TOPIC: October CUSG Meeting

Report from O/S: mobile.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article...meeting-3392963.aspx

Some interesting stuff in there. Would agree the GoPro cams are a better option than audio commentary equipment right now (though would be nice long-term to have both). There was a lad setting them up at Morecambe for the game there... never got to use them though did he?

Good to hear work will start on doing up the Sunset Suite - long overdue. Deffo needs club memorabilia on the walls - it'd be nice if it didn't look like just another working mens club in fairness.

One point did stand out though....

"The 'happy hour' put on for the Hartlepool game had not been greatly supported, despite good promotion."

I honestly didn't see anything about this? Maybe it's my fault and I'm not paying as much attention as I used to though. What was the offer?

Also, if anyone from the group is reading this, please print off the Catering thread and use that as a basis for an agenda item next time!

.

MerseysideBlue wrote:
Maybe that was because perhaps people thought like me that three quid a pint wasnt exactly what i.d call a happy hour

And at that price they would still be achieving a mark up of over 60% gross

A happy hour to me would be from 12.30pm till 1.30pm @ £1.50 a pint then get your margins back when you sell 2 or 3 times the usual amount between 1.30pm amd 3pm.at full price

But from what i.m told they pay premium wholesale prices for the keg beer because theyre entirely dependant on Heinekens cellar service back up because they dont have anybody on the staff at the club who has a clue what theyre doing.

I'm another who hadn't heard about it not that I'd have had a pint anyway.

The audio equipment can't of been a grant if it's been scrapped.

I don't think it would of got the use predicted, nice to have if completely free though. Money's better spent elsewhere a better disabled shelter is a good idea.

Mullen103 wrote:
IfMouldy gets that sorted he'll reach Vice President status before we know it .

It appears the group is starting to gel together and get down to business which is good. To me it is starting to work like, and sound like a supporters club, which again is good. However it does beg the question which organisation is the Fans supporters group, CUOSC or CUSG. Whilst there is people from CUOSC on the board of CUSG it still seems confusing and maybe treading on each others toes. I think there needs a much clearer remit from both.

Regarding CUSG, I think the day has come to become the Fans organisation and open their doors to other fans to join. I know the people on the board represent other fans groups but people who are capable of helping, with time and knowledge are slipping through the cracks in the floorboards which is a shame.

The problem is that CUSG is a collective of the various organisations that follow Carlisle and as such it would get complicated very quickly.

You've the Trust, which is different from London Branch, who are both different from the Travel Groups represented (CUSAT and Route66). Then you have the Disabled Rep, Club Officials etc.

CUSG is performing a role that CUOSC should've been doing years ago, wether the Club were on board or not.

Has there ever been a Club our size with so many various groups, but nothing seems to change - Ticketing, Catering - hardly?!

CCU wrote: You're right. I think to begin with that was the best way to bring all the different factions together but now it needs it's own identity, with openings for folk who are not affiliated to any of the other organisations to get on board. It seemed by the minutes that the group was looking for a different name and maybe the membership will evolve too.

CUSG is just another clique though. Everyone knows each other with the majority being on the CUSAT board and CUSAT having the authority to make new positions for other CUSAT board members with the disabled fans rep.

Bumble will never agree with anything I say again, she's clearly fell out with me but I do agree with her post in that people that are willing to help either won't be able to or the club won't want them as they are "outsiders". I got in touch with Barry Carter and the club re the disabled group as I'm a member of a few organisations and I could of got them on board, apart from a initial thank you email I've heard nothing in a month so sod it!

Looking through the minutes a few thoughts struck me.

Ground restoration - I hope they are going to have big notices at the club shop corner and the road to the East Stand say which offices are where and when and where folk park to visit the offices in the East Stand. Also hopefully notices on the website and in the programme. If some one makes the effort to go for a ticket or even a meeting, it doesn't help the mood if some one has had to trail right round the stadium.

Fun Day - Great that plans are already underway . Think live music would be great ( think there was some last time I went to the fun day but agree more could be made of it. Pleased tours are going ahead again, people really enjoy them. I remember in Simmo's time we did tours and each tour had at least one player as a guide along with a member of staff, that was fun.

The one thing I think needs more making of it is all that space in the bottom of the East Stand. Over the last few years the weather has been good but on a wet day, so much of the things going on could be a wash out. Bring stalls inside. Have a mini stage area where players and coaches can do ten minute Q & A sessions. Just have plenty of wet weather alternatives so the day isn't a disappointment.

Disabled Facilities - really pleased this group is moving forward and they are prioritising and getting to grips with what needs doing, good stuff.

Finances - all seems good, Have borrowed and used a GO Pro vid and they are great fun.. Ongoing it depends into what CUSG evolves into as to what finances they have I would imagine. Again all a bit tricky really. I mean if you are a member of the London Branch (or any other organisation) and you have an idea to raise money do you do it as London Branch of CUSG, all a bit convoluted.

Events - A margue for the last home game before Christmas Really/ That seems a bit daft to me. Tradionally the lowest gate of the season, competing against all the Christmas fare up the town, can't see it being a big hit, but hopefully the club will prove me wrong. Realise that the event is done by the club not CUSG.

Heard that the Poppy Day stuff was good, well done John Ireland.

Nice to hear of nights with ex players etc, all good stuff.

Club song - I have everything crossed for this one. Haven't heard it, just really want a song that catches on and the fans sing, something that brands us and our club.

Just a few thoughts, time to get some work done!

Bumble wrote:
There is no disabled supporters group yet, no details on how to join so I can't see how you can say they are doing good stuff when nothings changed. Here's hoping though.

Bumble wrote:
Hi bumble
It is I who can be blamed for the song if it isn't popular! I think it will be though. Very catchy and easy to sing along to and hopefully the junior blues will help make the chorus even better. I can't take any credit for the music. I work with a resident musician. Very talented man and can turn his hand to anything. I hope the fans like it and it gets plenty of airplay at the club and on the radio when it is finished.

Mullen103 wrote:
A page on the club website, a meeting to take place, a venue for the meeting. Matt to be consulted on perspex, Colin Carter to look into what's needed for better disabled toilet facilities. Those are all good things that I'm pleased are happening. The folk who are already involved have started the ball rolling and I'm pleased they have.. I believe other people are thinking of joining and that's great.

bruntonpete wrote:
I've got my fingers crossed Pete. It doesn't even matter if the song is naff, what matters is folk sing it. To hear Leeds before ko, or Liverpool, or even Bristol Rovers. When the fanbase join together and sing their support. It gives me goosebumps, what supporting is all about.

Bumble wrote:
Again here's hoping! I've heard the same before but I do have more faith in Mouldy and Colin doing the work this time rather than SP who was suggested last time. This though is the 3rd time a disabled supporters club is proposed in 5 years so forgive me if I'm not overly enthusiastic due to the previous failed attempts!

Is it not meant to be Disabled Rep Barry as opposed to Tannoy Man Colin?!

Re the disabled bit, I'm partially sighted and not good at walking, I get High Mobility allowance but only the middle allowance for care. The club has knocked me back this year for having a carer ticket because of this. I only see half the pitch and have some one with me for after the match for crossing road etc. I don't even see that much in the dark and just can't go without a second person. I will have to think hard about shelling out £29 for seeing half a match. £13 senior £16 adult. Probably miss a few . But my thought is it's their club and they can make up the rules.

Honestly don't know, I just presumed that Colin Carter could source things needed through his work, but maybe it is a mix up of names.

PADDOCK wrote:
That's something that you really need to take up with the club and the disabled rep as having a policy like that makes absolutely no sense .

As I understand it to claim the higher allowance for care you have to be dependent on care through the night, or at least some lengthy period of the night. If you only require care when you aren't in bed then you aren't eligible for the higher carers allowance.

The club needs to read up on the carer rules and realise that some one who gets the middle allowance can still be totally dependent on their carer.

I think it rather goes to show that actually6 the club would prefer not to give disability concessions at all.

I have an element of sympathy with the club on the carer ticket issue - we've had similar problems with an attraction a previous employer ran.

The main problem is a lack of clear guidelines from the government - what is offered to carers from one place to another can vary wildly.

MerseysideBlue wrote:
Why waste time with all the carer this and allowance that crap just let them come someone from the club meet them to make sure they are ok if they clearly are disabled then fine if theyre swinging the lead then a simple letter sying after meeting you we dont believe you meet our criteria would sort it.

I wouldn't trust the DWP / ATOS to decide whether someone is dead or alive never mind disabled or not. Friend of mine suffers from a debilitating disease [ think its M.E. ] which is getting worse and means he physically cant get out of bed some mornings as his legs wont work yet because he made it to an ATOS assessment they scored him nil on the fit for work scale. Just what job do they think he can do and who do they think is going to employ him ?

I agree and it varies from place to place. For attractions some places do discounts for low care while others it's high, it cause confusion for both.

With pip, replacement for DLA there's only 2 rates instead of 3 so makes it easier but with everything they over complicate things, a simple registered disabled card would do the trick.

The club have been great with us any issues and they solve it, it's just general issues for all that's the issue. The lAd I take has a letter that requests 2 carers but the club don't do that, I just wonder if the club are acting legally, it's fine for us but maybe not for others.

NORTHERNSOUL wrote:
This a wind up I presume ? Can you imagine the flack the club would get if they suddenly decided whether to assess whether they considered people disabled or not ? Is anyone at the club qualified to assess whether someone is disabled, or the severity such a disability ?

Some of the shit you come out with is unbelievable at times.

My old man is on her middle level of care allowance, basically every club he's been away to in L1&2 give carer tickets for middle allowance.

CCU wrote:
There are far too many different groups and acronyms knocking around. I'm sure many fans don't know their CUSG from their CUSAT, their CUOSC, their CCUIST, or in Andrew Jenkins' case, their CUN*S.

DeckchairBlue wrote:
No Wind up at all Club perfectly within their rights to decide who they wish to offer concessionary rates to and who they dont and yes theres plenty of experts there on Mental health if nothing else.people just want a scheme thats transparent. As far as i.m concerned they should give the concession to all disabled people as long as the carer doesnt show on the clubs database as being a previous customer that way its an all round gain.

NORTHERNSOUL wrote:
So you dont think Mullen should be allowed to be a carer then Barry as hes a fan?

I agree with NS in that they should be a transparent way across everything as it will help everyone.

Disagree that a fan can't be a carer. It adds to the person your supporting if your a fan as you know what's going on. There carers that go that are employed by agencies and don't know anything about football and why should they really and look bored stiff far better for all if your a fan.

You do feel guilty though getting a free ticket. But at the end of the day if the person your supporting couldn't get to the match, watch in safety then the club isn't losing any money offering a free carer as the person wouldn't of gone otherwise. With everything people cheat the system, it's why a fair for all transparent system is needed for all.

Mullen103 wrote:
I'm going to be meeting with a couple of representatives to see how they wish to improve facilities and pass on any guidance I can. We'll also be offering a subsidised quotation for the works.

This'll be happening ASAP, I've had a bereavement in the family or would have taken place already.

I've been down the club quite a bit recently and the restoration work looks good. The new office layout is great and the lift is a great addition. Good to see the east stand used for something!

Bumble wrote:
Do the club have a copy of the song to play? If you want to make sure it's played, you could always send it to me - just ask for an address.

Mouldy wrote:
Great! Mouldy, good to see it coming on finally, I've every faith.

I presume someone's spoken to the people it'll affect, something so small can have such a positive effect.

Speaking to people they wanted a possible raised area and the ability to have more than one friend around them, I guess that's not your area but I'll take a roof that doesn't leak!

Mullen103 wrote:
Thank you Mullen at least you could see what i was getting at [ and tell me if i.m wrong but i would imagine that if someone accompanies someone who is a friend as opposed to someone doing it in a paid capacity ] You split the costs between the pair you anyway dont you ?

NORTHERNSOUL wrote:
Yeah we do split the costs over the season. I'll pay one week and him the other.

It's not good supporting someone when you've no interest in the activity. Sometimes it's difficult but I wouldn't be happy watching an opera.

Mullen103 wrote:

cousinscotty wrote:
That's great. They do have a copy in its current form which sounds great to me but we want the junior blues involved too. To have the youngsters involved would be really good. Just need to sort it out soon. I will certainly call on your help when it is done if that's OK.

bruntonpete wrote:
Is the song called "Get behind the team you *unts"
Or
"We want custodians out!"
?

Bumble wrote:
Point on Club Song...if they plan to play it pre-match or whenever the bloody PA STILL needs sorted. I usually sit in the Pierelli stand and you can make nothing out ( how many times I've said this) especially the vintage commentarys by Derek Lacey ...I was in the paddock on Saturday and it was just as bad... Just a muffled inaudible drone! However I did hear the team announcement clearly.

Also not sure the idea of players giving Q&A; sessions in the E. Stand pre game would work...they'll be in pre match planning and 1-2 there's hardly anybody about.

seesaw50 wrote:
The Q &A; session etc was a suggestion for the Fun Day, something to keep folk occupied if it was a wet day. Totally agree wouldn't be possible on a match day.

NORTHERNSOUL wrote: He could be a telesales/canvassing homeworker... lots of companies looking for people to work from home with telephone based jobs.

Northumbrian wrote:
Well if you can find one of them who.ll pay circa the £500 a week his job payed will you let me know coz i.ll be first in the queue.

Its mad all he needs is ATOS to say hes not fit for work and pay him the same £75 a week that they,ll have to pay him on Job seekers anyway and he.ll get the difference between that and his old wage paid by an insurance policy he took out theyre just being pedantic tw ats

Meeting lined up for 15th. Brief chat with Nigel has indicated some alterations to the Paddock accessible area and covering the exposed ones - those 2 seats at the front of the East Stand for example.


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NORTHERNSOUL wrote: There are lots where you can easily clear that... it will be a mix of basic salary and commission though.... but then if you aren't afraid of hard work that shouldn't be an issue.... but with your natural charm you could probably double that!