Stockport County Supporters Messageboard: Fans Forum

From Sam Byrne's Twitter:

"Fans' forum tonight at EP. Sure there's not a lot to cover!

Dave Challinor, Simon Wilson, Ken Knott, Tom Mahon and Damien Allen fronting it.

Off-field issues first (mainly answered by Tom Mahon and Ken Knott).

Brief interval then on-field stuff with DC, SW and DA.

First question is on the asbestos in the Main Stand and how this affects redevelopment and fans.

'No impact on fans this season. We plan to start the eastern expansion of the DB/Main Stand in Jan/Feb then review further at the end of the season.'

Two-part on 'non-league ticketing system'.

TM: 'I want to start by saying the staff at the club share the pain that you all have endured.'

'I am happy to confirm that we will be with a different ticket provider next season. Hope to transition to them before end of season.'

Second part is on why loyalty scheme for away tickets hasn't continued.

TM: 'The way the current system operates with linked tickets doesn't necessarily allow us to track who's buying away tickets.'

'From next season, we will start to track purchases to build priority/loyalty.'

Next question on prices for hospitality, are we pushing things too far?

TM: 'Gone up a division, tried to be mindful of not increasing general admission too much.'

'Still think hospitality pricing is competitive - value for money. I stand by pricing structure.'

Next q is on junior supporters' activities etc this season.

TM: 'Absolutely. Feedback from mystery shopping was for us to do more for families in Courtyard. Improved offering for junior fans in there and across EP this season.'

'Not quite ready for Cambridge but for Bristol R'.

Next question on 'e-tickets' being utilised more. How confident that it'll all run smoothly?

TM: 'Conscious some have selected e-tickets (STs) unintentionally. There will be a follow-up email this week on how to download etc'.

'No issues with e-tickets working to gain access.'

Next question - 'as a lifelong Pop Sider, often feel like a second class citizen in EP'. Is it really worth closing Pop Side to home fans for some cup games?

TM: 'It saves money and manpower. Ultimately just not feasible to open that side for the handful of fans who may attend.'

Club's always had magnificent sense of community, how is that continuing?

KK: 'We always want to deepen roots in community. Football Education programme has a huge push to get into schools with 6-12 wk courses'.

'Kits by County' highlighted, Mark Stott's driven that initiative.

Next q on trouble after certain games.

TM: 'Away fan access point and coach parking access for away fans does reduce flashpoints. Should have significantly minimised risk of trouble.'

'We've been in touch with GMP on UK riots this week. Review each fixture for safety etc.'

Next question on allocation for away teams this season, bigger clubs, more fans etc.

TM: 'Absolutely anticipating away followings will be bigger more consistently.'

'We'll take it on a game-by-game basis. May be situations where Block 5 of Pop Side & all of RE go to away fans'.

TM does add that Cambridge have sold less than 500 for Saturday - highlights the 5.30pm kick off time, poor train schedules etc as 'not a fair reflection' of away support in instances like that.

Game-by-game decision on away allocations for reasons like that.

Ken Knott: 'A plea to you all on the stadium expansion plans.'

'As part of process, Council invites public for views on the application. There have been some objections to it, so please do voice your opinion. QR code available around the room to do so.'

KK: 'In my experience with such applications, it's only those who object who usually voice their opinions.'

'What we need is those who support it to also voice their opinions, as the final report will then be balanced and reflect all views.'

Final off-field question is on sustainability in EFL.

KK: 'EFL is broken in terms of financials. Huge wealth at top needs to cascade down - government included Bill for a regulator in King's Speech so hopefully some momentum now.'

'That's key for sustainability across the EFL'.

KK: 'Carrington is brilliant for us, but not in Stockport!'

'We have located a site and are in process of purchasing. This would be an elite training facility in the Borough which is great news for the club.'

That ends the off-field stuff."