Please find below the minutes of last night's meeting, as supplied by Louise Jankowski:
Fans Panel Meeting
Thursday 23rd May 2019
Attendees: Carl Hall, Gavin Baldwin, Shaun Lockwood, Mark Hughesman, Ray Green,
Jackie Green, Carol Green, Mike Lindley, Carol Lindley, Gary Fox, Chris Scorah,
Stewart Thompson, Phil Buxton, Stewart Piper, Louise Jankowski.
Apologies: Phil Scorah, David Stewart
Welcome
• CH approved the Minutes of the last meeting, thanked everybody for attending
Match Day Themes
• Match day themes are going down well, we’ve had good feedback, had to change the date of the superhero day due to World Cup Event, this will take place Sunday 26th May.
Match Day Programme
• Everyone wanted more information on the squads so we created the team sheets.
• Sales of the squad sheets are good and revenue is up from the loss we had on previous match day programmes.
• SL informed everyone that The Dons are featuring more in The DNA Quarterly magazine & the feedback has been good, even as far away as Belgium.
Mascot
• Parky was introduced on the 7th April Lead out by Kevin Parkhouse’s family and has gone down well. He’s been in school and working with The Wildlife Park and we’ve had enquiries about him appearing at birthday parties.
• ML asked if Parky could be on pitch side whilst the game is on MH to look into this
Questions from the forum
ML/ST: Re The two revised fixtures to be played at Featherstone, why are we playing there when we have places closer to home and will we be putting transport on ?
• CH advised there would be no transport as we have previously offered and only 5/6 people used the service. SL advised that the athletics pitch is owned by the council and the athletics club and the upkeep is not within our control and would be costly if we was to contribute to this plus it’s not safe for the players. Figures for us to contribute to the upkeep advised by GB. The Knights offered us their pitch, but have had internal problems and we are unable to use. With regards to using the other venues we have to follow RFL minimum stadards. RG commented local places like Hatfield Main/Armthorpe are not feasible as we have to bring the posts in and they don’t like us digging on their pitch.
ML: Fans who are buying season tickets are losing 20% of their value when two home games are played at Featherstone, fans are not happy and what can be done about this?
• It was pointed out that this has happened for the last few seasons, due to our pitch being out of action whilst pitch maintenance takes place. Season tickets come out before the fixtures are announced. SL advised he would put in the terms and conditions that games may be played at alternative venues due to our pitch being restored. CH informed everyone that he does try his best to keep all the games either at the Keepmoat or in the Borough wherever possible.
GF: Why are we not playing or going for promotion, are we managing the customers aspirations?
• CH advised promotion is still the clubs aspiration and always will be, I meet with the coach regular the squad and coaching staff still believe we can make the play offs and have a good go at promotion, we all still have every confidence in the group. Unfortunately we’ve had a lot of injuries in key positions which hasn’t helped as has DR club Hull FC.
• We’ve taken on 3 new players on loan from other clubs which shows we are actively doing something about the injury situation both clubs are suffering from, ML agreed the signings were good.
• GB advised we have faith in our team, coach and Carl, there is a lot of negativity. We do monitor social media as we have a duty to look after all our staff. We believe we can make the play offs and will be doing everything in our power achieve this. You learn more about people in tough times, we do listen to outside comments.
DC: Why did you vote for Ottawa & New York to get permission to put into our league, did you not want us to get promotion?
• I voted in favour as both presentations were very good and had a lot to offer our sport, I voted in the best interests of the sport nothing in Rugby League is guaranteed, but these two clubs could be game changing for the sport with the exposure and finances that could potentially come with them.
General discussion about insurance for players, players fitness and injuries.
Any Other Business
• SL to arrange a meeting with Dons For Life members to discuss a way forward, with a relaunch the scheme.
The meeting closed at 7.30pm
Date of next meeting
The next meeting TBC at 6.00pm in Alick’s Bar
I do not want to upset anyone it may effect their performance.
