Notes on the Pittodrie meeting of Supporters' Group Representatives

14th January 2012

In attendance:

Club: Directors Chris Gavin, Ian Jack, Peter Roy (Customer Services Manager)

Representatives of 9 supporters' groups.

Match Tickets

It was asked why it is not possible to buy children aged under 12 tickets at the turnstiles. The main reason for this is the fact there are only 2 stubs printed on each ticket, one for adult, one for concession. The turnstile operator removes a stub from each concession ticket they sell and uses this to balance their money. This is an issue the club are working on however with the possibility of the concession ticket stub being marked by the turnstile operator in some way to indicate that it was a child ticket that was sold.

It was felt this would result in greater convenience for fans using the Merkland Stand and less queues at the ticket office just before kick off.

It wassuggested to have different turnstiles for concessions and under 12's but this would not be possible as it would mean a concession and child attending together would have to enter through different turnstiles.

The club are working with ticketmaster and it will be soon be possible for fans to print their tickets at home via the website.

The number of away fans for each club attending matches at Pittodrie is now published on the AFC Heritage website - www.afcheritage.org

Peter Roy, ticket office manager attended the meeting and is available for any ticketing queries. Peter asked if supporters clubs could help to promote the Red Lottery, a lottery in aid of Youth Development, among their members. Information will be sent in the post soon.

Flags

There will soon be a full list of rules on the website regarding flags.

Roadshows

There have been successful roadshows held in Inverurie and Fraserburgh, with one scheduled in Ellon on the 23rd January. There are plans to host one in Edinburgh in March when we play Hearts and also in London at some point with the Rob Roy Reds Supporters Club. We are looking to run one of these a month.

General Discussion

Representatives from the AFC Trust and Supporters Direct were in attendance. The AFC Trust is to rebrand as 'Dons Supporters Together' with a media launch in February. Their main objectives are to maintain a good relationship with the club, grow membership, and be a voice for AFC supporters. Membership is free and available on their website: www.donssupporterstogether.com

Supporters Direct is a UK organisation which aims to support fans trusts relationships with clubs and communities. They have representation on the SFA council and are where the SPL, SFA and Government will go to find out Scottish Football fans views on various issues such as safe standing/summer football.Greig Ingram of the AFC Supporters Trust is a director of Supporters Direct (Scotland) and appealed for as many fans and fan groups as possible to join up with the Scottish Football Supporters Network.Representatives of AFC supporters clubs can sign up their group on the website: www.supporters-direct.org

Next Meeting: Saturday 24th March prior to the ICT match