Fans consultation group - updated

[dave.woodhall]

Following some informal discussions it was felt that the old SCG had run its course and needed to be revamped. As a result, the first meeting of a new group took place on Saturday 23rd April.

It was agreed that the initial constituent fans groups would be as originally proposed by Aston Villa FC. Deletions from and additions to could be made as and when considered appropriate.

Aston Villa Supporters Trust 2 Reps, Lions Clubs 2 Reps, MOMS 1 Rep, Heroes and Villains 1 Rep, avilla fan.com 1 Rep, AVISC                             1 Rep, Vital Villa 1 Rep.

The members of the group would seek to achieve unanimity in terms of the questions and priority of those questions to be addressed to the club.

The group will seek to give the club ten days notice of the issues to be raised in order for the club to provide measured answers and representatives

Members of the group will not post reports of the meetings until such time as the formal minutes are published.

We will respect the fact that any information given to the group by the club in confidence will remain in confidence.

We will seek to ensure that the club publishes the minutes both on their website and in matchday programmes to ensure that outcomes of meetings are distributed to as many supporters as possible.

Minutes of the meeting on 23rd April

Present
Peter Warrilow and Kris Carr AVST,  Gary Kilburn and Vaughan Ellis  Lions Clubs Anne Mcgivern avillafan.com, Joe Costello Heroes & Villains, Steve Gough AVISC, David Michael MOMS, Ian Stokes Villa Talk.

Steve Hollis, Brian Little, Nicky Keye, Tommy Jordan and Lee Preece all representing Aston Villa Football Club

An agenda numbering ten items had been presented for discussion.

Time constraints determined that not all issues were raised and those outstanding have been addressed to the Club for a more detailed response.

The numbers detailed below refer to the agenda numbered items:

1.   Steve Hollis said that for obvious reasons he could not go into details regarding a potential sale but that discussions were taking place  and in part the appointment of a new manager was dependent upon the outcome of those discussions as were new board appointments following the resignations of Messrs Bernstein and King

2 and 3 Ticketing and Pricing. Nicola Keye dealt with this and explained the rationale behind pricing. We would not be the most expensive club in the Championship and recognising that there are important income considerations (and Financial Fair Play) to consider it is not thought that more drastic cutting of prices is possible. Villa Park has 40% concessionary ticket sales and as a result the average ticket sale is much below the ticket price.

The club will review pricing in light of attendances . An invitation to participate in a ticket pricing group was extended.

The club has details of lapsed season ticket holders and will be campaigning to persuade them to return

7. Dressing room harmony will be a matter for any new manager and Brian Little spoke at some length on the type of manager and player that he thought we should seek to recruit

9 The key objective for next season as stated by Steve Hollis is a return to winning ways and to win win and win to secure an early return to the Premier League

10 The issue of taking the club captaincy away from Gabby Agbonlahor was raised but it was  said that his actions are still under investigation.

Finally Steve Hollis said that he welcomed meeting such as these and was always prepared to meet and talk with supporters  .

Matters outstanding

4. If a change in the badge was necessary why now and why not a full rebranding to demonstrate that Aston Villa is a cohesive organisation?

5. What are the club’s plans for bringing about improved PR and ensuring that Aston Villa avoids the multiple PR disasters of the current season?

6.  Will relegation and the cost implications impact upon the proposed new website and the new kit deal?

8. Will you be prepared to consider initiating a youth forum to involve younger supporters?

Further details and news of other meetings when available.

[Richard E]

Thank you.

Apart from 9, obviously, I think 5 is really vital. We need to get on the front foot with that as a club.

[eamonn]

Nice to be kept in the loop.

It would be good (though I'm not sure how realistic) to hear from Mr Hollis on the extent to which the club has safeguarded itself with regard to player salaries and relegation, i.e what percentage of the squad will take a drop in their wages now that we are in the second tier.

[DB]

Very informative, thanks Dave.

[villasjf]

Thanks for the update.

[brian green]

Thank you.  Plenty of dots there to join up.

[garyfouroaks]

That strikes me as a pretty honest assessment of where we are (in the shit).

[SoccerHQ]

O.k so from the first point if we appoint someone like Pearson in next few weeks, that indicates a takeover isn't close....but if it lingers on to May and June then we could well be about to be sold, if I've read that correctly?

Let's just hope the takeover dosen't collapse at 11th hour as that would be a disaster for next season.

[brian green]

Disaster?  Nah, we've got Eric all trained up and ready to go again.

[Risso]

It's going to be an incredibly difficult timing act re the takeover and manager position.  A new owner will want to appoint their own man, who won't necessarily be the same as anybody Lerner and Hollis have in mind.  Appoint somebody too soon, and it may prejudice either the sale or the asking price.  Leave it too late, and if the takeover falls through, all the decent candidates will be taken and the possibility of pre-season being missed.

[ChicagoLion]

It looks like a very short meeting.
What were the time constraints?

[The Left Side]

Good to hear that Brian Little was there... how often are these meetings?

[dave shelley]

Thank you for that.  It's important for fans like myself who are ex-pats because, with no one to talk matters Villa with I  sometimes  feel isolated.

[brian green]

I am saving up for a phone Dave so you won't be cut off much longer.

[dave shelley]

Good on yer Brian.  I look forward to that.  We can reminisce together about the last time we won the FA Cup.