Before this season ends I would hope for:
1. Statement from the Club on where we are playing next year.
Before anything else can be planned, we need to be sure of where our home games will be for the DURATION of the 2023 season in The RFL Championship. We already know that there will be 13 Home and Away games, + Bash weekend and it's fair to assume that the season will start in the first weekend in February and run to the end of September for those that make the play-offs. Knowing where those 13 home games will be played is key to everything else.
If, as I suspect we are remaining at Plough Lane, then we need assurances as to the availability of the venue for 13 Home ties (+possible cup ties/double headers) during this period, especially the period May1st through to August1st, where this year we played May 1st and July 24th. If the pitch is to be unavailable to us during this period, then I fail to see any point in remaining at Plough Lane.
2. Statement on Coaching and Playing Staff.
If Eccles is to remain, then he needs to have the full off season to prepare. Any departing players need to be thanked and given a send off and replacements scouted (should have started in May). If we have a new coach, they too need to be revealed to the fans A.S.A.P. as nobody will be rushing to fork out for a ST if we are gearing up for a repeat of the 2022 first 4 months. WE.....that is, the dozen old whingers on the internet, forecast the abject failure that was Coleman's appointment and whilst Hughes continues to think he knows better, he really doesn't.
3. Pricing
Depending on the above being sorted, then this next bit is key. Options are limited, whereby they can again fleece the sheep they have then discount for the new, or....and this would be my preference, they go a straight £150.00 adult/£25 Kid Season Ticket Route. The Adult book contains 13 "bring a mate for a fiver" vouchers, the kids need to have a bring a mate for free pass for at least 5 games too. I care little for the straw man that is corporate, because they've shown it to be of no real value in 2022 by offering it to the unwashed masses.....but other areas where they can start to improve are:
The Shop. Get the Kit supplier up now......get the shop both at games and on-line to offer deals throughout the season.
Player Sponsorship. This year in NZ NCP, they have the players corporate sponsor on the back of the shirt and sometimes the personal sponsor on the shorts......this would be a good way to sell more sponsors, with the shirts etc given at the end of year event.
Events. Other than the 13 home games, the club need to add value to the ST holders and 4 events would be good. I'd do a pre season meet and greet, an open training session in April, a Team v fans quiz in July and the end of year awards in October......
Regular email communications...and dare I say it, why not send EVERYONE we have a postal address for a Team Picture and match schedule once it's announced.....lapsed fans, occasional buyers etc...everyone we have a postal address for?
All of point 3 above is for the Commercial guy to sort out, but he needs to understand exactly how bad the bad blood between long term ST holders and the Club has been of late.......
4. The Matchday experience.
Planning for this needs to start NOW.........way before we even know where and when the games will be played. A calendar of events needs to be up on the wall and the moment the seasons fixtures are announced, work needs to start on 13 events......for example and this really was the first thing that popped up, World Nutella Day. 5th Feb 2023. .......it's a Sunday and either the 1st or 2nd of the season. If we are drawn at Home then ther'es your matchday sponsor target. In the months between now and November when the fixtures are released, research who you need to contact, maybe even touch base to discuss it with them as a possibility.....and if we are at Home that day, you've already done the hard yards....as I say, Nutella Day was the first thing that came up on Google, but there will be loads of historical days.....Darwin Day is the following Sunday?
ALL this and more should be happening NOW.......but it won't be.
