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| 'THST Board minutes - 24.01.08' posted by THST on 02/07/2008 |
Minutes of the Board Meeting of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust
Held on 24th January 2008 at 7.30pm
Present: Daniel Wynne
Darren Alexander
Tim Edwards
Helen Dodds
Danny Keene
Bernie Kingsley
Paul Smith
Derek Ridgers
Apologies: Darren Howlett
Graham Wilkinson
1 Minutes
The Minutes of the Board Meeting held on 17th December 2007 were approved.
2 Matters Arising
Communication with the Chairman ?DW recirculated this to the Board following the meeting
CPZ ?BK agreed to pursue the Tottenham Journal
Working Party for new ideas - DA had contacted Martin Cloake and Mark Perryman, and the Club have taken Trust comments on board.
Swindon-based fans ?DA agreed to respond to Swindon fans regarding their ticketing problems (related to availability of tickets for cat A games)
Supporters Direct Policies ?DA agreed to consider new and revised SD policies as they are issued, with a view to recommending their adoption.
Members meeting ?confirmed for 7th February 2008.
3 Membership Report
HD confirmed that there are now 4,747 members. PS agreed to update the database.
4 Treasurers Report
None
5 Meeting with the Club on ticketing matters ?24th January 2008
DA, BK and HD had attended the meeting with the club, and reported back on the key elements, as follows:
One Hotspur tiering and membership numbers were explained in detail. The Bronze category was explained as providing a useful guide to excess demand for season tickets, which might be important when planning future stadium capacity. Incentives for upgrading Lilywhite membership to Bronze might include limited free THTV access and a priority day ahead of Lilywhite for ticket applications. Multi-season memberships were also being considered. In future, Platinum membership will not include away European matches, in order to avoid a current problem that some Platinum members have fewer loyalty points than the cut-off requirement for some games.
Compensation to fans left out-of-pocket by the changing date of the Slavia Prague away game was being processed. To date, 110 fans had contacted the club, of which 70 had provided evidence such as to justify refunds. The allocation for the game was 2,400, of which less than 100 went to general sale.
Ticket arrangements for the Carling Cup Final were discussed at length. The Club explained that the ? booking fee was paid to Ticketmaster, and that the ?.90 postal charge was per package, and not per ticket. The Club advised that the capacity of the booking system was designed to meet peak demand, but they might consider deferring Bronze and Lilywhite applications one day. The Club confirmed that applicants would be able to choose their preferred block within a price category. As for other matches, upper tier seats would be sold from the bottom up, and lower tier from top down. Concessionary tickets could not be upgraded after the event. Over 90% of the overall 31,200 allocation would be available for fans, i.e. some 28,000, with executive members and boxholders getting the same percentage allocation as for a home or away game.
Platinum members would be given the opportunity to buy tickets in Block 134 (though could go elsewhere if preferred)
The Board discussed ticketing arrangements and DA agreed to email the club to request a 24-hour deferral of members?applications. It was noted that it would have no effect on members?ability to secure tickets, which would be subject to loyalty points.
The Club advised that the possibility of putting flags on each seat at Wembley was being considered.
For the Final, white home shirts would be available with CCF insignia.
Lack of segregation at the Emirates Stadium following the Carling Cup semi-final first leg was discussed, particularly in view of stated policy to the contrary. Stewards initially tried to send away fans in one direction over the bridge, but home fans were allowed to pass through the away fans exiting the ground.
6 Newsletter
The newsletter was being progressed, and a draft is awaited for proofing. DW agreed to write an introduction, and HD would prepare a membership update. It was noted that publication might be delayed to the end of the next week as DK was away on business in the meantime.
7 CPZ
No problems had been reported with the operation of the CPZ around the stadium on match days. The Club had advised that towing-away would start at the Manchester United home game. Extra trains were being provided from Northumberland Park and White Hart Lane, and attempts made to communicate the new timetables via the official website. Early indications were that the additional trains, however welcome, were nonetheless still subject to the vagaries of the overall service level.
8 Contact with Haringey Council
It was agreed that BK contact Haringey Council following a suggestion by HD. The discussion would include possible stadium developments, as well as the possibility of a disabled parking facility at 703 High Road (opposite the Bell &Hare). Other issues would include street lighting around the stadium, especially on Park Lane, and also local reports of car crime, particularly following introduction of the CPZ.
9 Next meeting with the Club
The following Board Members advised their availability for the next meeting with the Club: DW, DR, DA, BK, HD (with DH and GW possibles).
10 Any Other Business
DR confirmed that he intended to continue as a Trust Board Member, and asked whether we might raise with the club whether it might be possible to repackage the OPUS on DVD, to make it accessible to the majority of fans.
DA suggested that Paul Barber be invited to the next Trust members?meeting on 7th February. This was agreed.
PS advised that he is moving to Chesterfield, but is happy to remain on the Board until the next AGM.
DA advised that we need to improve membership communications, including increased activity on the messageboard. The possibility of a Board Blog was raised, and left for further consideration.
DK confirmed that there had been correspondence with multiple parties with regard to the Carling Cup Semi-Final ticket distributions (allocations being lower than the 15% competition limit). He had written to the police, licensing authority, Carling, and the Football League, and agreed to collate any responses ahead of the next meeting with the Club. He also proposed to write to Simon O’Brien, Chief Superintendent of the Met Police in Harringay to check Tottenham Police advice on the matter.
11 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting was confirmed for 19th March 2008 (since moved to 1st April, 2008)
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