That's the date I have too - but haven't seen it on the Club website yet.

Good spelling Alan

Hi Alan

I'm an old fart at 37?!



Good to hear about the PSG and its upcoming publicity. I don't mean to come across as a curmudgeon but if you are going to effective in a Professional Support group, you need to be (I assume or maybe I would hope) professional - yes that includes speaking and writing English properly but also knowing what, and how, to communicate with your target audience. At the very least, leave it to those who can communicate effectively.

James is presenting himself as the voice of the fans "working alongside" Trevor as though he is the Messiah - or the Messiah's assistant. I don't think that approach is going to get us far, at least not without some credentials.

It is great to have "young" people on board, but all contributors need to get past the obvious statements like "we have to make it enjoyable" or "we all need to pull together" - yes, but how? In my view, the PSG needs to distinguish itself by including members who are clearly qualified to add value to the club through their proven credentials, rather than naive newcomers - there are already other avenues where their talents can be developed.

mapleyther

As you well know Frank, that's the benefit of a good education!

Of course, I employed a belt & braces scenario, with numerous spell-checkers giving it the once-over. The outcome you saw, was the result of a majority decision.

Just because james is a new comer on this board who to say he hasn't got what it takes to help the club along ,by the way some of the cleverest people can't spell I bet ,all you need is common sense and a knowledge of marketing not a diploma in English

Wouldn't dream of calling you an old fa*t, Martin! I was referring to some of the more, er, 'experienced' members of the PSG!

I think James has jumped the gun somewhat, without knowing how this PSG-thing is supposed to work - he may well be surprised to learn how many of us are already working in it, and indeed that some of his ideas are already being floated. And there are some highly qualified/professional members - the calibre of whom, our club, or many others, could never have afforded to employ at the 'going rate'. Let's put his outburst down to the enthusiasm/impetuosity of youth, and see where we go from there.

Cheers,

Alan.

Don't be put off by the detractors James.

If you do your best and take an active role in moving our club forward then you will have done more than most to secure the future of our club, and that is nothing to be ashamed of.

Of course, there is a lesson to be learned in the way you communicate with the public in general, and the respect that you must actively pay to your fellow PSG members.

It's been on since Saturday Alan

Oops!

'There's none so blind............!'

Believe me, I'll get the hang of this communications thingy eventually!

James,

Thanks for the reply to my post.

As another post mentioned, refreshments and prices aren't in the clubs hands, although I think Trevor Barton did say that they do get a small commision from sales, so he would encourage fans to buy from inside the ground even if it is a but more expensive.

It was quite interesting that you mentioned pre-match and half time refreshments. Why does it have to be just pre-match and half time? If you can get a trip out to a live US sports event e.g. Baseball then its amazing how they make it difficult for the fan not to spend money. People are constantly up and down the aisles selling drinks, hotdogs, popcorn etc.

Once a fan is inside the ground, as a business you want them to spend as much money as possible right? Why not have small kiosks, or people walking round the stands selling merchandise like scarfs, hats, things that makes noise, gimmiky little things. And how about getting fans in the stadium for longer than 80-85mins? The longer they are there, the more they will spend?

Good luck!

Regarding your comment that is something im looking at doing if i can get the funds together. I know from the job im in now they sent the Markerting Director , Direct Marketing Executive and the Chief Executive over to the USA to look at various sports these where

Basketball- New York Yankees
Football- New York Red Bulls
American Football- New York Jets
Basketball- New York Knicks
Ice Hockey- New York Rangers

As well as representatives from the famous sporting venue at Madison Square Garden

But also if i could get over to Australlia or New Zealand has they are really good.

Regards

James

Is there an independent Chairman of the PSG?

I have met with Trevor and subsequently sent 2 emails offering assistance but I have had no response from anyone.

It may be useful for someone else to consider if I could add some value to the Group.

Dunno mate I'm not a member Alan may know, it's funny Trevor has not replied he usually does.

Just one more last thought. Maybe the caterers should take a leaf out of the likes of Cineworlds book? I believe the profit margin on popcorn is massive. When have you ever seen a meal deal or heard any "up selling" ie make it a large for another 40p or whatever. At the LSV you ask for a pie or a hot dog that's exactly what you get.

I don't think the manger of Cineworld feels guilty that it costs a family £40 to watch a film

Sorry to hear that you haven't had a response. Trevor is chairing the PSG and always gets around to replying to emails. Sometimes it takes a while, as he is also trying to work on the immediate survival of the club, which has to be the number one priority. You wouldn't believe the number of meetings he is having, to try and work that particular miracle!

My best advice is to try and get down to the Forum, next Wednesday evening, (see seperate post) or failing that, send your email to me, or pm me and I'll make sure Trevor gets your offer, when I see him next Tuesday.

James,

I'm a member of the PSG and would offer a word of advice, if I may?

The PSG has received/formulated a lot of good ideas, but we are holding back on announcing them, until the Fans' Forum, next Wednesday - AFTER we have thrashed them around/evaluated them.

It might be a good idea, for you to meet with Trevor and/or the Group, BEFORE broadcasting your ideas on here.

That's not to dismiss your ideas and thoughts - far from it, as all input is very welcome, and no idea will be ridiculed by Trevor or the Group. It's just that publicising your ideas on here, BEFORE you've seen Trevor, could stir up a few folk that we needn't/shouldn't be upsetting.

Looking forward to meeting you soon.

Alan.

One thing that may affect the food pricing at the LSV next season is that Morrisons will have a cafe in their supermarket. A sit down Sunday lunch before the game will be very appealing to both home and away fans, especially at only £4-5.

That is a very good answer i still think people will buy but not as much

james

My idea would be to bring back cheshire catering have a Sunday Lunch carvery available in the |Legends bar sure if reasonably priced it would be a sell out

Trouble is, would Cheshire Catering be prepared to pay the going rate for the franchise, especially as I hear they've reduced their serving times etc at the Harrow? Same goes for any other company in that they'd need the initial outlay of buying the franchise from the LSV.

1 year left on current contract let it expire, and do our own from then onwards, tell the present lot to put on the carvery at a reasonable price, and hint you may renew your contract if its a sucess

So who pays the LSV for the franchise to allow us to 'do our own'?

The franchise has one year left on it

Yes, but so far the LSV will expect whichever catering company takes over to pay the LSV an upfront fee for the privelage of running the catering for x years.

So could the Centurions realistically afford pay this fee?

Of course, the terms under which the catering at LSV is arranged is decided upon by LSVco / Wigan Council, so it could be changed.

The existing deal with EMC, yes, but the LSV aren't going to suddenly allow the contract to be given away, are they?