FST January Meeting Notes with FFC

[Friendsoffulham]

JANUARY MEETING NOTES WITH FULHAM FC

On Tuesday 9 January 2018, representatives of the Fulham Supporters' Trust board Tom Greatrex (TG), Dan Crawford (DC) and Michael Gregg (MG) met with Alistair Mackintosh (AM, chief executive officer), Casper Stylsvig (CS, chief revenue officer), David Daly (DD, non-executive director) and Carmelo Mifsud (CM, media relations manager) of Fulham Football Club at Motspur Park as part of our structured dialogue and relationship on behalf of Fulham fans.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND STRUCTURED RELATIONSHIP

The Trust representatives began the meeting by welcoming the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the two parties in December and raised ways in which this could be developed over the period ahead. Consultation on specific issues relating to supporter experience, run in conjunction with the Trust, was a good testing ground to explore this. Several other Clubs and Trusts had been in touch to ask for further details about the work that had gone into both the setting up of regular meetings and the establishment of the MoU. Both the Trust and the Club agreed to continue talking to interested parties as part of our commitment to sharing such best practice within football.

PLAYING MATTERS AND JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

The Trust representatives reported that there had been significant concern expressed by many members following the reported comments of head coach Slavisa Jokanovic during a recent press conference, and raised a series of questions from Trust members regarding the January transfer window.

Trust representatives pressed the Club on statements made in December, and AM reiterated the Club's position that they are looking to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window and that the identification and recruitment of targets had begun well in advance of the opening of the window. There is no change to the position and process outlined in December, an integral element of which is discussion and evaluation of options with Slavisa Jokanovic and the coaching staff. Pressed on the concern that has arisen from the widely reported press comments, AM said that every manager wants to have players in as early as possible and AM understood his and fans' frustrations, adding that the nature of conducting transfer business in January meant deals were often dependent on selling clubs concluding their own transfers – which meant that activity is usually delayed until towards the end of the month, but he did confirm they were working on a potential deal at the moment.

AM reiterated that the Club's recruitment process would remain the same as outlined in previous meetings and that the Coach, scouting team and data analysis department were working to an agreed list of players. He also confirmed that Tony Khan is in regular contact, several times a day, when he is out of the country. He also emphasised the importance of identifying value for money (Be it a £500K deal or a £5M deal) and ensuring that the financial aspects of each deal represented strong long-term investments for the Club. AM also stated that the Club remained keen to retain their key players during January and that there was renewed confidence that the first team could challenge for promotion from the Championship in the months ahead.

RIVERSIDE STAND

CM and AM thanked the Trust for their support in raising awareness of the Club's submission of their planning application to Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the various means by which Fulham fans could support the plans. AM confirmed that the Club had been informed that the Council were still working towards a formal determination of the application at either their March or April planning committee meetings, which would fall before the purdah period ahead of the local elections. The Trust representatives confirmed that the Trust would shortly be putting in their own submission in support of the plans to Hammersmith and Fulham Council as well as a further request to remind Trust members and Fulham fans to either add their names to the Club's online petition or write statements of support directly via the Hammersmith and Fulham Council planning portal. The Trust representatives highlighted the particular impact supporters living close to the ground can have, and suggested they particularly be encouraged to make submissions to the Council. The Trust shared positive feedback they had received about the plans.

The Trust also raised the issues regarding the future of supporters who currently have season tickets in the Riverside Stand, and shared feedback from recent survey work with a sample of season ticket holders in that stand. Whilst the Trust and Fulham fans welcomed the Club's commitment to remaining at Craven Cottage for the duration of the redevelopment phase, there is clearly going to be disruption to the current matchday arrangements once the existing stand is demolished. The Trust undertook to provide further details of our members' feedback to the Club and both parties also agreed to set up a working group involving the Club, Trust members and supporters from the Riverside Stand to discuss the redevelopment and how to work through the various logistical issues that will arise during the construction phase.

The Club and the Trust agreed to hold a specific and more detailed meeting where specific issues surrounding the plans for the Riverside Stand could be discussed with Sean O'Loughlin.

MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

The Trust representatives raised issues with the food offering and service at recent home matches in several home stands and, following a discussion of particular concerns with the Club, it was agreed that a series of consultation meetings should be set up regarding supporters' experience of food and drink, the matchday atmosphere and the hospitality currently offered at Craven Cottage. Trust members will have already received an email inviting them to take part in these meetings.

The Trust also brought up complaints received from supporters about the public address system at Craven Cottage. Some announcements made via the tannoy are impossible to hear clearly, which includes several announcements made during the half-time interval, although the occasional emergency announcement comes through clearly. Both CM and AM agreed to investigate this as a priority.
The Trust also raised correspondence from supporters about the WiFi available in the ground and the lack of signage in the Riverside Stand that helps supporters locate their seats. The Club confirmed that this would be looked into as well.

BOXING DAY AND BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURES

Following Fulham's fifth away Boxing Day fixture in a row, the Trust had undertaken a round of media interviews and activity ahead of the trip to Cardiff City. Several supporters had been in touch suggesting that it was well past time that Fulham had a home Boxing Day fixture and the Trust representatives communicated this view to the Club. Both AM and CM replied that, whilst the Club does not have the ultimate say in regards to the arrangement of the fixtures, they would make a strong representation to the football authorities ahead of the fixture list being drawn up for the 2018/2019 season.
The Trust also raised the issue of most of Fulham's Bank Holiday fixtures now taking place on Tuesdays. AM and CM advised that, particularly in the case of the January matches, this decision had been taken following consultation with the first team head coach taking into account recovery time between fixtures, but that they would take supporters' views into account when considering changes to the schedule in future.

TICKETING

The Trust had been made aware of a number of issues regarding ticketing since the last meeting in December. Several supporters had been in contact regarding the Club's recent special offer of free tickets for season ticket holders for forthcoming home fixtures as they had endured difficulty in claiming their tickets for the relevant fixture. CM and CS advised that all supporters who had contacted the Club had been offered tickets for future matches and that some of these issues arose from supporters having unsubscribed from the Club's email communications.
The Trust also raised concerns about the difficulties that a large number of supporters faced when trying to order their tickets for the FA Cup third round tie against Southampton. CM said that a number of issues arose due to changes made by Ticketmaster and that the Club had experienced difficulties liaising with Ticketmaster between Christmas and New Year. The Club's ticket office staff had worked very hard to resolve any issues and CS apologised for any inconvenience caused to Fulham fans.

The Trust had also received correspondence about a number of season ticket holders being unable to gain access to the Craven Cottage for the Ipswich Town game because their season tickets had been suspended. This resulted in increased queues prior to kick off and a large number of supporters having to visit the ticket office to get the issues resolved. CS confirmed that the Club would investigate this as a matter of urgency.

In response to a question from the Trust, CS confirmed that the Club had been encouraging supporters to use 'the print at home' option having purchased match tickets online and, that following a software change, this should option should be now fully operational once again.

The meeting finished at 11.56am

On behalf of the Fulham Supporters' Board

[JoelH5]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

[Baszab]

I remember conducting FD meetings to shareholders with the answer "thank you for your question, you concerns are noted and we will get back to you as soon as possible"

[Riversider]

"The signage in The Riverside Stand will be looked in to "
No it won't,  and why would it.

[toshes mate]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

[JoelH5]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

He said there were no targets but FST were told there were and are.

[toshes mate]

but he did confirm they were working on a potential deal at the moment.

Half way into the window and we are "working on a potential deal" which I assume is a full back on loan.

We should have been working on about 5 potential deals in December FFS.

Teflon Mackintosh strikes again !!!

+1 on all counts

[Woolly Mammoth]

but he did confirm they were working on a potential deal at the moment.

Half way into the window and we are "working on a potential deal" which I assume is a full back on loan.

We should have been working on about 5 potential deals in December FFS.

Teflon Mackintosh strikes again !!!

+1 on all counts

Agreed ➕2️⃣

[toshes mate]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

He said there were no targets but FST were told there were and are.

He didn't say that at all.  The verbatim is as follows:The Serbian head coach has previously been outspoken about his lack of involvement in Fulham's transfer activity and he has been angered by the club's failure to identify 'clear targets' ahead of the transfer window,

[JoelH5]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

He said there were no targets but FST were told there were and are.

He didn't say that at all.  The verbatim is as follows:The Serbian head coach has previously been outspoken about his lack of involvement in Fulham's transfer activity and he has been angered by the club's failure to identify 'clear targets' ahead of the transfer window,

Thanks for finding the quote. What defines a clear target? In the minutes it says that the club started identifying targets well before the window. That sounds like two contrasting statements.

[toshes mate]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

He said there were no targets but FST were told there were and are.

He didn't say that at all.  The verbatim is as follows:The Serbian head coach has previously been outspoken about his lack of involvement in Fulham's transfer activity and he has been angered by the club's failure to identify 'clear targets' ahead of the transfer window,

Thanks for finding the quote. What defines a clear target? In the minutes it says that the club started identifying targets well before the window. That sounds like two contrasting statements.

Or perhaps the recruitment team don't know that January starts on the first of the month.  It's not, allegedly, the only thing they don't know either.

[Marcel_Gecov]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

He said there were no targets but FST were told there were and are.

He didn't say that at all.  The verbatim is as follows:The Serbian head coach has previously been outspoken about his lack of involvement in Fulham's transfer activity and he has been angered by the club's failure to identify 'clear targets' ahead of the transfer window,

Thanks for finding the quote. What defines a clear target? In the minutes it says that the club started identifying targets well before the window. That sounds like two contrasting statements.

No it doesn't. We have identified targets but must wait for them to become available. Simples.

[Marcel_Gecov]

That leans towards Slav being annoyed that deals were being left until the last minute rather than not done at all. Strange as he said differently so one side is lying...

Not at all strange.  He said 'nothing had happened' when asked, and even, as of today, almost a week later that remains true.  The only people lying to themselves are the recruitment team when, as the FST minutes record, they claim the difficulty lies outside their control.  No doubt that is true of some proposed deals but it cannot be the case with all of them.  There is a rider in those minutes about the owner's son being in telephone contact several times a day and looking for long term investments which kinda sounds paradoxical in view of all the loans we involve ourselves in, out and in. 

He said there were no targets but FST were told there were and are.

He didn't say that at all.  The verbatim is as follows:The Serbian head coach has previously been outspoken about his lack of involvement in Fulham's transfer activity and he has been angered by the club's failure to identify 'clear targets' ahead of the transfer window,

Thanks for finding the quote. What defines a clear target? In the minutes it says that the club started identifying targets well before the window. That sounds like two contrasting statements.

No it doesn't. We have identified targets but must wait for them to become available. Simples.

is it crazy to suggest that part of the complex target identification process we go through from september to december, in preparation for the january window, should involve checking that the players are available?
or are we just waiting hopefully for our primary target cristiano ronaldo to decide he wants to play in the championship and for real madrid to decide they want to sell him for £2.5m?

It's a domino affect - we need clubs to backfill before we can buy, we probably know the targets but ad the rumour with Targett the selling club needs to ensure they are resourced before we can make a move.

[toshes mate]

I believe the point being made about strategic use of the time between windows is the most valid area for criticism of the recruitment regime at FFC especially in regard to SJ's comment about 'no clear targets' even after the window had opened.  Putting feelers out well ahead of the window of opportunity is about stealth and strategy for success.  Conversations and telephone calls are not just about what you do hear they are about what isn't said too.  Anyone who has ever fielded calls in a call centre type regime gets very used to the idea that they need to pick up telephone 'body' language very quickly and it is a skill very few operatives have at a high level.  If we are paying big money for computer diagnostics then perhaps the Club needs to do the same for a few communications operators who know the questions to ask and how to elucidate to obtain appropriate answers without setting themselves up for failure.

I think the Club could do a lot more to sell itself and be upbeat about prospects.  That means analysing what goes 'wrong' every window and having a strategy for stopping those 'things' from going wrong.   A few charismatic phone voices could work wonders......

[WhiteJC]

I believe the point being made about strategic use of the time between windows is the most valid area for criticism of the recruitment regime at FFC especially in regard to SJ's comment about 'no clear targets' even after the window had opened.  Putting feelers out well ahead of the window of opportunity is about stealth and strategy for success.  Conversations and telephone calls are not just about what you do hear they are about what isn't said too.  Anyone who has ever fielded calls in a call centre type regime gets very used to the idea that they need to pick up telephone 'body' language very quickly and it is a skill very few operatives have at a high level.  If we are paying big money for computer diagnostics then perhaps the Club needs to do the same for a few communications operators who know the questions to ask and how to elucidate to obtain appropriate answers without setting themselves up for failure.

I think the Club could do a lot more to sell itself and be upbeat about prospects.  That means analysing what goes 'wrong' every window and having a strategy for stopping those 'things' from going wrong.   A few charismatic phone voices could work wonders......

the problem with "talking" to other teams players between the windows could be construed as tapping up

[Twig]

I believe the point being made about strategic use of the time between windows is the most valid area for criticism of the recruitment regime at FFC especially in regard to SJ's comment about 'no clear targets' even after the window had opened.  Putting feelers out well ahead of the window of opportunity is about stealth and strategy for success.  Conversations and telephone calls are not just about what you do hear they are about what isn't said too.  Anyone who has ever fielded calls in a call centre type regime gets very used to the idea that they need to pick up telephone 'body' language very quickly and it is a skill very few operatives have at a high level.  If we are paying big money for computer diagnostics then perhaps the Club needs to do the same for a few communications operators who know the questions to ask and how to elucidate to obtain appropriate answers without setting themselves up for failure.

I think the Club could do a lot more to sell itself and be upbeat about prospects.  That means analysing what goes 'wrong' every window and having a strategy for stopping those 'things' from going wrong.   A few charismatic phone voices could work wonders......

the problem with "talking" to other teams players between the windows could be construed as tapping up

There are indirect routes that circumvent tapping up. It also depends on teh nature of the conversation, what is said and what isn't Happens all the time.
I do agree that the general criticism of seemingly poor preparation and planing for each window is a fair point.

[toshes mate]

Tapping up of a player can only occur when the club concerned has a contract of the required length with that player and is not alerted to the process and/or not given their consent.  The rules are most explicit about the player's responsibility for his/her contractual terms rather than expressing the rules as something other clubs should avoid doing.  In other words the player has the main responsibility for not engaging in behaviours that could be construed as 'tapping up' or seeking advantage in leveraging his/her own contract negotiations.  But what about all the peripheral 'players' in the transfer game - agents, scouts, journalists, pundits, etc, etc.  There is a huge network of vested interests in exploiting the profitability of a player's transfer potential so much so that any useful football player database should most certainly include information about this.   Networking is used by all sectors of industry from big corporations to sole traders.   It happens even when you don't know it has, as in word of mouth recommendations or a favour being returned.  We are probably unaware of ninety nine percent of what goes on in football business because most of it is inconsequential.  It must be a tricky business requiring many years of experience to do well which is why the more hands involved in selecting suitable targets will achieve the most success unless you are a hugely successful and big football club name when any player would want the opportunity to play for you.


   

[grandad]

The "big" clubs who all want to buy any player with 2 feet do their tapping up by feeding to the media who they want to buy. This has happened to us with Cairney & Sess.

[Southcoastffc]

And I suspect that when any of our players are on an international break they might have been encouraged by the club to have a quiet chat to any of their international colleagues in whom we might be interested or are tracking.   It's endemic.

[Jims Dentist]

Whereas I don't trust Mackintosh to tell the truth, well done to the FST for asking the difficult question (I have been critical in the past regarding this).