FANS FORUM REPORT: JULY 2023
Thank you to all our supporters who attended our fans forum. We have put together an overview of the main talking points:
The Optima Stadium Development
Since the planning application was submitted two years ago, the Club have had to make a few minor amendments.
We hope that planning permission will be granted within the next few months, with a planned October 2025 start.
The football stadium part of the development will take approximately 12 months to complete from the start date.
Stadium Seats
188 black seats have been ordered at a total cost of £14,000 and will be installed in the seating stand from the Director’s box toward the NK Group Stand area of the Optima Care Stand.
This part of the Optima Care Stand will be closed until the seats are installed. We anticipate this will be done by the 11th of August.
These new seats can also be used after the stadium development.
A supporter asked if any usable seats from this area could be moved down into the other section of the Optima Care Stand. The Club will look into this.
Electronic Scoreboard
The Club will be looking into raising the electronic scoreboard so that it will be more visible to more supporters around the stadium. It was noted that the structure is quite hard to change which might limit how far the Club can proceed with this but match day staff will no longer be allowed to sit in the middle area blocking the scoreboard, so this should help.
50/50 Half-Time Draw
Due to the amount of money being taken in the 50/50 half-time draw, there will be a slight change to the format this season. The prize split will be as follows:
Overall takings:
£0.00 to £400.00 – One prize
£400.00 to £600.00 – Two prizes (70/30 split)
£600.00 plus – Three prizes (60/30/10 split)
The Board placed on record their thanks to 50/50 half-time draw sellers Mary Fitzgerald and Eric Cross.
Segregation
The Club has had dialogue with Avon and Somerset Police regarding segregation.
We anticipate that games against Torquay United and Yeovil Town will need to be segregated. The Club are working through the precise details and will communicate them to all supporters once finalised.
Car Park Holes
The Club is aware of the holes at the entrance to the overflow car park. This will be rectified ASAP.
PA System
The Club will look into the possibility of improving the PA system. It was explained that it would be hard to migrate any upgrades into the new development.
Perspex in the Optima Care Stand
A supporter spoke about the gap at the back of the Optima Care Stand and how supporters sometimes get wet when sitting in that area. It was explained that the gap was put in intentionally so supporters buying food could still see the pitch. The Club will look into putting some Perspex into the gap.
