The fans’ consultation group met at Villa Park before the Southampton game on Saturday 23rd April.
Fans’ representatives in attendance were:
Joe Costello – Heroes and Villans
Anne Erskine – Avillafan.com
Steve Gough – Aston Villa Independent Supporters’ Club
Gary Kilburn and Vaughan Ellis – Lions’ Clubs
David Michael – My Old Man Said
Ian Stokes – Vital Villa
Peter Warrilow and Kris Carr – Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust
Representing Aston Villa Football Club were:
Steve Hollis – Chairman
Brian Little – Advisor to the board of directors
Nicola Keye – Head of Consumer Sales
Tommy Jordan – Head of Communications
Lee Preece – Supporter Liaison Officer
An agenda, numbering nine items, and reproduced below, had been presented for discussion. Unfortunately, not all the agenda items were covered due to time constraints. The responses to those items discussed can be found below. The outstanding items have been passed to club officials; we are awaiting their feedback.
1) Update on the current situation at the club regarding:
a) a sale;
b) managerial appointment;
c) new appointments to the board following this week’s resignations.
Steve Hollis said that, for obvious reasons, he could not go into details regarding a potential sale of the club. He stated that discussions are taking place with a number of interested parties in the United Kingdom, America and the Far East.
The appointment of a new manager is dependent in part upon the outcome of those discussions, as are any new appointments to the club’s board following the resignations of David Bernstein and Lord Mervyn King.
2) What are the club’s plans to incentivise supporters to come to Villa Park next season and to ensure that lapsed supporters return?
Nicola Keye dealt with this item. She explained the rationale behind pricing and informed those present that ours would not be the most expensive tickets in the Championship. Recognising that there are important income considerations and Financial Fair Play stipulations to consider, more drastic reductions to ticket prices was not deemed possible. 40% of the tickets sold are concessionary ticket sales, leading to less revenue being generated.
Staff have access to the contact details of lapsed season ticket holders and will work to encourage those supporters to return.
Incentive schemes in place at a number of clubs and a new owner might consider implementing one.
3) Is the club prepared to review ground area closures in the light of higher than currently forecast attendances?
This could be considered if necessary. The relevant staff may also review pricing in light of attendances.
There are plans to form a ticket pricing group once the fixtures for the 2016-17 season are published. This will be discussed further at a later stage and interest in joining gauged.
4) If a change to the badge was necessary, why now? Why are there no plans for a full rebranding to demonstrate that Aston Villa is a cohesive organisation?
5) What are the club’s plans for bringing about improved public relations and ensuring that in future Aston Villa Football Club avoids the multiple public relations disasters of the current season?
Players will be expected to be more actively involved in community events and projects from next season.
6) Will relegation and the cost implications impact upon the proposed new website and/or the new kit deal?
7) Dressing room harmony, or the lack of it, has frequently been commented upon this season. What action is being taken to ensure that our players are more media aware and prepared to play a more significant role in the community?
Dressing room harmony will be a matter for the new manager to address. The club is aware of the importance of this appointment. Brian Little spoke at length about the type of manager and players that he thought the club should seek to recruit. Improved leadership on the pitch was considered essential.
8) Would you be prepared to consider initiating a youth forum to involve younger supporters?
9) What are the key objectives for Aston Villa Football Club next season?
Steve Hollis stated that the key objective for next season is a return to winning ways in order to secure an early return to the Premier League.
The issue of Gabby Agbonlahor retaining the role of club captain was raised. As his actions are still under investigation, it was not an appropriate time to comment on this matter.
