AFC Bournemouth
Here is the latest SLO update from AFC Bournemouth.
Supporter Liaison Officer Update
Safe standing
Since my last update, we have seen the introduction of safe standing at Vitality Stadium. We appreciate that the quick turnaround left limited time for supporters to decide whether to relocate or stay within their seats.
Ultimately, introducing safe standing during the season whilst we operate on a busy on-sale schedule, balanced with finding time between fixtures to have the rail system fitted, left a short window of opportunity. Prior to its introduction, a consultation with supporter groups was initiated and feedback from these groups was factored into the club’s approach to the introduction.
Since its introduction, you will have noticed stewards have actively been advising supporters who are continuing to stand in seated areas of the stadium, to remain seated for the duration of the game. This has come into effect as we aim to reduce the risk to supporters’ safety and comply fully with the requirements of the SGSA. Risk to supporters is generated by those standing in seated areas where there are no measures in place to prevent a progressive crowd collapse.
While we appreciate that to date, you may not have received a relocation opportunity to a safe standing area, standing in a seated area is against ground regulations.
If persistent standing in these areas continues, the club is at risk of having its seated capacity reduced by the authorities. This would involve the removal of seating in areas where persistent standing is prevalent. The authorities continue to monitor persistent standing within Vitality Stadium.
In line with the ticketing T&Cs supporters are reminded that they must produce their match ticket if requested by a steward or member of AFC Bournemouth staff.
We would like to express our thanks to all supporters for their continued co-operation and understanding.
Fan Engagement
Women’s Working Group
In March we hosted our first women’s working group, the group made up of supporters and staff spent the evening discussing women’s experience of AFC Bournemouth. The key talking points covered retail, ticketing, AFC Bournemouth Women’s Team and the matchday experience.
Following on from the meeting, AFC Bournemouth superstore has undertaken a women’s retail survey, which will help to shape future women’s range within the superstore.
Full minutes can be found here.
Fans Forum
We will host a fans’ forum later this week, which will see 40 supporters invited to take part in a panel event with senior club staff. Priority has been given to supporters who have not previously been involved in the club’s fan engagement structure and those chosen are representative of our entire supporter base. We are looking forward to an opportunity to have an open conversation with a wide variety of supporters.
Survey responses
We once again received a record number of responses to our club equality monitoring survey. Thank you to all supporters who filled out the survey, results of which will be collated over the next few weeks. The survey helps us to hear from as many people as possible and ideas and suggestions from the survey are factored into the clubs planning.
As an example, there were a large number of supporters who mentioned beach wear and dry robes when asked what products they would like to see in the Superstore last season. In March, we announced a unique collaboration with Beachbum, a local Bournemouth brand to launch an The Beachbum x AFC Bournemouth ‘Brobe’.
https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/club-news/cherries-and-beach-bum-in-unique-collaboration/
Supporters are welcome to contact me at anytime with feedback or queries through; [email protected].
