a Friday night for TV purposes – some supporters, who would have travelled by boat could not change their booking. The Chairman has agreed to fund the fans’ loss
  13. Brighton – Difficult summer with Poyet’s dismissal. Players seem to like working with Oscar Garcia who is looking for a top 10 finish. CEO Paul Barber is referring supporters as customers – not popular. Pies have won awards. Training ground will be opened in 2014. Club will be hosting 3 Rugby World Cup matches in October 2015. The safety officer has appointed a disabled member of staff to tour disabled areas of ground and liaise directly with supporters. Some games have been moved because Sussex University needs car park for freshers’ week. Sarah Watts was congratulated on achieving life membership of BHASC.
  14. Crystal Palace – Premier League – improvement works to be undertaken on Selhurst Park including away supporters’ toilets. New gantry for TV installed with netting underneath to catch falling cameramen etc. Some fans inconvenienced because of camera requirements. Club badge has been changed. Training ground has been bought. Hosting a match with Oman national side. Area in car park has had seating and catering concessions installed.
  15. Sunderland – Players at the end of contracts have been released – some players on long-term contracts but not in plans have not been sold. Press box moved to back of Premier Concourse which is less accessible to tea and coffee facilities. Planning permission for a hotel has lapsed but has been re-applied for. Club not yet revealed how it is going to use funds available from the Premier League to enhance the away fan experience.
  1. AOB
  2. Flares – 4 year ban for a Stoke City fan letting off a flare at Liverpool. A Chelsea fan has been jailed. Liverpool fans set of 5 flares at Fulham.
  3. Independent Football Ombudsman’s report published.
  4. Increase in banning orders expected in lead up to World Cup.
  5. Safety of all-seater stadia brought into question following death of a supporter at Southampton following a surge.
  6. FSF Twenty’s Plenty campaign questioned over relevance to supporters of FL and non –league clubs. FSF should recognise that clubs outside the PL need away supporters attending more. FSF needs to explain policy better.
  7. Whitehawk want to change name to Brighton City.
  8. Conference games liable to fixture changes owing to TV coverage.
  9. Barnet and Aldershot have not reduced admission fees despite relegation to Conference.
  10. Date of next meeting

Provisionally Sunday, 8 December at Leyton Orient – to be confirmed.

Meeting closed at 17.00

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