The November meeting of the Fans Liaison Committee took place on Monday 4th November 2006, and started by reviewing some past issues discussed at previous meetings.

There was good feedback for the PA system, both the revamped delivery by Steve Jordan and the pre-match loop. The changes to script, including a more restrained tone over the PA address, attracted praise.

There were positive comments for the club’s proactive approach to dealing with tickets for the upcoming match away at Colchester. Many supporters on away direct had received a telephone call from the ticket office enquiring if they required a ticket, and ascertaining whether a standing ticket was their preference.

City’s match at Elland Road next month is causing some concern, with the possibility of the police imposing an earlier kick-off. This needless exercise is feared because of “ongoing conversations” with the police, who have refused to confirm a 3pm kick-off so far. It was also confirmed that OSC members will be among the priority scheme for tickets.

The club are still looking at ways of significantly reducing prices for next season. Heavily discounting both matchday tickets and season passes for some areas for the ground is being considered, so as to be fair to pass holders. Additionally, it was noted that the family areas of the stadium are not selling out on a regular basis. It is felt that these need to be advertised more strongly, and the club will look at ways of getting the word out about the offers available to families.

Colin Murphy is no longer in the charge the Ideal complex since resuming his role as assistant manager. This is not a major problem at present as planning permission is yet to be granted for some aspects of the development, however the club are looking to appoint someone to oversee the project.

A comment was raised about disabled supporters being unable to purchase tickets online – this is because of the need to produce ID to obtain a concessionary ticket. However, wheelchair-using supporters can buy tickets over the phone using their Customer ID.

The club has received a few complaints about supporters using the disabled lift in the West Stand, which frequently makes it unavailable for wheelchair users. The club will remind stewards in the area to keep it free for disabled fans.

A fans’ forum is presently being planned for some time in the Spring.

A query was raised about the possibility of replica shirts being sold at outlets other than the Tiger Leisure. For the moment, the club prefers to keep things in-house, although this may be reviewed as the club broadens its supporter base.

Several comments were made about the recent Sunderland fixture. The police’s handling of the game was predictably poor in several regards. The new (and external) match commander made the decision to allow Sunderland fans to exit via the area of the crêche. This was in spite of opposition from the club at the time. The club are compiling complaints to pass onto the police, who have at least admitted their mistake.

Their decision to deny alcohol to Sunderland fans inside the ground was also criticized, which led to away fans drinking throughout Hull and Beverley, and led to the club having to admit 2,300 fans in 7 minutes before the game, a number bordering on the unsafe and in contravention of the recommendations of the Taylor Report. Had Sunderland fans been permitted alcohol inside the ground, a more gradual admittance would have been possible,

However, as the police have the ultimate power to refuse to police fixtures, the power remains with them and the club has to be wary in criticizing their repeated mistakes. The present match commander may be invited to a future FLC meeting to have these errors explained.

A comment was made about the ticket office, which is looking a little unclean with chewing gum on the floors and a general aura of untidiness. This situation has been noted, and a plan of action to remedy this is soon to be signed off by the chairman.

The Sports Bar is now much improved, with many more stools and coat pegs. All that is now required are later hours, with some instances of last orders being called at 5.30 being reported. The current £2 entrance fee may be reduced to increase custom, and advertising of the facility will be stepped up.

Future U21 fixtures are likely to be played at Wembley Stadium, and the club is not anticipating any future games at the Circle. However, City will continue to apply for games.

The introduction of individuals, a worthy exercise against Fourth Division visitors, is looking ever more dated and unnecessary against visiting sides in this division, and may be phased out next season.

Future stock orders are to be reconsidered, as a surfeit of XLs are available in the club shop but not enough Large sizes are on sale.

Positive comments on the club’s official website were made, with several obsolete sections removed and features being kept up to date more efficiently. Premium TV, the organization that holds the rights for all Football League clubs’ websites, are intending to relaunch their template within the next year.

Praise was received for the City mag and DVD. Although this is not a great money-making operation for the club, the chairman considers it worthwhile from the perspective of providing the club with a platform for the fans and it is thought useful as City seek to expand in coming years.

Problems were noted in the West Stand, both with poor service on the concourses and the water in some of the gentlemen’s toilets. Both issues are being looked into.

The club’s management structure was touched up. Colin Murphy will now oversee the reserve team and scouting matters. Phil Brown will exclusively coach the first team, and was given glowing praise by the chairman. He will also have input on the technical side, looking after the implementation of the Pro-Zone technology and liaising with the sports science aspect of the club ran by Simon Maltby. As manager, Phil Parkinson oversees everything. The chairman is happy at having a greater “football balance” to the management staff, and reiterated his faith in Parkinson.

The decision to release Stuart Ayles and Frank Barlow was a joint decision by the chairman and manager, both of whom had identified the need to make alterations.

The Chinese link-up was raised. This is presently some way down the club’s priorities. Some useful groundwork has been done should City wish to return to this issue, but at present team matters are very much the main issue.

KCFM is presently “on target”, although owing to commercial sensibilities the chairman was unable to give any specific dates or progress updates.

The present hospitality packages that were sold upon the opening of the Circle a few years ago are up for renewal next year. Adam Pearson is confident that selling these will not be a problem, and the club is already taking steps to make sure that this happens.

Criticism of the stewarding in the carpark was made, a recurring theme. As all stewards are trained together there should be no inconsistencies, but the correct means of instructing fans on leaving will be given again to those stewards operating in this area. The pedestrian gate near the Spring Bank end of Walton Street has also been closed for some recent games – there is no reason for this to be so and it should not happen at future matches.

A new club sponsor is being signed up at present, however the chairman was unable to comment any further, to the dismay of one FLC member…

Danny Mills is unlikely to make a permanent move to City as he is still on a lucrative contact in Manchester. The club would love to sign him, and the chairman praised his “exemplary professionalism”, but any deal would entail persuading him to drop a division and probably require Manchester C paying up the remainder of his contract.

City are not presently intending to make many signings in the January transfer window. Some funds are available if required, although at the moment Phil Parkinson has no desire to add to his squad.  (LM/AD)