Three Pigeons- 23rd April-Halifax meeting

[queensburyterrier]

Apologies if I've missed any threads; but is this meeting still going ahead?

And any confirmed guests yet?

Thanks

[thrice]

Not heard any different so I think its still on.

Hoyle & Clibbens I seem to recall will be there.

Where abouts is it, the centre of Halifax?

See you there.

[Rigodon]

Apr 21, 2009 14:03:15 GMT 1 thrice said:

Not heard any different so I think its still on.

Hoyle & Clibbens I seem to recall will be there.

Where abouts is it, the centre of Halifax?

See you there.

It is - It's just up the road from the Shay (the bottom road, past the shay pub and over the miniroundabout), on the right hand side before you get the miniroundabout before Eureka... If that makes sense?

[Mirfield Lass]

Yes - the meeting is still on. I've just sent out a reminder on the latest htsa facebook message.

Starts 7.30pm and think it's somewhere near the train station for those that are going.

Guests are Dean Hoyle, Sean Jarvis, Nigel Clibbens and Paul Ramsden.

[pozza]

Drive past the train station through the lights up to the mini roundabout. Go straight on and the pub is about 200 yard on the left hand side. Plenty of on street parking outside.

Cant make this one as im in Berlin from Thursday morning Will be at the next one though (if there is one)

[PellonTerrier]

what times the start as i work in leeds and finish at 7

[mids]

Apr 22, 2009 18:50:14 GMT 1 PellonTerrier said:

what times the start as i work in leeds and finish at 7

7.30pm start....get there when you can

[townatheart]

just a reminder "bump"

[Mirfield Lass]

Bump - just a reminder about tonight ;D

[yettonhtfc]

will some one who attends post whats said up as im intrigued to what secrets deano will let slip this time.

[whoareya]

Poor venue - good beer etc. but not big enough - a lot of people couldn't get in the room where Clibbens & Jarvis (+ the announcer fella) were (no Hoyle couldn't make it due to business) and therefore coudn't hear a damned thing - I had a quick pint and came home.

[mukydaz]

Hi, just got home from this,but sadly i didnt hear alot of it due to not being in the room,lets hope next time it is in a better venue and place everyone can sit all together and can hear what is said

[workshyfop]

Speaking to a couple of lads from down the valley (Sowerby and Hebden Bridges) and wondered if somewhere like The Works in Sowerby Bridge would be a good venue. It's a big pub, good beer and possibly the back room would be a decent enough size. Failing that, the main bar is big enough to have a large corner to accomodate everyone. I go in regular enough to ask the landlady if anyone would like me to suss it as a potential venue.
I was lucky enough to get in the main room. No Deano, Nigel Clibbens was a bit cagey and Sean came across well. Overall, the club appears in good hands ... if only we can get it right on the pitch (which is what it all boils down to).

[sowerbyterrier2]

The Works is a big open pub.. could be ideal, but i doubt they would give you exclusive use. Would the backroom be big enough? Good beer there as well, plus its just round the corner from my house ;0

[mids]

Apologies to all those who turned up and either turned straight around as it was so busy, or had a quick pint and then left.

The numbers who turned up was magnificent, and clearly The Three Pigeons wasn't an ideal choice with such large numbers.

However, the intention is to find a venue which would be more condusive to holding a question & answer session for the next meeting.

If anyone knows of anywhere (ideally reasonably central) then please say so, and it can be arranged.....even if it's somewhere with a function room that they usually charge for, but would be prepared to give for free on a normally quiet week night in return for a vast increase in beer takings?

[townatheart]

Apr 23, 2009 23:56:37 GMT 1 sowerbyterrier2 said:

The Works is a big open pub.. could be ideal, but i doubt they would give you exclusive use. Would the backroom be big enough? Good beer there as well, plus its just round the corner from my house ;0

We will need to check out The Works in lovely Sowerby Bridge. Certainly would be ideal for some of us (wouldn’t have to worry about driving, and could concentrate on a couple extra pints perhaps), but my only question is whether it is central enough for the rest of Calderdale, and our Brighouse brethren as well.

Also, based on the excellent turn out last night, I would think that we should at least aim to find a decent sized room that we could have to mainly to ourselves. I was disappointed, and would apologise to those who could not hear or participate properly due to the small size of the room we had available. Just hope that you don’t give up on the concept, as you did show that there is genuine interest in Halifax for this type of group.

So, over the summer months, we will need to seek out an appropriate venue, and if anyone is willing to help in scouting pubs and organising please send me or LePoive (Bob Pepper) an PM .

To answer another poster, sadly, Dean Hoyle was unable to attend due to business requirements keeping him away. But, Nigel and Sean did an excellent job fielding questions and discussing points with the crowd (those that could hear anyway). Sorry, no big secrets really, and need to be getting to work, so wont try and repeat everything talked about, but it was wide ranging, and at the least allowed people the opportunity to raise a question, air concerns etc with Club officials.

Also, would give a special mention and word of thanks to Paul Ramsden who compeered (if that is the right spelling) the evening. Stirling job, very much added to the evening. He would be welcome visiting our gang any time.

[forehead]

The Fleece in Elland has a large function room that I'm sure they'll allow you to use for free if you mention that they might sell a few more pints that night.

www.thefleeceelland.co.uk/

[LePoivre]

Looks like we might have a few contenders for a suitable venue. Paul Ramsden suggested the Old Brodleians at Hipperholme as another possibility

[ding1981]

Apr 24, 2009 9:02:23 GMT 1 LePoivre said:

Looks like we might have a few contenders for a suitable venue. Paul Ramsden suggested the Old Brodleians at Hipperholme as another possibility

The old brods would be a great venue if it could be secured. It's quite a large hall, plus its easy to get to so members from Bradford could also pop along.

[BLUE&WHITE]

Old crossleyans has a massive room!

Also not sure but casa (elland wood bottom)

Irish club in center of hafilax. Not the nicest of places but massive hall and would definatley open for the revenue

[sowerbyterrier]

There were approx 50-60 turned up but unfortunately ,the room was too small so the people not in the room were struggling to hear the discussions . The club was represented by Nigel Clibbens(NC) Paul Ramsden(PR) and Sean Jarvis(SJ)

The topics of discussion included:-

1)The state of the pitch!
Some were worried our football style was been hindered by the state of the Galpharm pitch,wev were told how KDSL are in control of this and although work will be carried out in May the are nt due to re-lay until 2011 or 2012.They have been told by groundsmen that the football does more harm than the rugby!!!

2)The "Away fans end"(for home fans) debate rolled on, and really a conclusive answer that the main reason this will never be designated an home end is due to the location,to the train station,bus station and town centre,coach park and ease of vacating . The fact that away fans going to any other part of the ground would contravene safety requirements etc. and also the North stand also houses Exec boxes which will always house town fans.

3) Season tickets, how the pricing was pitched to give every budget a chance to attend,from £99 up,but also to offer value still below prices of two seasons back. They did reiterate that the 16000+ who have been holders this season are now on Towns database so can be contacted with offers etc,and NC stated that the games will be categorised to achieve more income with casual fans having to pay more for the big games.Then fans pushed the issue of away fans pricing and how over the years we have been a "Soft Club" with regards to this ,and when town fans are ripped off at away grounds ,we should do like for like.Season ticket sales are ontrack for where they thought(nearly 3k have renewed) but no target figure was given.
When asked if low sales will affect future purchases we were told this summers transfer budgets are in place but the club will not be held to ransom for players(as clubs and agents think we have money to burn) We have a budget and it will be adhered to,The contracted players cannot be forced to leave the club,and if they think it is better to play in towns reserves than first team elsewhere we have to live with it!

4)PR insisted this Saturday should be a big send off for Boothy,with the masks at £1.00 or free with a matchday programme,Jon Worthington was asked if he wanted any send off etc but insisted h wanted to keep it low key as his career is to continue. Ken Davey will be "honoured" at half time.

5) Pre -season friendlies were discussed, there are contractual friendlies as part of the signings with both Gateshead and Wakefield, a friendley with Coventry City will be the end of July and we are 3rd choice at the moment but still pencilled in as possble opponents for Celtic(Glasgow not Staybridge.)

6) The Share in the stadium was passed over as there is no change or discussions taken place at the moment.
Fans wanted clarification on how the Clubs revenue for merchandise,advertising matchday refreshments could be changed???the club are in negotiations to improve our income from the hoardings and while EMC are the caterers at the Galpharm the club will not see any income from matchday refreshments!!! On the back of this it was asked why Town cant have there own Club/Pub near the ground,( as per the excellent set up at Walsall)SJ said it is at very early stages but watch this space!! However he stated that trading well one day every two weeks and the odd Tues evening would not be a viable option, hence it would have to have other income.

Sorry have to get back to work now,

My suggestion for a venue is The Belgrave Social Club at Claremount,Halifax although it is not handy for me,it is fairly central, I know it is free room hire and is a great open space with a small stage in one corner(for speakers etc) The phone no. is 01422 354726 and postcode is HX3 6AW.

[townatheart]

Apr 24, 2009 9:50:51 GMT 1 sowerbyterrier said:

My suggestion for a venue is The Belgrave Social Club at Claremount,Halifax although it is not handy for me,it is fairly central, I know it is free room hire and is a great open space with a small stage in one corner(for speakers etc) The phone no. is 01422 354726 and postcode is HX3 6AW.

Will put that one on the list to check out.

Although you should be helping us with the Sowerby Bridge angle

[ram]

I was on way but couldn,t find anywhere to park,seeing as Dean Hoyle didn,t attend I guess I didn,t miss much..I,ve suggested the Ivy House at Holmfield ,previously..OK. Parking,Function room Upstairs with Bar,also Garden Bar for sunny Evenings. I might be able to persuade Max for free useage.Convenient for Queensbury etc.,...Thanks for the commentary Sowerby!

[stevvy]

Apr 24, 2009 9:50:51 GMT 1 sowerbyterrier said:

1)The state of the pitch!
Some were worried our football style was been hindered by the state of the Galpharm pitch,wev were told how KDSL are in control of this and although work will be carried out in May the are nt due to re-lay until 2011 or 2012.They have been told by groundsmen that the football does more harm than the rugby!!!

i can only assume thats because we play more games on it, articularly during the worst months (winter basically)

2)The "Away fans end"(for home fans) debate rolled on, and really a conclusive answer that the main reason this will never be designated an home end is due to the location,to the train station,bus station and town centre,coach park and ease of vacating . The fact that away fans going to any other part of the ground would contravene safety requirements etc. and also the North stand also houses Exec boxes which will always house town fans.

that doesn't surprise me

3) Season tickets, how the pricing was pitched to give every budget a chance to attend,from £99 up,but also to offer value still below prices of two seasons back. They did reiterate that the 16000+ who have been holders this season are now on Towns database so can be contacted with offers etc,and NC stated that the games will be categorised to achieve more income with casual fans having to pay more for the big games.Then fans pushed the issue of away fans pricing and how over the years we have been a "Soft Club" with regards to this ,and when town fans are ripped off at away grounds ,we should do like for like.Season ticket sales are ontrack for where they thought(nearly 3k have renewed) but no target figure was given.
When asked if low sales will affect future purchases we were told this summers transfer budgets are in place but the club will not be held to ransom for players(as clubs and agents think we have money to burn) We have a budget and it will be adhered to,The contracted players cannot be forced to leave the club,and if they think it is better to play in towns reserves than first team elsewhere we have to live with it!

hopefully some players will get bids made for them and sod off, 3k ST's renewed in what.......less than 2 weeks?thats pretty good going i'd say

4)PR insisted this Saturday should be a big send off for Boothy,with the masks at £1.00 or free with a matchday programme,Jon Worthington was asked if he wanted any send off etc but insisted h wanted to keep it low key as his career is to continue. Ken Davey will be "honoured" at half time.

haha,davy 'honoured', he can go rot somewhere, all he'll get is a load of abuse-fair play to worthy not wanting a big send off like boothy, but hes always given 100% to the cause and if he plays/comes on the pitch at half time or whatever and gets a round of applause then fair enough

5) Pre -season friendlies were discussed, there are contractual friendlies as part of the signings with both Gateshead and Wakefield, a friendley with Coventry City will be the end of July and we are 3rd choice at the moment but still pencilled in as possble opponents for Celtic(Glasgow not Staybridge.)

coventry should be good opponents, obviously if we got celtic as well that'd be a huge game and an excellent test (as will coventry in my opinion)

6) The Share in the stadium was passed over as there is no change or discussions taken place at the moment.
Fans wanted clarification on how the Clubs revenue for merchandise,advertising matchday refreshments could be changed???the club are in negotiations to improve our income from the hoardings and while EMC are the caterers at the Galpharm the club will not see any income from matchday refreshments!!! On the back of this it was asked why Town cant have there own Club/Pub near the ground,( as per the excellent set up at Walsall)SJ said it is at very early stages but watch this space!! However he stated that trading well one day every two weeks and the odd Tues evening would not be a viable option, hence it would have to have other income.

been mentioned before about having a town pub, and if it can be made to work other than on match days then why not.

[rooo]

The Spinners Arms (?) across the road from the Market Tavern on Leeds Road has been extended and altered. My feeling is that this has something to do with the new owner, but it's only my thought, nothing definite.

[chinaski]

Apr 24, 2009 11:29:54 GMT 1 rooo said:

The Spinners Arms (?) across the road from the Market Tavern on Leeds Road has been extended and altered. My feeling is that this has something to do with the new owner, but it's only my thought, nothing definite.

That would be brilliant. The Pittodrie bar in Aberdeen is just by the ground and is a good 3-4 miles outside the City centre but is rammed every night. It's full of old memorabilia and flags, should we have something similar im sure it would be busy most nights, not just saturdays.

[PellonTerrier]

siddal cricket club has a good size room is a little more convenient for those towards brighouse and elland than town centre but not sure about parking

[shawsie]

Elland or Illingworth CC would both make good venues, with ample parking at both. Cricket clubs would make decent venue as some have function rooms which make the audio easier.

[sowerbyterrier]

Thanks for those who happy with my commentary above,

Just a few more topics:-

7)Why didnt we resign Jon Stead?-NC said the simple fact is a lot of players,not mentioning names (from leagues above us ) just dont want to play at league 1,they believe they are better than that!!! Here there were jokes that his days at Ipswich are probably numbered now Roy Keane(due to Sunderland etc) is there.
NC insisted it will be our policy to continue with the acadamy,but also look for exciting young players who can develope and grow with the club then hopefully be sold on for profit. NC said an example of this was Anthony Pilkington who two years ago was playing for Woodley Sports(with Liam Dickinson I think) and who Stockport paid £15k for,we then paid Stockport £500K!!!! Hence why Town are trying to do the same(ie Lee Novak) at this point NC was asked hy Lee Novak went back on loan when we were desperate for a striker, he said we would have been in the same position as other clubs trying to sign him and may have missed out on him without the loan back!!!

8) Why/Who picked Jukiewizch, NC said it was an example of when football dosn't work out ,he may go to another club and be brilliant,he also pointed out that the guy is very highly rated at Everton and they paid£1 million for him,so at least we only got him on loan!!!

9)Prozone,this is a DVD package of stats and info on players/teams that clubs can buy into,and there are three levels, Lee Clark is pushing for this as its not the usual OPTA stats but a comprehensive info stream. NC stated he believed only Leicester to have the top package in League 1,but maybe half the teams have either level 2 or 3. He stated that clubs are now using it to market their players to get the best prices and prove players are improving season on season etc.

10)Kelly:- Season long loan request, the club are keen to get him,after one game they opened talks with Liverpool about this,he likes the Town set up and is keen to stay (on loan)
The decision is now in Rafa Benitez's hands as to whether he will benefit from this or better in Liverpools reserves fighting for a first team call up.

11) Fans asked if as reported in the press Rangers and Celtic may be keen to join Premiership 1 + 2 , did the officials think Town are big enough to be in it, they stated that for too long Town have punched below their weight and Dean Hoyle(as a fan and now owner) nows want to set up a "Team " to help us push forward to fight above our weight! This is everyone pulling together and running every dept of the club professionally,NC stated that because of the money in the TOP flight it is harder every season to break the monopoly,but with the right set-up/manager and a crop of good players coming together it is still achievable.He used Reading as an example of a small club who have shown what can be done,

Back to work now.!

[stevvy]

Apr 24, 2009 13:29:58 GMT 1 sowerbyterrier said:

Hence why Town are trying to do the same(ie Lee Novak) at this point NC was asked hy Lee Novak went back on loan when we were desperate for a striker, he said we would have been in the same position as other clubs trying to sign him and may have missed out on him without the loan back!!!

correct, whichever team would have got him would have had to let him to back to gateshead on loan otherwise the deal wouldn't have gone through (cant blame gateshead for insisting on it really)