Fans Forum - Questions to be answered

[SupermarketShrimp]

Unfortunately I can't make a random Thursday before payday as I live 60 miles away. If someone can get answers to the following I'd be most happy. Furthermore if they want to stream the Forum on Periscope I would gladly ask these questions "remotely".

1. The fans forum itself.

Right, we've got a race night the night after this at the club, and the Carlisle game following. The "fans forum" will probably now consist of the same 15 people who I can probably reel off now, rather than engage with the greater fanbase. Why on earth it's not before the race night I will never ever know. The net result will be the same 15 people attending blindly accepting the views of the club and then belittling the keyboard warriors who did not attend. Just a thought but with one of the marquee fixtures on the Saturday, a family race night on the Friday, the Thursday may well be a bridge too far!

It's on the Morecambe FC website, it's also on the Visitor website by association. It's not on the Morecambe FC Facebook page. It's not on the Twitter page neither. Why? Surely with a bit of marketing/commercial skill, there could be some kind of "tweet your questions in" as surely, the whole point of the whole thing is to engage with the fans!

Also, for both sides, people could send in their questions, so firstly, they haven't got to eyeball a director and feel intimidated, secondly, it'll have some quality control for what is being asked, thirdly, the club can get the answers ready for us to digest, rather than "ooh, I don't know, we will look into it for you" and the whole thing gets forgotten about?

And also, why has there been no involvement with a) putting it live on Morecambe Player - b) putting it on periscope to increase the engagement with the fans? (CC - Periscope is a relatively new Social Media tool where its very easy with a tablet/iphone to film live and put it into cyberspace)

2. What do the commercial team and the respective fan groups propose to do with regard to falling attendances.

A massive issue for me at the moment is the naval gazing and finger pointing of all parties. The club seem pissed off that no one is attending their shiny new stadium, the fans seem pissed off that a) the club doesn't do it for free, b) they're roundly ignored as customers in the cheaper seats.

What do the club propose to do to improve this scenario. Personally, I still go back to what Arsenal did in the last season at Highbury, make every game a different "occasion". Now granted, this might not be possible every home game, but it's certainly conceivable that this could be done monthly. Flag day, fancy dress day, derby day, inflatables day, family day, Michael Twiss Saturday, Bentleys Benefit Day, christ the list can go on and on, Eric Morecambe trophy was a great example of this. Just something. I'm sure if the club and the fans groups met once a month then they could use the help that they are willing to offer and in turn the fans feel more respected.

3. Match Day experience

What are the club going to do rather than find problems for the home end rather than solutions.

Get us a cost and a drawing for some kind of shelter to enjoy our pies and pint, hopefully queuing out of the persistent rain. Give us a cost. Fans, get buckets out, get sponsored, get it done.

Half time.

I was at one game where it hit an all new low. Swidz literally rattled off open the box inside 3 minutes and went inside for a brew whilst we watched the stiffs piss about trying to hit the cross bar and missing.

There's got to be something else that can be done. Some kind of kids game in the corners. Some kind of its a knockout nonsense that was at the Johnstone Paints games. Just something that's you know, fun.

Pre and Post game.

Firstly, someone mentioned the £2 a pint if you dance on one leg and use a masons handshake. No one cares. You're pretending to offer a discount so it looks like you're trying. Cambridge £3 deal as well, more on that later. We appear to pay for Sky in the bar. Perhaps we start pushing £2 a pint for the 12.30 kick off game until the first goal? Something to think of to get people spending more. Similarly for the 5.30 kick off game. If we can get the fans in to watch the premier league game, far more likely to walk round and watch the proper football afterward!

Where's the bookmaker gone? Although I'm against it generally where kids are present it would bring in more money.

I just feel that we don't make the football "an event" for the customer walking through the gate. We are not going to become Barcelona overnight so why don't we at least try and have some fun whilst we are at it.

4. Sponsorship of the club.

Where are we with so many things with this.

a) Ground name. I will now only refer to the ground as "Westgate". It still carries the name of a now defunct Construction company that went pop under a cloud. Give it away if you have to, or call it Christie Stadium

b) Away games we go to everything is sponsored, everything. Corner flags, the added time, the players, everything. "Goal for Morecambe is scored by Shaun Miller, sponsored by Bantons Butchers, yesterdays meat, at today's prices" Cheers Shaun, you've just made Morecambe £50 in the sponsorship deal which ironically, is your goal bonus. "This substitution is sponsored by the Arndale Opticians, where the ref should be going after missing that blatant hack that the dirty get from the opposition"
A bit facetious, but you get my point.

5. Away Travel

Has this now been given up on? Are the Sardines now the official mode of transport to away games?

A good away game is what football support is about and galvanises the fans as a group, so you're more likely to keep coming.

Terry's Travel Club - god I got to see the van at Mansfield. Jesus Christ, it's a death trap!

Now I believe that if we sell away tickets through the club we are entitled to a small percentage - why on earth isn't this pushed? We can bundle the package together as well. Every little helps.

May also be worth putting trainline.com links to train tickets for the away's - get a ad revenue from them for all the traffic through the site, these aren't figures that will turn us into profit but,you know, screw every last penny from what you can.

6. The actual football on the pitch

What does Jim think is the reason behind what is becoming our traditional mid season slump. Is it a small squad? Are we not good enough? Is it both? What does he think can be done to change it? Where does he see the club in 3 years time? How close does he think he is to seeing some of the 1st year pros in his 5 years making the step up into the first team? Who is he most excited about coming through the ranks?

7. Special Offers

If we are going to do these, can we make them simple to take advantage of. The Cambridge thing was pointless as is this cheap £2 pint deal, as mentioned earlier.


In conclusion

I'm gutted I can't go. If someone can get me answers to all these, and any other questions that should and could be answered perhaps we could get a constructive list of questions together, so the club can go on work on some bits that they need to and the fans group and the greater community can do their bit on supporting our club. The club in equal measure needs to be more enthusiastic in engaging with the fan base and work harder to a)retain its fanbase and b) get more revenue in before the club dies and fades away.

I hope this doesn't look too much like a rant, but I'm passionate about this club and want it to be here when my daughter is old enough to take me in old age. We have something a bit special that if we don't look after it, will be snookered and it'll be a shame for everyone involved to see that happen. I've mentioned in earlier threads, with the dwindling attendances and the team slipping in quality, we are at a crossroads where action really needs to be taken and if this post is a catalyst to more prominent members of the fanbase to work on and improve and work with the club to move everything forward then fantastic. I'm waffling now. Basically, if anyone has any other questions, why don't they stick it on this thread, then, nearer the time, we can have a list of pertinent questions that we can get answers from the club about and then move forward rather than the constant bitching.

Lots of love,

Supermarket Shrimp.
x

[Seasider9601]

I'm gutted you can't go sir.

That is a brilliant post.

[Gone_Shrimping]

I certainly hope the club go down the route of handing out sheets of paper for fans to write down their specific queries for the appropriate director / chairman / football manager.

I think in the past fans are reluctant to get to their feet and ask the questions that they are wanting to ask.

[marky No.1]

Fantastic - is the supermarket closed today?

It's on Thursday after the board meeting I believe, so the Directors are all in one place, whereas they wont be on Race Night or Matchday.

it is on the Morecambe FC Facebook Fanpage

I would say 25 rather than 15 people.

Sardines aren't "official"

"Terry's Travel Club - god I got to see the van at Mansfield. Jesus Christ, it's a death trap! "

Usually, after the Chairman has done an introductory speech, one person answers most of the questions.

Havn't heard there is going to be an announcement this time

[mrpotatohead]

I would suggest that a copy of this post be put forward as a collective effort , by FCOM, endorsed by everyone who says ''aye'' on this post, its excellent , MPH says ''aye'' for a start.

not asking fcom to endorse it, just produce it on the night.

[Shrimpy]

It's on Thursday after the AGM I believe, so the Directors are all in one place, whereas they wont be on Race Night or Matchday.

Remarkable that for a one off occasion the clubs directors couldn't arrange to all turn up to support a night such as the Race Night, or heaven forbid, all turn up to support the team on a match day!

It's this sort of stuff that gives off negative vibes for me and makes me think that those in charge of the club just can't really be arsed any more, ie the only reason we're having a fans forum is because they can just pay lip service to it whilst they are all here for the AGM.

[marky No.1]

I've edited the AGM bit, as it's too early yet

[slackAlice2]

SupermarketShrimp

I hope this doesn't look too much like a rant, but I'm passionate about this club and want it to be here when my daughter is old enough to take me in old age.

It doesn't sound like a rant at all. Its pitched just about right in my opinion, no bad language and the tone is perfect; as said before its a pity your not going to be there. If you could articulate the above thoughts in person, especially the section 3 bit, it should make them sit up and listen.

Excellent Post.

[RedRedWine]

I just hope that people make the effort to attend. The last fans forum was poorly attended, probably why we've had to wait for such a long time for another one.

[Seasider9601]

The last one was after last years AGM I think? Easter time?

Was a fair few there but really hope we can get the place packed.

Get the bar open and some pies int' oven!!

[John L]

I just need to remember to go! Someone remind me please...

[Seasider9601]

I just need to remember to go! Someone remind me please...

John. Don't forget the fans forum. There. Done.

[John L]

I just need to remember to go! Someone remind me please...

John. Don't forget the fans forum. There. Done.

Aww, cheers mate!

[mrpotatohead]

Can anyone on here tell us all

Who, amongst MFC fans will ask the ''difficult'' questions?.

I am asking this because, depressingly , I don't see it happening, I think there will be a polished introduction by the club, about expectations etc given the clubs meagre income, followed by a bit of mumbling from one or two fans ,that will be brushed aside with a rehearsed ''party line'' from the main table, and a few comments from attendees about how things are going to improve, with some new i initiatives like ,''A major announcment coming soon regarding sponsorship'', ''improvements behind the home terrace'', a free copy of ''Animal farm'' by Orwell, for every supporter......god I'm even boring myself now!

[halftimeresults]

I will and I'm saving for the night

[SupermarketShrimp]

I will and I'm saving for the night

Hodgy - get a list lined up you want them to answer and present it before the forum. Give them a chance to get an answer.

If we ask a long list of really awkward questions, all we will get is a "we will look into this" and other such stalling techniques.

[Phil Anderer]

I wholeheartedly agree about presenting the questions beforehand. SInce the directors are meeting before the fans' forum, it will give them a chance to discuss the issues raised before meeting the fans, altohugh that does give them the chance to agree the 'party line' they're going to be adopting. I doubt I'll be there, but then I'm not one of those who generally moans about things (except the football after, and during, a particular recent game), and I would suspect that, in spite of being a season ticket holder, there are others somewhat more passionate than me about things, and who've supported the club for much longer, so best wishes and don't leave it all to halftimeresults.

Obviously certain of the board do, at least occasionally, read this forum, but is there anyone with the right contacts to make sure that this is presented to them in advance, and preferably with a reasonable amount of notice and not just a few hours before the meeting?

[Keith]

Obviously certain of the board do, at least occasionally, read this forum, but is there anyone with the right contacts to make sure that this is presented to them in advance, and preferably with a reasonable amount of notice and not just a few hours before the meeting?

The board will certainly have read this by now.

[mrpotatohead]

Absolutely Keith, and thats hopefully a good thing, I personally hope they give the long suffering home end fans good news,regarding much needed improvements, that actually have a time scale, if they want to keep the ones they have, let alone attract new ones.

[Shrimpy]

Some questions I would like to see answered:

1) With the club losing in the region of £500k - £800k a year how much longer can the club continue in its current guise?

2) There was mention previously of a 3 year plan for the club to break even of which I think we’re now in the final year, are we on track with this and if not then why?

3) The move to the new stadium was supposed to enable the club to be to be self-sufficient but we're now losing far more money than we ever were at Christie Park. Is self-sufficiency realistically achievable or are we now in a situation where we’re reliant on someone with a lot of money coming in to keep the club afloat?

4) There has been talk that the chairman has been actively trying to sell the club for a number of years without success. Is this true? If so then how much interest has been shown and what have been the major obstacles preventing a takeover going through.

[marky No.1]

Blimey with all these constructive questions going about, the meeting will be rained off

[Christies Child]

Like a number of others I too have a number of questions both for the Board and for the management.

For the Board: Are there any plans to promote season tickets by a reduction in prices say 10% to make them more of an attractive proposition? ALSO are the Board prepared to operate a Buy Now Pay Later scheme where by fans can pay for season tickets by Post Dated cheques of 2 payments?

For the Management: The defence has been the teams problem for the majority of the season. But despite that we still perm 2 from 3 central defenders for the majority of games. Why has Chris Doyle been overlooked and is it not about time that he was given an opportunity?

If others feel that the questions should be presented to the Board prior to the meeting, who will collate the questions and present them in a formal way to the powers that be? FCoM?

[halftimeresults]

1. It was rumored that if the Yeovil home game had been called off we would off entered administration.
Is this true?
2.Has anyone ever made an enquiry about buying the club?

[Gone_Shrimping]

Lets hope that the questions asked are all important ones for the football club.

I remember attending one when Sammy and Mark Lillis were in the chair and some idiot spent most of the meeting moaning about a 10p rise in the price of a pint of beer !!

[P/T Indie]

Supermarket Shrimps post should just be turned into an Agenda and instead of questions each topic he has covered just be opened up for discussion, job done.

What a brilliant post