Fans Forum

[nathan_rugby]

Who went?

How was it?

What were the quality of questions and answers like?

[doc]

Will try to summarise succinctly. I'm sure Josie will correct any errors as she was there too.

In attendance from the club were Ian Lenagan, Kris Radlinski, Mick Cassidy, Adrian Lam, Martin McLoughlin (Head of Marketing) and Michael Jolliffe (Ticket Office Manager). Meeting was held in the Kingfisher lounge; quite nice but not as large or plush as SS bar. Guess 50-100 fans attended.

• IL not happy with TV deal
  Trying to get Sky to agree to a two week notice period for changing matches
  Cas support several thousand down on last year due to late switch
  130 cancellations in corporate hospitality due to late switch
  Takings £50k down for Cas dueto switch
  Strategy for future TV deal being discussed and experienced negotiator to be brought in by SL/Robert Elstone
  May see entire weekends matches televised but not all necessarily on Sky
  IL would like some terrestrial TV coverage to spread the game
  IL covered £1.4million losses for last season out of his own pocket
  Expects £300k loss next year after cost cutting measures put in plan
  Further departures from playing staff to be announced after season ends to help cost cutting (got the impression this would be fringe players in positions where we have plenty of cover)
  Spend up to cap every year plus an extra 30% in allowances for home produced players etc.
  Random drug testing and hefty fines for other misdemeanours introduced after off-field issues
  Aussies sniffing around one of our 18yo players (but definitely not Morgan Smithies)
  Increase attendance by 1000 next year should see us break even
  £4million invested in Robin Park on 25 year lease; lease on DW to 2048
  Club do not contribute to annual £500k for repairs etc. to DW
  All monies from sale of Orrell to go to club
  Scrapping of Super 8s has improved attendance figures over game as a whole
  RL needs to increase the prize money for competition winners (Challenge Cup, League and Grand Final) i.e. winners get a bigger slice of the pie than the also rans.
  Doesn't know whether Toronto in SL will be a positive or negative
  Disappointed (along with WAFC and Wigan council) that no world cup fixture at DW
  Acknowledged problems with on line purchasing of tickets this week - due to first time all season ticket holders have needed to use the system
  Potential to have some reserved seating in South Stand to be discussed.
  Look to attract more younger fans by more advertising on social media
  Possibility of reduced cost tickets for 16-18 yo fans was discussed but no commitment
  Looking to increase income from sponsorship.
  New extension gives increase in office space that was required (3 x what they had at DW)
  Extension also has classrooms and rooms that can be used for conference facilities.
  The club generates income from it's education program and will do so from the conference facilities.
  Club receives rent from Wigan Harriers and gets income from renting out the all weather pitches near the stadium, the latter of which is increasing since the Soccerdome closed
  Club shop to be located there.
  New kit to be out shortly after Grand Final
  The wooden boards that were outside Central Park listing the Club Honours and international capped players to be displayed in reception.
  Under the stand are a 60m indoor track, 2 gyms (first team and academy), 2 wrestling pits, Wigan TV studio, video lounge ,coaching teams offices, canteen.
  World leading facilities that will be used to attract quality players
  Either side of track is to be decorated showing great moments from the clubs history
  Players to meet at Robin Park before walking together through fans to DW

Think that's about it but if anyone who was there can remember anything else please add it to the thread.

The event was filmed so will no doubt be on Wigan TV soon.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

I think that player is Havard.

[doc]

I think that player is Havard.

I guessed at Havard or Smith following their displays against the Aussie schoolboys last year. I'd have included Smithies as well for the same reasons if IL hadn't categorically stated it wasn't him.

[josie andrews]

They can’t have the club shop there “permanently” as there was a grant towards the alterations & they are not allowed to make a profit because of this.

So store will still only be there on match days. I think that’s correct

[fozzieskem]

Be a loss to lose a player like Harvard but no doubt the production line will throw up another one in due course.

[Wiganer Ted]

That's if he goes at his age!

[nathan_rugby]

Great summary and a lot of it makes great reading.

Next TV deal is going to be huge, would be great to get some games on terrestrial to try and spread the word. Something needs to be changed and that is a sensible suggestion.

[medlocke]

Great summary and a lot of it makes great reading.

Next TV deal is going to be huge, would be great to get some games on terrestrial to try and spread the word. Something needs to be changed and that is a sensible suggestion.

Lets hope the clubs get the money they deserve this time instead of the RFL siphoning off a chunk for the grass roots game, Then maybe the cap can be raised

[Caboosegg]

Great summary and a lot of it makes great reading.

Next TV deal is going to be huge, would be great to get some games on terrestrial to try and spread the word. Something needs to be changed and that is a sensible suggestion.

Lets hope the clubs get the money they deserve this time instead of the RFL siphoning off a chunk for the grass roots game, Then maybe the cap can be raised

Well when they lost the gov funding they needed to get it somewhere.

I have no issue with grass root rugby be funded.