Supporters forum - 21st August (9 Viewers)

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Bloody hell Pete, where have you been?

Earlier this year the Sky Blues sent a survey to supporters to gauge their views on safe standing, including their preferred location in the Arena for this to be introduced. Over 80% of supporters who completed the survey supported the introduction of safe standing within the stadium with over 70% stating the preferred location for installation being Singers Corner.

John Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at Coventry City, said:

“I would like to thank all supporters who engaged with the club survey earlier this year as this provided valuable feedback to the club on this subject matter. The Club has looked to balance supporter safety regarding persistent standing while also looking to enhance the matchday experience for the Sky Blue Army.”

But nowhere did it say "where the survey says they want it is where it's going to go". It literally says gauging views and preferred location. It wasn't a referendum on choosing the location and whatever the result it had to be adhered to.

I seem to remember at some point the club mentioning that it would have to also be discussed with others including H&S as to where it could go, and given they have a massive say on safety certificates etc. they take precedence over where the fans would like it to be.

 

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[MalcSB]

But nowhere did it say "where the survey says they want it is where it's going to go". It literally says gauging views and preferred location. It wasn't a referendum on choosing the location and whatever the result it had to be adhered to.

I seem to remember at some point the club mentioning that it would have to also be discussed with others including H&S as to where it could go, and given they have a massive say on safety certificates etc. they take precedence over where the fans would like it to be.

These are exactly the points I have made that others just can‘t see. Some continue to witter on that the club say they have listened to supporters but put the safe standing elsewhere. I know the difference between a consultation and a referendum- a number apparently don’t. I just think the club should say why the safe standing is where it is, as opposed to where consultation respondents would have preferred it, to shut people up.

Further, I don’t see the point of introducing safe standing if you are not not going to police and prevent unsafe standing ,

Finally, I was responding to Pete’s post asking where it said that a majority had expressed a preference for safe standing in singers Corner. It was purely a piece of information.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

These are exactly the points I have made that others just can‘t see. Some continue to witter on that the club say they have listened to supporters but put the safe standing elsewhere. I know the difference between a consultation and a referendum- a number apparently don’t. I just think the club should say why the safe standing is where it is, as opposed to where consultation respondents would have preferred it, to shut people up.

Further, I don’t see the point of introducing safe standing if you are not not going to police and prevent unsafe standing ,

Finally, I was responding to Pete’s post asking where it said that a majority had expressed a preference for safe standing in singers Corner. It was purely a piece of information.

You made your point well and I think John will have an answer

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Can we have an Eccles cake stand in the vicinity of B20?

 

[itsabuzzard]

These are exactly the points I have made that others just can‘t see. Some continue to witter on that the club say they have listened to supporters but put the safe standing elsewhere. I know the difference between a consultation and a referendum- a number apparently don’t. I just think the club should say why the safe standing is where it is, as opposed to where consultation respondents would have preferred it, to shut people up.

Further, I don’t see the point of introducing safe standing if you are not not going to police and prevent unsafe standing ,

Finally, I was responding to Pete’s post asking where it said that a majority had expressed a preference for safe standing in singers Corner. It was purely a piece of information.

Well said. The very least the club should do is to set out the rationale for their choice. If they don't, why on earth would fans bothering responding to such consultations?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

@Sky Blue Pete any news on the family zone resell site?

Week until Oxford game and still no news on how you list tickets if you can’t make it.

Details coming this week

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

But nowhere did it say "where the survey says they want it is where it's going to go". It literally says gauging views and preferred location. It wasn't a referendum on choosing the location and whatever the result it had to be adhered to.

I seem to remember at some point the club mentioning that it would have to also be discussed with others including H&S as to where it could go, and given they have a massive say on safety certificates etc. they take precedence over where the fans would like it to be.

That’s true but the issues were identified in block 15 I think due to the steepness of the stand

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Questions submitted to chair

Questions for supporters forum

Is there a delay on the second and third kits being announced? If so, why is this?

Are there any plans for more work at Ryton? Is buying the connexion a consideration? Linked - any plans for any changes to the academy?

Why was the safe standing not put in block 15 as this was the preferred location from the supporters survey? Any plans to add more and extend to other blocks?

Are there any plans to have a formal supporters consultative forum rather than what we currently have?

Has the roof been fixed in blocks 21/22 above the disabled fans?

What are the plans to work with the arena and other stakeholders on travel to games? And how far advanced are they?

Are there plans to put match / season tickets on Apple wallet and the equivalent android version?

Have conversations taken place for a longer lease? What is the clubs desire?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

https://images.gc.coventrycityfcservices.co.uk/b6c6a510-3650-11ef-8639-c710e2f44c2e.pdf

The charter clearly says consultation is part of this forum
Think I need to understand what the club thinks that means

 

[MalcSB]

https://images.gc.coventrycityfcservices.co.uk/b6c6a510-3650-11ef-8639-c710e2f44c2e.pdf

The charter clearly says consultation is part of this forum
Think I need to understand what the club thinks that means

Given the experience yesterday, there needs to be an Urgent rethink on road closures.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Given the experience yesterday, there needs to be an Urgent rethink on road closures.

What’s the alternative?
You can’t mix 30000 people and cars too regularly
Less time
Less closures?
What you thinking?
as I say there were multiple near misses last season and a death was waiting to happen

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

What’s the alternative?
You can’t mix 30000 people and cars too regularly
Less time
Less closures?
What you thinking?
as I say there were multiple near misses last season and a death was waiting to happen

This is where train and shuttle services urgently need improving.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

This is where train and shuttle services urgently need improving.

Very true - good point
Thanks I do get very binary when the whole solution is more nuanced

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Very true - good point
Thanks I do get very binary when the whole solution is more nuanced

I understand why the decision was taken-but we have been asking about better train services on match days for literally years. If the service was more than a 3 carriage train once per hour, many more people would take it and alleviate pressure on the roads.

 

[Phoenix5555]

Didn't they say at one of the friendly games that the tannoy system was being upgraded in time for the start of the season?
Has this been done as if it has, it was still rubbish. If not, when is this happening?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I understand why the decision was taken-but we have been asking about better train services on match days for literally years. If the service was more than a 3 carriage train once per hour, many more people would take it and alleviate pressure on the roads.

Club have no leverage with train company or station or coach or bus or ccc or west mids authority
Some money would help but prefer that on the first team
Now I know in the charter that the forum is consultative and I’m sure Doug doesn’t I think I feel emboldened

 

[oakey]

Programmes -
1) where can I get one if I push a wheelchair from car park A to block 21?
2) why can none of the staff answer this simple question?
3) If there are designated selling points can they be publicised?
4) saying they are "around the ground somewhere/in the club shop" is not good enough.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Club have no leverage with train company or station or coach or bus or ccc or west mids authority
Some money would help but prefer that on the first team
Now I know in the charter that the forum is consultative and I’m sure Doug doesn’t I think I feel emboldened

I understand that, but matchday specials aren’t an unfamiliar concept. Not your remit I appreciate

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Programmes -
1) where can I get one if I push a wheelchair from car park A to block 21?
2) why can none of the staff answer this simple question?
3) If there are designated selling points can they be publicised?
4) saying they are "around the ground somewhere/in the club shop" is not good enough.

Annoying
Can you go into the charter and email
The customer service email asking for guidance
I will raise on Tuesday

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I understand that, but matchday specials aren’t an unfamiliar concept. Not your remit I appreciate

It is and John Taylor I feel will finally make progress on all this
The train companies need to make some money and get it sorted

 

[chiefdave]

Programmes -
1) where can I get one if I push a wheelchair from car park A to block 21?
2) why can none of the staff answer this simple question?
3) If there are designated selling points can they be publicised?
4) saying they are "around the ground somewhere/in the club shop" is not good enough.

Your options are the club store, the East Stand kiosk or the sellers outside the ground, I walk past three kiosks outside the ground coming from the other side so it would be strange if there's none coming from the side you're coming from.

I believe they did trial having programs available from all the food & drink kiosks last year but they didn't sell so that's been sacked off.

 

[chiefdave]

but we have been asking about better train services on match days for literally years

The franchise that operate the line don't have the rolling stock capacity for additional match day services. The stripey bastards tried paying for a running a match day service themselves and, like with most things they did, it lost a fortune.

Worth revisiting maybe but until the lines upgraded, which was planned but then cancelled by the government, I think we're out of luck.

That said there's no reason they can't have fleets of buses ready to go to take people back to various parts of the city. Could also use car parking in other parts of the city for park and ride as we did when the stadium opened.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

The franchise that operate the line don't have the rolling stock capacity for additional match day services. The stripey bastards tried paying for a running a match day service themselves and, like with most things they did, it lost a fortune.

Worth revisiting maybe but until the lines upgraded, which was planned but then cancelled by the government, I think we're out of luck.

That said there's no reason they can't have fleets of buses ready to go to take people back to various parts of the city. Could also use car parking in other parts of the city for park and ride as we did when the stadium opened.

Fair.

 

[pusbccfc]

Please push the public transport again Pete. Every time you've asked the question they've seen to knock it back and give the excuse that there is a shuttle to/from the Sky Blue Tavern.

Someone needs to bump heads together with the local transport companies/authorities. We're getting crowds of over 25,000 every with with at least 2000 away fans travelling into the city.

They are clearly thinking about options based on the supporter survey questions last month but it would be interesting to see if they've had any ideas since last season.


Bristol City is a long slog away from their train stations but they have a well designed plan with three different bus routes serving their two train stations and a park and ride.

Getting Here - Bristol City FC

Getting Here ______________________ Matchday Bus ______________________ Three dedicated supporter bus services operate on Bristol City first-team home league games. These services operate from Winterstoke Road, just yards from the main entrance to Ashton Gate Stadium, and at convenient times for...

www.bcfc.co.uk

We have a brand new bus terminal at Coventry station that could easily be used.

If the A444 is closed after the game, it must be easy to line up these buses to depart immediately after the road is reopened...

 

[pusbccfc]

The franchise that operate the line don't have the rolling stock capacity for additional match day services. The stripey bastards tried paying for a running a match day service themselves and, like with most things they did, it lost a fortune.

Worth revisiting maybe but until the lines upgraded, which was planned but then cancelled by the government, I think we're out of luck.

That said there's no reason they can't have fleets of buses ready to go to take people back to various parts of the city. Could also use car parking in other parts of the city for park and ride as we did when the stadium opened.

Yep, I think unfortunately we need to rule out the train being a viable option.

It's a real shame because I think the lack of train service limits the stadium both as a football arena but also as a major concert venue.

We've got the Lionesses player in October. Their last fixture here had an attendance of 32,100 and there were severe transport problems and people missed kick off trying to get on trains.

 

[David O'Day]

Please push the public transport again Pete. Every time you've asked the question they've seen to knock it back and give the excuse that there is a shuttle to/from the Sky Blue Tavern.

Someone needs to bump heads together with the local transport companies/authorities. We're getting crowds of over 25,000 every with with at least 2000 away fans travelling into the city.

They are clearly thinking about options based on the supporter survey questions last month but it would be interesting to see if they've had any ideas since last season.


Bristol City is a long slog away from their train stations but they have a well designed plan with three different bus routes serving their two train stations and a park and ride.

Getting Here - Bristol City FC

Getting Here ______________________ Matchday Bus ______________________ Three dedicated supporter bus services operate on Bristol City first-team home league games. These services operate from Winterstoke Road, just yards from the main entrance to Ashton Gate Stadium, and at convenient times for...

www.bcfc.co.uk

We have a brand new bus terminal at Coventry station that could easily be used.

If the A444 is closed after the game, it must be easy to line up these buses to depart immediately after the road is reopened...

As has been said before the bus companies aren't interested as they still get plenty of fares as people us the 20/40 etc.

If there was to be a dedicated set of buses the club would have to pay for them.

 

[chiefdave]

If there was to be a dedicated set of buses the club would have to pay for them.

What doesn't make sense to me is loads of clubs around the country but on bus services, park and ride etc yet whenever it's suggested for us we get a response that it will lose a fortune. How come everyone else can manage it but it's not viable for us?

 

[pusbccfc]

As has been said before the bus companies aren't interested as they still get plenty of fares as people us the 20/40 etc.

If there was to be a dedicated set of buses the club would have to pay for them.

If the club fund it up front, surely they will get a return if they are charging £4 a ticket like Bristol/Reading/Stoke. Villa have announced one for this season that's £5 return.

It just seems to me like we're the only club at this level with a remote stadium that doesn't provide fans with a shuttle bus.

It's hard to know how popular it would be with home fans but you'd definitely fill multiple double deckers with away fans who find it difficult to get back to town.

 

[David O'Day]

If the club fund it up front, surely they will get a return if they are charging £4 a ticket like Bristol/Reading/Stoke. Villa have announced one for this season that's £5 return.

It just seems to me like we're the only club at this level with a remote stadium that doesn't provide fans with a shuttle bus.

It's hard to know how popular it would be with home fans but you'd definitely fill multiple double deckers with away fans who find it difficult to get back to to town

Still would be a loss maker though, they are looking at alterative travel options as be the survey but they will all cost the club money.

Other clubs have decided to eat any costs, it's up to the club to see if they want to as well.

 

[wingy]

Still would be a loss maker though, they are looking at alterative travel options as be the survey but they will all cost the club money.

Other clubs have decided to eat any costs, it's up to the club to see if they want to as well.

Free with your ST but ticket becomes dearer,but outweighed by savings of leaving the car at home, that's a win I think?

 

[Frostie]

What’s the alternative?
You can’t mix 30000 people and cars too regularly
Less time
Less closures?
What you thinking?
as I say there were multiple near misses last season and a death was waiting to happen

There are multiple safe crossings; underpass, footbridge, multiple traffic lights & pedestrian crossings. These could be managed with police or stewards assisting with crossing. Punishing law abiding attendees for the actions of others is utterly backwards.

 

[oakey]

Your options are the club store, the East Stand kiosk or the sellers outside the ground, I walk past three kiosks outside the ground coming from the other side so it would be strange if there's none coming from the side you're coming from.

I believe they did trial having programs available from all the food & drink kiosks last year but they didn't sell so that's been sacked off.

Your options are the club store, the East Stand kiosk or the sellers outside the ground, I walk past three kiosks outside the ground coming from the other side so it would be strange if there's none coming from the side you're coming from.

I believe they did trial having programs available from all the food & drink kiosks last year but they didn't sell so that's been sacked off.

Thanks. Kiosk in East stand was closed by the time I reached it.

We push a wheelchair so there are only a couple of pathways from Car park A due to barriers and bumps and other assorted obstacles. No programme sellers over there in recent times, I have looked several times. If there is one it should be obvious and the locations of all of them communicated to supporters.
I tried East stand kiosk, after KO. It was closed and empty.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

There are multiple safe crossings; underpass, footbridge, multiple traffic lights & pedestrian crossings. These could be managed with police or stewards assisting with crossing. Punishing law abiding attendees for the actions of others is utterly backwards.

Punishing??????????????!!!!!!

 

[wingy]

There are multiple safe crossings; underpass, footbridge, multiple traffic lights & pedestrian crossings. These could be managed with police or stewards assisting with crossing. Punishing law abiding attendees for the actions of others is utterly backwards.

It is possibly but if they sort the public transport out inward and exiting the stadium then that will leave the space for those who can't get there any other way,one begats the other IMO? The unaware supplier's seem oblivious to this,the driver on my bus when asked about this saying it was likely down to daysaver rate's cut off time.
Well that should be easy enough to rectify you'd think wouldn't you?

 

[Frostie]

Punishing??????????????!!!!!!

Yes?
The majority of drivers pay extortionate prices to park at/around the arena & then these measures were brought in (after motorists had already paid up for the season) & in many cases more than doubling their travel time & with no other viable alternatives all because of the actions of others.