April meeting

Notes on Pittodrie Meeting of Supporters’ Group Representatives – 27th April 2013

Attendees Club – Duncan Fraser; Ally Prockter; Chris Gavin. Reps of various supporter groups incl. DST members. Apologies – George Yule

Opening

CG opened the meeting and confirmed that he would be stepping aside from the Forum and will be concentrating on Heritage Trust and Former Players Association matters. AP would be the co-ordination point for this forum now and see later point re discussions on the future format of the meeting

Away (Black & Gold) strip

This issue was raised again whereby fans have paid for the strip but, other than pre-season games, it had not been used. The white strip has been used instead. DF advised he would take this to the football department’s attention It was known that match officials, players and others do prefer a white strip but it is less popular with fans.

Are the facilities at Albyn the new training ground

No, this is an interim solution and may be one of 3-4 sites used next year in rotation to avoid the cost of maintaining sites used more often. Progress is being made on a link up with the RGU facilities. Proposal is with the Council at the moment. Hoped that AFC will have a dedicated facility within the complex and the deal being put together is a 2-way link up such that all parties benefit from the terms of arrangement. It is hoped this will be in place for summer 2014. The Club already has a strong relationship with RGU e.g. Sport Science

U20 games – venues and kick-offs. Why not at Pittodrie?

Pittodrie would be good but will not be the case next year, at least, as the pitch is to be ripped up and re-laid in the summer with a fibre sand basis. To let it bed in, the pitch will only be used next year for first team games; U20 Youth cup ties and the end of season local finals

League reconstruction etc. including 11-1 vote

DF provided an update ahead of leaving to attend an SPL call to look at what options might be feasible for next season following the “No” vote of 15/4. He explained the background and what might be possible but the announcements of 29/4 render it of limited value to detail the forum discussion here.

DF did clarify again that AFC has never said “no” to changing the 11-1 voting rule but, as happened before, the media has misrepresented the situation. AFC will agree to this but only if all clubs agree to a financial redistribution through the leagues and league reconstruction. There are areas that a number of the SPL clubs will not amend the 11-1 requirement on = retaining home gate income; having a maximum of home games on TV; the league having a sponsor that would be detrimental to any club’s individual primary sponsor.

Clarity was provided on why the 2 clubs voted “No” on 15/4 and that the voting piece was not the key issue with only one club objecting to this. However, it was not going to make it any easier to find an alternative solution going forward but that play-offs and distributing income down the leagues were to be the 2 key points for discussion and hopefully, agreement (not obtained on 29/4)

The problem over TV games post-split is down to the companies having to show a certain number of games but it is unfortunate that these include games where there is little at stake = not very attractive to the broadcasters.

Our game V Hibs was changed to the Monday night due to a royal event in the capital at the original planned kick off time.

When will the season tickets arrangements be announced for next season?

Expected to be announced soon as pricing is currently being firmed up but no details available to report today. A later suggestion was made on discounts for group arrangements. It seems this will be unlikely but AP took the suggestion away for consideration.

What is the impact on this from the decision to close the RDU?

A wide ranging discussion took place on the background and rationale for the decision to close the RDU that also included discussion on the proposals to create an atmospheric “home-end in the Merkland stand. The “rejection” reasons for the latter were advised but AFC confirmed it is always happy to consider practical ideas and suggestions from positively minded fans.

Further discussion took place around this that was too detailed for a brief summary of the meeting.

Arrangements for fans losing their RDU seat were clarified as it had not been totally clear within the communications to date.

Existing RDL ST holders will not lose their seat if they want to keep it next season but, when the seat release begins, the RDU fans involved will get 3 days of priority to have first choice of the seats now available.

The club is aware, that not all fans are happy about this but it was inevitable this would be the case, and the decision was “the right thing to do”

There was also a discussion of how the Top Deck might be filled when it is opened for bigger crowds.

Does the club have a view on Peter Lawell’s comments about bring alcohol back to SPL grounds?

This is a difficult issue and will be one for the Government/authorities to be convinced on but for AFC, it would be cautiously welcomed, as it should be easier to control alcohol consumption inside the ground, as opposed to outside, but that methods to control it in a responsible fashion would need to be in place, as no-one wants to see a return to problems of the past

What will Craig Brown’s role be?

Craig will be an invaluable asset to the club in an ambassadorial capacity allowing him to make good use of his vast range of contacts at home and abroad. Additionally, he will be able to spend more time helping the club’s youth development programme to be even more successful.

Are the pre-season plans known and can it include a Saturday game at Arbroath?

There is a short-list of options but nothing has been finalised.

Craig Brown has been quoted as saying he will push to move where the away fans are located and to swap the dug-outs around. Where would the away fans be moved to?

DF advised that it was extremely unlikely that the police would permit a change of away fans location so that won’t happen but he was able to confirm later that the dug outs can be changed if Derek McInnes wishes to do this.

What is happening with the re-development of the AFC web site?

It is on-going but frustratingly slowly.

AP and CG then asked for suggestions as to the need for; format and frequency of this forum and how to have more attendees if desired.

AP also spoke of his Supporter Liaison role. Some suggestions were made and noted but it was left that consideration should be given to this after the meeting and any ideas/suggestions be submitted to AP over the close season.

It was agreed that each meeting should begin with an update from any actions arising at the preceding meeting.