Thetownend.com

personally nothing really with the wow gactor, but at least the seats will be all red, those random colours in the arkells have pissed me off for years

er.whats the other nine points?

It's on the OS, nothing earth shattering really.  Going to improve the ticketing, superstore and catering.

Point 5 is regarding communication, and the new boards commitment to it including a review of the media strategy.

Can we have Radio Swindon back please?

What's a wow gactor?

I have to say that I am pleased with the points of the 10 point plan, no there is nothing unbelieveable but I expected nothing more TBH.

I dont think there is anything on there that isnt needed and I welcome it all.

There will not be huge changes instantly and I wouldnt exepct there to be.

Its the result of too much beer and too little sleep

 :nod:

I think the points are very good to be honest.

- The food at the ground is something we always complain about
- Problems with the ground itself are being mentioned more and more often
- The superstore and merchandise are poor
- People are always complaining about the ticket office
- Communication....

Looks like they are going straight in to get fans back on board and I think they're doing it in the right way

Clearly the best way of getting the fans back on board would be to give me a column in the program. I think that would swing it for the majority.

as mentioned previously, the food isn't actually that bad, but we could definitely do with a mustard option, preferably via a proper dispenser (same for ketchup).

Get in touch with Chris Tanner.


Seriously.

For me it just smacks of customer appreciation.  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

Swindon Town's 10-point plan


Ten Point Plan Swindon Town Football Club is now officially under new ownership following the successful completion of the transaction by Andrew Fitton's consortium.

Your new Board, which is totally committed to seeing STFC prosper and enjoy long-term success in a stable environment, free of past frustrations and financial uncertainty, can now begin the long programme of revitalising and restoring the club's fortunes.

In the weeks leading up to the acquisition, the Board was able to become better acquainted with the extensive roster of issues that are in need of attention and which if properly addressed, will form the heart of the STFC revitalisation programme. However, as we are sure you appreciate it will take quite some time to address each and every issue in turn. Therefore, the Board has created an initial Ten Point Plan, with the intention being to focus on those issues which require early attention and where the progress of change can be readily monitored.

advertisementIn summary The Ten Point Plan will address the following topics: 1. The CVA & Football League Embargo The Issue In order to get the revitalisation programme underway, it will be essential that agreement is reached that will see a lifting of the CVA and in tandem, have the Football League embargo removed.

Action Agreement has been reached to lift the CVA and the Football League has agreed to remove the "absolute" embargo, allowing STFC to enter the January 08 transfer window.

2. New Manager Appointment The Issue Following the departure of Paul Sturrock to Plymouth Argyle, an early task was to identify and appoint a new manager, someone who was genuinely committed to helping STFC achieve its long-term footballing objectives.

Action After interviewing a range of potential candidates, Maurice Malpas was identified as being the "right man for the job" and he was officially appointed as the new STFC manager on January 15th 2008.

3. Coaching & Support Staff The Issue To ensure that the new manager was supported with the best possible coaching staff and that the very successful STFC Youth Development programme was maintained.

Action David Byrne has been appointed Assistant Manager and he will also continue in his role as Head of Youth Development. Paul Bodin will be joining the club to work alongside Jeremy Newton with the youth development programme.

4. The STFC Playing Squad The Issue To assess the depth of talent in the playing squad and to identify areas of need of strengthening.

Action Following the lifting of the Football League embargo, the club is now actively pursuing a number of potential additions to the playing squad and hopes to make some announcements within the next seven days.

5. Communication The Issue The club has been guilty in the past of not communicating coherently and consistently with the STFC fan base. This lack of communication has engendered a sense of frustration and mistrust.

Action The Board's intention is to maintain frequent dialogue with the fan base via a well-orchestrated programme of formal and informal communication. A number of communication initiatives are in development and the new programme will commence with the Board being in attendance on January 23rd for the Meet The Players Dinner. As part of the communication programme the club will also be reviewing its entire media strategy.

6. The STFC Superstore The Issue The STFC Superstore is an important part of the club's fabric but in recent times it has been allowed to fall into a less than adequate state.

Action During the summer months the STFC Superstore will undergo a total refurbishment programme in readiness for the 08/09 season. In concert with this refurbishment programme will be the introduction of new and improved range of club merchandise.

7. The County Ground Stadium The Issue The County Ground stadium is in need of some attention but any investment in the current stadium to reflect the fact that in the next couple of years there maybe a ground re-development programme to consider.

Action As part of the stadium upgrade programme the key areas of attention will be: (a) to unify the seating by replacing all of the non red or white seats (b) to review and upgrade some of the food kiosks & the food offering (c) where practical, to improve disabled access (d) to constantly review and improve ground stewarding (e) to invest in and nurture the playing surface (f) look to improve the players' fitness facilities i.e. the gym 8. Online Ticketing & STFC BOX Office The Issue Given the fact that the ticket office is very often the first point of contact that a supporter has with the club, the entire ticketing operation demands an overhaul.

Action With immediate effect, attention is now being paid to the ticketing operation, be it the physical purchasing of tickets, or via online and telephone sales. New, improved and more efficient processes will be in place by the start of the 08/09 season.

Current methods of ticket pricing will also form part of the review.

9. Hospitality Facilities The Issue The hospitality and conferencing facilities available at The County Ground are somewhat run down and tired and yet these facilities represent an important revenue stream for the club.

Action A plan is to be put in place for a programme of upgrading and refurbishing the main hospitality and conferencing facilities, designed to improve the STFC experience for fans, sponsors, guests and delegates.

10. Re-Connecting With The Community The Isssue Given STFC's catalogue of past problems and financial woes, it would appear to have disconnected itself from the Swindon Town community, be it the public or commercial enterprise.

Action An important part of the revitalisation programme will be to embark upon an extensive "Re-Connecting With The Community" strategy that will hopefully once more see STFC being inextricably linked with the Swindon community.

The collective changes the Board plans to introduce over time are all centred on markedly improving the Swindon Town Football Club "Experience". The intention is to ensure, as best we can, the every supporter, sponsor, guest or visitor to the club has a truly memorable experience and leave the County Ground, with a strong desire to return.

On the commercial side, attention is also being paid to the executive management infrastructure of STFC, where professional business disciplines, processes and procedures are being introduced, to ensure that there are optimum operational efficiencies and sound financial controls throughout the club.

Do hope you are joking, we have some of the worst food of any ground i've been too

Fairly happy with all of that and they seem to have a good idea about the problems with the food, stewards etc which shows they are listening which can only be good.

Am happy to hear they are going to give the ground a bit of a facelift replacing the multi coloured seats in the Arkell's as that alone will make the ground look 100 times better. Would of been easy to say leave it as their thinking about a redevelopment but is good news that they seem intent on improving the image and look of the club immediately.

Regarding nurturing the pitch hopefully they will get rid of that contractor (Sportsturf?) and get in a proper groundsman again as when we used to have our own Groundsman the pitch was usually one of the best in the league.

as said before there really is nothing ground breaking, but they appear to be trying to get us run like a proper club...almost as if we're planning to be professional and a serious viable company/team.

i like it, it's a novel approach in swindon!

I know it's trivial, but the seats thing is so ****ing obvious, now you think about it.  I can remember thinking the multi-coloured seats in the North Stand looked a bit daft the first time I went to a home game 17 years ago.  Then they became part of the furniture and I never really thought about it again.

If you'd said back in 1990 that someone would get round to changing them in 2008, I'd not have believed you.

Simple ideas are the best ideas.


Simple is beautiful.



FACT! 8)

the pitch is still done by the same person/people. i think the problems began when we had the concerts.

it all sounds very promising. nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary but you gotta start somewhere.

It's yer kaizen, ennit!

“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.”

chinese proverb like

This sub-standard stewarding problem definately needs addressing as soon as possible. Our stewards seem to view home games as some sort of military operation where everyone is pre-judged as a fucking hooligan and is therefore fair game for a citizens arrest or worse if anything, no matter how fucking trivial, kicks off.

Most of the cunts employed or contracted by the club seem hell bent on wading into anyone they don't like the look of - usually in the townend - and make matchdays a fucking pain in the arse for home fans.

They seem to be directed by the vindictive cunt of a part time steward that is Moorehouse. The way he is dragging fred elliot and others over the sharp stuff for what looks like some very personal reasons is a fucking disgrace, and is one which we should all be uniting against, lest the cunt picks on one of us next.

It's only a couple of weeks ago since Mexico red and a couple of others were similarly stitched up. Who's going to be next? When is this fucking ridiculous twat Shithouse going to be stopped?

I admire the 10 point plan put forward by the new lot. No corporate shit, no cliche ridden bollocks designed to be easily slithered out of at a later date. Some obvious stuff, some that they've clearly thought through. Whatever, it's all long overdue positive stuff that will hopefully do the club some good during the re-build.

The whole buzz around the stadium today was so fucking positive you could cut it with a knife. The players and the fans were soo fucking bonded at times it was brilliant to be a part of. The stewarding problem needs addressing quickly though or the positive start could easily be tainted by cunts not fit to lace the boots of fans who've supported this club for 3 decades+.

Sorry, but it's just not fucking on having a cunt like Shithouse playing his personal version of Call of Duty 4 every other saturday.

Very impressed with it. Especially the ground side of things e.g. Catering, Stewarding, Seats, redevelopment etc. Good to see.

:goodpost:  i hate the fuckers as well

10 out of 10 for the 10 point plan.

They have set some easily measurable targets here, some relatively easy to achieve (i.e. the low hanging fruit), some a little more difficult. All of which have been highlighted on here and other forums for quite some time.

I like the communication initiative. One recommendation to start you on your way STFC Board - ditch Brunel FM as media partners and match day commentary ASAP - they fucking suck!

chicken fucking balti pies.

and free the TEF one.

This sort of thing though I suspect will be reviewed come the end of the season and acted upon then - Brunel are supposed to be official media partners but RS does more than them on town coverage, but instead of us just saying ditch brunel, let us let the new board know why (coverage etc) rather than just say they are shit (which they are)

We all know that Moorhouse reads this forum, after all he is a squaddie based in Iraq - or so he claimed.  Point is was he the guy reporting back to Greek Mike, my money would be on a resounding YES!  We all need to be contacting the new CEO and AF on a personal basis and tell them of our concerns over him and the other little Hitlers, although no doubt they are acting under his orders.  Do not leave it to others to do, do it yourselves and do it asap.  Please, pretty please!!

They already sell them  :D

I was impressed with the plan, every little thing in there is something we've moaned about. It means Fitton et al have done their homework and haven't simply been sat around waiting for paperwork to be sorted.

the 10 point plan pretty much encapsulates the entire operational process of running a football club.

what does that tell you?!

Sturrock raised the multi coloured seating issue when he first arrived, he said it looked like a 'tired football club'. Obviously nothing got done at the time.

I also made the point that those seats are in disgraceful condition and that's the main reason they need replacement.

And as the different coloured seats are in the Arkells, where it's always half empty, they show up more :D

I think the 10 point plan is a good start. Small steps.........

At least the new board have recognised the immediate issues and have an idea how to resolve them.

We would have waited until hell froze before the last lot had admitted the obvious.....

Sir Seaton was at the game by the way...........

I've heard the Oxford Utd board have just announced their very own 10 point plan.

Jim Smith and Darren Patterson are a little worried though as getting three wins and a draw by the end of the season isn't going to be easy!!!

 :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:

Seems to me that not having deafening music blaring out till kickoff made for a much better "Matchday Experience" yesterday - anyone else agree?
Or am I getting old?

You may well be getting old RR, but the lack of shit music belting out pre-match was welcome yesterday. Now, if someone could get rid of that cunt of an announcer (who clearly loves the sound of his own yokel voice) and also get shot of the embarrassing fucking mascot as well, I'd be well happy :wink:

get rid of that fucking scoreboard too...and put the clock right on the SB

I think it was more of a case that the usual PA was broken and they were using the safety announcement PA yesterday, but yes it was nice to be able to ignore tha announcer etc and just chat.

funny because yesterday I could actually hear the bloody PA system in the Kingswood....makes a change!

The best thing about the 10 pt plan is, as others have observed, that it's none of it rocket science - it's simple and achievable, but shows they know what they're doing, that they've taken the time to evaluate what's wrong and what they can easily do to improve matters and I don't think I'd be going out on a wild speculation to guess that in each area they have a definite plan of how to fix it. Or at least start introducing changes that will produce measurable improvement in each area. Christ, it's almost going to be like a properly run business! Aren't there Football League regs that prohibit that? If they carry on like this, they may even be able to turn round that massive loss into break-even or maybe even a profit. And actually that's the point, for six years we've been told it's impossible to do anything other than run the club as a complete shambles whereas actually when you get some proper businessmen come in and look at the thing properly, they immediately come up with a list of simple things that can be implemented straightaway to start turning things round.

Nothing new and we have heard most of it before in this 10 point plan however you can't help but actually believe it will be achieved this now.

All good stuff that, together with the players' performance yesterday, has made me feel very optimistic about the future. Which is a very odd feeling, I can tell you.

Also, for those who were worried about James Wills having any influence, I think the explicit admission that the club was badly run before will hopefully put minds at rest. They might let him choose which cups to drink the tea out of if he's lucky.

Oh, and nice avatar, Reading Red.

Making all seats in the stands red or white.

Not making the punters have to que in the rain.

Expanding the/improving the catering facilities

It's just so simple that it really takes the piss out of the previous lot, and it show just how ignorant they where.

I like Andy Fitton, he's my new bestest friend.

I asked for one yesterday about 5 minuted before kick-off. Sadly they had ran out of them. Can't have many then surely  :(

levelling off the tarmac outside the ground wouldn't go a miss.when it rains it like loads of ponds out there.
the pa system is diobolical too.

It always seems wrong that when the fans cheer the team onto the pitch they have to compete with the tannoy. I vote for no music, and a chat with your mates and a bit pre match chanting.

As to rockin robin, I think he has had his day. If we must have pre match "entertainment" then make it worthwhile and vary it.

I don't mind the music; although Republica and "Ready to go" is getting a bit wearing!

What i hate the most is "make some noise for the Swindon boys" just before kick off. Christ that's embarrassing (well i think it is anyway). I make enough noise but it's up to people whether they want to be noisy or quiet; that just pisses me off when he says/shouts that.

its all become repetetive regarding the pre match entertainment.the same old shit blasting out of awful sounding speakers is a pain in the arse.the smaller kids like rockin robin so he should remain imo.

It was a welcome change, I agree, I never understood why clubs seem to think that fans need 'geeing up' to greet their team onto the pitch. At least we're spared (for the time being) some stupid fucking music being played when we score.

They've been using that since my (admittedly brief) stint on the PA - and that was a decade ago!!!

The best pre match entertainment was watching Ben trying to leave the pub, but seeing he really didn't want to. It was like he had some invisible ball and chain on.

Cruel but amusing.

I quite like the food :|

Maaaaaaaaaaaake surm noyz for the swindern boyzzzzzz!

I agree, he should go.

RR should stay. Like Arriba said, the kids love it. Last time I toom my nephews they paid more attention to "the chicken" than the game.

Compare & Contrast with the old boards 10 point plan:
1. Try to reduce matchday sponsorship by hacking them all off.
2. Consult with fans on the possibility of sounding a railway hooter at the start of the match &  Consult with fans so we can change the club badge.
3. Alienate the local council, by being complete twats
4. Give away all proceeds form shop & programme sales to general manager.
5. Try to reduce running costs by reducing the fan base.
6. Rip off as many investors as we can.
7. Consult with fans at a fans forum, where we can plant our own supporters in the front row, & bring in our tame cva supervisor to deflect any critism.
8 Reduce VAT bill, by forgetting the VAT &  Reduce the tax bill, by ignoring it & hoping it will dissapear.
9 Dream up some unworkable stadium plans in our head.
10 Do as much financila engineering as possible, so that the bussiness is so complicated that nobody will take us over.

In a nutshell........thats pretty spot on.

Chuffed with particularly the Super Store and hopefully that’ll include the shambles that is the online version.  It’s not so much low hanging fruit more over ripe and rolling on the floor.

It’s full of dead links, range and quality of the gear on there is an absolute shocker and simple gubbins like the layout, and images are so dated they manage to capture the ambiance of your run down high Street pound shop.

Years ago I was sent a bloody huge catalogue every season stuffed with merchandise and I’d regularly order  some gear on receipt and I’d usually get a couple of things out of there from the family at Birthdays and Christmas etc.

Could not agree more Dazzza about the online shop.My Daughter ordered a away kit Black shirt on 3rd Jan ,received email confiming order,heard no more so phoned on 12th Jan manageress stated shirt out of stock only had a thousand no more coming, should have been emailed she apologised .Went back online ordered the white away shirt ,received confirmation by email, on the 14 th Jan received email stating my order was not avialable in my size but did not give the order number so I did not know whether this was a confirmation of what i was told on the 14 th Jan or  if it referred to my new order ,phoned again to be told it was my new order and the white shirt was not avalable in my size .did not know if they would be anymore coming !. Hence I will be getting a Swindon shirt for my Birthday tomorrow.

sorry last line should say will NOT be getting a Swindon shirt for my Birthday tomorrow

To be fair, I don't think the new board will yet have had time to sort out the stock situation in the club shop.  And keeping the shop fully stocked would hardly have been a top priority for the last lot during their final days 'in charge'.

I'm sure things will improve between now and the end of the season.

I can;t see things improving on the stock situation between now and the end of the season, I suspect the board wil lbe looking for new kit suppliers and working with them to produce new ranges of merchandise and to keep stock levels topped up, the shop staff probably need re-training as they won't be used to managing their stock levels etc

personally i think that the lotto range is superb.

i would almost consider wearing some of it myself.

spot on, good post my son

the club shop needs gutting out and refitting properly. the layout is quite poor and it's painfully cramped on a matchday.

the tills need to be replaced with something half decent, not a glorified calculator that has been stolen from a charity shop. in fact, the till we had at CRUK was more advanced the the club shops. a proper system to maintain stock needs to be implemented - EPOS, innit? - so that items can be kept in stock properly or stock can be ordered appropriately depending on time of year, forthcoming matches/events and so on and so forth.

i haven't checked the online shop for years because it's horrifically out of date. it needs to be kept current so that the significant number of exiles are able to see what we have for sale without needing to visit the clubshop - which often seems to be closed when i pass it.

memorabilia or one-off items could be sold via ebay - not neccesarily only signed shirts but "unique" items.

perhaps even knock through the wall between the ticket office and club shop - how many visit the ticket office on a weekly basis but don't step foot inside the club shop, therefore remaining blissfully unaware of what's on sale? admittedly it's the usual gubbins but they're not going to buy anything if they don't go in there.

simple things like the car stickers were even cocked up somehow - all completely ruined by the barcodes on the reverse.

You should get the marketing job that's going SY

What do you mean Sonic, surely that'd mean people who are queuing for tickets would be warm and dry (instead of standing outside the ticket office freezing their respective nuts/minges off), and would possibly notice something they might consider purchasing.

That's crazy talk!!

crazy perhaps but it's just so crazy it might just work.

Well I'm not sure I like the idea of some bloke taking away my right to queue outside in the wind and rain, by making me stand in the club shop whilst waiting to be served.  Next you'll be pouring a nice cup of tea down the throats of the waiting customer!!!

It'll never work and I feel a protest (outside) coming on!!

 :wink:

Now there's an idea janaage, cheap yet how effective would that be?

but what if they don't like tea?

you better get your protest organised sharpish jan, try asking those busybodies at the trust. the weather will be improving soon

It's not rocket science is it, a visit to a theme park usually brings most answers on how to combine a ticketing and merchandise operation.  Stuff to buy next to the ticket entry point, rides that have an exit that makes you walk through a shop closely themed to that ride etc.

I know there are certain issues relating to rent prices etc, but it still amazes me a decent way of selling matchday tickets hasn't taken hold in the Town Centre.  Come on, even a cheap half way house could be attempted in the Tourist Info Centre to keep costs down if necessary.  Get your ticket next to a pub, no need for tea.

Their "Point of sale/impulse buy" approach is non existent.  All the stock near the till is covered in the old badge, not compelling anyone to buy anything they didnt come in for.

Im sure Fitton etc. have some good ideas though.

Id like to see sponsors sewn onto shirts next season though as opposed to plastic that washes off and I think they'd also do well to sell shirts/kit/merchandise in a town centre location as well like they used to.