We held our latest meeting with the club last week to discuss ongoing issues that have arisen from the season so far.
We have been contacted by a number of members recently reporting issues when purchasing tickets from the ticket office. Whilst the level of service has been high, issues have arisen leading to unnecessary price increases for supporters. This has left supporters feeling unsatisfied with their treatment by the club, with one in particular accusing the club of being “money grabbing”. The Trust had previously followed up on each complaint and whilst issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of supporters, it was felt that a common sense approach at the ticket office would have averted any issues in the first place.
The club accepted these comments and apologised to those affected by it indicating that the ticket office staff have been following procedure in applying increases. The current ticketing system does not allow a great deal of flexibility with ticket sales and is something that the club are looking to replace within the next few months. The plan for 2020-21 is for a new ticketing system, include the ability to have supporters print tickets at home and have them scanned at the turnstiles. No deal has been agreed with regards to this as of yet, but it remains a priority for the club as part of preparation for 2020-21.
We enquired again about the number of season tickets sold for the 2020-21 season. There have been 1417 adult season tickets, 455 senior citizen tickets and 672 at the various junior age groups. It had not been possible to introduce the Freshers’ Week season tickets this season, but this was something that would be looked at to be introduced for 2020-21.
We had been asked by a Trust member with regards to pitch covers, specifically the frost covers that had been purchased through a donation from the Trust in April 2013. The club stated that they would find out at let us know at the next meeting.
We enquired about the current state of the training facilities used by the first team. The club have previously stated that the facilities at Rochdale Cricket Club have been improved this season and the players are delighted with what is on offer there. The club are in discussions with Rochdale Cricket Club to expand on the facilities available. It has been a key aim for the club to get a training base for the players for several years and this is without doubt the closest that the club have come to acquiring them. The facility at Platt Lane remains available to the club as well.
We asked about the state of the Spotland pitch. The pitch is doing very well so far this season and is deemed to be necessary to the way the first team wish to play. The club are currently speaking to a number of companies with a view to work to take place next Summer. More details will follow the completion of these negotiations.
Following our donation of just under £5,000 to the 5-a-side Pitch, we asked where we are up to in terms of work starting on it. A planning permission application has been submitted and is being fast tracked by the Council. Work is expected to commence soon after this is approved which is expected to be in the next few weeks.
The club informed their trust of their intentions to arrange an event at Spotland for the free Saturday on 14th March, and asked the Trust for any suggestions for that. Furthermore, the club asked again about what could be done to improve the atmosphere at home matches. We replied by saying we would look into the possibility of purchasing a number of flags that can be used around Spotland. Also, our parent body the Football Supporters Association has done work with “atmosphere groups”, and we would contact them for further advice.
Finally, we agreed a date for the first “Meeting with the Directors” of the season that would be held on Monday 11th November, and the Trust will follow this up shortly by inviting members to submit questions.