St Johnstone Fans Forum Open Meeting 13 February 2023 - Minutes

Venue: Centenary Suite, McDiarmid Park at 7pm.

Minutes: Tom Welsh

In attendance:

St Johnstone – Ian Flaherty; Roddy Grant; Beverley Mayer; Greg Taylor and Gregor Sleith.

Fans Steering Group:

Colin McCredie; Tom Welsh; Andrew Holden and Dan Williams.

Ian welcomed all in attendance to the meeting and requested that no filming or recording took place during meeting.  He then introduced those from St Johnstone and those on the fans steering group.

He then explained that the club had wanted to introduce a fans forum next season but due to the adverse fans reaction and publicity to the Rangers cup game that the forum should be brought forward.

Fans Forum Aims

• To maintain a positive and constructive dialogue between the club and fans.
• To develop a better understanding of issues that affect supporters.
• An opportunity for the club to discuss new ideas.
•  

Ian then addressed 5 key areas:

Rangers Cup Match – the decision taken at the time was best possible with club at heart however mistakes were made and if drawn against them or Celtic in future at home – then decisions would not be the same.  Going forward will be done differently but final decision will be in club control after sitting down with fans forum and discuss what fans wishes are.

Celtic Ticket Pricing – explained rational behind this and that price had to be same for both sets of fans. 

Pitch – All clubs without hybrid pitches are suffering – even Celtic. From Ground-staff to Board they agree the pitch is not great.  The last 2 season with European and Play off involvement along with games brought forward to accommodate winter world cup the pitch work had to be done in 4.5 weeks as opposed to 8 weeks.  Last year £100K was spent on the match pitch and the two training pitches with £48K being spent on training pitch 2 which has had no issues. This season ends 27th May hopefully and stadium pitch work is timetabled to start on 29th May which will give the 8 weeks required. There are only 2 contractors do this work for all clubs in Scotland so if you are not ready on timeslot they go elsewhere.

Internet and Catering Kiosks – When payments taken by card currently it can take 30 to 40 seconds to get accepted payment which has an effect on kiosk footfall movement.  20 customers lead to 10-minute delay. Fibre optic is being installed work starts 14 February which will improve speed of checkout at kiosk and also improve ability to see how other teams are faring at half time.

Position of Club – As you are all aware the club is up for sale and when there is any news it will be reported to supporters.  The present owner will not sell unless it is right for St Johnstone.

End goal of fans group

• Ensure that all supporters feel valued in their loyalty to the club.
• To provide the supporters, as far as reasonably possible, with the facilities and conditions that they deserve from St Johnstone Football Club.
•  

As it is a fans forum Ian then introduced Tom who then explained the following:

• The meetings would remain open meetings which would be held bi-monthly within the Clubs facilities.
• The agenda for such meetings and minutes of meetings held would be communicated on social media and match programme by Gregor and Greg the club’s media team.

The fans steering group required additional members which were requested from the meeting.  Six additional members, Colin MacKay; Mark Melloy; Dan Shek; Simon Martin; Stuart Taylor and Ian McDonald were co-opted on.

Question and Answer Session

Q – Why no communication on Celtic ticket price increase?

A – Decision was taken not to say why and it was not hiding from issue but it had an effect on other  clubs supporters not just that match and had to be handled in that manner so that there were no further repercussions for the club.

Q- Why do we not get together with other clubs to reduce prices eg Hibs £5 and United £19?

A – Roddy commented on Hibs £5 and the reaction from their season ticket holders. It was also commented from the body of the meeting that other clubs do not match our family offer to our fans at away matches.

Q – What has happened to prize draw for season ticket holders every home game?

A -  It is done however publicising the winners is poor and needs improvement.

Q – Season ticket seats no longer have stickers why?

A – Bev explained all tickets have block, row and seat number so correct seats should be used. The problem occurs when people just sit anywhere and stewards are not escorting to seat so stickers would reduce problem.

Q – Why no double cup celebrations?

A – Roddy explained situation with Concert Hall, no catering in-house so paying for a room hire. Club still looking at and discussions with Council still ongoing.

Q – Can we contact other clubs and ask them to charge the same as we do or we will charge their fans what they charge us?

A – Ian explained it was difficult to get 12 clubs to agree.  Others commented on detrimental effect using others pricing policy would have on our support as all fans home or away must pay the same price.

Q – Increased policing and stewards at old firm games but their fans behaviour is not dealt with and why only our fans searched?

A -  Police level at matches are set depending on category of game. There are 2 companies provide stewards and the level of stewards as explained by Lewis – head of safety – there is a duty of care and a minimum number of stewards required to open the stadium.  Regards searches our fans are the softer option and less likely to cause an incident. The situation with banners obstructing trackside advertising was highlighted.  Ian explained that the Stewarding Company had on two occasions had money withheld for not implementing clearance of banners and their performance on match days. Bev commented that vast majority of matches are police free.

Q – Why no club fun day prior to season?

 A – Community Trust launching new strategy for increasing events for fans.

Q – What is tie up with Hercules in Spain?

A – Ian explained started with Saints supporters connection made.  Board Members of both teams got into dialogue and connection/partnership made.  Benefits potential hot weather training, youth tournaments.  There were 15 Hercules supporters at Celtic game.

Q – Why is seating not all blue?

 A – Cost to replace is issue.

Q – What is happening with players contracts?

A -  Not a question for this meeting – speaking to players and when deal done fans will get to know.

Q  -  Why no Named brick in wall scheme?

A – Roddy explained problems other clubs are having with this and not considered at moment.

Q – Why no club involvement in Murray Davidson Testimonial?

A – Ian explained tax implications if club or player were involved.

Q – Can the same season ticket card not just be used instead of replaced?

A – Bev explained this is being looked at.

Q – Why does scoreboard not have full team name?

A – Limited in number of characters in line so hence why SAINTS.

Any Other Business

Comment was made re tannoy performance in East Stand with the young fan at Celtic match being congratulated on his clarity.  Explained new system and that perhaps at varying times the background noise within the stadium affects clarity of announcements. Club to look to see what if any improvements can be made.

There will be a fans forum e-mail address published so that fans can send ideas and questions for future meetings.

Timing of next meeting has been provisionally agreed for Monday April 17th, 7pm.

Ian closed the meeting and thanked all who were in attendance and for their contribution and wished them a safe journey home.