Post by QPR Report on Nov 6, 2009 8:09:30 GMT
Edit/Bump...Six Years ago Yesterday
QPR1st Meeting with the Club
Friday, 06 November 2009
On the 15th October, a meeting was held between representatives of the Club and representatives of QPR1st Supporters Trust. The Club was represented by Ali Russell, the Deputy Managing Director and Joe Kyle, Marketing Manager. QPR1st was represented by Stephen Dedridge, Chairman of the Supporters Trust, Neil Dejython, the Secretary and Geoff Gibbs, the Treasurer.
This was an informal but very constructive meeting which mainly focussed on how the Club and QPR1st could work together and the Club’s Marketing strategy.
QPR1st would like to thank Ali and Joe for devoting their time to the meeting and also Laressa Kelly for arranging it.
Communication between the Club and QPR1st Supporters Trust
In correspondence between the Club and the Supporters Trust, the Board of Directors have expressed a preference not to enter into discussions regarding the Football League investigation regarding Mr. Briatore. The Supporters Trust fully understands and respects the Club’s decision on this matter and do not intend to challenge it prior to the Football League concluding their investigation.
In consideration of this and also the context of this meeting (as an informal discussion regarding the Club’s marketing policy) it was mutually agreed that questions related to the Football League investigation would not be raised.
The Club is keen to maintain effective and constructive communication with the Supporters Trust. Most communication now takes place via emails and phone calls and this reduces the need for face to face meetings. The Supporters Trust will not request meetings ‘for the sake of it’ but only when it is felt that such face to face contact will be of mutual benefit.
In this respect, there was some discussion of the Official Supporters Club (OSC). It was explained that the Club wishes to promote the OSC and support its development, including utilising it as a vehicle through which information from the Club could be shared with other supporters groups. It was recognised that the Club has to deal with a number of supporters organisations and there is a need to consider ways in which communication can be streamlined. The Supporters Trust is happy to discuss with the Club and other Supporters Groups including the OSC about how this could be best achieved. The Supporters Trust also acknowledge the fine work carried out by the OSC, particularly in respect to fund raising for community projects, and look forward to seeing how the organisation will grow both in terms of its role and also in its relationship with its membership.
Communication with the Fan Base and other Stakeholders
The Supporters Trust regret that an AGM will no longer be held for shareholders, as this event encouraged a sense of involvement and participation from fans who owned a small number of shares. It hopes that the Club will reconsider its decision.
The Supporters Trust requested that the Club consider a reintroduction of the Fans Forum, as these events that were very popular and valued by fans.
The Supporters Trust also suggested that the Club could run a stakeholders day and offered to provide further information about how such events had been run by other organisations.
There was some discussion of the Official Website. Whilst fans understand that the Official Website wishes to present the Club in a positive light they also want it to be a source of accurate and reliable information, in contrast to some of the rumour and speculation found elsewhere on the internet and in the media. The Supporters Trust expressed the view that on most occasions the Official Website gets it right in adopting an objective and factual tone but on a small number of occasions, some statements have seemed over the top or exaggerated and may give an unintended impression of ‘hype’.
The last Player of the Year event was discussed and the Supporters Trust welcomed that the Club had acknowledged concerns expressed by fans that attended about the level of commitment and respect some players showed towards the event. It is fully accepted that this was not the impression that the players intended but it may be that some of the younger players might need some support and guidelines about how to conduct themselves at such events. It was also pointed out that whilst in previous Player of the Year events, players were sat amongst fans around the hall on this occasion they were all seated at the back at the hall in two large groups.
The Supporters Trust believes that communication between the Club and its disabled fans would be best served by the creation of a Disabled Supporters Group, in keeping with NADS (National Association for Disabled Supporters) guidelines. Whilst QPR1st will be happy to support the creation of such a group we believe that it will only succeed if the Club is willing to take a leading role.
Ticket Pricing Policy at Loftus Road
The club are looking at ways to increase the fan base and get supporters to return to Loftus Road.
o Some initiatives involve a pilot scheme at university level where they hope to encourage fans to stick around for the long-term.
o The club would like to offer improved ticketing plans for university students in order to make it financially viable for them to come to Loftus Road.
The club want to express to the fan base that the business model in place at Loftus Road is designed around making QPR a self profitable business that can stand on its own two feet.
The club hopes to offer improved and attractive methods to pay for season tickets from next season through a direct debit scheme. This is a lot easier to manage now that the TicketMaster system is in place.
Loyalty Points
The club feel the loyalty points system has worked well, but appreciate and recognise there were teething issues too. They have taken on board all the feedback they received and will be looking to improve and resolve any existing issues. They are also considering different ways of rewarding a larger number of fans who obtain a significant number of loyalty points. The Supporters Trust fed back that many fans find the loyalty scheme confusing and work needs to be done on helping ensure that fans understand it and appreciate its value.
Volunteers
The Supporters Trust appreciates the hard work carried out by staff at QPR. It pointed out that within the fan base there are a number of individuals who are willing to help the Club out on a voluntary basis, able to offer a wide spectrum of skills and experience. The Club would welcome this voluntary help and there was some discussion about the role QPR1st could play in this by helping to create a database of volunteers. QPR1st will contact the Club to discuss this issue in further detail.
www.qpr1st.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:meeting-with-the-club-15th-october-2009
QPR1st Meeting with the Club
Friday, 06 November 2009
On the 15th October, a meeting was held between representatives of the Club and representatives of QPR1st Supporters Trust. The Club was represented by Ali Russell, the Deputy Managing Director and Joe Kyle, Marketing Manager. QPR1st was represented by Stephen Dedridge, Chairman of the Supporters Trust, Neil Dejython, the Secretary and Geoff Gibbs, the Treasurer.
This was an informal but very constructive meeting which mainly focussed on how the Club and QPR1st could work together and the Club’s Marketing strategy.
QPR1st would like to thank Ali and Joe for devoting their time to the meeting and also Laressa Kelly for arranging it.
Communication between the Club and QPR1st Supporters Trust
In correspondence between the Club and the Supporters Trust, the Board of Directors have expressed a preference not to enter into discussions regarding the Football League investigation regarding Mr. Briatore. The Supporters Trust fully understands and respects the Club’s decision on this matter and do not intend to challenge it prior to the Football League concluding their investigation.
In consideration of this and also the context of this meeting (as an informal discussion regarding the Club’s marketing policy) it was mutually agreed that questions related to the Football League investigation would not be raised.
The Club is keen to maintain effective and constructive communication with the Supporters Trust. Most communication now takes place via emails and phone calls and this reduces the need for face to face meetings. The Supporters Trust will not request meetings ‘for the sake of it’ but only when it is felt that such face to face contact will be of mutual benefit.
In this respect, there was some discussion of the Official Supporters Club (OSC). It was explained that the Club wishes to promote the OSC and support its development, including utilising it as a vehicle through which information from the Club could be shared with other supporters groups. It was recognised that the Club has to deal with a number of supporters organisations and there is a need to consider ways in which communication can be streamlined. The Supporters Trust is happy to discuss with the Club and other Supporters Groups including the OSC about how this could be best achieved. The Supporters Trust also acknowledge the fine work carried out by the OSC, particularly in respect to fund raising for community projects, and look forward to seeing how the organisation will grow both in terms of its role and also in its relationship with its membership.
Communication with the Fan Base and other Stakeholders
The Supporters Trust regret that an AGM will no longer be held for shareholders, as this event encouraged a sense of involvement and participation from fans who owned a small number of shares. It hopes that the Club will reconsider its decision.
The Supporters Trust requested that the Club consider a reintroduction of the Fans Forum, as these events that were very popular and valued by fans.
The Supporters Trust also suggested that the Club could run a stakeholders day and offered to provide further information about how such events had been run by other organisations.
There was some discussion of the Official Website. Whilst fans understand that the Official Website wishes to present the Club in a positive light they also want it to be a source of accurate and reliable information, in contrast to some of the rumour and speculation found elsewhere on the internet and in the media. The Supporters Trust expressed the view that on most occasions the Official Website gets it right in adopting an objective and factual tone but on a small number of occasions, some statements have seemed over the top or exaggerated and may give an unintended impression of ‘hype’.
The last Player of the Year event was discussed and the Supporters Trust welcomed that the Club had acknowledged concerns expressed by fans that attended about the level of commitment and respect some players showed towards the event. It is fully accepted that this was not the impression that the players intended but it may be that some of the younger players might need some support and guidelines about how to conduct themselves at such events. It was also pointed out that whilst in previous Player of the Year events, players were sat amongst fans around the hall on this occasion they were all seated at the back at the hall in two large groups.
The Supporters Trust believes that communication between the Club and its disabled fans would be best served by the creation of a Disabled Supporters Group, in keeping with NADS (National Association for Disabled Supporters) guidelines. Whilst QPR1st will be happy to support the creation of such a group we believe that it will only succeed if the Club is willing to take a leading role.
Ticket Pricing Policy at Loftus Road
The club are looking at ways to increase the fan base and get supporters to return to Loftus Road.
o Some initiatives involve a pilot scheme at university level where they hope to encourage fans to stick around for the long-term.
o The club would like to offer improved ticketing plans for university students in order to make it financially viable for them to come to Loftus Road.
The club want to express to the fan base that the business model in place at Loftus Road is designed around making QPR a self profitable business that can stand on its own two feet.
The club hopes to offer improved and attractive methods to pay for season tickets from next season through a direct debit scheme. This is a lot easier to manage now that the TicketMaster system is in place.
Loyalty Points
The club feel the loyalty points system has worked well, but appreciate and recognise there were teething issues too. They have taken on board all the feedback they received and will be looking to improve and resolve any existing issues. They are also considering different ways of rewarding a larger number of fans who obtain a significant number of loyalty points. The Supporters Trust fed back that many fans find the loyalty scheme confusing and work needs to be done on helping ensure that fans understand it and appreciate its value.
Volunteers
The Supporters Trust appreciates the hard work carried out by staff at QPR. It pointed out that within the fan base there are a number of individuals who are willing to help the Club out on a voluntary basis, able to offer a wide spectrum of skills and experience. The Club would welcome this voluntary help and there was some discussion about the role QPR1st could play in this by helping to create a database of volunteers. QPR1st will contact the Club to discuss this issue in further detail.
www.qpr1st.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:meeting-with-the-club-15th-october-2009
