BLC MEETING MINUTES

BLC MINUTES


Attendees
BLC: Steve Dean (BLC Secretary/Jarrow), Freda Oyston & Grahame Anderson (Disabled & Escorts), Rebecca Barr (Boldon), Doreen Fowler (Snr Supporters), Paul Newby (Newton Aycliffe), Rob Gilchrist (Main Branch), Mike Love (SE Northumberland).

SAFC: Peter Walker, Louise Wanless, Phil Clarkson, Rob Mason

Apologies
Niall Quinn, Lesley Callaghan, Fred Taylor, Stan Hall, Easington Branch, Greater Manchester Branch, Coxhoe Branch, Ferryhill Branch.
Date
Saturday 21st October 2006
Venue
Meeting Room 1, Black Cat House, Stadium of Light

Welcome
The Secretary Steve Dean in the absence of the Chairman welcomed everyone thanking them for their attendance and read out the minutes of the previous meeting.

Matters arising from the last BLC meeting:
No feedback as yet from branches on whether they want a Christmas social.
Fred Taylor forwarded a copy of an e-mail from Derby about thanks regarding the minute’s applause.
ALS are advertising for stewards on their coaches.

12-game season tickets
Phil Clarkson (ticket office manager) handed out a media release regarding the 12-game season ticket and a circular with a breakdown of cost of seats with a map of the various parts of the ground.

Category
Price
Saving on match-to-match purchasing
Under 12’s – Concession Areas
£65
£31
Under 16’s - Concession Areas
£75
£21
Under 22’s - Concession Areas
£125
£103
Senior Citizen- Concession Areas
£135
£33
Under 16 - West & East Stand and Premier Concourse Wings
£75
£21
Adult concession corners
£175
£53
Adult - Carling North Stand / South Stand
£185
£103
Adult - West & East Stand and Premier Wing
£225
£63
Adult - West & East Stand and Premier Centre
£245
£43
Disabled Patron

Personal Assistant/Helper
Prevailing prices as above.
Free of Charge
As above
Black Cats Bar
£385
£35

Ticket pricing for Stoke and Wolves
Sunderland were in contact with Stoke about 6-8 weeks prior to the fixture and were informed that the cost of tickets would be £19. Stoke do not however state at the start of the season what category each game is and the game was subsequently changed by Stoke to a category ‘A’ fixture. Sunderland stated that possibly in trying to inform the fans as early as possible of prices for forthcoming games that 6 weeks was maybe a little early but Stoke had stated originally that the likely cost was going to be £19.

A number of people complained at the policy by Stoke on arrival at the ground that people were informed that they could sit anywhere even though particular seats were allocated on each ticket, this meant a number of people who had purchased tickets expecting to sit next to friends and family could not now do so.

The Wolves game has actually worked the opposite way in that the club were originally informed that the cost of tickets for the game would be £27 for adults and £14 for concessions but Wolves have now announced a cut price offer of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. The BLC group stated that Wolves should be highly commended for this generous gesture and Louise Wanless suggested that the BLC contact the Chief Executive of Wolves, Steve Dean said he will send a letter to Wolves to thank them.

Club contact in Lesley Ryan’s absence
Phil Clarkson handed out details of the contact the Branches have to make while Lesley Ryan is away on maternity leave. Branch applications for away game tickets will be dealt with by CATHERINE GIBSON direct line 0191 5515161, but any email enquires should still be sent to L.Ryan@safc.com or fax 0191 55150.

Phil Clarkson stated that 85% of branch applications are received on the deadline day and it would be very helpful if applications could be submitted sooner especially as the club are processing such a high volume of applications for away games at the moment.

Feedback on reserve game at Hetton
The consensus of opinion was that the first reserve game at Hetton went well; the club were pleased that the ground coped with a crowd in excess of 1200. Freda Oyston said that the facilities for the disabled supporters were adequate and that the wheelchair spectators were treated well, the only possible fault was that the view was slightly restricted with people standing to the right of the disabled supporters.

Anti-racism week of action.
The club handed out a media release about the anti-racism week of action which stated Sunderland Football Club were once again backing national organisation ‘Kick It Out’ and the national week of anti-racism.

As part of the club’s on-going commitment to anti-racism SAFC Foundation is set to launch a new five year project, ‘Football First’, across Sunderland in the near future, designed to deal with conflict and racism issues and promote inclusive activity.

The programme, which is funded by ‘Sport Relief’ and ‘Stand Up Speak Out’, includes prevention work in primary schools, and street sessions with teenagers as well as Family Learning activities.

The initial phase of Football First will start in the East End of Sunderland during January next year.

Reminder to ST Holders of voucher to spend in Club shop
Steve Dean reminded the branches that there is a voucher in the season ticket book for a 15% reduction on goods bought in the club shop, there is a voucher which can be used prior to Christmas and another for after Christmas.

Election of BLC Committee
With a number of BLC members unavailable this month it was decided that the election of the committee will take place at the next monthly meeting an e mail will be sent to all the branches informing them of the following:-

The following positions and personnel are due for election at the next BLC monthly meeting to be held on Saturday 18th November 2006 prior to Colchester United game at the Black Cat House.

Secretary- STEVE DEAN Jarrow Branch SAFCSA
Chairman- FRED TAYLOR Boldon Branch SAFCSA
Vice Chairman- STAN HALL Newton Aycliffe SAFCSA
Treasurer- BRIAN HALLIMOND Central Scotland SAFCSA

Could the above named members contact Steve Dean at stevedeansafc@blueyonder.co.uk to inform him of their willingness to stand for re-election or if they intend to stand down from their role.

Could anyone wishing to propose anyone or if an individual would like to put their own name forward to stand for any of the above Committee Positions please inform Steve Dean no later than Wednesday 15th November 2006.


Any other Business
A number of branches have complained saying that they have not been receiving a copy of the BLC minutes via e-mail, so could all branches ensure that up-to-date
e-mail contact details are forwarded to Louise Wanless ASAP ensuring that not only the BLC minutes are received but that any club media releases are too.

Louise Wanless stated that the club is in the process of preparing an A5 leaflet regarding anti social behavior by fans at away games. It was pointed out that anyone found misbehaving or breaking the law at away games will be banned from attending home games.

It was pointed out by the Newton Aycliffe branch that a new law is to be implemented next April regarding stewarding of private hire coaches in that all stewards will be CRB checked for the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
There were a number of complaints regarding Preston running out of beer and other refreshments before and during the halftime interval this led to a number of disturbances and people were stating that the Police were heavy handed
Steve Dean pointed out that the BLC will be featured in the new issue of the Legion of Light.
A number of supporters will feature in a SKY advert where a coach load of supporters were filmed at a service station kicking a ball through an advertising logo.
A group of fans have contacted the BLC regarding the setting up of a Sunderland Supporters Trust. The BLC members present said that it seemed a strange time to want to start such a group after the takeover by Niall Quinn and the Drumaville Consortium. There are already groups such as the BLC and Sunderland Liaison Group who have access to the club officials and Directors. The Supporters trust is at a fledgling stage but if it does take off they may well want to come to a BLC meeting to inform people of what they hope to achieve as a group.
Rob Mason came into the meeting to show off the official club books which will be available to fans to buy, one is aimed at the younger supporters an official club annual and another called Match of My Life where a number of former Sunderland greats recall some of the great games they have appeared in during their illustrious careers playing for Sunderland.

Closure of meeting

The Acting Chairman and Secretary thanked everyone for their attendance, and reminded everyone that all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent to Fred Taylor or Steve Dean ASAP. no later than the Wednesday before a meeting so that an agenda can be sent out prior to the meeting, and this would also greatly help the club in being able to answer any possible queries that may result. Meeting closed at 1.20pm.

Next meeting to be held prior to the Colchester game on Saturday 18th Nov. 2006 at The Black Cat House 12.00pm