Supporters’ Advisory Board Meeting — Thursday 15th August 2024 — Leedsunited.com 10/9/24
Venue: Elland Road
In attendance: Jane Dowson (Chair), Angus Kinnear (AK),
Jordan Owens (JO), Mark Pitts (MP), Jack Douglas (minute taker), Paul McManus,
Katie Watkin, Nikki Allan.
Online attendees: Anders Palm, Jay Bhatt, Umair Meer, Lliam
Brockson, Maz Ferguson, Josh Cawthorne.
1 - Welcome & Introductions
2- Club update and questions to Angus Kinnear
AK thanks everyone for attending. The club are where they
expected to be at this stage in the transfer window. Archie Gray and Crysencio
Summerville’s departures were to be expected. Aim now is for more additions
before the end of the window and no notable exits.
Katie discusses the current squad, given the players who
have left, and asks for an update on other release clauses.
AK provides updates and explains why release clauses are
included in certain circumstances. Using Georginio Rutter as an example,
without a relegation clause he wouldn’t have signed for the club at the time in
January 2023. The club made every effort to keep Georginio, but he wanted to
play in the Premier League now.
AK explains that from a business point of view, no-one wants
promotion more than the 49ers. Investors have invested for Leeds to be a
Premier League side. Club have missed out on targets this summer as no amount
of money can attract certain players because the Premier League’s pull is vast,
but this is the profile of player the club wants. AK says a lot of business now
under this ownership is intentionally kept away from the media to stop other
clubs from hijacking deals, hence the lack of rumours.
Lliam asks about the Germany pre-season tour and the lack of
fans.
AK says that the tour was agreed to be purely technical, as
opposed to prioritising commercial aspects. However, the club did not expect
the matches to be played behind closed doors. By the time the club knew the
decision, it was not appropriate to change the destination of the camp. AK says
there is a trade-off between commercially led tours as opposed to technically
led tours. Club will work hard to ensure fans can attend future tours.
AK asked about kit sales.
AK says club are delighted with away kit sales. AK says club
are aware of issues with quality and invites supporters to return any fault
products to exchange.
AK asked about stadium redevelopment and whether this is
determined by promotion.
AK asks fans to constantly feedback and if any sections of
Elland Road immediately need action, to please raise issues. Club hopes to
reveal some positive information in the near future regarding redevelopment.
Anders says his branch had feedback on overseas allocation
ticket scheme. Says the scheme isn’t flexible, particularly for smaller
branches.
AK says he will follow up with Katie Holmes (head of
ticketing). Explains the reason for the limited allocation is to ensure no
ticketing abuse takes place.
Katie asks about Wembley allocation and ticket forwarding.
AK explains crediting system and how that worked throughout
the season given ticket forwarding and how the club came to the decision they
did and demand outstripped supply.
Katie asks about change from Super Away Attendees to Away
Season Tickets.
AK accepts the notice was too short. Says away ST holders
are committing to every game. Says Super Away Attendees were picking games
infrequently, so decision was made to remove the tier. Intention is not to
increase away ST holders however, to help all fans get the chance of an away
day experience.
Nikki says that the club’s approach to carers being
‘non-entities’ isn’t fair.
AK accepts as a fair point and will speak to KH.
Additionally on the subject of ticketing, AK says the club
proposed a £30 away ticketing price cap across the division, but this received
some push back.
Katie asks about safety ahead of trip to Hillsborough.
JO to look into.
Josh asks for an update for stones outside the Pavilion to
be replaced.
AK says stones will be replaced outside the Pavilion, with
an announcement in the near future. Company which installed went out of
business and the quality of stones wasn’t as good as original Bremner Square.
New stones will also be made available.
Jay asks for an update on PSR (profit and sustainability
rules) given player sales.
AK says it is tight because of Premier League relegations,
but the club will be be compliant with PSR rules.
Katie asks about whether players in general, are being
offered new and improved contracts.
AK says that the club is continuing to do this behind the
scenes.
3- Issues from previous fixtures & AOB
Chair asks about the club having one designated charity for
the 2024/25 season.
JO says approach might differ from having one designated
charity to working alongside multiple organisations this season.
Katie raises queuing issues at turnstiles from Valencia
pre-season fixture.
JO to look into, this may be due to Season Tickets not being
used and lots of supporters using mobile tickets for the first time. MP also to
look into other stewarding inconsistencies.
Josh raises issue that some fans can’t see the screen and a
lot of people can’t see the timer.
JO asks for further feedback, with Josh to speak to
supporters and then report back to JO.
Chair thanks those in attendance, with a date for the next
meeting to be confirmed next month.