Chelsea Supporters’ Trust Special General Meeting held 21 November 2015
Issues Raised From The Meeting:
These notes focus on specific issues raised by members during the meeting. They are not designed to be formal meeting minutes. The results of the annual CST Members Survey, which formed the basis of much of the discussion, were sent to members recently and a link appears in the December CST newsletter. Issues already raised in the survey results commentary are not repeated.
The points raised by these questions and comments will be raised with the club as appropriate.
The full meeting can be listened to as a podcast by clicking here
Ticket Pricing
Members raised concerns about the continued high prices of home and away tickets across the Premier League. Support was expressed for the CST working with the FSF on ticketing campaigns, especially given the 2016/17 increase in TV revenues.
Concessionary Seating
Concern was expressed that the senior citizens concessionary seats are located in the East Upper, which has obvious accessibility issues. It was suggested more appropriate locations be found in both the temporary stadium and the redeveloped Stamford Bridge.
Away Travel
The continued subsidy of domestic away travel was generally welcomed. Concern was expressed with regard to the cost of Thomas Cook overseas trips compared with those operated by other clubs. A subsidy on expensive London derby away tickets, which do not require subsidised travel, was suggested.
Purchasing Tickets
The policy change by the club, limiting online ‘Friends and Family’ purchases to four per individual at one time, as opposed to ten, was generally welcomed. The waiting time in the Virtual Waiting Room has reduced as a result and those in the queue have a greater chance of obtaining a ticket.
Ticket Exchange
Although the introduction of the Chelsea Ticket Exchange was welcomed, concern was expressed that the seller retained the loyalty points for that game and the purchaser received none.
Chelsea Pitch Owners
The overwhelming support in the AGM motions for the retention of the CPO in its current form post-redevelopment was reiterated. Members were encouraged to purchase a CPO share. Shareholders were encouraged to attend the CPO AGM on 29th January 2016.
Ticket Touting
As well as contacting the police and council, it was suggested that the CST board should try and meeting with the British Transport Police, to raise concerns about the overt touting of tickets on TFL property.
Temporary Stadium
The point was raised that no new season tickets should be issued for the temporary stadium. The whole issue of season tickets, including possible ‘sabbaticals’ for existing season ticket holders, was covered in a note sent recently to the club regarding ticketing and facilities at whichever temporary stadium the club move to.
Stamford Bridge Redevelopment
The question was raised as to whether the club would sell debenture season tickets for the redeveloped Stamford Bridge. This was felt unlikely, given the small number of extra season tickets currently proposed post-redevelopment.
A separate note relating to the Q&A session on policing and stewarding with Alison Gurden and Melanie Cooke will be circulated to members in due course.
