Next Fans Forum - Monday Oct 20th

[newyddion]

7. Rainbow Reds IS A fan group run by LGBTQ+ Boro supporters.

The name is naff.. Boro Pride is much better.

6. I think next year's kits will already have been ordered - it is all done so far ahead. I didn't know about Francesca Liberatore working with ERREA - just looked that up - yes looks really interesting.

Better gear in the club shop innit

5. What is a black out away kit?

An all black kit with black club badge and black sponsor. Other clubs have had them as part of an anti racism campaign.

3. Is the under 18s gambling kits because teenagers are too big for the none gambling sponsor shirts? So they have to wear adults? -Is that what you are saying? Or are you saying that between 16-18 that teenagers gear has the sponsor logo on?

It’s not 16-18 kids are huge these days.. more like 11yo to 17yo realistically. KIDS

2. Would you be able to see painted lines in the concourse because of the crowd on top? It is a scrum though isn't it. The safety people won't allow any physical barriers in such tight concourses.

Yes, people would be able to see the lines on the floor.. it would require a physical barrier.

Racism - yes I know you are right some recent incidents were away - this was the response I had when raising the question of reporting with the FSA -
Because of problems with fans getting online... "several clubs have their own text reporting service. Kick it Out's reporting system is excellent as it allows an overall picture across football to be built. If a club wants to respond immediately to an incident, it is more practical to have their own reporting system." This would be a text number. At Boro it is 07340 718965 - am going to start putting that in the fanzine from now on. That of course is a problem if you are an away fan unless the clubs display the number prominently, like on away match tickets for instance.

Making the anti racism massage much more visable across the board has to be a priority. We can see the effect the lack of action is having.

The suggestions about more season card rewards were not from me or from anyone on fmttm - am just saying someone has raised them as a suggestion for debate.

Membership card rewards would be canny

 

[newyddion]

Thanks for that. When we asked last year - apparently the sponsors aren't too bothered about what is on fans shirts, it is what is on players shirts that counts. But the staff in the shop reckon that fans and kids included most often want the same shirt, the replica of what is worn on the field. I wonder just how many would opt out if they could?
But that teenage size thing is really interesting. Needs to be raised again.

Kids want gambling sponsors of the shirts.. so we sell them the shirts. There is no other option.

Plus.. what if kids fancy a pint at half time? Might as well eh!

It’s dreadful we are doing what we are doing.

 

[B_G]

Kids want gambling sponsors of the shirts.. so we sell them the shirts. There is no other option.

Plus.. what if kids fancy a pint at half time? Might as well eh!

It’s dreadful we are doing what we are doing.

I was thinking about how to put across this Newy and you've probably done it better than I can.

But at a time when gambling addiction is rife through society, Is it ethical of the club to sell, what is essentially child sized clothing with gambling sponsors on?

To be honest, I'd like to see all betting outlets removed from the stadium. Children aren't allowed in bookmakers so why do we have pop up bookmakers in the concourse in what should be a place suitable for families?

 

[dibble]

Fast fill pint machines would sort most of the queue problems out. They where trialed a few years ago then sent back. When i asked why i was told because they cost £8000 each and the club wouldnt pay it.

 

[ApoBoro1982]

"3. Is the under 18s gambling kits because teenagers are too big for the none gambling sponsor shirts? So they have to wear adults? -Is that what you are saying? Or are you saying that between 16-18 that teenagers gear has the sponsor logo on?"

sizes are all wrong Rob... My 13 year old son has to get small mans which comes with non-negotiable betting sponsor on. He is by no means a teenager that is too big! if anything he is smaller than average lads his age...

 

[newyddion]

Fast fill pint machines would sort most of the queue problems out. They where trialed a few years ago then sent back. When i asked why i was told because they cost £8000 each and the club wouldnt pay it.

Painting a few lines on the floor..

 

[InglebyUTB]

Generation Red Family Zone

1. Are there tickets available to buy on the day? If so, why were there no season tickets available in this area?

2. Assuming they are available, can these be either made available online or instructions on how you do purchase these tickets be clearly visible online? It does not even appear that this area exists on the ticketing website.

3. Would they consider extending the GRFZ ticket pricing to other areas of the stadium. This has been successful at other clubs. Boro's ticket pricing for juniors is by far the most expensive in the Championship currently.

I’m not sure what’s going on with this area, it’s always got loads of empty seats. Yet if you try and buy tickets on the day they’ll mostly tell you it’s sold out and you need to buy ridiculously priced junior tickets elsewhere.

My guess is that the season tickets are so cheap for the kids that people aren’t bothered about missing games. I think the club need to monitor how often the season cards are actually being used, if not very often then let people on the waiting list who actually want to attend the games have the seats.

 

[joeydiaz]

Could you please put it forward about potentially utilising an executive box or somewhere else with a view of the pitch as a sensory room so neurodivergent and those with other disabilities can watch the game with a family member/carer who from a calmer and quiet environment? I understand there is already a sensory room with T.V’s which is great but it doesn’t allow those attending to experience the game in a live environment as such.

Thank you.

 

[fmttmadmin]

I’m not sure what’s going on with this area, it’s always got loads of empty seats. Yet if you try and buy tickets on the day they’ll mostly tell you it’s sold out and you need to buy ridiculously priced junior tickets elsewhere.

My guess is that the season tickets are so cheap for the kids that people aren’t bothered about missing games. I think the club need to monitor how often the season cards are actually being used, if not very often then let people on the waiting list who actually want to attend the games have the seats.

I don't know whether it is price related so much as families don't go to every match especially if the kick off is not 3pm Saturday - which will be more of a factor next season - the club seeks to add value to the tickets by putting on activities starting up to a couple of hours before kick off. I suppose this is one area of the ground where it is more difficult to arrange for season tickets to be donated or reallocated to others - as with not being able to purchase online there has to be strict safeguarding in this corner of the ground.
We were told it was going to be enlarged into the North Stand this season - not sure if that has happened to be honest.

 

[InglebyUTB]

What should be up for discussion?
So far -
Half Season Tickets
Concourse Bars - problems
Someone from another forum has suggested increasing the number of bonuses with season cards ie at Sunderland there is discount in the shop, priority access to SoL concerts etc. Concourse discounts.
Communications between fans and club
Network coverage in stands - especially in regard to how can you report a hate crime without a network.

Open to more ideas etc.

Leeds away reciprocal ticket prices

 

[fmttmadmin]

The name is naff.. Boro Pride is much better.

Better gear in the club shop innit

An all black kit with black club badge and black sponsor. Other clubs have had them as part of an anti racism campaign.

It’s not 16-18 kids are huge these days.. more like 11yo to 17yo realistically. KIDS

Yes, people would be able to see the lines on the floor.. it would require a physical barrier.

Making the anti racism massage much more visable across the board has to be a priority. We can see the effect the lack of action is having.

Membership card rewards would be canny

The name is naff.. Boro Pride is much better.
But that is your opinion - Rainbow Reds chose the name they wanted.

 

[InglebyUTB]

I don't know whether it is price related so much as families don't go to every match especially if the kick off is not 3pm Saturday - which will be more of a factor next season - the club seeks to add value to the tickets by putting on activities starting up to a couple of hours before kick off. I suppose this is one area of the ground where it is more difficult to arrange for season tickets to be donated or reallocated to others - as with not being able to purchase online there has to be strict safeguarding in this corner of the ground.
We were told it was going to be enlarged into the North Stand this season - not sure if that has happened to be honest.

We’ve only had one home game so far that wasn’t 3pm Saturday. Cardiff midweek was understandably quieter, Millwall opening day was full. But the other 3 games there’s been a load of empty seats despite there being a waiting list for season tickets and being told there’s no walk-ups to buy.

It’s something the club need to monitor if they’re going to limit the size of the GRZ to that area. Other clubs like Brentford do a “every seat counts” scheme (they have on average 1,000 empty seats that have been paid for each game) where if your season ticket isn’t used for a certain % of games your seat next season is offered to someone else.

Totally impractical and not required for us as we don’t have demand or a waiting list for tickets, other than in that area of the stadium.

 

[dibble]

We’ve only had one home game so far that wasn’t 3pm Saturday. Cardiff midweek was understandably quieter, Millwall opening day was full. But the other 3 games there’s been a load of empty seats despite there being a waiting list for season tickets and being told there’s no walk-ups to buy.

It’s something the club need to monitor if they’re going to limit the size of the GRZ to that area. Other clubs like Brentford do a “every seat counts” scheme (they have on average 1,000 empty seats that have been paid for each game) where if your season ticket isn’t used for a certain % of games your seat next season is offered to someone else.

Totally impractical and not required for us as we don’t have demand or a waiting list for tickets, other than in that area of the stadium.

The issue with sharing tickets isnt helping. I work shifts as does my son so we take a relative or friend if one of us is working. if they insist on digital ticketing next season and make it hard to transfer tickets we will have to seriously think is it worth it getting STs when we only make say 2/3rds of games each season.

 

[fmttmadmin]

The issue with sharing tickets isnt helping. I work shifts as does my son so we take a relative or friend if one of us is working. if they insist on digital ticketing next season and make it hard to transfer tickets we will have to seriously think is it worth it getting STs when we only make say 2/3rds of games each season.

They reckon it will be easier to transfer tickets rather than harder. You will just press an option rather than physically have to hand him a card.

 

[dibble]

They reckon it will be easier to transfer tickets rather than harder. You will just press an option rather than physically have to hand him a card.

Its definitely easier to hand someone a card than have to set them up an MFC digital account and start moving tickets between wallets.

 

[newyddion]

The name is naff.. Boro Pride is much better.
But that is your opinion - Rainbow Reds chose the name they wanted.

Open to more ideas? What should be up for discussion?

I am aware that ‘Rainbow Reds’ chose the name.. I’m not sure if ‘Boro Pride’ was on the table or even suggested.

My comment still stands ‘Rainbow Reds’ is not a good name to represent our LGBTQ+ supporters group. ‘Reds’ is pretty generic and not directly related to the club ‘Rainbow’ is another wishy washy generic term that does not necessarily best represent our LGBTQ+ fans.

‘Boro Pride’ has much more clout, it is directly attributed to our club and is very much in the fan’s vocabulary. We would join England, Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Chelsea, West Ham, Wolves and Shrewsbury Town in having a more inclusive supporters group name..

Pride in Football

Rainbow Tractors, Rainbow Toffees, Rainbow Devils.. Reds.. think about it.. it’s crap.

 

[newyddion]

We are not as visible as we should be with our anti racism stance.. we skirt round the issue, we tick the boxes.. we do everything apart from what would make a difference.


Parma managed it.. in Italy and with Errea.

We even have black lion badges we could feature on our home shirts..

and more recently..

I’m not just saying all of this stuff over and over again for the sake of it. These are legitimate concerns that have not been getting passed on and there are legitimate and well thought out solutions to the issues that I’ve raised.

The GAMBLING sponsor on the replica shirts for U18s has been a LONG TERM concern and it’s simply dismissed or laughed off.. ahh.. it’s not that really.. ahh.. well I don’t think.. blah blah blah.

Our club has a duty of care to its youngest fans and should take the very simple steps of offering shirts without a sponsor to put U18s.. really they should not be sold the shirts with the gambling sponsors on them.

Work needs to be done in the concourses as well where there are U18s present and gambling activity, promotions, advertisements and paraphernalia.

 

[fmttmadmin]

Its definitely easier to hand someone a card than have to set them up an MFC digital account and start moving tickets between wallets.

Depends where that person is doesn't it? If it wasn't convenient to meet the other person with your ticket. For instance I sometimes have to hand over a season ticket for a supporters club. I have to arrange a meeting place. Once last season that person was late in arriving, I had to miss the start of the match. It wasn't the end of the world but I could have just transferred it and it would have saved me waiting around - I suppose that is the kind of instance.

 

[fmttmadmin]

Open to more ideas? What should be up for discussion?

I am aware that ‘Rainbow Reds’ chose the name.. I’m not sure if ‘Boro Pride’ was on the table or even suggested.

My comment still stands ‘Rainbow Reds’ is not a good name to represent our LGBTQ+ supporters group. ‘Reds’ is pretty generic and not directly related to the club ‘Rainbow’ is another wishy washy generic term that does not necessarily best represent our LGBTQ+ fans.

‘Boro Pride’ has much more clout, it is directly attributed to our club and is very much in the fan’s vocabulary. We would join England, Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Chelsea, West Ham, Wolves and Shrewsbury Town in having a more inclusive supporters group name..

Pride in Football

Rainbow Tractors, Rainbow Toffees, Rainbow Devils.. Reds.. think about it.. it’s crap.

I think you need to think again.
The group chose the name Rainbow Reds. They could have selected any name at all. Surely it is not for you or I to tell them what to name their fan group. It is up to the group.

 

[newyddion]

I think you need to think again.
The group chose the name Rainbow Reds. They could have selected any name at all. Surely it is not for you or I to tell them what to name their fan group. It is up to the group.

Could they have selected Boro Pride?

I’m not sure if they could have selected any name at all. I’m guessing the entirety of our LGBTQ+ fan base didn’t select the bame.

Surely it is not for you to take a suggestion.. and just rubbish it because it appears to be another blind spot.

It’s a suggestion, an observation.. mate your shoelaces are untied, your fly is down, you have toilet paper stuck to your shoe.. best keep quiet eh?