Notes from October meeting with Fulham FC
On Monday 8 October 2018
at 12:30pm, Alistair Mackintosh (AM, Chief Executive Officer), Carmelo
Mifsud (CM, Media Relations Manager), Katy Brecht (KB, Head of
Ticketing), Mike McSweeney (MM, Chief Executive, Fulham Foundation) and
Nicola Walworth (NW, Supporter Relations Manager) of Fulham Football
Club met with Tom Greatrex, Ian Clarke, Dan Crawford, Sue Couch and
Archie Rhind-Tutt of the Fulham Supporters’ Trust at Motspur Park as
part of the ongoing structured dialogue between both parties. David Daly
(a non-executive director of Fulham Football Club) sent his sincere
apologies.
The Trust focussed this meeting on the
two issues of key importance to Fulham supporters at the present time –
the Riverside Stand and ticketing.
RIVERSIDE STAND
Update
The Trust asked for an update on the progress of the Riverside
Stand redevelopment and highlighted our concern that with a lead
contractor yet to be appointed the timescales may start to slip. AM
confirmed that the Club were still out to tender for a lead contractor
on the works and, while there was no winning bid yet, the Club were in
advanced and detailed discussions with a final shortlist of potential
contractors.
Timeline
The Trust pushed
for an update on the timeline against that included in the London
Borough Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s planning documentation. AM
revealed that whilst the fine detail of that timeline was no longer
relevant, the Club are still operating to their original timescale of a
project start in May 2019. When asked how this would be possible
without confirmation of a lead contractor AM disclosed that there is “a
high probability” that a preferred contractor will be in place by the
end of November 2018.
The Trust asked for
confirmation of the high level timeline. AM explained that the Club’s
current plan is to begin work in May 2019 with the demolition of the
existing Riverside Stand and for Craven Cottage to operate at a
significantly reduced capacity for two seasons. The plan is for the new
Riverside Stand to be ready for the 2021-22 season. He revealed that he
is in constant touch with Shahid Khan over the progress of the plans and
that the Club want a well-thought out scheme. He added that as the
project is highly complex the club are using information provided by
multiple bidders to constantly enhance the offers and plans.
Wembley
The
Trust raised concerns that Shahid Khan’s proposed purchase of Wembley
Stadium may have some bearing on decisions being taken in relation to
the Riverside Stand. AM told the meeting that there is no consideration
of Shahid Khan’s proposed purchase of Wembley Stadium in the Club’s
current planning.
Temporary relocation
Following
up, the Trust asked whether bidders have made suggestions that the
Riverside Stand build would be easier or cheaper if the Club moves out
of Craven Cottage temporarily and, if so, whether these would be
considered. AM revealed that bidders have stated that the project would
be easier with full access to the site, but that the cost differential
between the two options (staying during the build and moving out
temporarily) was not great.
The Trust set out our
opposition to any prospect of Fulham playing anywhere other than Craven
Cottage, even on a temporary basis, with representatives pointing to the
organisation’s foundation as ‘Back to the Cottage’ and the history of
the Club and the ground. The Trust further explained that were any
consideration ever to be given by the club to a temporary relocation we
would wish to see significant guarantees of a return. AM acknowledged
this and pointed out that in the event of any temporary relocation ever
being considered, a £100M plus contract would already have been signed
and begun.
AM reiterated that he firmly believed that
the Riverside Stand will be built and committed to provide an update to
the wider Fulham fanbase.
TICKET PRICING
Matchday prices
The
Trust expressed concern that current ticket prices are too high and
could risk pricing out a generation of supporters, highlighting minimum
adult prices for the home matches against Arsenal (£55) and Bournemouth
(£45) as examples. AM said he understood but didn’t necessarily agree.
He stated that Shahid Khan still subsidises the business to a
considerable degree and, given the long-term objective of making the
Club sustainable, revenue needs to be raised. Fulham are tasked with
being “more commercial” and not less and AM revealed that the Club does
not benchmark well commercially against comparative Premier League and
Championship competitors.
Season ticket prices
AM
stated that he felt the Club had tried to successfully reward loyalty
with a strong offer to season ticket holders last season, which realised
a 99% renewal rate. The Trust representatives stated that there
remained concern amongst Fulham supporters that, should season ticket
prices continue to rise, many longstanding fans would not be able to
renew. AM and KB confirmed that, as per previous discussions, the Club
had not made any decisions about the price of next season’s season
tickets.
KB confirmed that a number of options were
being considered to reward the loyalty of season ticket holders in next
season’s pricing. KB and AM also revealed that the club do research
other clubs’ prices and schemes. KB stated that the Club recognise that
they can’t raise season-ticket prices to beyond this year’s early post
play-off final level – and that they won’t seek to do so.
Away ticket prices
As
part of the discussion on matchday prices, AM revealed that the Club
did not support the initiative for a £30 cap on away match tickets.
Next generation of fans
MM
pointed out that the Fulham Foundation run several successful schemes
and reward participants, including local schoolchildren from some of the
most deprived parts of London with free tickets. AM said he would be
happy to receive further ideas from the Trust and Fulham fans with
regards to ticket pricing.
OPERATIONAL TICKETING ISSUES
Away ticketing
The
Trust raised the issues of persistent standing at away matches and
confrontations between Fulham fans caused by this at away games this
season, including Tottenham, Brighton, Manchester City, Everton and
Millwall. The Trust further highlighted that we would like to work with
the Club to alleviate the problems via practical ticketing solutions.
The most obvious of these is the ability to select a specific seat when
booking an away ticket
KB confirmed that the Club
does have to build a detailed seat map of all away allocations into
Ticketmaster’s system, including the location of sides, aisles and entry
and exit points, before each fixture. This work usually takes around
two days for the ticket office staff, but Ticketmaster’s system does not
allow this information to be made public, so the option to pick your
own seat is not possible. The Trust one again asked the club, in
conjunction with other Premier League clubs, to continue to put pressure
on Ticketmaster to make this facility available.
The
Trust put forward a number of other suggestions, including options
offering supporters the choice of the front or the back of the stand.
The Trust also highlighted the plans that other clubs have put in place
this season around ‘non-standing’ areas (Watford) and seats at the front
of the stand for supporters to move into (Cardiff). KB reiterated that
the Club position is that all seats are for sitting only. However KB
agreed to talk to Watford about their system to further understand their
thinking.
The Trust asked for more information to be
made available online on the order of selling away blocks and rows and
also the current status of sales. KB and AM agreed that the Club would
make more information available. The Trust also asked if the Club could
ascertain whether other Premier League clubs were experiencing similar
problems.
Home ticketing
The Trust
expressed members’ concern regarding the withdrawal of the ‘print at
home’ ticketing option. KB revealed that this option was being
regularly abused by large scale modification of bar codes and subsequent
re-sale. Fulham want to retain control of ticket sales, so they have
removed this option this season. KB and AM stated that many other
Premier League clubs are also taking this position – and the Premier
League has provided additional guidance on tout-prevention measures.
The
Trust pointed out widespread concern about the inability of season
ticket holders to be able to upgrade concession season tickets for
weekend games. KB and AM said that the Club’s previous upgrades policy
was being abused by both touts and supporters. The Club felt that their
compromise was to allow upgrades for evening fixtures, these being the
fixtures that most genuine concession season ticket holders cannot
attend. The Trust suggested that the Club could offer a couple of
additional weekend games for upgrades as a further compromise. Following
further discussion, AM agreed that the Club would consider this
proposal.
KB also confirmed that the Club had concluded
that a ticket exchange scheme would be viable and they will be
announcing details of this in due course. NW and KB said that the Club
envisage that the ticket exchange would only operate for sold out
fixtures.
DISABLED SUPPORTERS
The
Trust raised correspondence from the Arsenal Disabled Supporters’
Association about the sight lines for disabled supporters in the Putney
End being disrupted by persistent standing during the recent fixture at
Craven Cottage. AM and KB confirmed that the Club were in the final
stages of removing a section of seats in P2 and P7 in order to install a
new disabled supporters’ viewing area with greatly improved views of
the pitch. This work will reduce the capacity by around 400 seats and
the new disabled supporters’ section is due to be ready for the home
against Southampton next month.
MISCELLANOUS
The
Trust passed on the thanks of supporters to the Club for the recent
return of Clint Dempsey to Craven Cottage during the Watford home
fixture and for making some of the match reaction content available to
non-Fulham FC TV subscribers. The Trust representatives also relayed
details of individual feedback on the matchday experience from our
members to NW for her attention and response.
The meeting closed at 2.51pm
