An evening with Barnsley FC tonight

Right, notes below.
First part was a hosted QA with Khaled, Michael, JAQ and Jon Flatman (new Chief Revenue Officer). Second part was audience QA.

Having to do this in two parts, as there's a 10k character limit. This is the hosted QA...

General reflection on season so far

Khaled: Generally positive. Lots of new staff, financial challenges, yet we currently sit in play-off places. Club investing in new fan experiences. Board personally investing money. Slowly, but optimistically moving forward. Was a huge team effort to bring Duff in. Specifically called out the effort Michael puts in every day, most of which people don’t see.

Duff: team ethos starting to come together, but won’t change overnight. Will take several windows. Believes we are stronger than this time last year, so that’s progress. Kept crown jewels during transfer window, and added as well. However, his focus is always just win the next game.

Jon: whirlwind start, only in role for two weeks. Conversations already around STs and improving fan experience. Pragmatic. Not everything will work and not everything will be right from Day 1. Acutely aware the result on the pitch is king. Has new ideas and exciting things planned

Background in Rugby at Board level, including Leeds Rhinos. Already seen similarities with his time there. Huge potential, key stakeholders are aligning, and believes if we get that right, we are on the verge of something special

I also can't get 'Jon Flatbread' out of my head...

Fan support

Khaled: fan support from stands absolutely critical to what happens on the pitch. If fans were as vocal in the stands as they are about my flatbreads, we’re unbeatable (audience laughter!)

Thanked all staff at this point, and asked fans to do the same where possible. Don’t take things out on them. Huge effort goes unseen, and win lose or draw they work tirelessly to improve the Club

Duff: need the fans to make noise from the stands. Makes a huge difference and players feel it 100%. Atmosphere at 3-0 up against Accrington was weird, and very noticeable. Atmosphere at away games very different, and plays a huge part. Still have all the big teams to come and need the fans to create the atmosphere

Support the team for 90 minutes, then have a go after. Fans 100% entitled to tear into the players after a game, but don’t sit there in silence waiting for them to trip up. Turn up with a positive frame of mind.

Fan experience

Khaled: fan experience is based on fan feedback not their ideas. Most excited he’s ever felt, about collective will on match day experience. Owners, staff and council all want to get behind it.

Social media

Khaled: there have been unacceptable incidents. Club will go after people who cross the line of acceptable criticism. Personal abuse, particularly of families of players and staff, will not be tolerated. You will be banned and the Club make no apologies (audience applause)

Financial position

Khaled: it’s hard. No getting away from it. Goal is, and always has been, for the Club to be sustainable. Owners are putting their money in, but club has to be sustainable. Sold 200 half-STs and our full ST revenue is one of best in last 10 years, despite the criticism at the end of last season. Another huge thank you to everyone who supports.

Favourite moments so far

Khaled: graft that went into getting Michael in.

Duff: Wednesday away. Also really pleased with Pompey on Saturday, in terms of how the players responded, and bonded with fans. Also said Howard Webb rang him to personally apologise about the ‘no goal’.

Jon: only new into the Club, but two games, two wins, so a good start. Excited about what’s coming up re. fan experience

Duff was asked to comment on what he's changed, since coming in

Setting clear expectations of players. As an example, had five individual player meetings today (Thursday). Making it clear to players what is expected and what is non-negotiable. Hard work, humility, honesty. Just because you earn a few quid, it’s not acceptable to be a dic&head (audience laughter!)

He gets fan expectation, but reality is it takes time to build a team. All players are told to leave their egos at the gate. Creating a learning environment for players is key. Players told everyday, if you’re not sure, ask. Don’t leave it to matchday

JAQ

Finally just wanted to mention JAQ, as she was there. Any other views aside, what I will say is she has huge positive energy. It might be wasted on us lot, but hopefully it brings something to the boardroom

The one thing she did mention, was that they will be starting to invest in ladies football, and specifically bringing it to Oakwell, which I thought was great news.

 

Second part of notes from last night. This was the audience QA. Ran for over an hour. Probably a few body swerves, but I thought they answered every question respectfully.

Q (Duff): What was your biggest challenge, coming into a squad so low on confidence?
A: (Duff) Came in eyes wide open. Having people like Devaney was really helpful, who knows the community and what makes the Club tick. Certain players didn’t want to be here, but that’s just football. Lots of moving parts, so prioritising was very important. Clarifying which players were staying and going was probably the #1 priority.

Q: Can we bring Tom Edwards in permanently please!?
A: (Khaled) Tom came in and did a very good job. Excellent pro and personality. Will keep the request in mind
(Duff): injuries are part of the game. Bobby Thomas has come in and had an immediate impact. Had coached him at Burnley so knew him already, and was match fit.

Q: What more can you do on kids ticket prices?
A: (Khaled) always looking tom improve. Send us your ideas and we’ll look into it

Q: Can you give an update on the stadium lease, as there are now only 4 years left
A: (Khaled) difficult to give much detail at this stage. Dialogue with Council is positive and everyone wants to do the right thing. Will give more information when it’s available

Q: Will Styles be available if we get to play offs?
A: (Khaled) No

Q: Can you introduce more disabled toilets. Not enough, and often in use by non-disabled people (she did qualify that not all disabilities are visible)
A: (Khaled) looking into it. Part of ongoing conversations with updates to stadium

Q: Re. Exeter replay. What have the Club done, re. arrangements for the rescheduled fixture?
A: (Khaled) largely out of the Club’s control. Been In dialogue with EFL and Exeter to agree best date possible for the rescheduled fixture, but it’s always a negotiation.

Q: Any updates on Luke Thomas?
A: (Duff) currently on the grass, should be fit for the run in. He is chomping at the bit, but isn’t 100% and it’s up to Duff and staff, to bring him back responsibly.

Q: Have Club considered safe standing, or putting home fans in the North Stand, to help atmosphere
A: (Khaled) safe standing being looked into, but requires significant investment, so it’s likely to be a longer term plan. Logistics & costs of splitting the North Stand also currently make it difficult.

Q: What’s the latest on Benson’s rehab
A: (Duff) having ultrasound next week, then will be out on grass. Another one to manage closely, as the injury happened in the same area. Should be back by end of Feb.

Q: Can we find a ground half-way between Barnsley and Exeter, for the replay?
A: (Khaled) No

Q: How long will it be before we see the best in Watters & Russell, and why did we bring them in
A: (Duff). Watters is pacy, plays in unusual spaces and has something to prove. He’s only going to get better. Russell was an unplanned response to Wolfe’s injury. Reality is we get these players because they’re fringe. If they weren’t fringe players, they would be out of reach

Q: What is the update on Wolfe’s injury
A: (Duff) It’s a bad one, and the Club’s focus right now is on supporting the player. Would be unfair at this stage, to divulge more than that.

Q: How good can Fabio Jalo be?
A: (Duff) honest answer is no one knows. He could go on to be a world beater, but he also could have already peaked. He has great potential and the Club’s role is to help develop him. He will need support and level heads around him. People don’t see the amount of 16 year olds who are tipped for greatness, then don't make the cut and leave the game before they’re 22.

Q: Was Norwood injured at Peterborough?
A: (Duff) he wanted to play, it was Duff’s decision. Currently 50/50 for weekend. Should be fit for Port Vale, if not Cambridge. We have 19 games left, and he would rather lose him for two, than play him and lose him for 8

At this point, Khaled asked for no more questions on injury updates. Mostly out of respect for the players.

Q: When will 23/24 ST information be available?
A: (John) currently working on it, lots to consider and he’s new into role, so wants to bring some of his ideas into things.
(Khaled) commitment to communicate asap over coming weeks

Q: Given the farcical situation with our shirt sponsor this season, are there any plans to introduce next years sponsor earlier?
A: (Khaled) important to point out that the Club actually came out stronger on hex. They reacted quickly and made money from the response to Together Red

(Jon) shirt sponsorship is one of the most difficult things to land at any club. It’s the highest value commercial deal and lots of negotiation is involved. All parties want a single sponsor, early. But this is often easier said than done

(JAQ) reiterated it is hard to get sponsorship. Personally apologised about hex and accepted it shouldn’t have happened. But they reacted quickly and learned from it.

(Khaled) also reiterated that it gave smaller brands an opportunity to be shirt sponsors for a shorter period, who wouldn't ordinarily have the means. At this point, audience were asked if they would prefer to see a single shirt sponsor, or several sponsors throughout the season, like Hospice/Rapid Response/Athletic etc. Majority raised hands for a single shirt sponsor.

Finally, there was a question about dropped loyalty points which I missed, as I was at the bar and didn't really catch it to write down. Sorry. Think @Hooky feller might be able to chip in??