FCG Meeting - 24/8/22

[NurembergVillan]

Regular FCG attendant @OutByEaster? generously passed the baton to me this time around, as the main subject was going to be the badge/identity redesign. Here are my notes -

They began by talking us through the stadium plans (as shown publicly this morning) and it all sounds great. Thought out, considerate of the local environment (in terms of the materials used fitting in with Aston Hall etc, recycling rainwater and creating something that is of benefit to the community).

There are a few hurdles to get over in order to bring this all to life.

Firstly, transport. Until there are commitments from central and local government that Witton station can be improved and extended they won't begin work. There's no point increasing the capacity if people can't get safely in and out of the area. There has been a lot of groundwork done on both sides of the political fence with regard to this, and whilst local support from the likes of Andy Street appears to be guaranteed, they're also working hard to communicate with cabinet ministers etc. With all of those "important people" being either on holiday or uncertain whether they'll be in the same role in a month's time, it's hard for the club to progress the conversation right now.

Personally, I think there's value in any of our fans who live in the West Midlands writing to their MP and making the case for the redevelopment of Witton station in order for Villa to expand - and all the benefits that will bring.

It's estimated that the cost of the works at Witton would be £20-35m. Theoretically, the club could just pay for it, but where does that stop? Are we then responsible for maintenance, for renovating Spaghetti Junction, etc?

Secondly, there is a lot of infrastructure within the North Stand - it's where all the offices are. This will need to be relocated into a temporary space before the demolition can take place.

Thirdly, the construction market is absolutely crazy at the moment with prices up and down like mad. They want to time the appointment of a company with when they will get the best price on materials. Equally, the big companies don't want to get caught with their pants down.

Fourthly, the more reputable builders of football stadiums have a lot of work on right now - Everton, Liverpool, etc - but it's expected that these projects will be completed by the time the Witton Station situation is resolved.

Finally, the metal plinths and trusses that make up the transparent roof are enormous. There are only 3 cranes in Europe capable of moving them. These cranes will need to be available.

Second topic was the crest redesign.

You can find the details of that conversation here - 

 

The final topic was matchday catering v Everton.

The club are furious at the contracted supplier, Levy, for the lack of preparedness, lack of professionalism and lack of common sense. From closed kiosks to incorrect pricing to slow service - it was all wrong.

Levy have been given clear instruction by both the club COO and CEO that this level of performance cannot be tolerated again. There will be a statement before the weekend confirming that the feedback were heard loud and clear, have been emphasised to Levy in the strongest possible terms and demands have been made on specific ways in which things need to improve. The club is beyond pissed off about it all. There was a record number of complaints and the club have taken those complaints very seriously.

It's a shame for the frontline staff in the kiosks that they are the cannon fodder for the anger and disappointment in the moment, when in reality it is their managers who have created the issues.

Getting so much feedback from fans was a huge help to the club in addressing the issues with the supplier and, I'd suggest, any repeat performances should be documented (pics, tweets, Facebook, whatever) and shared with the club. They can only fix these things to the extent that they know about them.

That was the big 3 this time out.

The question of transfers was raised and whilst, obviously, no specifics were shared there is certainly still a lot of work going on with regards strengthening the team. It's not a case of "job done" but equally we won't be signing anyone who doesn't add value.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk.

[PeterSw]

25 minutes ago, NurembergVillan said:

There are only 3 cranes in Europe capable of moving them. These cranes will need to be available.

This is epic!

[messi11]

39 minutes ago, NurembergVillan said:

The club are furious at the contracted supplier, Levy, for the lack of preparedness, lack of professionalism and lack of common sense. From closed kiosks to incorrect pricing to slow service - it was all wrong.

Levy have been given clear instruction by both the club COO and CEO that this level of performance cannot be tolerated again. There will be a statement before the weekend confirming that the feedback were heard loud and clear, have been emphasised to Levy in the strongest possible terms and demands have been made on specific ways in which things need to improve. The club is beyond pissed off about it all. There was a record number of complaints and the club have taken those complaints very seriously.

It's a shame for the frontline staff in the kiosks that they are the cannon fodder for the anger and disappointment in the moment, when in reality it is their managers who have created the issues.

Getting so much feedback from fans was a huge help to the club in addressing the issues with the supplier and, I'd suggest, any repeat performances should be documented (pics, tweets, Facebook, whatever) and shared with the club. They can only fix these things to the extent that they know about them.

That was the big 3 this time out.

The question of transfers was raised and whilst, obviously, no specifics were shared there is certainly still a lot of work going on with regards strengthening the team. It's not a case of "job done" but equally we won't be signing anyone who doesn't add value.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk.

Edited August 25, 2022 by messi11

[The Fun Factory]

Re stadium expansion the proposed timescales being banded about could therefore be seen as extremely optimistic if we are reliant on Witton Station to be refurbished. Railway infrastructure development is notorious at running at a  snail's pace.

[NurembergVillan]

10 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said:

Re stadium expansion the proposed timescales being banded about could therefore be seen as extremely optimistic if we are reliant on Witton Station to be refurbished. Railway infrastructure development is notorious at running at a  snail's pace.

Good point and one that was raised in the meeting.

The club are only looking for a commitment to do the work, not that they'll only start once it's started/finished.

There's a precedent at Perry Barr station for the Commonwealth Games, that it was planned, approved and built in short order.

The Witton station will be seeing a lot more ongoing traffic than post-games Perry Barr.

[Vive_La_Villa]

14 hours ago, PeterSw said:

This is epic!

Im shocked there are only 3 in the whole of Europe. That’s bonkers! 

[rodders0223]

Furious about the level of service from Levy the club were. The service should be maintained at a level of poor to woeful as it has been the past 5 years but not abhorrent. Never abhorrent.

[The Fun Factory]

1 hour ago, NurembergVillan said:

Good point and one that was raised in the meeting.

The club are only looking for a commitment to do the work, not that they'll only start once it's started/finished.

There's a precedent at Perry Barr station for the Commonwealth Games, that it was planned, approved and built in short order.

The Witton station will be seeing a lot more ongoing traffic than post-games Perry Barr.

True but at present I don't see any current commitments within the west midlands rail investment strategy apart from having  6 trains per hour.

[tomav84]

1 hour ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Im shocked there are only 3 in the whole of Europe. That’s bonkers! 

sounds like there's a gap in the market! need to get me a crane!

[rjw63]

16 hours ago, NurembergVillan said:

and whilst local support from the likes of Andy Street
 

Don't bank on any help from this prick unless it benefits him or gets his **** face in the papers.

[The Fun Factory]

I have just looked at Perry Barr station. It was first proposed in 2019 and was only just completed  this year so probably a minimum 3/4 year timeframe.

They have put in a ticket office which will be probably a  bit redundant as they are planning on closing most ticket offices across the country. One of the reasons why they are striking.

[Vive_La_Villa]

If all this work is dependant on Witton station expansion being improved I can’t see it starting anytime soon. 

[MrBlack]

26 minutes ago, rjw63 said:

Don't bank on any help from this prick unless it benefits him or gets his **** face in the papers.

This will benefit him and get his name in the papers... so he will support it. 

[sidcow]

Hmmmmm.  If only one of of the potential construction companies had deep specialism in both Sports Stadiums AND Railway work including developing railway stations adjacent to football stadiums. Would probably help a lot of they had regional railway offices in Birmingham City Centre as well

[sidcow]

Do the mods keep noted from the "fixing all the small things" thread to raise at these meetings? 

[limpid]

13 minutes ago, sidcow said:

Do the mods keep noted from the "fixing all the small things" thread to raise at these meetings? 

Has there been anything new?

[sidcow]

6 minutes ago, limpid said:

Has there been anything new?

 

[HanoiVillan]

On 25/08/2022 at 22:14, NurembergVillan said:

Firstly, transport. Until there are commitments from central and local government that Witton station can be improved and extended they won't begin work. There's no point increasing the capacity if people can't get safely in and out of the area. There has been a lot of groundwork done on both sides of the political fence with regard to this, and whilst local support from the likes of Andy Street appears to be guaranteed, they're also working hard to communicate with cabinet ministers etc. With all of those "important people" being either on holiday or uncertain whether they'll be in the same role in a month's time, it's hard for the club to progress the conversation right now.

Personally, I think there's value in any of our fans who live in the West Midlands writing to their MP and making the case for the redevelopment of Witton station in order for Villa to expand - and all the benefits that will bring.

I'm confused about which cabinet ministers need to be consulted about this and why?

[Risso]

So the club said there would be a statement apologising for the shambolic catering, and then don't actually issue one?

[mottaloo]

On 25/08/2022 at 22:53, messi11 said:

When the new WHL was built, he proposed a concourse of eateries to be called Deli Alley*

 

*may not be true.