Fan Advisory Board (FAB) 20

th

December 2023 Villa Park

Fan representatives

Joanne McKibbens Aston Villa Disabled Supporters Association

John Gillett Lions Clubs

Nilesh Chauhan Villans Together

Lena Curran Fan Representative

Guri Nandra Punjabi Villans

Dave Woodhall Heroes & Villans

Apologies

Scott Jones Villa Talk

Sam Timms Villa & Proud

Nick Sanders Avillafan.com

Club representatives

Chris Heck President of Business Operations

Ben Hatton Chief Operating Officer

Club representatives

Chris Heck President of Business Operations

Ben Hatton Chief Operating Officer

Paul Tyrrell Chief Corporate Affairs & Security Officer

Tommy Jordan Communications Director

Lynne O’Reardon Head of Ticketing

Lee Preece Supporter Liaison Manager

Agenda items and comments provided by Fan Representatives are shown in normal

text.

The club continues to work on a road map to compliance, given that we need 220

wheelchair spaces and currently have 105 spaces, with that number increasing in each

of the last two seasons.

Any new areas that are introduced will need engineering and structural works and will

require the loss of existing seating areas (to reach compliance, we need accessible

seating in all four stands). However, as discussed in item 2, we are looking to increase

capacity by maximising the efficiency of existing seating which will help mitigate seat

loss for anyone affected by the loss of their seat.

There is an issue with the lack of dropped kerbs near Holte Pub. Trinity Road does not

have a dropped kerb until the burger vans.

This will be an issue for the council. We will ask our newly appointed Transport Officer

clarity, rumours on social media suggesting that this decision will result in a new stadium

elsewhere are entirely false. Moving away from Villa Park is not part of any plans.

To increase capacity, we can change the seating layout in some areas to add

approximately 2 to 3,000 seats. Any increase in seat numbers will clearly need to be

aligned with improvements to concourse, toilets, food & beverage provision etc. Our

owners will be investing significantly into upgrading facilities across Villa Park.

We are working closely with UEFA and the FA with regards to Euro 2028.

options are being explored. Fans need to be mindful that we are operating within the

parameters of existing deals and contractual commitments, some of which are multiyear

deals. Sponsorship can have the most significant positive impact on our compliance

with FFP.

4. V Sports Partnership

What do the club gain from a sporting and commercial perspective?

5. Terrace View & Lower Grounds

Are these areas selling out?

Both areas are selling well. Terrace View has over 500 season ticket holders, and

spaces are being sold on a match-to-match basis. Lower Grounds patronage is also

growing, with over 600 fans using the facility versus Arsenal.

As we get used to selling patterns etc we are beginning to balance ticketing between GA

and GA+, ensuring tickets are released back to GA when appropriate.

6. Ticket Office Opening Times

When tickets go on sale at 5pm the ticket office is closed.

rd

their lunch break.

We have recently recruited an additional two staff in the call centre, so can review this

policy. However, having half the staff available between 12pm and 2pm might not make

it easier to get through (compared to having all staff take their break at the same time).

To help reduce the number of calls, are we any nearer allowing fans to upgrade tickets

on-line?

We are in the final stages of testing, where season tickets are held within the app. Once

Anyone who feels the volume levels are too high or too low in their area can drop the

club a note and we will investigate. However, achieving the perfect balance for

everyone across the stadium is impossible to achieve! We have received feedback in

the past from fans in the same area with differing opinion on sound levels.

We do aim to build the volume towards kick-off, but as experienced in the last home

matches, the noise from the crowd can drown out anything from the speakers!

8. Middlesbrough FA Cup allocation

the back of our shirts next season.

The club outlined to the group thoughts on the previous consultation that resulted in the

round crest, reasons why it was felt that a change was needed and confirmed results

from the fans survey which have played the major role in creating our new crest.

A video was shown to the group which outlined the results of this process and

introduced the new crest. Discussion was held around the consultative process, and the

club confirmed that the FA have been consulted throughout.

The video highlighted that the Club had 16,000 responses to the 85,000 survey mailings

with the suggested crest being designed as a result of those responses.

81% of respondents wanted the name of the Club in the crest whilst 85% wanted the

European Cup commemorative star incorporated. The majority of respondents felt that

the shield shape was preferable and within that the left facing lion rampant completed

the responses.

The Club presented a draft crest for discussion and whilst not universally popular neither

Next informal meeting is 31

st

January. The club will invite Andrew Watkin, Transport

Officer and Sam Ghataora, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead to meet with the

group.