STFC OSC and Trust STFC Joint Statement - Stevenage Away

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SWINDON Town Official Supporters Club raised over £1,000 to split  between the Prospect Hospice and Head for Change courtesy of the  inaugural Alan McLoughlin Memorial Walking Football Tournament on Sunday the 22 August 2021.  

 The six-a-side tournament - won by The Dagger - featured eight teams,  with BBC commentator Vic Morgan bringing his teammates from Exminster St  Davids AFC to the event and Sky Sports’ Chris Hull leading the Clem on  Tour team, featuring Town chairman Clem Morfuni and CEO Rob Angus. 

 Each team played three 12-minute games in hte group stages, with the  top two teams from each pool progressing to the cup competition and the  third and fourth placed teams playing in the plate competition. 

 Without conceding a goal, The Dagger breezed through to the  semi-finals of the cup competition, alongside SFB FC, Clem on Tour, and  FFIT Team of 21. Progressing in the plate competition were Monday  Nightmares, Walking Wounded, Old Town Rotary, and Exminster St Davids  AFC. 

 As The Dagger continued their unbeaten run to reach the final with a  1-0 win over SFB FC, the game between Clem on Tour and FFIT Team of 21  finished 0-0. 

 A three-player penalty shootout resulted in FFIT booking their place  in the final with a 2-0 win and some impressive saves from the FFIT  goalkeeper. 

 In the plate competition, the Old Town Rotary team forfeited their  game through injury - giving Exminster St Davids AFC a bye to the final.  Meanwhile, the Monday Nightmares drew with the Walking Wounded 1-1. A  second penalty shootout, finishing 2-1, saw former Swindon Town goalkeeper Phil Smith take his place in goal, making a diving save to his right to take his team through to the final. 

 Following two excellent finals, The Dagger were crowned champions with  a 2-0 win over FFIT and ended the tournament unbeaten, without  conceding a goal. 

 In the plate competition, the Monday Nightmares took victory with a 2-1 win over Exminster St Davids AFC. 

 Debbie McLoughlin (wife of the late Alan McLoughlin) was in attendance  to present both teams with their prizes, alongside chair of the  Official Supporters Club, Peter Norris. 

 Mr Norris said: “It was a very enjoyable event and a very fitting way  to pay tribute to Alan McLoughlin, whilst raising money for two  excellent charities. 

 “Thank you to everyone who participated and the volunteers who made  today possible. A huge thanks must go to the STFC Community Foundation  for allowing us to use their facilities for the day and also to Clem and  Rob for coming down to play alongside the fans.” 

Do we have to have go digital or are physical cards available? 

We are currently working through this. Some cards will be sent out imminently and the remaining cards will be sent out within the next few weeks, if required due to personal circumstances (e.g. not comfortable with technology; only one iPad in the family)

If we want to collect our physical cards, when will these be ready? 

This will be communicated via the club’s website. We’re hoping they will be ready between the 18th and 27th August tickets 

What is the phone number to use to purchase Season Tickets? 

0330 002 1993

When will finance option be available for season ticket purchases? 

We are waiting for confirmation from the company. We are hopeful for beginning of next week, if not earlier.

Can I get a car parking season ticket? 

Matchday parking will be made available on a first-come first-serve basis. Pre-booked disabled (Blue-Badge) spaces are available to pre-book at £75/season

Are there any discussions ongoing regarding family season ticket renewals as the prices are the same for new/renewing families? Unlike the individual ticket purchases where discounts have been applied

Due to the renewal adult prices being reduced already, there is already a discount incorporated into the family season ticket. 

Is the Town End side of the Arkells stand, which was closed by the previous regime, going to open this season? If yes, can season tickets be bought there? ­

If we get the demand, then all areas of the ground will be opened up.
Can I post a cheque to renew season ticket? 

Yes, you can – Address to: FAO Ticket Office, County Ground, County Road, Swindon, SN1 2ED

How many season tickets/shirts have we sold now?

Daily updates are provided across the club channels for both tickets and shirts

Will you reward the ones who donate their season ticket money to the club?

We are currently working through a ‘thank-you’ to those supporters who left last year’s season ticket money in the club. We are also planning to have a staff appreciation day. 

iFollow

What will be happening with iFollow streaming for matches in 21/22 season?

iFollow rules are decided by the EFL and due to streaming legalities, it will only be available to viewers outside of the UK

Programmes

What will be happening with matchday programmes for the 21/22 season?

The club are working on digital programs, but due to feedback we are looking at the dual approach of digital programs along with a limited number of hard copies available. If the demand is more then we will increase the availability

General

Does the club plan to have more of a connection with the football in the community team at Foundation Park?

We are working closely with Jon, Shane and the team and are busy putting a plan in place for the future.

Has there been any talk about extra revenue generating ideas at the County Ground other than football?

We are keen to drive up usage of venue hire for events. The Legends Lounge has new flooring and new carpet, and further investment will be made to match demand, if the demand is shown

Is Clem aware of the supporter’s groups and opinions shared on social media, as the last regime didn't care about social media views? 

We are all fully aware of the various views across all platforms and are happy to engage
Surely settling the £1million loan is the key to signing players. Why is this not happening? 

Clem and the team inherited club in significant debt and are still uncovering the extent of these issues. The loan received from EFL is interest free and it is important to be prudent at the minute. This situation is continually evolving. 

Will there be a roll call before kick-off against Carlisle for our supporters who have sadly passed away?

Yes, there is. Please email media@swindontownfc.co.uk with any names to be added. Additionally, there will be several presentations before kick-off. We would encourage supporters to be in their seats for 2.30pm to ensure you are there in time to see everything

Will you be doing the "My First Game" initiative this season?

There are discussions being held about this internally.

Is there any money available to keep the pitch in prime condition for the season?

There is a budget in place for the ground staff to keep the pitch at a high standard

Can we have a handrail in first block of Arkells stand for disabled to get to seats 

Yes, this will happen, please let us know where this needs to be done

Can we have a football testimonial for Alan Mac and his family?

Yes, this is a possibility. There are plans in place that will also pay tribute to Macca and his family in the near future

Are the Trust going to sell shares to help buy the County Ground along with the club for supporters to own a piece of the ground as mentioned in the past? 

Response provided by Trust STFC: Yes, the plan is still for shares to be sold at £19.69 each. The details of the ground purchase are still being finalised, due to the change of ownership. 

Match Day Tickets

Do we know how much match day tickets are?

­Prices are now available to view online, on the club website

Will Nationwide be offering £10 tickets for staff, for the new season? 

Positive discussions are ongoing with Nationwide, we are hoping to confirm the position shortly after further communication. Please contact Nationwide for further information

Will there be any kind of loyalty points system introduced like previous years to allocate away tickets? 

­This hasn’t changed and will continue as before. Further communication about this will be posted in the near future, as it is dependent on the away clubs’ ticketing policy

Pre-paid Shirt Orders

When will we receive pre-ordered shirts? 

Orders are currently being packed up and sent out, with plenty of shirts dispatched earlier this week, so if you haven’t received it already, it should be with you shortly

What are the club shop’s opening hours? 

Monday – Closed

Tuesday – 10am – 4pm (extended on a match day)

Wednesday – Closed

Thursday – 10am – 4pm 

Friday – 10am – 4pm

Saturday (home match day) – 9am – 3pm 

Saturday (away match day) – Closed

Sunday / Bank Holiday - Closed

Merchandise

Could we have an improved range of women's clothing?

Discussions are ongoing and a customer survey will be conducted in the near future to help with forward planning

Could kits be stocked in smaller sizes? (e.g. newborn away kits)

Discussions are ongoing and a customer survey will be conducted in the near future to help with forward planning

Hospitality/Sponsorship

Has there been any new and returning sponsors to the club? 

The majority of existing sponsors have renewed with some additional new ones coming on board as well. More information can be viewed on the club’s website

What is happening to those of us who bought matchday sponsorship hospitality couldn't use it but weren't/haven't been refunded? 

In recent interviews, Rob has discussed the historic financial issues the team has inherited, the willingness to waiver refunds and credits is a fantastic help to deal with those historic issues and to ensure we have a football club. Feel free to contact the club or Rob who will be happy to talk this through.

When will mascot packages be available?

These have now been advertised online and on social media. There will be some changes from previous seasons due to COVID protocols issued by the EFL meaning the tunnel area, changing rooms etc. are out of bounds, but please contact marketing@swindontownfc.co.uk for more details

• 72 replies were received
• 56 suggested a discount on future season ticket purchases
• 10 requested a refund on this past season's season ticket
• There was a general acknowledgement that supporters will accept a reduction based on games attended and £10 per game (not season ticket) due to iFollow option being offered for matches
• Some people don't use iFollow due to personal circumstances (e.g. not comfortable with technology; only one iPad in the family)
• Many have already donated both home and away games from 2019/20 season, but feel the club hasn’t acknowledged this
• Minimum discount mentioned should be the price of this season, minus the cost of iFollow / games attended
• Some have car park season tickets too, so don’t want this to be forgotten
• Many multi-family season tickets have spent over £700 (some even have 5 season tickets) which needs to be considered in any discount
• Some people really need an option of getting a refund due to personal circumstances (e.g. lost their job)
• Some would accept a lower discount plus specialist merchandise for season ticket holders, such as a 3rd shirt (e.g. Cheltenham shirt with season ticket holder names, Polo shirt)
• General lack of recognition of them as customers; no communication to them as customers
• One member wrote to Lee Power, with SAE, but no response 
• Minority mentioned the club offering free tickets to give to friends & family
• Issue with comms - people still waiting on refunds from LAST season's cancelled home games. Are physical letters being sent out or just social media?
• The proposition must offer different options - not a one-size-fits-all, with people having different circumstances
• Frustration with lack of consultation with them - iFollow was given to them; not offered as an option
• Minority mentioned reaching out to the community with season tickets (e.g. UB40)
• Minority mentioned offering iFollow access for away games for next season
• Minority mentioned 50% discount for season ticket renewals
• If fans don't claim a refund (some said they don't want/need it), club has to make a gesture to acknowledge them e.g. free shirt
• Regular meetings requested with OSC and Trust to discuss off-field matters (e.g. things as simple as catering) that can be brought up by the fans
• Suggestion that the club offer some type of VIP experience (e.g. hospitality / evening event) for season ticket holders
• Suggestion that any discount could be spread over 3 seasons, to help the club
• Some would accept a voucher for the club shop, but as part of a package
• Some would accept free tickets for family / friends, but as part of a package
• Many comments on wanting assurance on the running of the club, and where their season ticket money goes
• Signed player shirt
• Vouchers for food / drink at the stalls for each game
• Do not raise the price of season tickets for next season
• Lots of goodwill but also lots of frustration at being taken for granted