Specsavers

FANS' FORUM: SUMMARY

Brian Caffarey
12:00am, Mon 28th Jan 2008
FANS? FORUM: 24 JANUARY 2008

A very successful and positive fans? forum was held at Kingfield last Thursday evening. For those of you who couldn?t make it, I hope the following summary (in telegraphese) of the main points is welcome.

There must have been getting on for 100 fans present and there was a really good turn-out too from the Directors and Club officials ? well done! The panel comprised David Taylor (Chairman, DT), Colin Lippiatt (Football Technical Director, CL), Jon Davies (Communications Director, JD), Frank Gray (Manager, FG) and Jay Gasson (accomplished central defender, JG!).

PERFORMANCES ON THE PITCH ? reasonably happy with progress, players adapting to this level, would like to be higher in the table and score more goals but we?re creating more chances, played well at Oxford and Stevenage but didn?t score enough goals, very strong defensively, defeats over Christmas/New Year but players now know can match top sides and have nothing to fear, good education for them, very unlikely that anyone else will join or leave in transfer window, might extend Lewis Christon?s loan till end of season, Jason Norville on short-term contract till end of season: time to prove if he is ?hungry?, young enough to succeed still, Torquay also bid for Marvin Morgan (FG); got to be difficult to beat, need to be able to win ?ugly? games 1-0, striking partnerships hadn?t gelled, Marvin Morgan and Jason Norville could develop into an effective front pair, have written to Supporters? Club to thank fans for financial support for transfer window, going to 4-4-2 has made a difference, to be successful need a striker to get into double figures and midfielders to contribute, really good progress made so far, very open and honest relationship with Frank and Gerry, who should be congratulated (CL); players getting used to operating at this level, improving, gaining in confidence (JG)

NEXT SEASON ? FG wants the make-up of next season?s squad settled by end of March, same playing budget agreed by Chris Ingram for next season, few changes in squad expected, some players on contract already, others ?Bosman protected? and decisions to be taken on some others (with potential replacements, Mr ?X? or Mr ?Y? to be identified) (CL)

FITNESS ? players are worked hard in training; estimate in top three fitness-wise in league, Jason Norville couldn?t believe how fit everyone was (Gerry Murphy); players work hard, personally used to tough fitness regime under FG and GM at Farnborough (JG)

GROUND REDEVELOPMENT ? direct from Club Chairman, David Taylor, based on recent discussions with Chris Ingram.

Last autumn The Club invited a list of developers to bid for Phase One of The Kingfield Community Stadium Scheme.

A shortlist was selected in December and The Club now is in negotiations with the preferred developer.

Working with the developer and our consultants, our aim is to make a planning application in June, having consulted the various relevant groups in the Borough.

On this basis, planning approval would be expected in the autumn of this year.

Ground clearance could then start at the beginning of 2009 with the new stand and all its facilities being available towards the end of 2009.ie halfway through the 2009/10 Season.

Currently we are optimistic of a positive outcome but as can be seen by the extended timetable, this is a test of stamina and perseverance!

SEGREGATION ? LGS can?t be segregated (e.g. provision of toilets and catering) (Peter Jordan); ?Aldershot episode? won?t be allowed to recur, close to identifying person who threw lighter at Nikki Bull: if doesn?t come forward will be banned from Kingfield for life (DT)

ATTENDANCE FIGURES ? complete nonsense to suggest figures are ever ?fiddled?, Club (unlike some others!) is run completely above board, open invitation to anyone to come into Club on matchday and see what happens, checks through revenue, ?clicks?, tickets, ?mystery shoppers? and visual observation, at Aldershot game because of problems in LGS all these checks could not be carried out properly before crowd announced (rule is that this has to be done before the end of the game) (Peter Jordan)

COMMUNICATIONS ETC ? communications have improved but must get better still, exciting times ahead, must push Woking FC as a community club, lots of ideas for spreading the message through schools, boys? clubs etc, posters and leaflets being produced, free entry for U16s for some games, plan to ?blitz? schools, offering financial incentives for attendance, advertisements in ?free? papers, plans to extend sales of Cardinals Gold etc to local pubs and to market idea of bottles showing club players? portraits (bottles produced but not opened!), Cardinal Cider being explored, another KC Kat in Peacock?s Centre on matchdays and plans for a KC Kitten (!!), more matchday entertainment (dancing girls again at FGR game!) (JD)

VOLUNTEERS ? fans? help needed with lots of initiatives, please come forward, study beginning in March by Richard Tyler, student at Brighton University, of how a model ?community football club?, run by volunteers, could work

MEDICALS AND INSURANCE ? don?t carry out medicals at this level; insurance against injury would be too expensive; medical bills much lower than last season

CELEBRATION OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FA AMATEUR CUP WIN ? game being arranged for 2pm on Sunday 13 April between Woking X1 and Southampton Vets X1, with as many of the successful side available as possible, proposed presentation and reception (CL)

NEIL SMITH?S BENEFIT MATCH ? planned for first home pre-season ?friendly?; almost certain that strong Portsmouth side will be one of home PSFs

ACADEMY ETC ? reserve leagues not strong enough to make it worth having a reserve side, problem of players who reach end of Academy, plan to farm them out to other sides to gain experience, need to continue ?conveyor belt?, planning Girls? Academy, Woking Ladies now integral part of Club (the Woking ?family tree?)

EASTER RAFFLE ? Supporters? Club holding Easter raffle, hoping to sell 5,000 tickets, please support!

Brian Caffarey
27 January 2008




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