Date: Tuesday 8th February 2022
In attendance: Angus Kinnear (AK), Katie Holmes, James Mooney, Dominique Grant, Pete Emmerson, Katie Watkin, Maz Ferguson, Jay Bhatt, Nikki Allan, Umair Meer, Faatimah Divan, Lliam Brocksom, Andrew Shires, Paul McManus.
Apologies: Ken McArthur
Minutes
Welcome from AK:
- Welcome from AK, including thanks from Andrea and Paraag for the members involvement in the SAB moving forward. AK reiterated that the club hopes this is a diverse group of supporters that can feedback to the wider fanbase and fan groups.
- Members will be able to choose the agenda for each meeting, to be discussed at the end of every meeting and through the WhatsApp group.
- This initial meeting is being used to welcome the new members, whilst also offering the opportunity for KH to run through the new SeatGeek ticketing platform and to discuss Season Ticket renewals for the 2022/23 campaign.
- Senior managers and staff members across the club will be invited to meetings where applicable/based on the agenda for meetings.
Key areas covered from KH presentation:
- Overview of the current ticketing platform, Talent, and the main feedback points received from supporters over the last few seasons, including the main reasons for moving over to the new platform, SeatGeek.
- The key areas for improvement were covered with regards to our ticketing platform and the key functionality areas of the new system also discussed including a new dynamic online queue management system, improved mobile buying experience, balloting and increased security measures.
- SeatGeek is currently used by 55% of PL teams, 25% of Championship teams and also has a strong presence in the USA with NFL teams and a league-wide deal with the MLS.
- Club will move towards mobile ticketing for the new season, which will be a big process for the club. KH and her team have been learning from other clubs who have moved to digital tickets, including those who are also SeatGeek clients. This will be an education process for staff and supporters, with more information to be relayed in due course.
Season Tickets for 2022/23:
- AK covered current ST stats, the club have approx. 23,000 STHs, with 20,000 supporters currently on the waiting list and 46,000 registered members.
- Renewal process to begin tomorrow, with current ST holders able to renew until 31st March. If any STHs do not renew, the club will contact applicants on the waiting list.
- V12 Finance appointed as the club’s new ticketing finance provider. Payments can be spread across six payments.
- The club have not increased the cost of STs for 11 years, which includes a price freeze during the promotion to the Premier League, and the club will be announcing on Wednesday a 10% increase.
- The club’s aim is to always remain as fair as possible, and the new price increase has not been taken lightly, with a thorough benchmarking process being carried out against other Premier League teams.
- Across the various categories, Leeds United remain either in the bottom half or quarter with regards to pricing.
- The club needs to remain competitive, and we need to start closing the gap with other club’s after not increasing for 11 years. The increase in prices will also help with the increasing operating costs at Elland Road, in line with inflation rates.
- Some Adult ST prices will mean that supporters are still only paying £20 per game, with children paying as little as £4 per game.
- Another element considered during the process was the difference between the three season ticket pricing structures. The price that an existing season ticket holder pays depends on the number of years that they have held a season ticket and when they renewed in past seasons. To ensure we are being as fair as possible across the board we need to review how to close the gap between the three pricing structures. However, the existing three price structures will remain in place for the 2022/23 season.
- AK indicated that an email to all current STHs would be sent out on Wednesday, with regards to the new pricing and renewals process.
- Feedback from the group was positive, with members noting that the increase in price was a logical move to help protect the club moving forward.
Agenda items for next meeting (discussed in the meeting/on WhatsApp):
- Feedback from supporters on the new ticketing platform
- Food and drink options available at the stadium on matchdays (specifically beer/vegan/vegetarian options)
- Stadium facilities – WIFI, toilets and other amenities
- Accessibility at stadium – provisions for those with learning disabilities, quiet room etc.
- Traffic flow/control post-match inc. taxi rank
- Merchandise available for women
- Women’s games at ER/TA - more easily accessible for supporters to attend
- Steward training on dealing with discriminatory language/procedure for reporting discrimination
- Away fixtures – disabled seating areas
- Season Ticket waiting list for SAB members/other ST enquiries inc. move to digital tickets for those without a smart phone
- Redevelopment around stadium
- LUDO lounge, who can access on matchdays?
- Social media, no LUFC gifs available on Instagram unlike a lot of other clubs
- Safe standing at Elland Road
Date for next meeting: Tuesday 8th March 6.30pm at Elland Road
