OxVox - OUFC meeting 8 November 2005

Minutes

Present: Steve Hanks, Mick Brown (OUFC), Trevor Lambert, Helen Joslin, Tim Rosser (OxVox).

Apologies: Graham Hilsdon.

OxVox had asked for someone from the stadium company to attend but no-one was available.

1. Minutes of last meeting (16 August): Accepted.

2. Matters arising

Buses: The club has explored the situation and the planned Oxford Bus Company services are the best that can be offered at this time. OxVox was concerned that one of the 2 routes planned duplicated the number 5 route, but the Abingdon and Kidlington routes were not addressed. Oxford Bus Company will not be offering Boxing Day bus services to the ground, due to time needed to get the service registered with Traffic Commissioners.

Training ground: The club was progressing some possibilities but there was nothing concrete to report as present.

Fixture list outlets: Most of the outlets displaying fixture posters had now been visited and would receive offers in due course.

Ideas forum: Suggestions for matchday marketing were being evaluated.

3. Next Fans Forum and pre-Christmas plans

The club are hoping to arrange a pre-Christmas fans forum.

4. Progress with stadium maintenance

The maintenance list prepared by OxVox was discussed item by item, and OxVox agreed to MB's request to keep it updated and notify the club of new matters brought to their attention.

Notable issues:

1) A pedestrian crossing by the cinema entrance was now regarded as unnecessary by the club.

2) There was no plan to do anything about the raised kerbs at the passageway to the right of the ticket office.

3) External blue doors were being repainted.

4) The broken Maurice Evans lounge door was mentioned; MB reported that repair was in hand.

5) Dirty and non-functioning toilets were a perennial problem – MB said that sometimes problems were not reported and unless problems were notified they would not be addressed.

6) The continuing lack of bins in toilets was noted.

5. Stadium facilities and the matchday experience

Food and drink in concourses: MB would put OxVox in touch with Lindleys manager to enable concerns to be passed on directly.

New catering options: No decision made yet regarding new meal options.

Programme availability: MB would look into reported problems of programme sales stopping too soon before kick-off.

Stadium identity: Under consideration.

Car parks management: MB reported that there were no immediate plans to take further measures to ease the flow away from the stadium after matches.

6. Interface between stadium company and football club

The Lincoln fixture change was discussed. The arguments for and against had been covered; it was a difficult decision but one which most supporters appeared to accept. Away fans and exiles would be inconvenienced, said OxVox. The club did not plan to switch to regular Friday night football, reported MB.

The two criticisms OxVox had were

a) fans had not been notified as early as possible of the change and

b) the part the conference played in the decision had not been acknowledged.

OxVox felt there were areas of contention between stadium company and club, which were causing problems. This is something which the club are actively addressing.

7. Ticketing and ticket pricing issues

OxVox passed on complaints about the ticket office service; MB noted the comments. OxVox congratulated the club on the reduced FA Cup pricing; the LDV pricing might be considered a little too high given the lower prestige of the competition.

8. Marketing and promotion of the football club

SH confirmed that the club intended to contact lost season ticket holders to encourage them to return and to find out why they lapsed.

OxVox asked for a progress report on signage at the stadium a) a sign to show the details of the next fixture and b) signs around the stadium for the shop, ticket offices etc. SH reported that these were being considered.

OxVox asked about cross marketing initiatives with the Ozone businesses to benefit OUFC. None were mentioned. It was unclear whether the cinema discount to season ticket holders would continue with Vue acquiring the cinema lease.

9. Any other business

OxVox welcomed the fact that, although the meeting had not reported any substantial improvements, the right areas in the club now appear to be being addressed and hopefully progress would be evident in the near future.

Open Day 2006: OxVox proposed that one should be planned and offered to help staff the event on the day. Club to consider.

Benefits: Joey Beauchamp was the strongest candidate, reported MB, and the position remained that he had to get a committee together and come up with a proposal.

Smoking: MB asked OxVox to consider smoking policy at the stadium in the light of current plans to legislate, and how fans could be consulted in a meaningful way.

10. Date of next meeting To be arranged.