Meeting minutes from Louise Jankowski on Tuesday 28th January:
Fans Panel Meeting
Tuesday 21st January 2020
Attendees: Carol Green, Phil Buxton, Gary Fox, Mike Lindley, Chris Scorah, Philip Scorah, Tracey Armstrong, Carl Hall, Gavin Baldwin, Shaun Lockwood, Mark Hughesman, Martin Rowlands, Ray Green, Jackie Green
Apologies: Barry Brown, Stewart Thompson, Scott Goddard, Carol Lindley
1. Welcome – CH thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
2. Minutes From Last Meeting – Everyone was happy with the previous minutes. CH reminded everyone that we have a friendly against Wakefield Trinity Reserves on Friday 24th January.
3. Marketing Update – Season Tickets
SL/MH advised that a pass would be available for £32.00 for 8 games and if we played the two other fixtures at home this would be thrown in for free. This has been created for convenience to enter the car park quicker. GB requested that any cup games played at the stadium could be thrown in with no extra costs incurred.
The new website is up and running, CH advised there was still little bits and pieces that needed work on, but asked for thoughts around the room. ML asked if the twitter feed could be added to the website, it was advised by SL at the end of the meeting that this had been done. It was asked if the online shop would be available, it was advised that we are waiting for Elite Pro Sports and we will chase them up.
MH advised that the number of stories on the website had improved and checked if everyone was receiving all the new emails, everyone agreed that the website was looking good and all emails were being received.
MH explained we had the 5 match ticket in place and if you refer a friend and they buy a season ticket you will receive a cheque for £15.00
MH/MR asked if everyone enjoyed Sunday’s new look game day. A player will be interviewed before every game. We have new tannoy announcer. Parky will be back for the first game of the season. There will be children at all afternoon matches, not just community clubs, we have dancers too, there will be lots of children’s activities before games and at half time. Parky will be going into school along with a couple of players to school assembly’s to give out tickets for achievement at school. We want to create a good match day experience for people to want to return, creating a bond between players and fans.
4. Fixtures
CH has spoken to the two clubs in question regarding reversing the two fixtures whilst necessary maintenance work is carried out on out pitch. They do not want to reverse the fixtures. We are looking at every option we can. Doncaster Knights have been brilliant with us, as we have been using their ground for preseason training. They have said we can use their pitch any time until June. But obviously that is when we need to use it. Sheffield are using Castle Park, but only until June. We might have other options depending how the cup games go, we will have to see.
5. Questions from the Panel –
Why the change of kit from traditional colours? – GB advised the decision was made quickly and after the last Fans Panel meeting and maybe made in haste. It was felt across the club that as it’s a year that we’re doing things completely differently (no dual reg, our coach is our coach) we should replicate with the home/away kit. CH advised we will never lose our identity. SL stated that after first week of sales that “home” maroon shirts were selling better than “away” blue shirts. Total shirt sales in first week were better than first three months of last season.
Why no kits available for Christmas again? – CH we was waiting for a couple of sponsors to sign off and this delayed the kit.
Why no kids kits again – The children’s kit starts at Age 8, TA advised that the age 8 is quite small so would be ok for younger children.
How long is Jordie out for? – Jordie will be out until approx. June/July.
Is there a discounted Magic Ticket price for season ticket holders as per most of the SL clubs have? – We have spoken with Newcastle and we’ve had to paid into a SL event so the ticket prices we have offered are cheapest we can get, please anyone who is going to Magic Weekend get your tickets from Club Doncaster Box Office, there is however a group booking discount for 15 Person’s Plus.
ML – Any news on the Dons for Life? – MH advised that this will be launched at The Dons Launch nigh and Racenight
Are entered in the 1895 Cup? – CH advised yes we are.
6. Any other Business – A discussion was had between members of the meeting regarding players, players positions, other players from other clubs. The meeting was very positive, overall there was a good vibe.
7. Next Meeting – TBC at 6.00pm in Alicks Bar
