Meeting FAW /FSF May 26th, 2015, the Famous Three Kings, London
In Attendance
FSF Cymru Paul Corkrey
Neil Dymock
Allyson Rees
Colin Lewis
FAW
Mark Evans Head of International Affairs
Rob Dowling New Media and Publications Manager
Wayne Nash Security officer and Cardiff City stadium manager
Lucy Mason Ticket and membership manager
South Wales Police Sgt. Wayne Palmer
Guests
Mark Bowen, Lewis Bull, Adrian Colley, Robert Davies,
Richard Evans, Rhys Hartley, Gareth James,
Philip Jones, Iain Richards, Anthony Ridgeway, Gary Williams,
Luke Upton, Steve Murtagh, Mark Large, Paul Hughes.
Agenda
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Introductions
Minutes from last meeting
Israel review
Tickets and Membership
Belgium home
Israel Home
Cyprus away
Bosnia away
France 2016
Wales match day programme
Use of Pyrotechnics at matches
Security at Wales games
FAW fan engagement
Games at Cardiff City stadium/other venues
Communication through social network links including FAW TV
FSF Cymru
Gol
Any other business
Question and answer session
Introduction
Paul Corkrey opened the meeting by explaining the eagerness of the FSF Cymru and FAW to embrace the
“Together Stronger” ethos by opening up there meetings to other areas to enable more fans the
opportunity to express their views. This London meeting follows our previous meeting which was held at
Wrexham in early March 2015.
Minutes of last meeting
These were distributed to everyone and it was noted that all matters arising would be covered within the
meeting.
Israel review
This was seen as a very successful trip both on and off the pitch. There were no serious problems to report,
on the contrary, everyone seemed to have a great time.
Half season tickets and membership update
The supporters had been sending in questions that they wanted answers to. Lucy answered the questions
for us.
1. How many Tournament ticket holders do we have
Over 12,500
2. How many members do we have?
Over 10,500
3. Why were the Belgium tickets put on sale whilst fans were still in Israel
It was just a case of getting the tickets out on sale at the earliest opportunity, there have been no reports
of any fan that was in Israel, not getting a Belgium ticket due to the date they went on sale.
4. The schools and clubs deadline was moved forward once it became clear there was going to be a
sell out and some missed out because of this, will this be addressed in the future?
Again it was a case of supply and demand, the schools and clubs members cannot have priority over gold
members so once the tickets were in such demand the deadline had to be made. We believe there was still
time enough for the scheme to have benefitted the Schools and Clubs membership.
The deadline was set, with the intention to go on general public sale the following week. The tickets, as for
previous home matches, were sold on a first come first served basis during the membership priority period
and this was clearly noted on the Kickback Scheme application forms and on the Wales v Belgium page on
the FAW website. Given the increased level of interest in our matches, it’s important that members don’t
wait too long before buying tickets. We have listened to and acted upon feedback from clubs and schools
and have given them a little longer to collate their Kickback Scheme orders before we go on sale to gold
and junior members for the two remaining home qualifiers.
5. Did many take up the three game packages rather than just buy an individual Belgium ticket?
There are approximately 5,000 full Tournament ticket holders and 7,500 half (3 match) tournament ticket
holders making a total of over 12,500
6. Can you clarify the points system, Many believe it is based solely on points gained but is it true
that loyalty is the main criteria used, e.g How many years they have been members, tournament
ticket purchases followed by games attended which gain 2 points for an away game and one per
home game.
Lucy explained that the first criteria used will be based on Loyalty. There have been 4 FAW membership
schemes since 2008; she goes back to the previous two memberships (Euro 2012, World Cup 2014) plus
this tournament membership (Euro 2016). Records do go back further if required. As well as looking at
membership history, the FAW will also look at specific match booking history, in the same way the Belgium
v Wales tickets were allocated last year. It is vital that all members of the supporters club use their correct
membership numbers when booking tickets. Over the last year a number of people have created duplicate
accounts when buying tickets online, which has resulted in the FAW having to merge accounts to ensure
no-one loses their booking history. Similarly, if someone is booking your ticket for you, make sure they
quote your membership number as well so you have the match logged against your account.
Ultimately, the FAW use a loyalty system, based on membership and booking history. Points are allocated
to home and away matches, tournament tickets, memberships but to date the FAW have not used points
as a basis for allocating tickets, it has purely been based on specific membership and match history. The
criteria are decided shortly after the ticket allocation is confirmed.
7. Are there plans to modify the loyalty scheme before the next campaign? EG Maybe 2 points for a
home game if you travel from outside south Wales.
It is always assessed before each campaign but the FAW don’t want to compound it too much and believe
the system they have works, but they are always looking to review it.
Belgium Home
It was asked if there are any plans for pre match entertainment, anthems or anything at all planned for this
game.
“Let’s make it a 7 pm kick off “for the fans anyway …that is the message from
Chris Coleman
Mark Evans explained that there was plenty planned and they want to make this a huge occasion with the
Welsh fans playing a pivotal role. The Belgium fans are going to be based around the Walkabout area of
the city but may plan to march to the stadium to get there by 7pm in order to create a great atmosphere
for their team. Chris Coleman as requested that the Welsh fans get into the stadium bowl by 7pm to
counteract that and create our own special atmosphere for our players as they warm up.
There will be a popular band playing inside the stadium from 6.45 and Ali will be asked to play lively,
inspirational music over the tannoy to get our fans in the right mood both before the game and at half
time. We enquired if it would be possible for the Welsh fan and west end singer Iwan Lewis be allowed to
sing the National Anthem before the match but they already have booked someone, but will keep him in
mind for a future game.
Another reason to support getting to the stadium early will be the fact that the traffic will be heavy on the
Friday evening, there will be a park and ride scheme available from Cardiff bay for this game. A full
matchday travel plan will be published in due course.
Israel and Andorra Home
The date of this game coincides with the tragic loss of Welsh supporter Mikey Dye outside Wembley 4
years ago and also the police officer Simon Insole who passed away exactly one year later. They are both
deeply missed by all that were fortunate to have known them and it was asked if something could be put in
the match programme and big screens to acknowledge and remember them
Colin Lewis reported that at the recent Swansea v Manchester City game, Palestinian sympathisers were
handing out leaflets asking fans to boycott the Israel home match. Sgt Palmer also said there was
intelligence suggesting that there would be a Palestinian support group protest on the day of the match.
The police will facilitate and deal with this and believe it will be a peaceful protest and allow it on public
places but not on private land for instance where the stadium is built. People may attend this protest and
still be allowed to attend the game but no banners, flags, clothing or anything that the police or UEFA
deem to contain Offensive, discriminatory or inflammatory messaging will be allowed into the stadium. If
any is got past security and put on display it will be instantly confiscated and returned after the game with
the person giving one warning, continued acts will lead to ejection from the stadium.
Israel tickets will go on sale week commencing Monday 1st June along with Andorra tickets, there are many
tournament ticket holders now and there last two home games are expected to sell out fast. Members are
now restricted to buying 5 tickets only. An email will be sent to Gold members in due course.
Cyprus away update
The FAW and FSF have both visited the stadium in Nicosia during the last few weeks and confirm that we
will get a minimum of 3,800 tickets and possibly more if required providing the necessary work on
repairing some of the seating is complete.
Leigh James is running coaches from most of the resorts to the game and between now and the fixture
plans will be made regarding travel times and arrangements. There is nothing around the stadium which is
about 5 miles outside the City but there are adequate refreshment areas and facilities for Welsh fans inside
the stadium, we have also asked that refreshments be made available outside the stadium, Burger, hot
dogs, etc. and plenty of water and soft drinks with temperatures expected to be in the thirties.
The match kicks off at 9.45pm which is late and many fans would have had a good drink by then but should
also try to pace themselves, it is possible that fans who are too drunk will be refused entry.
Ticket information will be released once the final details of our allocation are agreed between the FAW and
Cyprus FA. An email will be sent to all Gold members with a link to the FAW website and booking line. (NB,
application forms are no longer posted out for matches).
Bosnia away
The game is not yet confirmed to be played in Zenica, but it’s almost certainly going to be there which
means that the Welsh fans will have access to less than 700 tickets although the FAW will attempt to get
more if they can. The loyalty scheme will almost definitely be implemented. A survey will be sent out very
soon to gauge the interest in this match from the members. The Belgians enjoyed a good trip there
without any problems, there was a hostile atmosphere inside the stadium but everyone came out together
after the match quite happily.
Again there will be coaches put on for fans to get from Sarajevo to this game and you need to contact Leigh
James if interested. The FSF will also provide transport details from Sarajevo to Zenica for the independent
fan on public transport.
France
Although it’s tempting fate its vitally important that we prepare for the possibility of qualification and the
FAW are starting work on this now and will seek assistance if need be from other home nation FA’s
The FSF would also provide help from Kevin Miles if required. We have created an FSF possible scenario
for ticket distribution at finals with is available at the end of these minutes but it’s just to be used as a
guide.
Match Day programme and FAW TV
Rob Dowling is the man in charge and he has some exciting ideas to improve the content of the
programme with supporters’ contributions being more commonly used. The centre pages of the last
program with the mosaics were a huge success and other countries are now copying the idea.
It is hoped to have three fan pages including a section where fans can send good luck messages using the
hashtag #togetherstronger
This was welcomed Ade Colley who stated that the past content was too design based with less interesting
reading content, Rob accepted this and explained how the template is designed but agreed that changes
would be made.
Rob also stated that he wants more regular FAW TV items available for the fans on You Tube and other
outlets.
There was also a request to make the physical size of the programme smaller so it’s easier to carry.
Pyrotechnics at matches
This was discussed due to the increase interest in the UK but it was stressed that it is forbidden here and if
fans are caught in possession of a pyrotechnic they could be charged with a fire arms offence. The FSF
stance is also to oppose the use of these at matches, a survey was carried out with the main bullet points
being that Of the 1,635 respondents, 87% believed that are dangerous at matches, 86% were concerned for their
safety, and 79% consider them to be a health hazard.
The FSF is a democratic organisation and support the majority viewpoint. Most fans don’t back the use of pyro
whether it’s because of concerns around potential injury or blocked views.
Security at Wales’s games
Just like we did at the Wrexham meeting we asked Wayne Nash and Wayne Palmer to do a short talk about
the role of Welsh stewards and police at Welsh away games. UEFA rules state that if you take more than
500 fans to an away game then you must supply stewards. They are there purely to assist supporters and
have no power over the home stewards. It is a similar thing with the police, but the police do have the
power to act if a person causes trouble abroad on their return to the UK.
The police also endeavour to advise and influence the local Police regarding the best way to Police Welsh
fans. They also have direct access to local Police and FCO.
Our directive is to ensure that Welsh citizens abroad are treated fairly and their behaviour doesn't tarnish
the good reputation Welsh fans have earned abroad.
Update on FAW fan engagement
Ian Gwyn Hughes was unable to attend the meeting but Rob Dowling explained that the FAW was very
keen to have as much fan engagement as possible, as emphasised by the desire for supporters to get more
involved with the match programme.
It was suggested that the London area based supporters should form a group that could then arrange for
Chris Coleman to attend a forum in their area. This group would also benefit fans up there in organising
transport and get togethers to discuss Welsh football or just watch games up there together. They could
also possibly send a delegate to future meetings of the FSF/FAW.
Games at the Cardiff City stadium
Again it was made clear that the players all want to play at the CCS with its tight 34,000 capacity, excellent
playing surface and facilities. Even if we had to go into a playoff position to qualify the game would take
place at the CCS.
A possible friendly could be held at the Millennium Stadium in the future. Wrexham was again mentioned
but as per last meeting the state of the playing surface was unsuitable but again the FAW do not want to
isolate the north and hope to hold events there, they also contributed to the cost of new dressing rooms at
the Racecourse stadium.
FSF Cymru
Plans are in place to run Fan embassies in Cyprus and Bosnia. We will continue to hold these sorts of
meetings with the FAW and continue to have a page in the match day programme.
Supporters’ football team update
Neil Dymock said that the Welsh fans team will be playing Belgium at Sophia gardens on June 12 th at noon.
He has also arranged a game against the Cypriots in Paphos in September the day before the big match. He
is looking to sort an away match against the Bosnian fans. There is also the possibility of games against
Israel and Andorra fans but nothing is currently confirmed
Any other business
Merchandise was mentioned and the FAW will be having merchandise on sale outside the CCS ahead of
the Belgium game.
TV Programme
BBC Wales Radio and television will be broadcasting a preview of the Wales v Belgium game at the GOL centre in
Cardiff on Thursday 11th June
The guests confirmed so far are Nathan Blake, Danny Gabbidon, Iwan Roberts and Phillippe Albert and the audience
will be required to arrive for 6pm-6.30
The BBC wrote to the FAW stating
“I’d be grateful if you would spread the word and let me know of anyone that may be keen on attending?”
The tickets should be printed over the next few days, so I’ll then be in a position to post them out.
Women’s Football
The FAW asked us to remind everyone about the Women’s football team, they play to a good quality and
deserve support, so if you get a chance, go to one of their games
Meeting closed at 8.30 pm
Guide to Possible Euro tickets in France 2016
Euro finals Ticket allocations
It is quite complicated and please use this as only a guide and not set in stone, the Football supporters Federation
will put an article on line soon that will be more substantial and Kevin Miles the FSF (CEO) will contribute to that.
The Portal is now open that enables fans to register for their UEFA EURO 2016 ticketing account, with one million
tickets set to be available in the initial application phase which runs from 10 June to 10 July. This will not
GUARANTEE you a ticket, but will put you in the with a chance of getting one of the PUBLIC DRAW tickets
One million tickets are up for grabs in this initial phase, with €25 tickets available for 43 of the 51 games. The
allocation will be independent of the time an application is made. Once the application period is closed, there will
be a random selection process to determine successful applicants for all those matches which have been
oversubscribed.
The basic distribution of tickets for a game at a 40,000 all seated stadium is worked out approximately like this
Assuming Wales were playing Greece
Both participating teams 18% of tickets Wales’s fans would have 7,200 Greeks would have 7,200
(14,400) which is 36% of the 40,000 seats available
Public sale tickets 34% of tickets (12,800)
(12,800) which is 34% of the 40,000 seats available
10% goes to sponsors (4,000)
10% UEFA and the “Football family” (4,000)
10% goes to the media (4,000)
The FAW will have control over the 18% tickets that they will be allocated, whether they sell them or UEFA sell them,
the FAW will use their loyalty scheme to decide who gets one of that 18%.
There will be opportunities to buy follow your team tickets and also the chance to buy tickets for a particular town or
city where you could stay and watch games solely in that town /city.
There will also be a scheme set up whereby you can get vouchers for the rounds that follow the first stage, if your
team qualifies your voucher becomes valid.
As we get closer to the possibility of qualifying FSF Cymru will keep meeting with the FAW and update everyone as
we go along.