United Pars Meeting

The United Pars meeting held on Thursday 4th December was led by Karen Masterton with new Club Director Steve Curtis and Stadium Manager Kenny Arnott in attendance.

The United Pars meeting held on Thursday 4th December was led by Karen Masterton with new Club Director Steve Curtis and Stadium Manager Kenny Arnott in attendance.

First topic raised by the 12 interested Pars fans in attendance was the new Pars Lotto.  Steve Curtis said that coming from a sales and marketing background, he was very interested in encouraging greater sales and improving the sales. The success of Lotto agents ranges from a few lines to hundreds.  Steve felt that Pars fans in businesses with larger workforces should be targeted. 

It was explained that the club would like to use parslotto.com but we still trying to resolve the legalities of taking sales via such a medium.  Karen said that in the past the club lottery had produced £50,000 per year for the club and she would like to see it return to that level of success. Currently there were 1700 players, although not all in every week.

Kenny Arnott was present to answer questions about standing in the stadium. It was now accepted by fans that the Club is bound by legislation and SFA rules. It was pointed out from the floor that when large numbers stand, policy at other grounds seems to change. It was agreed that double standards persist.

On a suggestion to foster the interest of politicians, especially those at Holyrood who have previously been reported to demonstrate their passion for football, the Supporters Trust agreed to take up the matter with the politicians and other Supporters Trusts.  Including the Pars fans, they would try and harness the overwhelming support from fans all over the UK to be allowed to stand at football matches.

The issue of smoking in the toilets during games at East End Park had instigated the presence of Environmental Health officers (EHO) at recent matches. Three fans had received warnings in the North Stand and EHOs would return at future games.

Karen appealed to all those who had attended United Pars meetings to let her know via e mail if it was felt that there had been some matters raised that had not been taken forward. She also commented in response to newspaper articles about wages to turnover ratios in football, Dunfermline Athletic had a target of 46% although this had been jeopardised because gates are much decreased this season.

Fans present applauded the Club recognition of hardship created by the Credit Crunch especially the reductions in admission prices on the Saturday prior to Christmas when pockets tended to be light.

The initiative to give Season Ticket holders a free ticket for the last home match against Morton had resulted in around 1500 of the 2300 issued being used. Karen highlighted that cash receipts had dropped by £17,500 as a consequence but it was that this was an important way to try and attract new fans.  The initiative would be repeated next season.

For the visit of Clyde on 20th December kids would be admitted for free.  There was a discussion on how best to get kids through the turnstiles while still keeping them in the company of their parent or guardian.

Other than what it does on the web and at the Club, there was little by way of a publicity budget to draw in fans. The Dunfermline Press was praised for its coverage of all things that happen in or around the Club.  200 tickets for schoolchildren are distributed through schools for every match but this has had a poor uptake. Karen said that Jim McIntyre had agreed to weekly visits by players to local schools in an attempt to develop more interaction. Disappointment was expressed over the lack of acknowledgement by players when the Youth Initiative is used to fill the North East Stand.

A fan felt that the 50/50 ticket sellers should be more visible especially in the McCathie Stand. Steve Curtis said that ways of selling these tickets in addition to just at the ground on matchdays were being considered.

Karen announced that a Club Shop would re-open in the Kingsgate for December and January. The Club still has the lease of the unit previously used as a Club Shop but would be trying to sell it.  The delay in opening had been caused by a previous sub let having had the electricity disconnected and now the shop is awaiting a telephone line.

A proposal was put to the meeting for the Dunfermline Athletic Supporters team to play a friendly on the pitch at East End on the day of the Scotland v Holland World Cup Qualifier - Saturday 28th March. The opposition places would be sold off to bidders and all proceeds would be donated to the Dunfermline Athletic Youth Initiative.

A question was raised seeking information on the progress of SPL2.  Karen said the SFL were awaiting an arbitration decision but added that DAFC were in agreement with SPL proposals.

Brian Duncan gave a run down on the season ticket card with particular emphasis on 'hot cards' - child cards being used by adults. He said that these card would be stopped at the gate and operators would have to check who was using them.

Date of next United Pars meeting: Thursday 29th January 2009