CUSG Meeting Summary - Remote meeting via Zoom, 12.12.2022
Attendance – John Kukuc (Chair), Terry McCarthy (London Branch), Dan Maclennan, Matt Spooner (CUOSC), Nigel Davidson (EDI Rep/CUOSC), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Alastair Woodcock (CUOSC), Andy Hall, Amy Nixon, Nigel Clibbens (CUFC)
Apologies – Gary Wylie (LGBTQ+ Supporters), Keith Elliott (CUSAT), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporter), Emmanuel Boateng (EDI – PoC)
- Club update
Nigel C put on record thanks for all his hard work and support and efforts with CUSG and sent deepest condolences to Barry Carter's family.
Nigel C’s regular club update had been circulated prior to the meeting and are included supplementary to these minutes. He specifically referred to areas for CUSG involvement on club matters as follows.
Click HERE to read the full club update.
The old Sponsor’s Lounge is to be renamed as the 74-75 Lounge. The ground floor room referred to as “new sponsor’s lounge or Players’ Lounge” needs a new name as do two Pioneer bars.
Green issues and sustainability are an important area and the club would like fan input. It was suggested a sub-group drawn from CUSG reps could handle this. NC called for any individual fans with special interest to come forward too.
Dan asked a question about bans that been recently handed out - were these club-only or through Courts?
Nigel C explained the first one came from Hartlepool where an arrest was made outside the ground. Legal proceedings followed in Hartlepool. A club ban was applied to match the football ban imposed by the authorities. Liquid had been thrown at a player at Stockport. This led to a ban.
The final case concerned pitch encroachment. A club ban was applied.
Objects had been found on the pitch at the Leyton Orient home game but no individuals could be satisfactorily identified from CCTV or witnesses. Club investigation concluded a few days after the game. Objects were mentioned in the referee’s report. CCTV didn’t identify anybody throwing objects.
Simon asked if the Paddock area would be cordoned off permanently? Nigel indicated the club was looking at putting advertising banners up to cover the small areas out of use for the rest of this season.
Andy Hall commented that abuse was being aimed at away officials at ‘almost every game’ from a very small group who seem to stand in the tunnel area for that very purpose. Often it goes beyond ‘banter’ to some fairly nasty stuff.
Dan asked a question about an NO2 canister aka ‘laughing gas’ found at the ground. No other canisters had been found before from Nigel C’s information. This item could be seen from CCTV landing and was collected from the technical area by a steward.
The EFL had sent out a guidance document about fan behaviour. The information in it comes from Amanda Jacks at the FSA. Nigel said this document would be circulated and comments would be invited from CUSG reps for/against ideas contained in it to get fan input before the club did anything new in this area.
It was reiterated by Nigel D that police Football Liaison Officer Jonny Sunley was promoting the restorative justice/education route for offenders.
A criticism had been received from fans concerning a lack of Christmas-specific merchandise in the Blues Store. Nigel said he would consult with shop manager Stefanie McLean over this issue.
A question had been asked about the marketing of upcoming fixtures. The club’s messaging had been criticised by a supporter. Nigel C disputed the criticism. Simon reported seeing advertising from the club on the big screen in Lloyds bar, advertising upcoming games. This was down to a deal done with the club, explained Nigel C. Andy and Amy provided graphics for this. There was no cost to the club. A discussion on ideas and pros and cons was held.
Nigel C said he would look closely at the comments of fans and from CUSG members and look at options including revisiting the Civic Centre electronic board and others around the City.
Nigel C said the club received full coverage on radio and in the local newspaper.
Matt commented that marketing should be aimed at new fans not the existing fanbase.
Nigel C estimated that at least half the increase reported in commercial income is from new sponsors. He said that the increases were covering the costs of new commercial staff.
The 1921 and Holdings company audited accounts had been approved. Nigel C said he expected they would be published soon, possibly before Christmas.
Nigel C said a cover for the fan zone would be considered but it needs to be permanent given the likely size of the investment. He said he wanted the fan zone to grow before this is considered.
- Finances and fundraising
Bank balance £1351.97
£55 ring fenced for Jigsaw (raffle 24/05/22)
£87 ring fenced for Prediction Competition prizes.
Christmas Raffle Update
Sales to date - £1053.44
£223 sold by 3 people at Sutton game in under an hour.
Expenses – Licence £40, Tickets £73, Card Readers £79
Prizes – 18 with value in excess of £1,000
Volunteers needed to sell tickets at Bradford game.
Nigel C had no objections to the selling of tickets on Christmas week to fans coming into the ticket office.
The group acknowledged with thanks the efforts of local businesses and individuals who have donated prizes.
The raffle would continue to be advertised by member groups including CUOSC in their briefing.
- Events and projects
Bar branding would be applied to the 74-75 Lounge soon. A suggestion to name the downstairs lounge as the ‘Ashman Lounge’ was made. CUSG reps were asked to canvass opinion on this and tell the club the preferred names for the three areas.
- EDI update
Visit last week by CUFC & CUFC CST to the Carlisle Youth Conference at the University of Cumbria, which very interesting and empowering and a number of contacts have come out of this for further discussions regarding how the we can move forward with more work in the EDI MH & Disabled areas.
EDI Networking session held before the Sutton Utd game recently, CUFC EDI and CUFC CST were joined by Cumbria Pride, Every Life Matters (the suicide prevention charity), Cumbria Mental Health Services, Pride in North Cumbria, Carlisle Refugee Action Group, University of Cumbria, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire Service, Cumbria Scouts, Remedi (the Restorative Justice organisation). CEO Nigel Clibbens attended to outline the club’s work and the new EFL Code of Practice https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/siteassets/documents-2223/efl-code-of-practice-requirements-2022.pdf
There are a number of meetings and events planned for the new year, with lots of organisations across the area. The EDI work is starting to bear fruit as we now move onto the next level of inclusion, beginning work with other organisations tied in (in-part) to the EDI Calendar.
EFL Code of Practice – we have had the first meeting with the EFL on the COP, second to take place in January. Assessment for this takes place in October 2023. Initial document has been updated and will be submitted to the EFL ahead of our next meeting. See reference in the Club update also.
We also held a clothing drop for the Carlisle Key charity at the Sutton Game. Donations can still be made by contacting Nigel Davidson at edi@carlisleunited.co.uk or by contacting Carlisle Key directly at admin@carlislekey.co.uk or on 01228 595566
Disabled
We are all hugely saddened by the untimely death of Barry Carter, our Disabled Group Rep. Barry was a superb Rep and Supporter, travelling home and away for many years and will be severely missed. We carry on the work in the Disabled Group in his memory.
We are progressing with the new area for the wheelchair viewing platform in conjunction with John K & Matt S. Discussions to be had this evening on our recent visit to the ground and identification of a new area for the platform.
Discussions progressing with various supporters on the subject of Autism/Neuro Diversity – capturing information on neuro-diverse supporters (existing and would be), to link in with some work being undertaken by AFC Autism at a national level on highlighting the facilities for these supporters.
Clothing drop – this had not been as successful as hoped but generated interest for others to support. Could help with Green agenda to provide regular dropping off point for donations at ground.
- SLO Update
The fan zone remains extremely popular even as the temperatures drop. The extra space and seating have eased any issues relating to queues, The container bar provides an increased serving capacity and a good selection of drink options. The way this area has been embraced by fans is brilliant and is a notable example of effective fan engagement.
In the east stand the SLO team continue to look to reduce pressure on catering queues by engaging with fans and showing them the click and collect app as well as where applicable, encouraging families to use the tuck shop instead of the bars. The opening of a third bar has helped too.
The use of the 4 handheld flags in the Warwick Road End is still paused. We have tried various approaches but inappropriate behaviour by those using the flags has led to the withdrawal. I am open to ideas as to how we can get these being used again.
Keith and I hope that the proactive social media presence enables our fans to have an enhanced away game experience. We focus on fan information that also includes key messaging on appropriate fan behaviour. In November I participated in a SLO webinar and together with a couple of other CUSG reps also joined an online event on pyrotechnics.
Before the Sutton game, Jimmy Glass opened the Glass Bar (former Sunset Suite). Special mentions for contributions to the project go to Myke Nixon framing, Carlisle Glass and HH Reeds but so many others also played their part. Funding was provided by the London Branch, CUSG and the Club. The window vinyls will be changed following fan feedback about the reduction of natural light in the bar.
It was a huge privilege to attend the FSA awards as a nominee for SLO of the year. Congratulations to the ladies at Tranmere who won.
General issues raised by fans are continually relayed to the club and feedback provided to fans. The number of issues reported have reduced throughout the season.
We are always keen to recruit more meeter and greeters who are thanked with a complimentary ticket. If you would like to join us, please get in touch.
- Social media use
Dan said groups should work together more on social media. Groups tended to retweet club messages at the same time when this should be staggered to improve the impact of the message. Andy agreed with this, reminding the meeting he had previously talked about groups developing their own voice on issues. Matt said we need to consider why messages are being sent and to who.
Andy added that more people click through on links to read website content these days.
- Group updates
Disabled platform – Nigel D and John had walked around the ground. They were leaning towards the Waterworks End as the best location. Two positions had been looked at. The club’s perspective was now needed. Agreement with the club would mean disabled fans can be approached. Nigel C to respond to photos showing potential locations.
CUOSC - A members’ meeting was held on Thursday 8th via Zoom and in the former Match Sponsor Lounge at Brunton Park. A summary will be live on socials and our website later this week. Jon Colman has had snippets in the N&S over the last few days.
Following the meeting, we received feedback that the hybrid model had made audio a bit of an issue for some online. We’re looking at better facilities for hosting – either a venue with suitable AV equipment or purchasing/loaning better equipment for future meetings. A quiz night was being planned for the new year. We will update members on the state of the ‘coin enquiry’ from the Leyton Orient game as this was brought up at the members meeting but we were unsure of its status.
London Branch - CUSCLB are hosting a Q & A session with Paul Simpson at 19:30 on Friday February 10th (the evening before the Wimbledon away game) upstairs in The Coach House, 7 0xendon St, London, SW1 4EE. The venue is a couple of minutes walk from Leicester Square. The event is open to all Carlisle United fans and CUSCLB would appreciate the help of other supporters groups in promoting this event. More information about the event will be forwarded to all CUSG supporter groups at the beginning of January. In the meantime should anyone require any more information about the event please mail Dave Brown at chairman@cusclb.
CUSCLB would like to wish Carlisle United Supporters everywhere a Merry Christmas.
CUSAT – Keith had sent his apologies for this meeting, but passed on his condolences to Barry Carter’s family.
- Any Other Business
None
- Next meeting
January 23