Focus Group Report

By Neil Ravenscroft
April 21 2004

Details of Monday nights Focus Group held at the Saddlers Club.

Focus Group Meeting

WITH ROY WHALLEY - 19.04.04

^{Asked about Season Ticket Sales}

^{Encouraged by the
response to the Early Bird scheme, but no figures given.}

^{When will the new kit be available?}

^{Should
be in mid May. Mainly red in colour. There was no Internet vote this time as
the timing wasn’t right.}

^{What was the clause in Colin Lee’s
contract about talking to other clubs?}

^{It was that he would be informed of
any interest from other clubs. They were disappointed that he wanted to speak
to Plymouth after seemingly committing himself to the club with a new contract
in October. They did not really want him to speak to Plymouth, but had no
choice, as it was in his contract.}

^{What does Roy get from these meetings?}

^{-
It is the opportunity to talk to fans, hear what they are saying and answer
their questions.}

^{The
Web sites and the Fanzine are doing
their bit to help pump up the atmosphere on Saturday. What are the club going
to do?}

^{Nothing in terms of promotional deals. (Not what was being asked - it
is the atmosphere. What has happened to David Kelly?). There isn’t a problem
between the club and David Kelly, it’s just that he has had some problems
which have stopped him doing the job. The club wants to do something about the
situation for next season, including making sure that they have the right
person on the pitch side.}

^{Several suggestions were then made about
things which could be done, such as printing song lyrics, messages on the
scoreboard, etc. Roy Whalley admitted that the scoreboard couldn’t cope. It
was second hand when we bought it and a replacement would be in the region of
40,000 to 50,000 and would have to wait for the stand redevelopment anyway.}

^{What was the position with Paul Ritchie?}

^{There is an option in his contract to offer another 10 months on the same
terms, should he reach 30 appearances and we stay up. It is a contract offer
only. The game he did not play, negotiations had been on all week with the
player and agent and had not gone well. It was felt that his state of mind
would not have been right for him to play. This was coupled with the fact he
was on International duty, his comments in the Press about the club’s
ambition and the fact he had his disciplinary hearing which, they were told,
if proved, could have led to a 10 or 12 game ban, meant that it was felt he
should not play. With his two game ban, these issues were resolved, which is
why Paul Merson picked him on Saturday. He did not have to ask permission for
him to play.}

^{There was then a long discussion about
the standards of refereeing this season, with Roy Whalley also explaining the
appeals procedure.}

^{Are we going to do anything about the
match day programme, which many felt was inadequate and why the attacks on
individuals in the owner’s column (which was felt to be one of the more
entertaining aspects of the programme).}

^{Roy Whalley said that Mr
Bonser's
article was in response to something he had seen in print and which he felt
was inaccurate.}

^{It was pointed out to him that many
thought the font too small and it was especially difficult to read when
printed over a coloured background. He said he would take these criticisms on
board.}

^{Why was there no right of reply?}

^{The
people concerned had their own means of replying and the programme was an
official organ of the club.}

^{What was happening with the web site
(also criticised).}

^{The contract is too tight for us to drop out. Premium TV
were having problems and the League do have contingency plans. It was pointed
out that some clubs had dropped out of the contract. Roy Whalley said he was
unaware of this, but the costs would be too high for us to do the same.}

^{What
is Paul Merson’s position as manager?}

^{It is on a match
by match basis.}

^{Who will be dealing with new contracts?}

^{Hopefully the new manager, although there is plenty of knowledge of these
matters at the club, if an appointment has not been made by that time.}

^{When will an appointment be
made?}

^{Would
like to see new man in place by the end of May and the two incumbents would
have a strong chance if we are successful.}

^{How is the market rent paid?}

^{Annual
sum, paid weekly, Just signed a new 10 year deal, with annual increments.}

^{Roy
was asked his views on then “Pope and the IRA” song.}

^{Roy Whalley
said that he still didn’t see it as a problem at home. The crowd insisted it
was. He asked if supporters wanted those singing it ejected and was told yes.
He said he would take that on board.}

^{He was finally asked again if the club
was going to do something to raise the atmosphere on Saturday.}

^{After a lot of
pressing he said yes, he would do what he could.}