The Saints Voice Panel has been going for around 8 months now, however it's profile has been low, so we have spoken to them and here is what they told us.
At the beginning of this season the Saints Voice Panel was formed following an application and supporter voting process, but the average Saints fans is completely unaware they exist, so we at the Ugly Inside decided to find out more, here is what they told us.
Who are you ?
We are your Voice, taking your questions, ideas and suggestions to the club so they develop a further understanding of issues affecting supporters, its an opportunity for the club to share with us an understanding of their thinking behind key decisions and also for us all to mutually share thoughts and ideas.
We are a diverse group of 11 passionate supporters — more information can be found on SFC website Saints Voice page.
https://southamptonfc.com/supporter-services/saints-voice
What do you do ?
Our remit as a panel is around supporter issues however due to such a diverse range this covers the topic of players & on pitch activity isn’t included as other supporter forums have been available for this; there have been 2 this season; (1) hosted by Adam Blackmore with Danny Ings, Mark Hughes, Les Reed & Ralph Kruger & another held at the Gasworks with Ralph, Ralph H and Toby Steele, CEO.
So what have you done so far?
As a Saints Voice Group we have met regularly, sharing your comments and concerns as a group and then linking to see how we can convey them all to the club as part of the agenda setting of the full Saints Voice Meetings with the club. As you can imagine with so many supporters there is a large diverse range of items and suggestions you wish to have taken forward. To date we have had 2 Full Saints Voice Meetings — with another one scheduled for May. The meetings are hosted at the club and attended by all of the Saints Voice Panel and Directors / Senior Managers from the relevant areas on the agenda, alongside the Supporter Relations Team and Toby Steele, CEO.
Items we have discussed over the last 2 meetings but not just limited too have included: -
- Ticketing
- Catering
- Virgin Media
- Communications
- Security and safety
- Match Day experience and fan engagement
Minutes of the both meetings are available on SFC website
https://southamptonfc.com/supporter-services/saints-voice/meeting-minutes
As well as the Full Saints Voice Meetings there has also been a couple of Sub Focus Groups to discuss particular topics: -
- Ticketing Sub Group meeting - This covered all aspects around ticketing and helped the Saints Voice understand the thinking and processes around ticketing and pricing as well as provided us a platform to share thoughts and ideas with the club around ticketing.
- Matchday Experience, Atmosphere & Entertainment - This covered various aspects around the supporter experience on a match day — pre match and half time.
A future Merchandise focus group is set for April 2019 so anyone with any thoughts on anything they wish to be put forward for this please let us know.
The club is really committed to the Saints Voice process and is working on new strategies and plans using feedback that has been provided. Likewise they have deployed the Saints Voice Panel to ask questions of supporters such as about possible Away Fan re-location.
Still in its early days — it seems like we have covered quite alot already, some things have already been implemented that we have raised like the 20% discount on food and beverage to season ticket holders on match days before kick off…. please keep contacting us with your ideas and views….
Remember we are here to represent you… COYRS!!