Following on from our
meeting in October, members of the Crewe ASi committee once again met with John
Bowler and Jim Macmillan. Questions had
come in from a number of fans and we tried to get as much asked as
possible. Anyway, here’s an overview of what
was said :
The Team
It was quite
noticeable that very few questions had been asked about the team, so perhaps
Dario is doing something right with the team.
Anyway, one member raised the age old point that it was felt we did not
have any bite or physical presence in the middle of the park. Pretty little passes look nice, but don’t get
us anywhere. Obviously, Dario was the
man to answer that point, but in his absence John Bowler responded by stating
that in football today there were very few leaders. The first team coach is invariably on the
side lines barking out orders, so is there a real need for a captain? A discussion was held on the players we have
recently had who fit the mould of a “physical” sort of player, and only came up
with Dave Brammer and Justin Cochrane.
What is the situation
regarding players who will be out of contract this summer? Steve Schumacher
was highlighted! JB advised that talks
had not started yet. We are one of the
highest payers in League 2, but had to question whether we can afford to be in
League 2 with the current wage bill (obviously, should a late surge for
promotion not ensue).
In October, JB and Jim
Macmillan commented that the play offs were a realistic aim. Three months forward, what was the hope
now? Both agreed that the play offs were
still achievable, but we do need a good run of results.
The Management
With the lack of
information on the permanent successor to Gudjon, a number of questions were
raised as to the role of Dario. JB
stated outright that we are not currently looking for a new manager. The emphasis for now is on this season. JB and JM re-affirmed their disappointment in
what GT had said at the interview. GT
had indicated he would be continuing with the Crewe
style of play and development of youth players, but unfortunately that did not
really happen.
The club have to
concentrate on youth development. This
is the right way to go, as we will not be a buying club. The club will have to look into lower leagues
to pick up players along the lines of Luke Varney and Steve Jones, and develop
them, together with our crop of youth players.
If there was one lesson learnt during GT’s tenure as manager, it became
evident that we cannot run a first team as a separate entity to youth
development.
We were also asked to
raise a question concerning the board, in that two years ago, two new directors
were introduced at an AGM as the “young blood” of the board. Since then, have they actually achieved /
undertaken anything? JB explained that
yes, at board meetings they do have valuable input. At the AGM three board members do usually
take the lead – Dario on team affairs, Norman Hassall on financial matters, and
JB on club affairs. However that
certainly did not mean that certain Directors did not have any input.
With the emphasis on
the Academy and Reaseheath, do we have enough money to sustain an Academy? JB’s response was that the transfer market is
pretty stagnant at present. However it
is hoped that there will be enough money in the market, for bigger clubs to
purchase a Nicky Maynard standard of player.
However we pointed out that a successful player at a league 2 club
usually brings in less money than from a player at a League 1 club. JB did have concerns over how the transfer
market will evolve. However JB did
believe that we have enough money to fund a successful academy, which can be
done by selling on players. The feeling
is that we have a good stream of young
players coming through as can be demonstrated by England call ups for two of our
youth team.
The Match Day Experience
With the crowds having
reduced again this season, are the club concerned by this?
JB produced figures
which showed up to and including the Rochdale
home game, the average home attendance for a league game was 4,243. In fact, for all the statto’s out there, here
are some figures for league attendances over the past few years
2004/05 (Championship)
Average home
attendance = 7,404 which included an average of 1,370 away support
2005/06 (Championship
Average home attendance = 6,715 which included an average of 1,359 away support
2006/07(League 1)
Average home
attendance = 5,461 which included an average of 738 away support
2007/08 (League 1)
Average home
attendance = 4,924 which included an average of 722 away support
2008/09 (League 1)
Home attendance =
4,545 which included an average of 789 away support
2009/10 (League 2 , up
to and including Rochdale game)
Home attendance =
4,243 which included an average of 627 away support
So for this season, of
the reduction in average of 300, around half of this figure was for away
support.
What are the club
doing about this? JB explained that the
staff were always looking to turn a membership into a season ticket, by
explaining the cost savings. Any member who purchases a single ticket is logged
and the staff can demonstrate how much it has cost them to attend games on a
single basis, and how much saving could be made if a season ticket were
purchased.
The price of a season
ticket compared against other League 2 clubs was extremely fair. But CASi
commented that if season ticket prices were increased for next season, this
could reduce sales. Also perhaps adding
an incentive of free entry to a friendly game could be included in the season
ticket package was raised. JB explained
that he was hopeful of no increase in season ticket prices for next year, but
no final decision had been made as yet.
Also the club would look again at possible “add ons.”
The matter of “on the
day” ticket prices was discussed,. With the feeling that perhaps £19 was too
high. However JB felt that the pricing
was correct as did not want to detract from the financial savings of purchasing
a season ticket. Around 70% of home
attendance was from season tickets, with only around 11 % on walk up sales.
(These are very approximate figures).
One initiative to
increase ticket sales that appeared to be working was when vouchers are issued
to schools to acquire a free ticket, upon claiming the free ticket they then
get a voucher for a reduced ticket for another game, and then another voucher
for a third game at reduced price. Obviously
the aim is to get the youngsters and parents here for further games, which has
had some success.
We had two homes
games coming up – Bournemouth &
Torquay. It is thought that the attendance
for the Torquay game would likely be the lowest for some time in that it is a
mid week game and the away following will be very low. Is there a thought to twin these two games
together, with one at full price and get another for a reduced price. JB explained that they had tried this before
but hadn’t worked, and once again explained that this would be to the detriment
of the benefit of a season ticket.
However it was agreed
by all in attendance that the one sure fire way of increasing attendance was by
having a winning team.
One item we were asked
to raise caused some confusion. One
person requested that they did not want music played every time we scored a
goal. All present could not recall the
last time this was tried and as such we moved on from this topic.
From our last meeting,
the price of beer was raised. As a trial,
the beer prices were reduced in the Alexandra Suite prior to the game against Port Vale. As this appeared to be successful, the club
have maintained the lower price in the Alexandra Suite only, prior to the
game. Can this now be extended to after
the game? Unfortunately this was a
resounding no. We also then raised the
issue of the bar behind the old Railway End being vastly under utilised. JM explained that we used to serve meals
there but this has now dried up. We
suggested perhaps this could be used as a Supporters bar after the game (again
with reduced bar prices as an added incentive to attend). There was a concern that this would mean
supporters after the game would be split into 2 or 3 areas and may not be
viable. However this suggestion was
taken away for further consideration.
Finance
The issue of a
director’s financial vulnerability in the financial world was raised, which had
caused concern . Is there anything that the
board could say on this issue? JB
explained that he could not speak on behalf of a colleague. Norman Hassall was
the clubs financial expert and would be more than willing to answer questions
raised at the AGM. Anything that is out
in the public domain regarding the clubs financial situation are total
rumour. The new financial accounts
should be ready for issue after the February board meeting, with the AGM planned
for March. Any shareholder would have
the opportunity to ask questions and aim these at individuals. With regards to the clubs finances, JB wished
to stress the following points which he hoped may end these rumours :
Are we financially
sound going forward? YES
Are we being run in a
proper manner? YES
Are we being held back
in terms of spending? NO, but in the current economic climate long term
financial security had to take priority."
We are currently
living in a football world in turmoil. Portsmouth and Crystal
Palace are two prime
examples of clubs in trouble. We have
to be financially sound. JB stated that
if in business you stand still, then you don’t, you go backwards. The club are always looking at doing things
better, and want to move forwards.
At the recent AGM,
shareholders were advised of the intention to set up Crewe Alexandra
Developments Ltd, and give more supporters the chance to have a stake in the
club. CASi asked if there was any
progress on this? JB stated that
everything was nearly finalised Once
that is finalised, communication would be put out to all supporters explaining
the process and shares certificates
would be issued.
Crewe Alexandra
Developments Ltd continue to look at various possibilities for revenue e.g.
offices, apartments etc, and had brought in specialists in these fields to
assess any prospective projects. If felt
an idea would enhance income stream, then that option would be progressed. However nobody is building at present so
nothing currently planned.
A question was raised
whether there would be any possibility of the ground being sold for
re-development. JB replied that if an
offer were made, then that would have to be considered. BUT…. Do not read
anything into this. No plans to sell,
and more than happy with ground, and potential to improve.
Other Business
We haven’t had a fans
forum for some time. Is anything
planned, or if not, can one be arranged?
JB welcomed this idea, and would commence plans for one during
April. It was thought by all it would be
best not to tag a Q & A session on to the end of the AGM, but to have a
purely Supporters Forum, with the management team and selected members of the
board in attendance. Details will be
announced once dates finalised.
Why was the Torquay
game postponed? JB explained his
frustration, in that all at the club believed they had done what was necessary
to get the game played, and believed the pitch was playable. Unfortunately the ref didn’t agree with this,
and called the game off. The official
wouldn’t wait for both managers to arrive, and unfortunately for both clubs the
game was called off. Was there anything
they could have done better in this instance?
No – everything possible had been done and truly believe that the game
could have gone ahead.
One point raised by a
CASi member was about their frustration at trying to purchase a programme. The sellers wear nothing to denote they are
selling programmes, and usually stand
around in groups with no programmes visible in their hands. JB was not aware of this but would take it
away and review the situation. CASi also
questioned as to whether programme sales were available inside the ground
during the game. Again this would be
considered.
One item continually raised
by the “longer standing” supporters is about the absence of the railway wheel
on the club badge. JB explained the
reason for taking it off in the first place was that the kit provider commented
that it was a very intricate design and would prove costly to reproduce. Therefore the new design has been used for a
number of years. Yes, the railway wheel
denotes the history of Crewe, but that is what
it is – history, and we should move forward.
We then discussed the
website. Compared to other clubs
websites the Crewe Alexandra official website had far more updates. However, we felt accuracy was lacking in some
areas with regular grammatical and spelling errors made. It’s OK to undertake a spell check, but
perhaps a proof read should take place as there were consistently a number of
errors.
We then progressed on
to Crewe Alex TV, and to how professional we found this. Again there were a number of different
articles on this, but felt that at times the volume faded in and out, which
detracted from the item. With BBC
showing goals both on TV, i-player and also on the BBC Crewe Alexandra page,
the club had to ensure what they were providing was professional.
JB accepted the two
points above and would discuss with relevant staff at the club.
And that was about it. Both
parties agreed that if the supporters are not happy with what they read from
this meeting then they will have two opportunities to ask questions.
Shareholders at the AGM, and also when the Fans Forum is arranged. CASi will continue to have regular meetings
with the board, where we can hopefully raise points on a regular basis.
