I was working all night, so only just getting around to posting. If anybody thinks I misinterpreted what was said, please shout because I can barely read my scribbles. TBH, there wasn't much to discuss
Hickey - Gus Mackay and Dave Hughes didn't want to dwell on this, it was an administrative error, but a big one! Hickey is under contract, they are obliged to pay his salary. The only way he could play for us was if one of the other players suffered a season-ending injury… they recognised that Hickey has worked hard in training and they are hoping he will go out on loan for the season thereby reducing costs
There are three sponsors names on the shirt, but none of these are the main sponsor. They are in discussions with four (but I may have misheard and he may have said formal) potential sponsors and Gus indicated that these sponsors may be holding back to see how results/progress goes
They have club merchandise in the shop, Gus said they hadn't gone overboard on the range, or the quantities. He wasn't wrong, it is minimal, and I heard two people saying they were going to buy a shirt each, but the ones there had marks on them… Gus, if you're reading this, increase the stock, there's two £49.00 sales you missed out on, how many others were there that you missed out on?
Gus said the West bar would be open until the end of half-time, this can be reviewed. After a quick break while waiting for the players to come in, a few fans had spoken to Gus and he had already carried out his review and said that they would open the bar for 30 minutes after the game, then review it again
Sales of season tickets are about the same as last year, but Gus aims to do another push on these soon. He was disappointed that only 40 of those present at the forum had brought somebody with them. He emphasised that we the fans are the best marketeers the club have (I had three colleagues coming with me yesterday, but when the forum and game were on, they were out salting motorways)
The players awards would happen in the players lounge in front of invited guests. There will be a player of the month award voted for by season ticket holders, presentation will be on the pitch, not in the players lounge
Rob Powell spoke on injuries, pretty much what has been said here …Matt Cook fit next week, Karl Temata out for three weeks, David Howell back next week after suspension, Dan Sarginson out for 5 - 6 weeks
Q's and A's
Somebody asked why did the club go for unreserved seats, I don't recall Gus actually saying why, but he said that only four people had contacted him to question/complain about it
A question was asked about games on the road and will they work….Gus said he doesn't really know, but they have to try.
The club are in discussions with Harlequins RU (who have a new CEO) about using The Stoop, they don't want to move for the sake of it. David Hughes chipped in saying that no premiership club will have us, Charlton's too big, the Olympic stadium had been mentioned, but this would need to be with RFL assistance(?). It was asked had they considered Millwall, David Hughes said the atmosphere has to be right, the size has to be right, and wherever it is, they must want us, these are all factors, and progressing this is very high on the agenda. If the club were to stay at The Stoop, they would want a twelve month get out clause so that they could up-sticks pretty quickly if an offer came along
Somebody was concerned about Evening Standard ticket giveaways and the fact that they didn't work as people were just waiting for the free tickets, then doing the same again the next time there was an offer. They will not be doing large scale giveaways, just five or ten pairs, last seasons efforts were said to be to raise awareness of the club
Would the club be in the market for loan players … the squad are fit and healthy at this time, so no, however if injuries occurred, there may be a possibility, it's not ruled out
Think that's it!