Bit of quick reading, supporters group minutes ......

Chair
Elliot King (Head of Supporter Engagement)

Attendees
Norwich attendees:

Elliot King (Head of Supporter Engagement)

Sam Hall (Legal and Governance Director)

OSP attendees:

Gordon Anderson (Chair), Matt Colley (Vice Chair), Beverley Burkill, Brian Folkard, Cillian O’Grady, James Brighton, Jon Myhill, Johnathon Byrne, Marie Fuller (remote), Ryan Blumenthal (remote)

Apologies for absence:

Emily Wilford

1. Welcome/Apologies - EK

EK opened the meeting and welcomed the group. Apologies were given for Panel members not in attendance.

2. Minutes of last meeting - EK

Minutes from the last meeting and matters arising were agreed by all.

3. Terms of Reference/rotation of Board and terms – GA/ALL

The agenda item of Panel rotation and terms and the updated Terms of Reference was then discussed. GA noted that the Terms of Reference were not on the Supporter Panel section on the Club’s website. GA noted the ongoing situation and need for the Panel to rotate and stated how it was the Club’s desire for the Panel to come up with a solution for this given the ‘drawing names’ option was strongly rejected by the Panel. GA referenced the Panel’s suggestion of using the previous election data of which the Club said it no longer holds due to the website changes since the election was held. GA also noted the Panel’s previous suggestion of giving all Panel members a 1-year extension due to ‘lost years’ following turnover of staff.

SH said that it was the Club’s desire for the Panel to come up with the solution where 6 panel members remain on the Panel for an additional year, and which 5 other panel members step off as per the original term. He noted that ultimately if the Panel were not able to decide who would stay on the Panel for an additional year, that the Club would make the decision itself.

GA questioned the Club’s willingness to use the Panel and how effective it could be and said that the decision on rotation has been made difficult by this.

BF also commented on the loss of the Panel’s time due to turnover of staff and noted that things had only settled down in the last 6 months to a year, but stated the Panel’s effectiveness in the new crest, as well as the consultation on season ticket prices.

MC stated that he feels that he has not got as much out of the Panel as he has put in.

GA said that the Panel, unlike other supporter groups, does not have an agenda and wants to aid and be of benefit to the Club and be a voice for fans. MC agreed with this but feels like a year has slipped away. He said because of this he wants to use the remaining time on the Panel to make a positive difference and is sure that the Panel can find a solution on who is to step down and stated that he himself is willing to do this. MC said the most important thing in deciding this is representing and maintaining the diversity of the Panel through lived experience.

SH asked the Panel what they wanted out of the Panel following MC’s comment about putting more into the Panel than getting out. MC stated that for him it would be the involvement in internal working groups; getting more transparency on follow up of Panel suggestions; for the Panel to be embedded in Club culture; and for the wider fanbase to know the Panel exists and is of value.

MF agreed that Panel members should not waste the remaining time on the Panel and wanted to know what the Club wants from the Panel in the remaining time: is it for the Panel to speak to fans to bring issues to the Club, or is it the Club bringing issues to the Panel.

SH stated that it was a mix of both, the Club bringing important matters and using the Panel as a barometer for initiatives as well as the Panel bringing matters to the Club. SH drew focus to the Panel’s involvement in the changing of the Club’s crest for the first time in 50 years as an example of the great work that the Panel has already completed.

CO’G was disappointed that the Club hadn’t reported back on the appointment of its new Customer Services Manager, despite it being raised previously by the Panel. SH acknowledged that this was an oversight and that this appointment should have been reported back to the Panel.

JBr reiterated his point regarding the taps in the South Stand toilets and how nothing has changed on this despite the Panel raising it. He said he uses this as an indicator for the effectiveness of the Panel. CO’G stated that even if the Club wasn’t going to act on Panel suggestions, that this should be reported back to the Panel with an explanation.

EK stated that while he could not comment on previous meetings he had not attended, he has gone through the minutes of the last meeting and followed up on all arising matters with GA (Panel Chair), including the pre-pouring of beer at half time.

SH explained to the Panel that if matters arise between meetings, they can contact EK to raise them.

BB agreed that it was better for some of the Panel to stay on and rotate the Panel to maintain some form of continuity. BB stated that she wanted to stay on the Panel only if it is worthwhile and makes a positive difference.

MC proposed for the Panel to take the agenda item away and come back at the next meeting with the names of 5 Panel members which would be retiring at the end of the two-year term (i.e. at the end of this season).

SH said that this was a good suggestion and would bring time for the Panel’s final meeting to include new Panel members shadowing it to see how it is run and operates.

There were no objections to this suggestion, and it was agreed that the Panel would do this.

JM stated that he originally signed up for the 2-year period and would be happy to step down at the end of that time as agreed.

CO’G stated his preference was to stay on the Panel.

MF said she would be happy to stand down at the end of her term.

EK reiterated his previous message that the Panel can be involved in projects/working groups and that if there are specific areas of work/suggestions then the Club can facilitate this. However, EK said that this can also be organic and Panel-led. EK referenced the Canaries Trust and how they approached the Club to work on putting the Club forward for an FSA sustainability award and how the Panel are also able to do similar work and projects.

GA referenced rumours of the Club going to Tampa for a training camp and said it would be the perfect opportunity for the Club to work with Panel member RB on promoting the Club in the United States.

EK confirmed to the Panel that he is waiting on confirmation from Stuart Webber (Sporting Director), Neil Adams (Assistant Sporting Director) and Dan Houlker (Head of Communications), regarding being able to provide specific information relating to the Tampa training camp to RB and other USA based supporter groups.

RB stated it was great that the Club are coming to the US, but that many overseas fans require advanced notice. However, he accepted that it’s difficult when planning such matters. RB stated that the World Cup was the perfect opportunity to promote the Club in the US and that this was a lost opportunity in not releasing this sooner.

SH stated that plans were still in progress on this and that’s why details have yet to be announced, and that the lead time in such plans is often shorter than is realised. SH stated that the Club does not want to send out potential dates / locations only for them to change as fans may have booked flights / accommodation and so may be left out of pocket.

BF mentioned the disconnect with fans question following the Insight video and stated that he believed that the wrong words were chosen by the person asking the question. BB agreed with this and alluded to how open the Club and players are for Norwich City Fans Social Club events. CO’G felt that some of the local journalism had been poor but suggested the club make an effort to improve the relationship with local media.

SH explained the point of the Insight series and how it is to give an insight into the running of the Club. Although each episode includes a spotlight on one of the 6 areas of the Executive Committee, the members of the Executive Committee answer questions on any topic proposed by fans which are key issues at the time. This demonstrates that each member of the Executive Committee is across all of the crucial issues at the Club.

BB said that in future the Panel should be used to look at videos such as this to identify any potential issues in them. SH acknowledged this point but queried where the line is drawn regarding any content released by the Club.

EK responded to points regarding why the Finance Director was answering non-finance questions and stated that the questions are asked by the fans and that the Club pick these based on demand of certain questions, hence why questions around the local media and fan disconnect were raised in Anthony Richens’ video.

4. Sorare – GA/ALL

GA raised Sorare following the Panel meeting with the Club prior to the partnership announcement during which the Panel’s views were sought on the partnership. GA asked how this had landed and whether the Panel was helpful in this.

SH said that the Supporter Panel were helpful in this and that their views helped shape how this was presented to supporters.

5. Matchday Atmosphere/Drum – EK/ALL

BF recalled the atmosphere meeting he had attended earlier that day on behalf of the Panel alongside other supporter groups and reported the discussion back to the Panel.

SH asked the Panel if there were any suggestions in the short term which could help improve atmosphere.

BF suggested clappers, including with song lyrics written on for newer songs.

EK confirmed that he had been approached by City Elite to have a singing section at Swansea away and that the Club were exploring this.

MC raised that the Club could use its social media profiles to seek volunteers to assist Along Come Norwich with setting up flags/tifos.

BB raised the walk-on music and how she preferred One Republic’s ‘Love Runs Out’ due to the atmosphere it creates and the meaning of the lyrics.

JB referenced the lightshow and how more could be made of this with music and accompanying videos on the big screen of previous Norwich goals with the commentary on.

BB raised previous ‘cheesy’ songs which have been played such as ‘Daydream Believer’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ and that she believes a change in music would help the atmosphere.

BF raised a ‘countdown to kick-off’ on the big screen as done at Aston Villa and Sunderland to create/build atmosphere.

BB raised the big screen and playing clips of previous goals against the opposition team. JB stated that he thought this was already done, but that this could be made more of with the use of commentary over the PA system.

EK and SH agreed that all of the ideas proposed were worth investigating and will take them away to discuss with the relevant teams at the Club.

GA asked why after the reported success of the Edinburgh supporters meeting in pre-season, that this hasn’t been repeated in other areas with other regional supporter groups, as was intimated at the time.

JB raised the brightness of the lights from sitting in the South Stand and whether they will be staying in their current form. GA agreed with the brightness and said that this was more apparent to him when sitting in the South Stand during the U23 game.

EK said that he has personally sat in each stand since the new lights have been installed and that he would observe a seat near JBs at the next game to monitor this. It is a known issue that the Club has under continuous review.

6. Increasing Nest attendance for Women’s team games – EK/ALL

SH introduced this topic and asked the Panel for their views on how attendances at the Women’s Team matches at the Nest could be increased.

BB raised how there is no mention of Women’s Team fixtures on a matchday at Carrow Road. CO’G mentioned the lack of Women’s Team fixtures on the Club website.

BF stated that this could be mentioned over the PA or on the big screen to get people from Carrow Road to attend the Nest.

GA said to play Women’s Team highlights on the big screen and also for the Women’s Team to play a match at Carrow Road.

MC said while the Women’s Team social media profile is good, the main Club account should be used more to interact with this/retweet to reach its wider following.

BB mentioned a ‘ladies’ day’ or other dedicated day, including pitch parades of the team, and female mascots to encourage attendance.

BF referenced the Women’s Team fixtures and how you have to scroll to find these on the Club’s website and that they are not easily accessible.

JM mentioned the lack of a league table on the website to see Women’s Team progress.

CO’G referenced linking with local schools to get school children in to increase both attendance and atmosphere.

MC referenced concession prices and making kids go free for a game.

EK noted that all of these suggestions were useful and that he would take them away to discuss with Flo Allen (Women’s Team General Manager).

JBy asked about wheelchair spaces at the Nest and whether he would need to pre-arrange these. SH confirmed that the Nest was built with wheelchair users in mind and that there are a number of wheelchair spaces, and these can be purchased in the usual way.

7. Discussing footballing matters at OSP meetings – EK/ALL

EK raised the suggestion of changing the Panel’s scope from non-footballing matters only to also include the possibility of adding footballing matters onto future agenda items.

The Panel were receptive to this idea and agreed that this should be included going forward.

8. AOB – ALL

No other business was raised.



END

Posted By: DrDublin, Nov 15, 18:37:27