Minutes MSF Meeting Mon 14th October 2024 6.30pm Riverside Stadium
| Fans Forum Meeting Mon 14th October 2024 Present: MFC: Yvonne Ferguson, Matthew Barber, Helena Bowman MSF: Rob Nichols, Caroline Walker, Jill Atkinson, Owen Swift, Michelle Coleman, Tom Green, Leila Habidi, John Brunger Apologies: Kul Peacock, Jeff Collins, Lee Fryett | ||
| Catering | ||
| Points raised by fans | Discussion | Outcome |
| Expand number of payment/pick up areas around the ground | Since the start of the season, progress has been made on the expansion of the number of payment/drinks pickup outlets around the ground. The trial of a North Stand self service area has been successful Queues have been reduced and feedback has been good. | We are only one game into the trial, but if it continues to be successful, MFC will look at putting it in other areas of the ground, where possible. |
| Use of Season Card to collect Chairman’s drink from pick up outlets | System used to register the Season Card purchase is different from the regular payment system | MFC are already working on collection of Chairman’s drink at these outlets. For the interim, there will be a till in place at the kiosk to redeem free drinks at. |
| Add more beer and wine options | Contracts with suppliers | No change at present |
| Can MFC trial a Can Bar? | Some canned drinks are available in the concourse, but they must be poured/dispensed at point of sale. | No change at present |
| Does MFC have a recycling policy? Lots of empty bottles spotted after game. | MFC currently recycle all food and drink containers. | Though everything is recycled, MFC will look to develop something which makes it clearer to all supporters. |
| Comment: A meeting with Stadium catering staff was held in July. Meeting was very successful | Further meetings will be held regularly from now on. New Head of Catering Operations has since been appointed. | Possible date of next meeting November 2024. |
| Crest/Badge | ||
| Progress on new Boro crest/badge | Lots of Season Card holders have completed MFC’s survey about a new crest/badge. | A Graphic designer has been appointed. Engagement with fans will continue through the process. |
| Riverside | ||
| Progress on Wi-Fi in Stadium | Quality of Wi-Fi varies and depends on phone network. Similar problems experienced at other grounds. | MFC looking at ways to improve the Stadium Wi-Fi and the costs involved. |
| Half time scores and lottery announcements not always shown on the big screen and in concourse | Currently more focus on half time activities and fan engagement. This has led to a lack of time for reading/showing half time scores. | MFC exploring a ticker tape style banner, as used on Sky Sports, to run along the bottom of the screen on all TVs and the big screen. It will show the scores around the country and the lottery results. Need to consider the size of the banner, to make it visible to fans. |
| Could team sheets be in position rather than squad number order? | It could be seen as a tactical disadvantage. | No change. |
| Can MFC fans hold a Memorial Day to remember those fans who have passed away? | Preston hold a Gentry Day at a different away match every season, when they remember fans who have passed away. Date and venue changes annually. MFC currently support bereaved families in several ways e.g.: names put into the match day programme. Names can be added to the Memorial Book in the Stadium. Many fans book into hospitality when their loved ones are featured. We have no special day and commemorations can happen throughout the season. However recently fans we lost over the summer were commemorated on the big screen at the first match of the season. | Led by MSF, fans would be consulted on this, for example if they prefer a particular date/game for Memorial Day and whether it should be home or away. MFC current support for bereaved families will continue as it has proved very successful in the past. |
| Ticketing | ||
| How many season tickets have been sold? | Just over 19,000 | |
| Priority points and not being able to move up to Gold Card Status. | Eligibility for a Gold Card – been a Season Card holder since the stadium opened. | MFC will take this query back and investigate options. |
| Why did we not take up Cardiff reciprocal pricing offer? | MFC were anxious to do some sort of a deal and agree a lower rate as they appreciated it would be welcomed by travelling Boro fans who had costly travel arrangements to consider particularly at the kick off time selected | A compromised price was agreed with Cardiff that was not as heavily discounted as first proposed, to keep the balance for the home fixture. It was deemed the discount requested would be too significant when comparing our home fans purchasing MBM compared to what Cardiff would pay for the same game in the away end |
| Any progress on season cards on smart watches? | Further update to be sought by MFC | |
| Will half season cards be reintroduced? | Positively received. | |
Retail | ||
| Kit stock particularly away and 3rd kits | Very high demand for away and 3rd kits this season. | Very high demand for away and 3rd kits this season. More information will be released shortly of date due in stock |
| Progress Reports | ||
| Boro Brick Road progress | MSF and BoroSC2020 have catalogued approximately 5000 bricks. Location and inscription of all the bricks in the first section has been recorded. (2005-6) | BoroSC2020 to pass on their spread sheet to Supporter Services. MFC, BoroSC2020 and MSF to meet to discuss how the Boro Brick database can be made useful and searchable for the fans. |
| My Boro My Shirt update | Launched at the Riverside, the night after the riots in Middlesbrough and helped to show that football is for all. Photos of fans on display highlighted the diversity of Boro fans and the inclusivity of the Football Club. The exhibition changes perceptions of who is a football fan and who makes up our town. The funding for the project came from Borderlands and the FSA. | Exhibition at the Dorman Museum has been highly successful and has been extended to 2nd Nov. The aim is to take the exhibition to various venues/places in the town e.g.: mosques, other museums, schools, Larchfield Community, care homes etc. with the help of MFC Foundation. |
| Dementia Friendly Fridays at the Dorman Museum | Dementia Friendly Fridays have been launched at the Dorman Museum with help of MFC Foundation | MSF are running an Evening with Nick Gates (Son of Boro defender Bill Gates) will take place at the Dorman Museum on 26th October, with the aim of promoting the Head Safe Charity. |
| Fan Mural Idea – Could there be a mural on the brick wall of the chemical works on the approach to the Riverside? | Permission would be required from the owner. | Possible mural using MyBoroMyShirt material at venues across the town such as the Railway Station. |
| AOB | ||
| Some clubs give fans a certificate to commemorate their first game. What do Boro offer? | MFC have a 1st time visitor procedure. Any new fan will receive a Boro goodie bag and a signed programme. Young fans receive a shout out in the FanZone from Gary Philipson and First Time Visitors in the GRFZ get a showround of the GRFZ. | A certificate could be added to the current package in the future. |
| Riversidebyside project | As part of the project, MFC conduct a survey every 2 years, to help them understand the makeup of their fan base. They use the information gathered to support their equality practice. | MSF will promote the importance of fans completing the Equality Survey. MFC will feed the results back to fans and further promote the message of their Riversidebyside campaign. |
