Friday 31st May, 2019 at 4:01pm
Dear Fellow Supporters,
Although we’re in the close season, the PTFC Trust business continues with our regular engagement with the Club and Board. For those of you who attended the recent event with the Manager on ‘The Season Ahead’, I’m sure you appreciated the opportunity to gain some insight into the Manager’s plans for the coming season. The Trust will endeavour to work with the Club to plan further such events over the coming season to ensure greater interaction between the supporters, the Board and the Manager.
From the Trust’s perspective, the Club is listening to supporters’ views, and like many fans, we welcomed the Chairman’s recent comprehensive statement reflecting on last season and giving a very open and honest account of on and off-field matters. It is fair to take from this that lessons have been learned and we should all look forward to the season ahead hopefully all pulling in the one direction.
In the meantime, the report below details the feedback from the Club Board to the supporter members of the PTFC Trust following their May board meeting.
Ticketing System
CEO, Gerry Britton, informed us about the latest upgrade from Interstadia. A number of complaints had been raised by supporters which related to an issue with password reminders – this has since been rectified by new IT suppliers PCKwikfix.
UEFA Women’s U19 tournament
The Club will host the following matches:
Norway v Holland – 16th July, 4pm
Scotland v Norway – 19th July, 6:15pm
France v Norway – 22nd July, 6:15pm
Semi-final – Thursday 25th July, 4pm
The Club is aware of the pressure on the surface from hosting six matches in 14 days, however, the tournament will generate substantial revenue for the Club. Significantly, involvement has also released UEFA funding for an upgrade of the paintwork in the Colin Weir Stand, the downstairs area being used as a doping station and the installation of artificial grass at the dugout side of the track. There will also be a scoreboard installed on the South terracing site.
Commercial
Sponsors
With main sponsors, Just Employment Law, already on board for next season, discussions continue towards an extension of the current naming rights deal with the Energy Check, which comes up for review this June.
A final meeting is planned in this regard before the end of the month. Gerry Britton also highlighted agreed renewals with a number of current advertisers, including the Viking Bar, Bucks Bar, Murrison and Wilson, Curtis Sports, PC Quikfix and Competence matters.
71 Club
Gerry Britton informed us that the rebrand of the Ambassador’s Lounge will happen prior to the commencement of season 19/20.
End of Season Ball
Despite a high level of positive feedback from the End of Season Ball, the format will be reviewed going forward to provide a more inclusive Club celebration at a season’s end. If supporters have any views on this, please get in touch.
SPFL
The CEO detailed proposed amendments to next season’s Challenge Cup, which will see Championship sides enter one round later than before – in the Third Round in September. Gerry also told of plans to increase the Championship to 12 teams for season 2020/21. Gerry also detailed an amendment proposed to the Championship distribution model, to provide a more equitable share of the allocated League fees payable. We understand this will be discussed by the SPFL Board on Monday 20th May.
Stadium Utilisation
Gerry described an events calendar for the stadium hospitality facilities, having been drafted through consultation between Director Michael Robertson, the CEO and Hospitality Manager, Grant Gallacher. Grant is working on website and social media upgrades and on revising the current advertising material.
Manager’s Report
The Manager detailed the players not to be offered contracts for next season, including Doolan, Storey, McCarthy, Lennox, Keown, Coulibally and Roy. McMillan, Anderson and Hazard will return to their parent Clubs, whilst Scott McDonald will leave to take up an opportunity in his homeland of Australia.
Elliott, Spittal, Cardle and Mansell were all offered contracts, with agreement reached with Motherwell and the player over the signing of Shea Gordon on a two year deal. (Post meeting update: Elliott rejected the contract offer to sign for Carlisle. with Blair Spittal also rejecting the contract offered. Cardle signed a one year extension to his contract. Discussions with Mansell are ongoing).
The Manager was pleased that the budget made available by the Board will enable a competitive squad of between 20 and 24 players to be assembled.
Chairman’s update
Jacqui Low spoke about a potential Club statement relating to fans coming onto the pitch and flares at the recent Queen of the South game. The Chairman is keen to see a voluntary code introduced dealing with fan behaviour at grounds, encouraging supporter respect for players and fellow supporters.
Financial Update
Gerry Britton discussed the budget forecast for next season in the Championship. The Board were of the view that accumulating a playing squad capable of achieving promotion was vital for the campaign ahead. The longer the Club was outwith the Premiership, the harsher the long term financial implications would be. Importantly, it was agreed that the playing budget proposed would provide a realistic opportunity to achieve this aim.
Season Tickets 2019/20
The CEO proposed, and the Board agreed, keeping the season ticket prices static for the new campaign. He proposed changes to the kids go free programme including the requirement for a Season Ticket for under 16 entry, with a £5 entry fee payable if not in possession of a season ticket. The sign up and provision of season tickets would be available pre match, with this season’s pricing arrangements, namely £25 for a specific seat out with the family section and no cost for a season ticket within the family section, still applying. A free season ticket with Junior Jags membership will also be introduced. The main rationale for the changes to the kids go free programme was to enable better tracking of participants and to ensure the programme was not being misused.
Finally, the PTFC Trust would like to place on record the supporters’ huge thanks to all departing players who contributed to PTFC not only over the season gone but over many years.
Our next meeting with the Club Board will be on 13th June. Details of this meeting will be published as soon as possible thereafter.
As always, if you want to get in touch with us, contact .
