The final Fan Panel of 2014 took place at Keepmoat Stadium last night.
The Panel was chaired and driven by Mark Bradley of The Fan Experience Company and in attendance were Wesley Grimes, Barry Cunnington, Rob Williams, Martin O’Hara, Neil Taylor and Rob Burns. Representing the club were Stadium Manager John Sherburn and Marketing and Communications Manager Ryan Murrant.
Creating a “Home end" in the South Stand and making this an unreserved seating area to enhance the matchday atmosphere were the main topics on the agenda. It was also discussed that if this was to happen then the Club would work with the fans to develop the concourse environment to make it more relevant to those using it. Ticketing pricing and changes to the pricing categories for next season were also on the agenda, as were looking at ways to migrate fans to the South Stand, and how to entice those fans that don’t come on a regular basis back to Keepmoat Stadium.
Marketing and Communications Manager Ryan Murrant said “I’ve been massively impressed with the positivity of all the fan groups that have attended the Fan Panels. Naturally, as it's football the fans all have different opinions and that makes for some creative discussions. The one thing the fans all share however is the love for this wonderful club and their desire to make Keepmoat Stadium a better place to come on a matchday. I am a big believer in that between the group and the Club we can 100% control what happens off the pitch, and I believe with the backing from Gavin and above we can start to make the Keepmoat Stadium better. The Club are happy to make brave decisions, and if that is around improving the atmosphere and giving the fans ownership of what their stand looks and feels like on a matchday then I think that is fantastic and very unique within football”.
The next Fan Panel will meet in January 2015.