Below are the summarised ‘official’ notes from the club of the latest Fan Advisory Board meeting that took place this week. A wide range of topics were covered – from updates on the North Stand to FFP logistics. While we appreciate the clarity given on some of the issues discussed, there are matters that remain unresolved like the issue of the crest.
Further views from the meeting will be given in the coming days. If you have any questions, do drop MOMS a line on email or social media.
Fan Advisory Board (FAB) 28th February 2024 Villa Park
Fan Representatives
Joanne McKibbens – Aston Villa Disabled Supporters Association (AVDSA)
John Gillett – Lions Clubs
Ravinder Ubhi – Punjabi Villans
Mo Razzaq – Aston Villa Supporters Trust
Ian Stokes – Vital Villa
Ben Redding – My Old Man Said
Dave Woodhall – Heroes & Villans
Nilesh Chauhan – Villans Together
Lena Curran – Fan Representative
Apologies
Scott Jones – Villa Talk
Sarah Breslin – Villa Bellas
Connor Smith – Fan Representative
Sam Timms – Villa & Proud
Nick Sanders – Avillafan.com
Steve Gough – Independent Supporters Clubs
Club representatives
Ben Hatton – Chief Operating Officer
Tommy Jordan – Communications Director
Lee Preece – Supporter Liaison Manager
Agenda items and comments provided by Fan Representatives are shown in normal text.
Club agenda items or responses are shown in blue italics.
1. Crest
Given the requirement to consult on heritage assets, the FAB reminding the Club of the FA rules regarding changes to the crest, why did the Club not follow its own Fan Engagement Plan?
The Club has been in extensive discussions with the FA since beginning the process to review the Club Crest. At no stage during those discussions has the FA informed the Club that it is in breach of the Heritage Asset rules. Following the Club’s stated discussions with the FA, what was the outcome and the plans to announce the new crest? The Club will follow the FA’s outlined process requiring the registration of the Club Crest and will roll out its usage thereafter.
2. Accessible Seating
The Club does not meet the Accessible Stadia guide for wheelchair spaces and is somewhat short of the 214 recommended wheelchair bays. It previously shelved plans to remove rows within Lower North for accessible seating and more recently stated that the redevelopment of the new North Stand would improve disabled facilities. How is the Club planning to improve facilities, given it is in breach of the national guidelines? When will it meet its commitment to the Accessible Stadia Guide?
The club are currently undertaking a detailed technical study on seating bowl optimisation including integrating compliant accessible standards in line with the Accessible Stadia Guide, Green guide and a peer review of these plans conducted by Level Playing Field. We are at the mid-point of this study and will have a confirmed strategy by early April. The Club would like to engage with AVDSA following the Level playing field peer review.
3. Financial Fair Play
This season, the Club announced a new management structure with a Sporting Director and a President of Business Operations. Who has ultimate accountability for FFP decisions under the new structure?
The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules set out a process requiring the reporting on an annual basis of each member Club’s financial status. There is no such thing as “FFP decisions”. The Club carries on its business in the ordinary course and reports as required under the aforementioned rules.
The reporting structure the Club has implemented sees the President of Football Operations reporting directly to ownership on football related matters and the President of Business Operations reporting directly to ownership on business related matters.
Fans should note that we have changed our financial reporting year to conclude at the end of June. This is simply to align with other contractual commitments such as players contracts etc.
4. Betting Sponsorship
Growing concerns over the potential harm caused by betting have resulted in Government intervention in some European countries. If the Club qualifies for Europe next season and still has a front-of-shirt gambling sponsor, how will it navigate the rules?
We will follow the same process as has been followed this year. Where it is not possible to show the name of the Club’s principal partner on the front of the playing strip, alternative arrangements will be made.
5. Ticket Pricing 2024 / 2025
Supporters have experienced above-inflation double-digit price increases across the last two seasons sandwiched between a cost-of-living crisis. The FAB calls for the Club to commit to keeping prices affordable and share its plans for 2024/25 as part of a meaningful consultation process and with greater transparency.
It was agreed with FAB Representatives that we will use the next Informal FAB meeting scheduled for Wednesday 20 th March to consult on this issue in detail.
6. Ticket Re-sale
Reportedly, when purchasing resale tickets for the Nottingham Forest game, these were only available at an adult price; no concession options were available. If eligible seats, ordinarily on sale, can be purchased at concession prices, why does this not apply to resale seats?
Any seats made available for resale by the club are only sold at adult price, as per the terms and conditions of resale which can be found on the website. This has been the case since we introduced the ticket resale functionality in the 19/20 Season. If we allow for concessions to be sold, we could refund more to an adult season ticket holder than the price paid by a concession.
7. Seating 2024 / 2025
What stadium changes is the Club planning for next season, including changes to the “seating bowl” and further introduction of general admission plus? When will it start consulting with impacted season ticket holders concerning these changes?
As per question 2, the technical seating bowl optimisation study on additional seats will be completed by the end of March. At which point the club will be able to communicate any proposed changes / additions and alterations and any impact to existing season ticket holders.
In addition, the Club is reviewing the current seating mix in order to ensure that going forwards we have the right balance of GA, GA+ and Hospitality seating. Inevitably this will result in a greater allocation of GA+ and Hospitality seating than we currently have. Changing this mix is an essential part of ensuring we can keep season ticket prices as affordable as possible.
8. 150th
What plans is the 150th Anniversary Board proposing, and how can supporters get involved in the commemorations?
We have had the first introductory meeting of the 150th Anniversary Board. It is our intention to hold monthly meetings and to communicate any resulting plans with the entire fanbase. It is also our intention that as many of our fans as possible are able to be involved in commemorating this momentous anniversary, so all ideas are welcomed. It was suggested that part of our celebrations should involve the City of Birmingham, specifically events with museums, the arts etc.
AOB
Club Shop
The club shop housed at the Villa Village will be overhauled in the summer to greatly increase product availability and footfall, particularly on matchday.
Holte Pub
The Holte Pub has been subject to a major face-lift and additional provision (a second bar has been added upstairs). The facility remains free for season ticket holders and lions club members on a first come first served basis, opening three hours prior to each kick-off.
Family Fun Zone / Academy Warehouse
Work will begin on the Academy building in the summer and will take approximately 12 months for the new facility to complete. Once completed, it is intended that the new facility will continue to be free for fans to access on matchday. The club is contemplating moving the family fun activities to the new Inner-City Academy.
Trinity Road Fan Zone
It was noted that the Portaloo’s in the area are not accessible. The Club will take
this away and see what we can do.
Next meeting Wednesday 20th March (see item 5).
