Last nights Executive Committee Fan Groups Q&A

Notes from last nights Fan Groups online forum attended by Stuart Webber, Ben Kensell and Zoe Ward.

Covid Activities:
Over 7,000 calls made to older and at risk season ticket holders. 300 made by first team players. Various local community and NHS support activities have taken place.

Finance:
Currently estimating that current crisis will cost NCFC between £12m to 15m made up of lost revenue from home games, season ticket rebate, and TV rebate. Some of the TV rebate will be offset until next season. Club have already conducted a detailed cost reduction exercise which is estimated to save £2.5m, specifics not provided.

Playing Staff:
Hernandez and Zimmerman back in full training. Byram still recovering from operation. Sinani not eligible to play until next season. Extension of loans for Drmic and Duda being negotiated. Josh Martin got a few mentions so appears to be the next breakthrough player.

Restart:
- First game likely to be 20th June but not yet confirmed.
- Full contact training underway. We are using our contacts in Germany to learn from their experience.
- Schedule of games likely to be same as previously planned, potential for some changes to allow for FA cup games.
- It is anticipated that all home games will be played at Carrow Road without the need for a neutral venue.
- Ideas to provide a ‘home team’ atmosphere such as fan pictures on seats, crowd noise, supporter flags etc. are being considered (although I got the impression not much thought had yet been put into this). Any such initiatives will be done on a non-commercial basis (i.e. fans paying for their photos on seats will not generate a profit).
- It is anticipated that between 200 to 250 personnel will be required at each game to operate the stadium and provide broadcasting services, etc.
- Big emphasis that for home games fans should stay away (i.e. no congregating outside). Significant FA sanctions if rules broken. Club have told Holiday Inn not to sell pitch facing rooms during game time.
- For away games it is expected that teams will be able to stay at hotels the night before. This being arranged by the Premier Leave as all hotels are currently closed.
- Meeting with Premier League this week to discuss proposals for more substitutes, multi balls, and abandoning VAR for rest of season. Webber raised the issue that the introduction of any of these rule changes would impinge upon the integrity of the season.
- Webber stressed that if season isn’t finished the Club would strongly oppose an ‘average points per game’ approach and/or relegation if the Championship does not finish their season. Of course it may be out of the Clubs hands as it will be decided on a vote basis.

Next Season:
- Usual question of will we have to sell players? Usual answer that we have no plans to do so however there is not much can be done if a player is determined to leave (i.e. following relegation).
- In turn we are keeping an eye on the situation at lower league clubs who may be forced to sell their best players. Some may see this as taking advantage but in the current circumstances it is a reality if low league clubs are to survive.
- Toilet facilities at Carra Rud being upgraded to provided hand sanitisers etc.
- As expected season ticket renewals for next season are slower than usual but the current waiting list should make up any shortfall.
- Club are not in favour of reduced capacity attendance next season to allow for social distancing. For clubs who cannot fill their stadiums this might be an option but for us, with the number of season ticket holders, it would be impossible to fairly decide who would be given access.

Posted By: The Gaffer, Jun 2, 16:14:08