AFC Trust meeting with AFC - press release

[Kowalski]

NEWS RELEASE

 

Date: 3 June 2010

 

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

 

Aberdeen Football Club’s ‘Red Revolution’ starts by building trust with the fans.

 

AFC Trust Board members, Bill Ellis, Gordon Duncan, Jennifer Moffat and Greig Ingram met with Duncan Fraser, Willie Miller, Chris Gavin and Dave McDiarmid at Pittodrie on Monday 31 May 2010.

 

The meeting was requested by the Trust because of genuine concerns about the current situation at AFC. Concerns which related to the level of performance of the Club on and off the field, the diminishing support and apparent disconnect between the Club and the community, resulting in diminishing revenue in an already fraught financial situation. Concern which had been emphasised by comments made in surveys carried out by the Trust and the negative media coverage in recent months. The Trust was also concerned about what had been perceived from the outside as a rather limited and even complacent response from the Club to the current situation.

 

The issues raised by the Trust in a whole series of questions (37 in all!!) covered issues such as public relations, communication, the role of the Fan’s Representative on the Club’s Board, the Club’s financial situation, the new stadium project and the team performance in Season 2009/2010.

 

The approach adopted in the meeting by the Trust representatives was that of support and challenge with the aim of providing objective insights on these issues from the fans’ point of view. An approach and stance which the Club representatives accepted as helpful.

 

In a full and frank discussion which lasted for over two and a half hours the Club representatives did not duck one question and provided full and detailed answers to the concerns raised. They accepted that some of the ideas inherent in the questions put to them by the Trust reps were worthy of adoption such as acknowledging publicly that last season’s performance was unacceptable and that a series of ‘Road Shows’ or a fans’ Forum or Supporters Summit might be a good strategy. The reforming of the Supporter Association will also be expedited.

 

The Club representatives explained that the ‘Red Revolution’ marketing strategy was designed to indicate a fresh start next season. They also explained that a whole range of pricing initiatives will be in place to encourage attendance at Pittodrie and that this is something that is kept under constant review to meet the challenge of falling attendances and the televising of matches at untraditional times.

 

Duncan Fraser, Managing Director, explained in considerable detail how the financial situation at the club was being managed and he emphasised that it was being managed to the satisfaction of the Bank. He also explained the stages of the planning for the new stadium and how the challenge of funding the new stadium would be met.

 

Willie Miller, explained that the first team pool of players next season would be one of the youngest ever and that the Club’s priority in the closed season was to bring in a number of more experienced recruits. He stated that the youth development programme at the Club was the one area which had been protected from cuts and it was now beginning to supply the first team pool with a number of exciting young prospects. He hoped that the fans would get behind the young team next season and provide them with the support they would so badly need.

 

At the end of the meeting the Trust representatives felt that a lot was going on at the Club but that the Club was not doing a good enough job in getting the good news stories across to the public. It was suggested that a clear vision, in a succinct format covering all aspects of the Clubs work, would be a good approach to address this situation.

 

The full range of questions asked by the Trust Representatives and a full note of the meeting will be published on the Trust’s website in due course. http://www.afctrust.com/

[mizer]

The Club representatives explained that the ‘Red Revolution’ marketing strategy was designed to indicate a fresh start next season

 

But everyone knows there is no significant change, so it falls flat on its face.

[manc_don]

But everyone knows there is no significant change, so it falls flat on its face.

 

The club keep doing this, and wonder why the fans are so sceptical. We've had at least 10 years of this hot air and lies. I want to see some action AFC, not just word play.

[maverick sheep]

Duncan Fraser, Managing Director, explained in considerable detail how the financial situation at the club was being managed and he emphasised that it was being managed to the satisfaction of the Bank. He also explained the stages of the planning for the new stadium and how the challenge of funding the new stadium would be met.

 

So the answers are known but not yet published and only going to be available to view on their site if you join the AFC trust.

 

Heroic act of communication between fans and club. 

[bilbobaggins]

A new level of transparency

[Madbadteacher]

Smoke and mirrors!

[tsr]

Usually the trust publish all correspondence whether you are a member or not.

[scotfree]

Meh..

[maverick sheep]

Usually the trust publish all correspondence whether you are a member or not.

 

AFC themselves should at least have mentioned this if it was anything significant. Over a week later though and even the trust themselves haven't published it.

[caledonia]

The club are to busy signing 6 new players - thud

Sorry the thud is me falling off the chair laughing

[mizer]

AFC themselves should at least have mentioned this if it was anything significant. Over a week later though and even the trust themselves haven't published it.

 

It takes a wee bit of time for minutes to get typed up.....and even more for AFC to go through them and put red lines through certain bits....then a wee bit then it will be sorted.