Supporters Meeting

[Kaiser Chief]

Join us in the Purvis Suite on Wednesday, 18th January at 7pm to hear from Chairman/CEO David Cook, manager James McPake and Club captain Kyle Benedictus. Reserve your free ticket by clicking on the link on the COWS article. Only 150 places available on a first come, first served basis.

https://www.dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=Supporters+Meeting+&ID=14166

 

Edited January 10, 2023 by Kaiser Chief

[Kaiser Chief]

60 tickets already gone in the first half hour!

Just confirmed that bar will be open from 6pm.

[Digs]

Won't be able to make this one, but always worth getting along if you can as there is always lots to hear. 

Go and ask your questions, they will get answered.

[Keyser Soze]

I’d be interested to know why the club thought it would be a good idea to make a man who said he backs a rapist 100% club captain? And what kind of impression that gives to young fans? 

[Kaiser Chief]

Over 100 places now reserved!

[kelty_par]

25 minutes ago, Keyser Soze said:

I’d be interested to know why the club thought it would be a good idea to make a man who said he backs a rapist 100% club captain? And what kind of impression that gives to young fans? 

Ask the question then

[Keyser Soze]

13 minutes ago, kelty_par said:

Ask the question then

I have more important things to do that evening. 

[Kaiser Chief]

Down to the last 20!

[Superally]

Looking forward to going. 

[Kaiser Chief]

This event is now FULLY SUBSCRIBED. I'll now open a waiting list, so if you’d like to go but didn't manage to reserve a place, email me on andrew@dafc.co.uk, and I'll allocate any tickets as they become available. 

If you have booked a place(s) and discover you can no longer go, please let me know so someone can take your ticket.

[rosythpar]

I thought Fussball GMBH would have wanted to have someone over representing them and to speak to the supporters? I thought they said when they joined they didn't want to be invisible owners.

[Piracy]

On 10/01/2023 at 11:45, Keyser Soze said:

I have more important things to do that evening. 

FLOV

[SRBpar]

Did anyone get an update form this 

[Secure Par]

On 11/01/2023 at 19:08, rosythpar said:

I thought Fussball GMBH would have wanted to have someone over representing them and to speak to the supporters? I thought they said when they joined they didn't want to be invisible owners.

There is 2 x directors there. 

[Superally]

Buffy did these notes and forwarded them to me - Thanks muchy

Supporters Council Meeting 
Wednesday 18th January 2023

In attendance: 
David Cook
James McPake 
Matty Todd 
Drew Main 

Apologies : Kyle Benedictus

DC - great to see you all here tonight - Ty for you support.  A great response in the last meetings and important to keep all avenues of communication open between the club and our supporters. 

Season 22/23 - we are all delighted where we sit in the table.  This season - averaging 2 points per game - fantastic improvements, tremendous number of clean sheets - really chuffed. 

Academy -really pleased with the progress - 5 players from the academy have made it through to the first team so far. 

Off field - the crowds we`re getting is a huge boost, both to the club and to the team. 

Income - holding a line, despite relegation, creeping costs like everyone is feeling right now, controling costs and winning games will put us on better footings as time goes on. 

WDTHR - first time the club have put on a play, great advert for the club, rehearsals going well. It’s going to be a good event and we are happy to advertise it on behalf of the playwright. 

Falkirk match postponement - USH - tested twice in December, ran for an hour and a half the week before, turn it on on Hogmanay and the pump goes. Plumber out all day, parts needed from Germany, temps were -4, despite groundstaff (inc Bob Garmory) we couldn`t get the game on. Big dissapointment for everyone that day. 

Rosyth - no update, still challenging, planning apps, balance the cost of running the club, and Rosyth. 

Moving into the second half of the season, all excited, balanced with a healthy dose of pragmatism, heads down, win the next game in front of us, focussed on that.

Q&A 
Q - Academy - contractual status of U18 players, what length of contract, and what ties? and how far are any of them being more regular on the pitch for the first team?
A - DC - they have a modern apprenticeship - technically on an amateur contract - 2 years - we are not in a position to take on full timers in that age band, but the 5/6 who are older, get clued up on their development, and we take it from there. 
A - JMcP - myself and Dave (MacKay) have a pretty decent experience of bringing on u18s, at Dundee, young academy players, 7 months into their career, we are 7 months into this project, no hesitation in bringing them in, if we believe that any young player  can help us we will play them; I`d love to have as many graduates from the academy out on that pitch. They are getting plenty technical work, in and around the first team football environment, we have to make sure they are right and not rush it, if they are ready they will be good enough to be out on that pitch, because that is what we as a club want. 

Q - when Kevin Nisbet was sold to Hibs there was indication there was a sell out clause? Is is still live / does it have a shelf life?
A - DC - sell on clause yes, but I cannot give you details as it’s part of the transfer deal. It is still live, yes. 

Q - we have a number of young players out of contract - any news on re-signing them or new contract agreements? 
A - JMcP - yes dialogue ongoing re new players, decisions to be made in due course, no sign of players signing pre contracts elsewhere, working progress on that front. 

Q - none of us enjoyed last season, but as a player what`s the best thing since last season, what has James brought?
A - MT - the main thing is the positivity he has brought around the place, the way he motivates the young boys at the club. He’s a great manager. I don’t want to talk about last season, but focus on this season only. 
A - JMcP - first and foremost. The bare minimum hard work. From 18th June. From that date the work they put in was unbelievable. Massive believer in hard work. This group surprised me. Good players. Chalmers played against me. See his quality. Needed belief. Joe has played every game and Matty too. When I came in I wanted to give them a chance to impress. Demanded hard work. Standard and culture at this club demanded it. Togetherness. Team work. Started from the first friendly. 
I’ve known Craig Wighton since he was 15. He needed reassurance after his knee problem. 
Lots of help here at the club for everyone.

Q - Dundee game - postponed twice - weather is not getting any better - if we can`t play Tuesday coming etc - what`s the ramifications on that?
A - JMcP - I understand the frustration - we have been up in Dundee once, we were changed and ready to go. At the next game I was in Dundee, the team were not, I looked at my weather app and it looked to be a bit better. Looking at their fixture backlog for them is a bit of a mess; they probably need games on, if it can entice them to put their heating on even better. It won`t make our preparations for the team any different.  As a football club and staff we will be professional when it comes.  

Q - back to the first Dundee game, why wasn`t there a pitch inspection earlier? There should have been. 
A - I completely agree with you, it should have been done earlier; we were in Dundee from 4pm that day, cost to the club, meals etc. The players were ready and the way it was called off yesterday was much better in terms of the timing.

DC - the SPFL ref arrived late, the pitch inspection could have been done later, but it was just unfortunate that it happened the way it did. Clearly it had been made evident from earlier in the day; we can only focus on our club and how we deal with situations like this. 

Q - any new signings?
A - JMcP -  yeah (cue laughter from the floor), the way we do things at this club, we have been looking at players since we got the job, players have to make a positive impact, how good a person they are too, we have inherited a good team. Yes there are targets, but we won`t be changing much. 

Q - which teams are the hardest to play against?
A - MT - most teams are tough to play, they come in, sit in, we work on combos through the week to try to break them down. Toughest player this season for me - can`t think of one off the top off my head. (Michael Tidser) 
A - JMcP - toughest games this season for me - up at Kelty, the tight pitch, the derby atmosphere, the Christmas Eve game. It would have ruined my Christmas if we hadn`t made the changes we made in the game. 

Q - difference between being the Pars manager and Dundee manager 
A - JMcP - I am better for the experience - 110 games I had with Dundee., I had time with the youth team for a while too; very lucky when i got this job the club were supportive, Dave Mackay is so important to this club, i thnk I am calmer. (Todd giggled at this). 
I did a lot of good work up there, and trust myself being the DAFC manager, how me and Dave work well with the players. 
All I can say is I love going to my job every day. 

Q - revenue / budget for cup games
A - DC - yes a budget for both - a great test for us to play against a higher placed team, better financial position for the club as a whole and the longer we stay in it the better. 

Q - can you set out what the scouting arrangements we have / in place at the Pars? Do you see it being expanded in the future?
A - DC - We do have a scouting resource, viewing players and opposition, there are in-bound enquiries from agents; thats the way it happens, you do due dilgence, use a lot of software to do initial assessment follow up with player in person. We don’t have a fixed mindset on doing it, we can rely on great contacts and trust, recommendations. 

A - JMcP - in terms of the league we are in, not all clubs put their players on WiScout - the main scouting database - another couple in our league do it, eyes on the opposition, we do it three games in advance, see them in different games (home and away), Monty looks at that with Tommy.  This league has been challenging for that, as it`s mandatory for Premiership and Championship. 

Q - what is the different between Pars and Forrest?
A - a few differences - running the club, players salaries, head count and resources, spinning more plates at this type of club, we put on matchday for supporters, have other income streams but are probably the same at all clubs. You`re doing multiple roles.

Q - marketing strategy from the new board - two in attendance tonight - anything in fruition?
A - DC - they`re helping us to grow and develop the club, ideas behind the scenes, first couple of years were extremely hard with Covid, Zoom meetings, they didn`t change their outlook.  I don`t think we can communicate with supporters as yet on the background work; not at that stage as yet. GmbH are still 100% supportive of the club. 

Q - Scounting aspect again - when our new investors came in, overseas players, any update on how we can get players in from abroad?
A - DC - Brexit makes it much more harder, however doors are not closed , SPFL has the control over this so far, one of the main challenges is that League One is not attractive to international players. Thomas has good contacts in that field, immigration rules might change for Scotland so hopefully it will come good for us all. 
Players need to be good for our squad whether they come from Cowdenbeath / Germany.

Q - do you think we would need a high turnover of players in order to compete in the Championship?
A - JMcP - As the manager I think we don`t want a massive turnover of players, it is not good for morale or finance; we have a great team spirit, and a good core of players who are playing really well.

Q - Good manager Matty? 
A - A good man manager. Knows when to take you under his wing, knows when you can take stick (I`ll add more later, apologies) 

Q -happy pumping Arbroath 5-1 in the Challenge Cup? 
A - JMcP (pause) Oh aye. Dave  worked with Dick Campbell at Brechin and knew how well he works with his teams. Players deserve all the credit for our win. Aye it was great.  

Q - when we are in the crowd booing and the players know they`re not doing their best - What do you do / say in the changing room to the players?
A - JMcP - since I`ve been here, I`ve never questioned the attitude or the willingness to work. They’re 100% focussed on the game in hand. When something isn’t working I don’t get on their backs. It’s not conducive to a good working environment. 

JMcP - I have a good support network around me, if there`s been times we need to change the format / then we do it.  If they need reassurances we do it.  If they need more care on the ball, have a bit of belief in themselves, we do it. We tell them to go out and start quick. As soon as you go in, soon as the ball is in the box, the crowd get behind us.  The crowd at Falkirk was immense - we want to entertain.  There is no set way. We get behind the team every step of the way. 

Q - Matty - when you do your warm up at an away game and see the away support - how does that make you guys feel, as a team?
A - MT - It`s great, the Pars supporters support you wherever you go, to see you all at the away grounds, it lifts us up. The young lads in the NW are superb, they carry it away, on the road as well, we are thankful for this all season. 

Q - Montrose game - why wasn`t it moved to the Friday night so that Pars supporters could go to the Scotland game too?
A - DC - The reality it is a home game for Montrose, the league said it was on the home team to suggest the fixture, we went back to them saying Friday night, Montrose said no, Saturday at 4pm.  We wanted to change it to allow you to watch the Scotland game on tv. There are 3 games on Saturday, 2 on the Friday night so each club are treating it differently.  We understand it is frustrating. At least we were trying something but it was down to the home club.

Q - contract ending with kit sponsor Joma? new one?
A - DC - yes we have been with Joma for 10 years, we are trying to get the next kit sponsor to invest in the club, from a playing perspective, and for the fans too. 

Q - the current situation with St Johnstone, they`ve only sold 300 tickets, moving their home fans to the one stand - would you give away large sections of your support 
A - DC - the chairman of St J has come out to apologise for this.  As custodians of the football club you make mistakes, not done intentionally, you try to have supporters on the board and in the board room and you try to make the best decision for the club. The feedback is that they have got it wrong.  Killie changed their policy re OF fans too. 

Q - in the past we have given a large support to the OF fans
A -  I don`t think I could walk around the town if we gave the NW to the OF!

Q - international fans on the horizon with our new owners?
A - I think Hamburg is the biggest ParsTV viewing figures ever!

From the floor - TY to the manager and CEO for everything on and off the pitch, it has been really refreshing to see Pars winning competitive games / doing over Falkirk.  Ty for very much and let`s keep it going. (Round of applause from everyone) 

Q - are we in a position to pursue pre contracts? is Sam Fisher out of contract? 
A - Sam is out of contract at Dundee - not sure about dev fee, it`s a bit like the handball rule we dont really know how it works. It`s up to Dundee; but yes to pre contracts - couple of meetings with potential / existing players, not going to name them, a lot of work ongoing. 

Q - how do you keep the entire squad happy, sitting on the bench etc? How do you keep them motivated?
A - It’s an important part of the job.  When you`re sitting down with your staff throughout the course of the season, the team v Falkirk we have to leave people on the bench.  They all work extremely hard. Motivation comes in all shapes and sizes. It keeps them going. 

Players we lose through injury - Kevin, Paul - if we lose 6/7 at a time you then see the difference and you don`t want to see that.  The support we have here, from Thomas` input, we get that 100%. He understands. 

Q - what do you think is our biggest threat to our team, and what extra would help us get over the line?
A - MT - think we need to keep working hard week in week out, as the manager says you can`t fault anyone`s work ethic.  Since he came in, the results are going his way, and we hope it goes the same way to the end of the season.  Focus is on one game at a time.
A - JMcP - our biggest threat is ourselves.  If we think we are better than anyone else or we shouldn`t be in league one because we`re the Pars then it won`t work.   Just work hard, and no one  can fault you.  If we are looking at games down the line it won`t work for us.  There are other teams in the league which can beat us on the day so we need to focus only on how we do.  Success to the club is pars fans applauding the team off the pitch, that brings a positive result.  

Q - as a local lad, are you enjoying being a starring role in this team?
A - MT - playing week in week out, I`m loving it, thankful to the manager for playing me in the position I am. 
A - JMcP - when I came in, unveiled on crutches, it was Matty running around the pitch at that time.  He does everything you tell him to do, his enthusiasm to learn; he`s a Dunfermline fan, he`s a Dunfermline player and it should be me thanking him. 

Q - your goal on Saturday?
A - MT - it starts off with combi play through the week, Kyle puts it through, Josh shouts to leave it, I just went with the instinct to play it and it felt great. It`s about working on it throughout the week.

(Lorna) spoke to James post meeting and he said he’d wished someone had asked the question re why does everyone get behind the ball for corners?  J answered it….. 

“I like set pieces. You get the chance to use more strength to add a disadvantage to the opposing team; I’ve never seen a goalkeeper clear a ball to a striker who just happens to be in front of the opposing keeper, so having as many players behind stops this happening.”

Q - do we have a budget that’s running consistent this year after relegation? 
A - DC - Budget wise yes we’re where we want to be. Home attendance is up, great to get the fans behind us, all working out well as we had planned. 

Q - pricing restructure is working well? Any changes to be made if we are promoted or more of the same? 
A - DC - we had to make it easier, and better, for our younger fans to attend and that’s why the new pricing restructure came in.  We all are going through hard times just now and it’s no different for the club with running costs, wages, etc. It was important to have the supporters’ access to the games the priority as well as having ongoing financial conversations on the other factors. We can only focus on this season at present and it depends on the economy at a later date if prices have to change. 

Q - injuries a problem? 
A - JMcP - Paul Allan x Ray tomorrow 
Specialist Friday - he’s been on the trampoline to do weight training- through the foot. Desperate to get him back. He’s an asset to the team.

Q - players who are the hardest to play against in this league?
A - JMcP - (had a wee think about it) Aygeman at Kelty. He’s playing well for them but I don’t want to make people think we’re signing him (cue laughter from the audience).

Meeting ends.