Message to the FAB if they read this

[franniesTache]

24 minutes ago, Golden Balls said:

All the best @St Louis I voted for you. 

As Louis said, the vote closes in less than 24 hours. Likewise if you're able to cast your vote for me (Sean Stroud) in the Season Ticket Holder category, I'd be grateful.

On the subject of the bubble, I oppose it. Although I believe the FAB shouldn't be about what I oppose, I think it's something the vast majority want on the agenda.
I've mentioned on X (@Sean_MSt) that the Sunderland/Newcastle example is what I'd intend to follow and will look to work with a couple of contacts I have within the Pompey Trust to see if together we can make a change for next season (if required). This season wont be possible.

If elected, I'll make sure that before any meeting that I gather fan feedback across social media and this forum to take into the meetings so the most important issues are discussed.  

The point of the bubble opposition though is that getting rid of it means everyone's point of view is heard, keeping it means only those that support it are heard. Without a bubble those that want to use buses can, those that don't don't.

Also it's vitally important that people do put across their own voice on fab, because we already know from previous versions that the clubs sweep opposition under the table, fill it with lackies and then claim they've consulted the fans.

If there are no dissenting voices there's no point in the FAB, and to be honest your message here doesn't make me think you're right for it if you're not going to challenge the club off your own back

[Turkish]

On 04/09/2026 at 14:28, St Louis said:

We haven't even been elected yet, let alone started any role. So I dont know whether these kind of things will even be up for debate within the FAB. And nothing will be changed for this season of course, and I assume we will be two divisions apart for the 27/28 season 😉
But personally... Yes, I oppose the enforcement of the bubble travel (it's a good/safer option for those who want it though, but it should be optional in my opinion). I used to go to the Fratton away games, but stopped as soon as the bubbles started. So if these are the sort of topics to be discussed, and I got elected, and they wanted my feedback on it... then yes, I would absolutely raise my opposition and also stress that I know that's the general feeling amongst Saints fans who I speak to.
The premise of the FAB, is for it to be a 2-way channel of honest communication, so I would also be interested to hear more detail from within the club, as to why the decision has been made.

What is your opinion on the all expenses trips to abroad to engage with our fans in Europe, the US, Asia and Africa, spreading the SFC gospel to all corners of the earth that was suggested in one of the previous meetings? You'd be like the Apostle Paul with you Saints shirt and FAB badge blessing the foreign fans dishing out gift packs of kit to the African tribes and the like. Did they tell you the role could include lots of overseas travel?

 

 

 

[Turkish]

7 minutes ago, franniesTache said:

The point of the bubble opposition though is that getting rid of it means everyone's point of view is heard, keeping it means only those that support it are heard. Without a bubble those that want to use buses can, those that don't don't.

Also it's vitally important that people do put across their own voice on fab, because we already know from previous versions that the clubs sweep opposition under the table, fill it with lackies and then claim they've consulted the fans.

If there are no dissenting voices there's no point in the FAB, and to be honest your message here doesn't make me think you're right for it if you're not going to challenge the club off your own back

That's what they want though, a load of yes men (and women or non binaries) to nod along in agreement with everything they say, it's pointless because they'll do what they want anyway and the FAB members are so excited to be part of it all that they'll just go along with it.

As for our man being the voice of Saintsweb, we had one of those before, it wont be long before he'll be having tight trouser moments and meet ups at Turnstile A.

[AlexLaw76]

[Golden Balls]

1 hour ago, franniesTache said:

The point of the bubble opposition though is that getting rid of it means everyone's point of view is heard, keeping it means only those that support it are heard. Without a bubble those that want to use buses can, those that don't don't.

Also it's vitally important that people do put across their own voice on fab, because we already know from previous versions that the clubs sweep opposition under the table, fill it with lackies and then claim they've consulted the fans.

If there are no dissenting voices there's no point in the FAB, and to be honest your message here doesn't make me think you're right for it if you're not going to challenge the club off your own back

I of course have my own views. But I wouldn't be going in just to push my own agenda. For example, if there was an ongoing issue with stewarding in the Chapel stand, that wouldn't be something I'm aware of or that affects me as a STH in the Northam. My point being, I will be actively seeking the views of others to ensure as many fans as possible have a voice and as many issues as possible are resolved.

You've completely misunderstood everything I've said on here, X and the website if you think I'm not going to be challenging towards the club where necessary. That's exactly what I'd be prepared to do. 

Obviously if you feel someone else is better suited to the role than me, and that they'd be better than me, please vote for them. The point is to get the best people possible into that room. 

[trousers]

Congratulations @St Louis... The new official Saintsweb FAB rep...!

#nopressure

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/fan-advisory-board-members-confirmed

 

 

[St Louis]

19 minutes ago, trousers said:

Congratulations @St Louis... The new official Saintsweb FAB rep...!

#nopressure

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/fan-advisory-board-members-confirmed

Thank You!
I'm really pleased, and looking forward to getting started 👊

[Golden Balls]

Good luck Louis.

Shame I didn’t get in, Simon has more mates than me it seems. Over to you to overturn the bubble 😉

[AlexLaw76]

I voted for you St Loius

fact.

dont turn into a mentalist 

[The Kraken]

On 09/09/2026 at 13:18, Golden Balls said:

If elected, I'll make sure that before any meeting that I gather fan feedback across social media and this forum to take into the meetings so the most important issues are discussed.  

I genuinely can’t understand how any fans’ group can consider themselves representative when they have utterly failed to communicate with the largest SFC forum. Seemingly ever. Good luck in the vote, but I can’t help but have a massive mistrust of an “organisation” that claims to represent the fans and does nothing of the sort. 

If you get elected I hope the first thing you do is to open it up.

[LGTL]

You have one job - get rid of the bubble. Good luck. 

[Football Special]

4 hours ago, St Louis said:

Thank You!
I'm really pleased, and looking forward to getting started 👊

One other point I think should be raised is in my experience we're one of the most expensive clubs in the championship for kids tickets, as someone with two young kids who are really getting into football I find it hard to justify taking them along regularly, take the Skates game cheapest u14 ticket is £25 plus £2 booking fee, even for other lesser games it feels a lot 

[Birder Saint]

Ive not seen a club statement yet but a steward warned my daughter that bags will be banned from the stadium soon.

A non discreet approved size "Stadium Bag " is now available in the shop for £8. Presumably this will become common at all venues but it feels like the club are looking at an easy cash in

[RedArmy]

15 hours ago, Football Special said:

One other point I think should be raised is in my experience we're one of the most expensive clubs in the championship for kids tickets, as someone with two young kids who are really getting into football I find it hard to justify taking them along regularly, take the Skates game cheapest u14 ticket is £25 plus £2 booking fee, even for other lesser games it feels a lot 

This in spades. 
 

How can they justify a single match ticket in that kids zone being £25 when a season ticket would have only been £80 ffs. 
 

This is the first season my nipper is old enough to start going regularly and i told him we’d go to 1 game a month. It’s costing me £50/60 every game. 
 

Starting to realise that season tickets probably would have cheaper even though it would still mainly be 1 game a month for him because he’s too young to do the evening games. 

 

Maybe if they actually published the categories  and match pricing before the season it might have been easier to work that out. 
 

But then they can’t rip you off even more by changing the categories in march, April and May when the games become bigger. 

[sfc4prem]

A fiver, maybe a tenner at most for a child ticket. The future fanbase.

[Weston Super Saint]

1 hour ago, RedArmy said:

This in spades. 
 

How can they justify a single match ticket in that kids zone being £25 when a season ticket would have only been £80 ffs. 
 

This is the first season my nipper is old enough to start going regularly and i told him we’d go to 1 game a month. It’s costing me £50/60 every game. 
 

Starting to realise that season tickets probably would have cheaper even though it would still mainly be 1 game a month for him because he’s too young to do the evening games. 

 

Maybe if they actually published the categories  and match pricing before the season it might have been easier to work that out. 
 

But then they can’t rip you off even more by changing the categories in march, April and May when the games become bigger. 

Half season ticket?

[franniesTache]

Minutes from the first FAB meeting out and sweet fucking jesus where do we find these people??

Quote

FAB raised concerns re. placement of the away fans, and how close they are to a

family zone. Club’s mitigation for this shared.

Just leave it the hell alone, the chapel next to the away fans is class currently and it's the family stand in name alone.

Quote

The FAB asked what plans would be regarding security arrangements for the

Middlesbrough game this season. The Club agreed a clear plan is needed, and will

share closer to the date.

Are you fucking serious?! We just had the derby game and nothing happened, it's just bloody overkill to think we need "security arrangements" for fucking Boro, when did our fans get so soppy?

Quote

FAB asked if security arrangements will always be so strict. FAB said that as so

much time has passed since the last ‘difficult’ game, fans need a reminder of why

the bubble is the necessary to help people understand (similar to The Echo’s piece

last year). The Club agreed this could be a good plan.

It's not been long it's been three games, and NOTHING happened, in fact it was the easiest trip to Fratton i've done in my life, the only issues came from the police who decided to indiscriminately baton people.

All it's taken is one meeting to make it obvious this FAB, like the last FAB don't represent the support. Complete waste of bloody time, but also makes it clear why someone like @Noodles34 wasn't accepted onto it

[Appy]

Bigger women’s shirts and water stations by the toilets. 
 

Jesus wept. 
 

Should be getting stuck into them about away tickets and giving away our allocation to complimentary tickets. 

[sfc4prem]

Fucking Awful Bollocks.

[Pamplemousse]

"fans need a reminder of why the bubble is the necessary to help people understand"

 

That is a very concerning statement from the official minutes. Was there any representation that was put forward for those fans, myself included, who don't want to be forced to get a coach to their ground? I'm a grown man, I can make my own choices, I understand the risk. I don't need a patronising reminder.

If people want to really avoid trouble and want a coach, let them do so, for those who want to get there on their own, let them do so.

Edited 23 hours ago by Pamplemousse

[Turkish]

 

1 hour ago, Appy said:

Bigger women’s shirts and water stations by the toilets. 
 

Jesus wept. 
 

Should be getting stuck into them about away tickets and giving away our allocation to complimentary tickets. 

How about an alternative to bigger shirts we can release a Saints branded version of Ozempic. Not only would more fans fit into regular shirts we'd also be the first club to fight obesity and type 2 diabetes, something we could add to the list of inclusive activities we run here at SFC. 

Edited 23 hours ago by Turkish

[ant]

Reading the notes, it's evident the club doesn't really want the FAB to advocate for the fanbase - rather they see it as a mouthpiece for the club.

I suspect the flaws are by design.

[SaintNewForest]

Security arrangements for 'boro; is Gibbo that incensed he's coming down with the SAS and the KGB in tow? 

[The Kraken]

On 04/09/2026 at 16:41, St Louis said:

If its something the club is open to, then again I'd reiterate that I feel better communication is needed between the fans and the club (both ways) on certain decisions.
If we have permission to be active in looking for feedback, then I'd love to be able to post on here (and other platforms) to actively seek thoughts and opinions. Why wouldn't that be useful to the club (and for me) to add value to the FAB? I'm not sure how it could work if there are only 8 voices being heard all season from the entire fanbase.

This started well.

[IFHP]

Fucking hell what a bunch of drips , where the fuck do they find them .

I’m sure there’s was someone on here record they were going to keep us informed of meetings and ask our views - I take it they’ve gone down the secrecy club thinking they a special fans . 
 

it’s no wonder a 25-50 year old bloke who likes a drink with their mates , give the likes of pompey fans abuse wil ever get on FAB .

i dare say they will complain about the liquidator being played at full time and the crowed singing Fuck off pompey - the saints .

plebs . 

[Turkish]

9 minutes ago, IFHP said:

Fucking hell what a bunch of drips , where the fuck do they find them .

I’m sure there’s was someone on here record they were going to keep us informed of meetings and ask our views - I take it they’ve gone down the secrecy club thinking they a special fans . 
 

it’s no wonder a 25-50 year old bloke who likes a drink with their mates , give the likes of pompey fans abuse wil ever get on FAB .

i dare say they will complain about the liquidator being played at full time and the crowed singing Fuck off pompey - the saints .

plebs . 

Good, they sound like ghastly knuckle draggers

[LGTL]

Fucking hell, this new lot are worse than the old lot. The bubble can fuck off, load of shite that ruins the day. 

[sfc4prem]

Just now, LGTL said:

Fucking hell, this new lot are worse than the old lot. The bubble can fuck off, load of shite that ruins the day. 

Massive drain on the Old Bill's resources, too. Wonder if the coppers would prefer it free roam, how it used to be?

[Football Special]

4 hours ago, franniesTache said:

Minutes from the first FAB meeting out and sweet fucking jesus where do we find these people??

Just leave it the hell alone, the chapel next to the away fans is class currently and it's the family stand in name alone.

Are you fucking serious?! We just had the derby game and nothing happened, it's just bloody overkill to think we need "security arrangements" for fucking Boro, when did our fans get so soppy?

It's not been long it's been three games, and NOTHING happened, in fact it was the easiest trip to Fratton i've done in my life, the only issues came from the police who decided to indiscriminately baton people.

All it's taken is one meeting to make it obvious this FAB, like the last FAB don't represent the support. Complete waste of bloody time, but also makes it clear why someone like @Noodles34 wasn't accepted onto it

Thanks for sharing, interestingly I had also contacted the club regarding enhanced security arrangements for the Middlesbrough game with a bubble to be used for Gibbo and his boys to be escorted down, no toilet breaks or paper trail coffee stops 

 

3 hours ago, SaintNewForest said:

Security arrangements for 'boro; is Gibbo that incensed he's coming down with the SAS and the KGB in tow? 

 

[Football Special]

On a serious note this needs highlighting by the FAB, ticket prices for West Ham at home over Christmas,  its already a Tuesday night 8.15pm , thought about taking my kids as its in the holidays but not paying £25 plus £2  booking fee for an under 14 

[Ted Bates Statue]

5 hours ago, franniesTache said:

Just leave it the hell alone, the chapel next to the away fans is class currently and it's the family stand in name alone.

If the club thinks it's an issue, they should consider installing safe standing to create a buffer between the family area and the away support then. Ticket sales are usually lower in that part of the ground and it would encourage a better atmosphere there as an alternative to the Northam.

On another note, I'm surprised that ex-Man Utd Finance Director didn't get voted in. With his CV and experience I thought he would've been an absolute shoo-in.

[Willo of Whiteley]

What is the point in FAB?

Are they of adult age or are they just not thinking clearly with this stuff?

[Patrick Bateman]

6 hours ago, franniesTache said:

FAB raised concerns re. placement of the away fans, and how close they are to a

family zone. Club’s mitigation for this shared.

Are they serious?? 😂 Bloody hell.

I sit in the actual family corner with my son (block 13), most of the language and views is worse than what comes over from the away fans anyway. And besides, it is a football match, not a fucking church. I've not heard one person complain. Actually I see far more people I know and recognise in that corner, plus the regulars we've got to know over the last 3 years there, it's not a bad spot. 

"placement of the away fans, and how close they are to a family zone" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Christ on a bike.

[Mboto Gorge]

Seems to me that the FAB are more concerned with their own ego’s and revelling in their status as holier than thou fans, than actually being a mouthpiece for the majority of the fan bases views. Not surprising, but a total waste of time. All a big dick swinging contest and chance to arse lick the club rather than actually hold the club to account on anything. Fucking nauseating  to see they’re still lapping up the bubble as a good idea and even want to have something in place for the Boro game. What a bunch of saps

[Crab Lungs]

I had to return to the forum briefly just to read this. It’s true. Proximity of the away fans and security arrangements for Boro 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Absolutely wild stuff from our nanny state wannabes

[Patrick Bateman]

4 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Seems to me that the FAB are more concerned with their own ego’s and revelling in their status as holier than thou fans, than actually being a mouthpiece for the majority of the fan bases views. Not surprising, but a total waste of time. All a big dick swinging contest and chance to arse lick the club rather than actually hold the club to account on anything. Fucking nauseating  to see they’re still lapping up the bubble as a good idea and even want to have something in place for the Boro game. What a bunch of saps

I read through the previous minutes.

"The FAB demanded to know why they weren't invited to the launch party of Level 1"

"Agreed the club would organise a stadium tour for the FAB"

Those two items alone made my eyes roll. This is not advising the club what fans want, far from it.

[trousers]

On 11/09/2026 at 16:34, St Louis said:

Thank You!
I'm really pleased, and looking forward to getting started 👊

Any update on proceedings yet @St Louis...?

[RedArmy]

Security for Boro Bunch of drips. 

[Turkish]

12 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I read through the previous minutes.

"The FAB demanded to know why they weren't invited to the launch party of Level 1"

"Agreed the club would organise a stadium tour for the FAB"

Those two items alone made my eyes roll. This is not advising the club what fans want, far from it.

The invite to the launch party and stadium tour would make perfect sense. The stadium tour would give them a chance to assess what improvements would be needed for the match day experience to be enhanced and surely as our representatives to the board of SFC, i agree, an invitation to the launch of Level 1 should have been compulsory. I understand their disappointment. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

8 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

Security for Boro Bunch of drips. 

If you’re scared, don’t attend. Simple.

And if you are scared of Middlesbrough, grow up. 😂

Edited 7 hours ago by Willo of Whiteley

[Turkish]

Can i just remind everyone that the FAB are doing this for US not for THEMSELVES. Please stop taking the piss, fans safety is the upmost importance and i for one am pleased to see they are taking this issue seriously. The Boro game is a high risk fixture and i am pleased to see they are taking steps to ensure everyone can enjoy the match in a safe environment. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Can i just remind everyone that the FAB are doing this for US not for THEMSELVES. Please stop taking the piss, fans safety is the upmost importance and i for one am pleased to see they are taking this issue seriously. The Boro game is a high risk fixture and i am pleased to see they are taking steps to ensure everyone can enjoy the match in a safe environment. 

Thanks for posting this. Tours and launch parties allow FAB access to as many different environments, areas, and at different times as possible. FANS may also find themselves in those environments too. If so, they have the comfort of knowing that FAB have assessed, and optimised it, for them. It's not in the minutes but FAB try out any toilets that have been repaired, and taste test everything available in the stadium. They DEMAND it, for the FANS.

Clearly the 'boro game will have some additional edge to it. And edges are just what protective bubbles are there to stop. Well done FAB for ensuring the atmosphere, and security, is maintained for all FANS.

[St Louis]

3 hours ago, trousers said:

Any update on proceedings yet @St Louis...?

I come in peace 😁....

The first meeting was held on the 30th Sept (there will be 4 a year) and it came just 2 weeks after we were formed and 1 week after roles were assigned. So to be transparent, many of the agenda points were carried over from the previous groups last meeting.
The meeting was 2 hours, and the first hour was predominantly an introduction to how things work and also an intro to the individuals in attendance. Many of the senior execs from the club were in attendance and they naturally wanted to discuss some of the points around their roles (ticketing, safety, commercial, etc).
It's important to say that the FAB is anything but a mouthpiece for the club, we are not club employees (even on a voluntary basis) and they want us to manage things 100% independently and bring the topics to them that the fanbase want to discuss, and absolutely do not choose what we discuss.

Bubble/Safety:
The heads of operations, ticketing and security naturally wanted to talk about the Pompey bubble as the game was coming up. As you can see in the minutes it was asked 'if its really necessary as there hasnt been trouble in a while' and it definitely wasnt being pushed by all of the FAB that its a good thing, so it was challenged. But from a policing and club POV you can see why they (and their Pompey counterparts) feel its been a success. FWIW, personally I did raise that I dont like it and that I havent been to Fratton since and that it's lost some of its atmosphere because of the bubble. But I also understand that some fans prefer it and that the club executive who is responsible for fan safety has done their job in making it safer, and why they feel it's likely to continue. But we felt it would be a good idea to reiterate to the fans as to the reasons why they do it.
They then discussed safety and policing around other games and how they assess risk, and Boro was brought up as a game that they will look at a little differently this season (understandably) but it was never raised that a bubble or anything out of the ordinary is needed for those fixtures (I can see people already trying to suggest that online), but just that they will likely have more stewards/policing for example and work with Boro in how best to manage it if they feel there is added risk.
It was also asked how it's been going with the Family section being next to the away fans. It was just a question in the natural flow of a conversation, and as the minutes state, it was mitigated that all is good and no plans to change that. Some in the room felt (and had had wider feedback from fans) that it took away from the atmosphere by having families/kids so close to the away support and how good it was previously in the Itchen corner and at The Dell, to have a more vociferous group by the away section. Just because a topic gets discussed, it doesnt mean the FAB as a group are necessarily For or Against it. For example, the FAB werent pushing for the Pompey bubble, asking for added security for Boro or asking for the family section to be moved, they are just agenda points that were discussed, with all views shared, from us as individuals and from the senior execs at the club.

Just on a few other points from the minutes....

Water Stations:
The club discussed how the stadium is 25 years old now and needs some improvements (even to things like the plumbing!) and it was discussed about adding more water stations in concourses, and someone raised that when they do that, maybe dont put another one right between the toilet entrance and exits, as its impossible to use when the toilet queues are around at halftime. It was just a natural conversation, and a valid point, not something that was seen as a priority by any means. But everything discussed will get added to minutes.

Shirt Sales/Sizes:
We heard from the CRO around shirt sales, and how the 3rd shirt has sold out, but Home and Away shirts are still available, and a FAB member asked if more Women's sizes could be made available too, as never enough available. It wasnt that deep, just someone's personal POV, and I think we will see things like that also discussed and noted in minutes.

Stadium Tour:
The club feel it would be useful for us to see all stands/concourses of the stadium (not just the area we regularly sit) to better understand the layout and logistics, and how things might differ in each stand. Things were being discussed, that I didnt even know existed in other areas for example. 

Level 1 Launch Invite:
I assume that was just a joke, as wasnt discussed or raised.

Trust me, the new FAB fully appreciate that improvements need to be made and that it just didnt work previously and wider fans weren't consulted well enough or considered (the club wholeheartedly agreed). We want to be more visible and we want to bring more feedback. It wasn't a group of nodding heads in the meeting, it was really constructive, and I'm really excited to see what we can bring to the table and what positive changes can be made in future, based on supporter feedback.

So I would ask that you give us a bit of a chance and a run-up to the next one (late Nov / early Dec), where we will have time to source feedback from the wider fanbase for future agenda points to discuss (we have lots of plans in place for that). I've been working with the club in getting a feedback form added to the club website where we can collect the thoughts and concerns of the fans, and we can then collate that, look for themes and take some of it forward into meetings. Personally, I've already attended EFL/FSA meetings and discussed ticket pricing, etc and was able to hear what other clubs do and how we can be more competitive and what initiatives their FAB groups have initiated. We are also discussing having a drop-in hub at the stadium for some games, so we can chat in-person to the wider fanbase and collect more feedback to share with the club. We honestly dont want this to be about just those of us on the board, we genuinely want to represent the entire fanbase as best we can.

I will share the central feedback form on here as soon as its live, and all I can do is ask that anyone who has any thoughts or feedback that they genuinely want discussed, to fill out the form. We have hundreds of thousands of fans, so we want to be able to identify common themes and then take them into meetings. The biggest thing we need to get right is gathering views beyond the people sitting around that table.

I have also messaged @stevegrant on here to ask if we can have a Thread dedicated to FAB discussions and where we can share the form to gather your feedback, and I can share some of the things that are happening and being implemented, etc. So hopefully I can then give the SaintsWeb more of a voice in our meetings.

Edited 3 hours ago by St Louis

[Turkish]

14 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Thanks for posting this. Tours and launch parties allow FAB access to as many different environments, areas, and at different times as possible. FANS may also find themselves in those environments too. If so, they have the comfort of knowing that FAB have assessed, and optimised it, for them. It's not in the minutes but FAB try out any toilets that have been repaired, and taste test everything available in the stadium. They DEMAND it, for the FANS.

Clearly the 'boro game will have some additional edge to it. And edges are just what protective bubbles are there to stop. Well done FAB for ensuring the atmosphere, and security, is maintained for all FANS.

💯

id also encourage them to engage better with overseas fans to make them feel more included. It must be difficult being a supporter of a championship club 1000s of miles away. Perhaps they could take regular trips to meet with them, watch games with them in their own environment, for example attend Dubai Saints and Australian Saints meet ups representing the FAB. This fans are just as important as the ones we need to protect at SMS from Boro fans 

[St Louis]

5 minutes ago, Turkish said:

💯

id also encourage them to engage better with overseas fans to make them feel more included. It must be difficult being a supporter of a championship club 1000s of miles away. Perhaps they could take regular trips to meet with them, watch games with them in their own environment, for example attend Dubai Saints and Australian Saints meet ups representing the FAB. This fans are just as important as the ones we need to protect at SMS from Boro fans 

Sounds a great idea to me... definitely 'added to the agenda' for the next discussion ☀️

[Holmes_and_Watson]

7 minutes ago, Turkish said:

💯

id also encourage them to engage better with overseas fans to make them feel more included. It must be difficult being a supporter of a championship club 1000s of miles away. Perhaps they could take regular trips to meet with them, watch games with them in their own environment, for example attend Dubai Saints and Australian Saints meet ups representing the FAB. This fans are just as important as the ones we need to protect at SMS from Boro fans 

Such a good idea.

It's well known that visiting fans considerably outspend legacy fans. That's the simple bottom line for any club trying to increase it's revenue. 

Therefore clubs have to walk a line between supporting tradition, history and those fans while having a stadium with facilities, and yes spend points, for the far travelling fan.

Engaging with overseas fans directly would not only bring those fans closer to feeling part of the club (which they are), but would increase the chances they will visit and spend for a great experience.

An outreach programme, based on direct FAB, experience could even look at improving the Saints watching facilities around the world. From New York Saints bars, through plush middle eastern hotels to the Yoshida Club's viewing patterns. 

It's fitting that the FAB gets an International Rescue role.

[Patrick Bateman]

23 minutes ago, St Louis said:

I come in peace 😁....

Shirt Sales/Sizes:
We heard from the CRO around shirt sales, and how the 3rd shirt has sold out already, but Home and Away shirts are still available, and a female member asked if more Women's sizes could be made available too, as never enough available. It wasnt that deep, just someone's personal POV, and I think we will see things like that also discussed.

Stadium Tour:
The club feel it would be useful for us to see all stands/concourses of the stadium (not just the area we regularly sit) to better understand the layout and logistics, and how things might differ in each stand. Things were being discussed, that I didnt even know existed in other areas for example. 

Level 1 Launch Invite:
I assume that was just a joke, as wasnt discussed or raised.

Trust me, the new FAB fully appreciate that improvements need to be made and that it just didnt work previously and wider fans weren't consulted well enough or considered (the club wholeheartedly agreed). We want to be more visible and we want to bring more feedback. It wasn't a group of nodding heads in the meeting, it was really constructive and we really challenged the club, and I'm really excited to see what we can bring to the table and what positive changes can be made in future, based on supporter feedback.

Thanks for getting stuck in here. 

I've only kept part of your message as it is quite long to quote, but, your note already read better than the minutes. Minutes seem like a hugely archaic way of doing things and always strike me as school governor or village hall type meetings. Ugh.  I think the minutes (if you're using them) could be written in a more modern way - I mean just use an AI meeting summariser which actually do come across as less formal and do capture the real meaning of a sentence. Your text above read very differently as you explained it better. 
Or even not minutes, just action points and a podcast?? 

@TotalSaintsPod may kill me for this, but maybe ask for a 10 min slot with those guys?? 

Re the Level 1 invite - not a joke, it was in the 'minutes' from last November or something (I did go back and look at them), which actually leads to your next point about being better engaged with fans.  That Level 1 invite thing was the wrong approach, rather than going out, asking fans, doing surveys, getting on podcasts, posting on forums etc.  So I hope to see more surveys, podcasts and forum posts from you guys - genuinely. That would come across better than posting occasional minutes about what many people here (and you know we're critical 😂) perceive as pointless - even if just the way it was written. Needs a much better presence - I think asking Steve for an area is a great shout too. 

But thanks @St Louis - message much appreciated.

[Turkish]

48 minutes ago, St Louis said:

Sounds a great idea to me... definitely 'added to the agenda' for the next discussion ☀️

 

42 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Such a good idea.

It's well known that visiting fans considerably outspend legacy fans. That's the simple bottom line for any club trying to increase it's revenue. 

Therefore clubs have to walk a line between supporting tradition, history and those fans while having a stadium with facilities, and yes spend points, for the far travelling fan.

Engaging with overseas fans directly would not only bring those fans closer to feeling part of the club (which they are), but would increase the chances they will visit and spend for a great experience.

An outreach programme, based on direct FAB, experience could even look at improving the Saints watching facilities around the world. From New York Saints bars, through plush middle eastern hotels to the Yoshida Club's viewing patterns. 

It's fitting that the FAB gets an International Rescue role.

Obviously you wouldn’t be expected to pay for this. It should come out of a club FAB pot of funds which will prove a 100 fold ROI once we start expanding our fanbase in New York, Rio, Madrid, Dubai, Sydney, Tokyo etc thanks to your selfless work. 

[Turkish]

@St Louis not seen any updates on pre poured drinks and development features on the app. Also when will Be getting gender neutral toilets? 

Edited 4 hours ago by Turkish

[franniesTache]

3 hours ago, St Louis said:

But I also understand that some fans prefer it and that the club executive who is responsible for fan safety has done their job in making it safer, and why they feel it's likely to continue. But we felt it would be a good idea to reiterate to the fans as to the reasons why they do it.

And there's core. of the issue, "some fans prefer". Well yes, and some fans don't. But we're not forcing those that do prefer it to go by train, they can still go by coach. The fact is the bubble is draconian, and they don't need to patronisingly remind us "why it's needed", when loads went in 2019 and can quite clearly see it isn't needed.

We're not talking about Alan Knight's testimonial here - which is now almost 35 years ago if you want to feel old - times have changed massively, and it's draconian nonsense to suggest it's needed, especially as the facts in terms of arrests simply don't back it up.

When we ask the FAB to push back that's what we mean, don't just say you disagree push back on the narrative that the fans just need to "be reminded", push back on them driving the narrative, and challenge them on the arrests and stats that show what they're saying is b*llocks.

If you're just accepting their view you're not independent