Author Archive: admin

How could the matchday experience be improved? 

“Allow fans to stand and create atmosphere.”

A. We are striving to strike a balance and have openly championed a singing sectioned which allows an area where there is more tolerance to standing. We are also promoting a singing section. But we will not allow standing in other areas! Not because it is a safety issue, but due to the fact that it is a customer service issue that affects many of our more vulnerable supporters (young, & aged) as well as the majority of supporters who simply want to sit and get a better view of the game.

We have commissioned a report by Prof. Stephen Frosdick in relation to our management of standing at Cardiff City Stadium. He accepts that we provide reasonable safety in the Canton Stand /Singing section but need to improve customer service provision in the Ninian.

“There are still issues with being able to hear the PA system clearly at several points in the ground.”

A. Work to further improve this is scheduled for May 2013.

“Car parking at/near the stadium is an increasing concern as attendances increase.”

A. We accept there are issues regarding parking and have been promoting the use of public transport. As such we have partnered with Cardiff Bus so that a family of up to 5 ticket holders can travel to matches on the Cardiff Bus network for £5. 

We have also introduced a ‘City Shuttle’ that takes fans directly to and from the central bus station to the Stadium main roundabout and picks up from the Stadium (opposite the Sandmartin pub) at the end of the game.

For those who still want to use private motor vehicles, the car park at Bessemer Rd (Fruit Market site) holds up to 1,000 cars, remains totally under utilised and has availability at £4 per car. 

“ I think the club have made a huge effort to make the day enjoyable. My only suggestion would be some healthy food snacks for children and adults but I guess they would not have a huge demand!

A. Levvy restaurants / Compass have made and will continue to provide a healthy option in the Family stand.  You are correct there is not a great demand and currently this will not be rolled out throughout the Stadium. 

“Quicker access to hot drinks at half time! Queue is horrendous. And hot drinks at full time on cup games that go to ET! Better support from the crowd. Its terribly quiet.”

A. We have Installed queueing systems at the majority of kiosks to improve the flow of customers. We accept that the half time period is difficult to service but have also introduced a pre paid voucher / collection service in the Canton & Ninian stands that has helped reduce such congestion. 

The current set up of the Stadium allows for a balance between, passion, decency and safety. As regards generating an atmosphere, the question should possibly be aimed at the fans themselves. It is people who make noise! We as an organisation certainly have tried to create an environment that allows for passion to be exuded.

“Get an area for supporters flags above the stands . A flag of every city crest through the years will acknowledge our history and show how the “brand” has evolved.”

A. The Club is currently working with the Trust to investigate the possibility but with potential stand sponsorships looming I understand it is difficult at this moment to progress.

Cardiff City fans have sent a clear message to the football club – ‘we want more information from you on your future plans’, a survey by the Trust published today reveals.

A total of 83% of the almost 700 supporters who responded to the poll of Trust members and non-members urged the Trust to focus on getting more information on the club’s future plans.

Almost 60% of supporters (55.6% among Trust members) believe the Trust should oppose the controversial rebranding with another 26.5% disagreeing with rebrand but still accepting it. Outright support for the rebrand was 15%.

While more than 70% of respondents (73.7% among Trust members) want the Trust to lobby the club for a compromise kit and to work with members to suggest or approve a new design.

Tim Hartley, chair of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust, said: “The results show clearly that ordinary fans want a proper dialogue with the club. Shareholders in the club, which include the Trust, have also not been consulted.

“As the only democratic voice of fans we are disappointed that our last meeting with the then club chairman was two-and-a-half years ago. We have written to the chief executive requesting a meeting with supporters, but have been told this will not happen until the season is over.

“The results of the survey, as it relates to rebranding, indicates continuing disquiet to the changes, although a sizeable number of fans have reluctantly accepted it.”

“The results will be presented to members and then reviewed by the Trust board to make sure that all points raised are properly considered and the appropriate action plan put in place. The Trust has also offered to present these findings in full to the club.”

Trust board member Jon Day, who organised the survey, added:  “We’d like to thank both Trust and non-Trust members for taking the time to fill out the survey.

“We look forward to having the opportunity to share these results with the club and considering ways of getting the fans’ voice heard in any changes at the club which affect them. Dialogue is crucial.

“While we have been watching some great football and are top of the League there is unease at the way fans have been treated. The club needs to work with its fans.”

The survey results will be considered at a future meeting of the Trust board.

Other key results:

• A total of 36.1% of fans (33.5% among Trust members) believe the past 12 months have been disappointing – even though the Bluebirds top the Championship. A total of 55.9% say it is either the best 12 months or better than average.
  

• There was a mixed reaction to club’s dynamic ticket pricing with fans marginally backing the initiative.
  

• Top two issues the Trust is urged to focus on are getting more information on the club’s plans and lobbying for safe standing.
  

• Trust members want the Trust to buy more shares in the club and support events in the community.
  

• More than 88% of Trust members believe the current membership fee at just £12 a year is about right.
  

• A total of 61.7% of fans (67.5% among Trust members) are happy with the way the Trust has performed over the last year.
  

• Nearly two-thirds of respondents highlighted the Trust’s work to complete the Fred Keenor statue as the most significant Trust achievement over the past year.

The Supporters’ Trust Board was concerned to hear that Vincent Tan would consider changing the name of Cardiff City. It was therefore encouraging to see the club move quickly to reassure fans that a name change was not on the horizon.

We believe proper prior consultation with supporters’ representatives would  have given Mr Tan a valuable insight into how a name change would be perceived by fans, and the consequent negative reaction could have been avoided.

Every City fan will welcome Mr Tan’s words when he says that, ‘Our name and identity remains at our core.’ Many supporters accepted the red shirts and new logo even if they did so reluctantly. However, we were all disappointed to hear that further changes were even being considered by the club. They are not necessary and can only serve to divide the fan base when we should all be pulling together to support the team at such a crucial stage of the season as the club pushes for promotion to the Premiership.

Mr Tan says he may sell the club if the fans are ‘rude.’ But respect works both ways and supporters too are stakeholders in the club. During his interview he stated that he would be fine with up to a quarter of our fans being unhappy with the changes he has imposed, and this we feel,  is disrespectful to many of our fans.

We believe that football fans have a right to be consulted on major changes at the club which directly affect them. It is almost two and a half years since members had a chance to meet TG face to face.

The Trust has again written to the club asking for a meeting with Vincent Tan so that he can explain how he sees the future for Cardiff City and we look forward to meeting him very soon.

Yesterday’s interview and statement makes the case again for a structured relationship with fans groups as well as proper consultation on any major change to be made a formal part of a football club’s licence. It cannot be left to the individual goodwill of clubs. Such a move would actually strengthen the club and ensure a deeper relationship with supporters.

An online poll showed that 58%  would give up their support if the name were changed to the Dragons. We really do not want that to happen. As a Trust we have asked many times for an explanation as to why these changes were needed but have not received any real explanation.

The Trust is conducting a survey of members and nonmembers which asks your views on a range of issues including the rebranding. If you have not answered it yet then please do –

httpss://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ccstmembers  or call in to the Trust Office before or after the game against Derby on Tuesday March 5th.

As he stands down as Chairman we would like to thank TG for his contribution to the City. It was TG who got Mr Tan interested in the club and secured the initial investment. He was always open and frank with us when we met him and we hope that the new chairman will move fast to engage properly with fans for the benefit of the club.

The Trust is carrying out a survey which is open to members and non-members. Please make sure you have your say.

httpss://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ccstmembers