POLICE - the committee were handed a draft for discussion showing 5 Police pledges and 5 Fans' pledges
The following item was written by Chief Superintendent Sean White and the committee has been asked to discuss it and add/alter/amend anything it feels necessary. So if you have any comments please email them to us asap. The draft is as follows:
POLICING AT HULL CITY (KC STADIUM)
OVERALL AMBITION
To work together, in partnership, to promote successful, enjoyable and safe football match days both at the KC Stadium and at other venues promoting the football interests of Hull City AFC, the interests of supporters and the reputation of the City of Hull.
POLICE PLEDGES
- Partnership - Humberside Police will work in partnership with Hull City AFC, the Club's fans and other agencies to achieve the overall ambition (above);
- Respect - and courtesy for home and visiting fans and Club staff will be set as a priority by the Match Commander and reiterated through staff briefings and other methods;
- Accountability - individual police officers will be accountable for their actions (or inaction) and the minimum amount of police activity to achieve a safe match-day will be set as an objective;
- Leadership - senior police officers and match commanders involved in policing fixtures will listen to concerns/representations of third parties and explain their actions;
- Regulations - the Police will support the Club and assist in enforcing stadium regulations and the law as it relates to the policing of football and public events.
FANS' PLEDGES
- To respect and abide by Club and Stadium rules;
- To treat club officials & police personnel with respect and courtesy;
- To give feedback on Club & police match-day operations (through regular forums);
- To support anti-racism and other Football Association, Club or Police campaigns aimed at tackling issues;
- To promote the positive reputation of Hull City AFC and the City of Hull by their actions in following and supporting the Club.
Sean White (Chief Superintendent) 19.3.07
SEASON PASSES - Prices for next season's passes have been frozen and in some cases are slightly cheaper. Upper West corners are the cheapest. For a child's pass the age is now 10 instead of 7.
This season fans will know which division the team will be playing in before renewing their passes as they can leave it until 12th May before the price increases.
CARS LEAVING THE GROUND - Drivers with car parking permits MUST wait for at least 15 minutes after a match ends but some are not doing so, making it a danger to the crowds walking away from the stadium. It was suggested that the club makes a note of registration numbers when applications are made for passes next season. This will make it easier for the club to identify who is responsible.
ADAM'S 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - AP was reminded that at last Saturday's match at Sunderland it had been 6 years to the day since his first home game (Exeter, 2 - 1 win with a Rodney Rowe penalty!)
FLC - It was suggested that the committee do not represent a large percentage of the fans and perhaps a suggestion box could be displayed in each stand and on the OSC desk in the club shop so that all fans could have their say.
Also, could complete minutes be posted on websites sooner. How do non-WWW fans find out about meetings? Perhaps the minutes could be put in the HDM or the programme or be issued in the club's reception.
MASCOT - Is there a possibility of a second mascot? Maybe a female version of Roary?
ROYAL MARINES - Their display at half time was fantastic. More please.
KIT - Could we keep it for 2 years? No, the home kit will be changed each year; the suppliers insist. Our new home kit will be unveiled on 1st June.
SUBSCRIPTION for matchday programme - This is already in place and anyone subscribing will have the programme posted to them before the Saturday match.
LOTTERY - Criticism was made of the OSC for suggesting in their newsletters that members of the Weekly Draw Lottery should leave their present agent and rejoin with the OSC. AP said this should not have been stated and will not happen again.
LIGHTING - Needs to be improved on the footpath from Londesbrough Street.
PAINTING - Some areas of the KC stadium need repainting but the club is not allowed to do it themselves. The council says it is under warranty and must be put right by the original contractors.
PLAYERS' CONTRACTS - No contract extensions have been offered to players yet except for Ian Ashbee. The article in the HDM saying Danny Coles had his contract extended by the club was untrue but his contract does have a one-year extension option. The club will not make a decision until May when they will be reviewing all players' contracts. Some players will be leaving in May and new players will come in during June. Current players have every incentive to keep the club up as their salaries will be slashed by a third should we be relegated!
FINANCIAL SITUATION - AP stated that he would like to have a fuller Board and is disappointed that private investment from wealthy Hull businesspeople has not been forthcoming. He said that even a single investment of, say, £3,000,000 would not make much difference however, as it would be swallowed up quickly. As the club does not have any assets, i.e. does not own the stadium, it is difficult to borrow money. However, there will be some money to spend in the close season.
FRIENDLIES - Pre-season away fixtures have been arranged in the summer at SCUNTHORPE, GRIMSBY and DONCASTER. Home fixtures have not been arranged yet but it is felt that attendances are usually poor. Premiership and international teams may prove too costly.
SPORTS BAR - Members of the Sports Bar would like to see more players making an appearance but they are not keen and the manager thinks they take part in plenty of community work which is better than visiting a bar
SINGING SECTION - It was suggested (again) that a designated singing section is made available - perhaps, as an experiment, one particular match could be chosen when fans can exchange their usual seat ticket for a seat in the singing section.
AWAY MATCHES - In future, when fans buy tickets for away matches where there is reserved seating, they will be able to choose a "civilised" area of the ground, where families, children and older fans do not have to put up with swearing, bad manners and uncouth behaviour (hopefully!).