Minutes of the Blackburn Rovers Fans’ Forum
Ewood Park, Monday 26th April 2010 – 7.15pm

Present from BRFC
Tom Finn
Greg Coar

Present – Fans’ Forum
Martin Haworth
John Wareing
Neil Duckworth
Gordon Ormerod
Tristan Stock
Mark Hitchen
Julie Wilkinson
Ray Williamson
Duncan Gardiner
Steve Birtwell
John Billouin
Pauline Perkins
Ian Filbin

Apologies
Glen Dinsdale
David Brown
Andy Neill
Phil Johnson
Guy Wignall


1. Matters Arising from the last meeting 23rd February 2010

a) Fan Behaviour at Away Games

MartinH noted that fan behaviour had improved at recent away games after a number of difficult games.

JB raised the issue of fans standing at the Wolverhampton game in front of the disabled seating area. TF replied that this was disappointing and he agreed to consider how the club can best get the message across to fans, probably through an advice note with away tickets.

b) Roverstore

GC reported that the store had taken a lot of new product lines recently and a mini-catalogue to promote sales of the new lines will be available soon. Retail sales had picked up very well after a difficult January and February because of the poor weather and the shortage of replica kits.

c) Blues Bar

MartinH reported that there had been a good response to the recent questionnaire to Blues Bar customers.

2. 2010/11 Season Tickets

GC stated that, although it was still very early days, the response to the new season ticket offers had been very encouraging. There were a number of new applications, many not on the club’s mailing list, and the waiting lists for season tickets in the Blackburn End and Riverside stands were also very positive. Sales in the Darwen End were also better than at the same stage last year.

The club had received a complaint about the higher price increase in the Jack Walker Stand compared to other areas of the ground. TF pointed out that the percentage increase was the same across the ground and that prices in the Jack Walker Stand were still cheaper than equivalent areas at other Premier League clubs. Facilities in the Jack Walker Stand were better than in other stands, justifying a higher price.

There had been a delay in the distribution of season ticket packs as an essential component had been delayed in China because of the problems with volcanic ash disrupting flights.

All fans would receive a new season ticket card this year, which would enable the club to launch a loyalty scheme at some future stage.
ND asked whether it would be possible to include the cost of buying tickets for the three extra games currently excluded from the Darwen end season ticket so that fans can pay for all matches through the direct debit scheme. GC agreed to consider whether this could be offered.

3. Burnley Away Game

MartinH stated that generally the travel arrangements to and from the away game with Burnley had gone very well. However, facilities in the away stand were wholly inadequate for the numbers of fans at the game, especially given the length of time many fans spent there before the game started. TF stated that the formal de-brief with the police had not yet taken place.

4. Ticket Office Changes

MH asked what the reason was for the move of the ticket office into the shop during non-match days and whether there were other plans for the ticket office space. TF stated that the only reason had been to improve the experience for fans, who would now be able to buy tickets and other merchandise in one transaction in the warm and dry. The club might also benefit from increased merchandise sales. Staff from the ticket office and the shop were now integrated, providing more variety for them. The ticket office would remain and be used on match days and also should there be particularly large demand for any future match, such as cup ties.

5. 2010/11 Home & Away Games

TF stated that, unfortunately, the new away kits had been delayed, again because of the volcanic ash situation. The club expected to have a new delivery date by the end of the week.

The home kits were expected to be available from early July and there was no reason to suppose that they would be delayed. Pre-order would also be available for these.

In response to a question from JohnW, TF agreed to invite a representative from Umbro to a future meeting.

6. Open Corporate Boxes Blackburn End

MartinH reported that there had again been problems between home fans in the Blackburn End and away fans in the corporate boxes at the home game with Everton. GC stated that fans had to accept that it was reasonable for away fans to celebrate their team scoring a goal as long as their behaviour was reasonable. The incident at the Everton game, where home fans had been spitting at and throwing coins into a particular box was wholly unacceptable and the club would act in future to dismiss fans who continued to behave in such a manner.

Corporate guests were clearly advised about inappropriate behaviour before games, but the club would never be able to sell corporate facilities if away fans were barred, as many companies used their boxes to entertain their clients, who often supported the away team.

7. 2010/11 Pre-Season Plans

MartinH asked if there were any firm plans for the 2010/11 pre-season. TF replied that the club had had offers to attend tournaments in both the USA and Australia but that no final decisions had yet been made.

The staff would have a week in Austria, but that would be solely for conditioning and no games would be played. There was a commitment to play a game with MK Dons outstanding. There was no guarantee that there would be a home friendly game before the new season, which was due to start on 14th August.

8. Any Other Business

a) MartinH asked whether any progress had been made with support for international fans. TF stated that there had not and that it had not been a high priority but the club would endeavour to come up with an action plan over the close season, and would seek to support international fans where they could.

b) SB stated that Simon Gray from the Northern Ireland Supporters club was organising the usual 5-a-side competition on Saturday 8th May. Profits would go to the Former Players Association.

c) DG thanked the club for their support for the Disabled Supporters Player of the Year awards night – there had been an excellent turn out from players and staff.

d) MartinH stated that fans entering the Darwen End turnstile of the Riverside Stand for the Manchester United game had been given a letter stating that the exit might need to be closed at the end of the game and that this had upset a number of fans. TF replied that the club felt it better to warn fans in advance rather than rely on a tannoy announcement, which may not be heard. The club were not prepared to compromise on safety for fans.

9. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is expected to move to Monday 7th June at 7.15 pm, subject to confirmation.

Forum members will hold an agenda setting meeting in the Fernhurst pub on Tuesday 1st June 2010 at 7.15 p.m. Note the Tuesday date as 31st May is Bank Holiday Monday.

Members should contact John Wareing at roversfansforum@hotmail.com or on 07984 085474 with any queries about the Forum or to give their apologies if they cannot attend a meeting.


2010 Forum Dates

All dates are Mondays unless otherwise indicated.

26th July
13th September
25th October
6th December