"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.'
First (lengthy) question; sorry to see Paddy & others go, clearly going in new direction. Lot of injuries, what are we doing wrong?
DC on profile: 'We want to be 'younger', not 'young'. Paddy went with all our best wishes. Nobody's left on bad terms'.
DC on injuries: 'We spend a lot on medicals and that side of things.'
'Of the 12 injuries, 7 are knees. All apart from Tayo are non contact. We are looking into absolutely everything - it is very variable. We're in a bad place.'
'Burnley positive on Mellon, could be good news.'
Question on Ben Hinchliffe & Corey Addai.
DC: 'Ben has been brilliant & always kept his place under me, he'll take challenge in stride.'
'Conscious decision to work on succession plan for Ben while he's here. A great challenge for them and for us. Two really good goalkeepers.'
Question on Michael Mellon, could we free up those funds to use elsewhere if Mellon's injured long-term?
SW: 'Can't go into specifics of deals but loans are window to window; he's our player in that regard'.
On Ollie Norwood/Dwight Gayle:
SW: 'Low on numbers, we topped up squad to give us minutes.'
'Players who came in haven't signed anywhere; they're in process of identifying next moves. If we wanted to sign them, we have a budget & always make offers within that'
SW and DC both highlight how #stockportcounty has become a "great platform" for footballers.
Appearance of those two last week was 'both parties scratching each other's backs. Nothing further to add on it at the moment and doesn't go any further than that atm'
Question on Louie Barry!
SW: 'Made no secret of wanting him back. He 'feels' like our player but he isn't - we're very respectful of Aston Villa and of all parties.'
'He was with their squad this summer; but the minute it opened up, we pushed to make it happen and got it done.'
Question on the identity of the captain this season.
DC: 'That's easy - I don't know!' (It's a joke!)
'We have several candidates for that role. You'll find out very soon, before Saturday'
Q on young players across the area historically not signing for County
DA: 'That's definitely changed. We have a head of recruitment, two lead scouts and twelve 'spotters' with incentives to find players. They're out there every weekend and it's all coordinated'
Q on 'pathway' to first team for Academy players.
DA 'It looks very similar for our U16/17/18 sides to how we play in the first team. We have the same processes and approach, and the lads are then more prepared when they're on the fringes to take that last step'
Q on transfers - is that us done?
SW: 'Our plan before the summer was to stop now. We have right profile & balance. But with injuries etc, we look at any smart options to get through window in a sensible way'.
'We would never shut up shop while window is open'
Q on length of injuries.
DC: 'Hope to see Tanto involved at Blackpool. Players back in not too distant future beyond that'
'Stretton a couple of weeks, not serious. Tayo is an MCL, he's out around 6-8 weeks. Knoyle, more serious - needs surgery, 3-4 months out'
DC: 'A couple will be back in August and a couple more back in September, then the others out for a more extended period'.
'We always assess it on a weekly basis and while transfer window is open we always review options'
Q on winners/dark horses. SW said Wimbledon last year, DC said Doncaster.
SW: 'Investment/quality means Birmingham favourites. Dark horse, a lot of clubs strong - very tough league'.
DC says Charlton Athletic as dark horses - 'the quality & manager they have'.
Final question on Nick Powell.
DC: 'Nick's got an injury. He knows his own body - we hope to have him back in training this week and we look forward to having him back'."Smart-arse pedant
If we aren’t filling the ground, I doubt they’d bother. But we will be so they willl build.Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain
on August 6, 2024, 20:09:13
