LCFC and the Communication Void

[davieG]

36 minutes ago, AjcW said:

Bristol City have just announced Struber as their new head coach.

Alongside their announcement they're holding a live press conference with the Chairman to explain the hire and the future of the club.

 

They have also welcomed a small number of questions from supporters. 

 

Must be nice...

Damn I knew we should be supporters and not customers.

[AjcW]

5 minutes ago, davieG said:

Damn I knew we should be supporters and not customers.

The worst bit is Bristol City are an absolute shit show at leadership level, but their fans have piled pressure on them for poor communication and this has been their response.

[ealingfox]

1 minute ago, AjcW said:

The worst bit is Bristol City are an absolute shit show at leadership level, but their fans have piled pressure on them for poor communication and this has been their response.

 

Whereas our fans are more likely to pile pressure on the fans criticising the poor communication. 

[Foxes1]

I would like to wish John Farrington a happy birthday for today, seems like they are coming thick and fast now.

[davieG]

We are now known as the Leicester City Birthday Club

[AjcW]

Going to be absolute scenes on July 1st, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, a picture of the worst manager in our history’s face, accompanied by the caption…

 

”Happy Birthday to our men’s first team manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy”

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Just realised they didn't even say anything when Barry Murphy left did they?

[AjcW]

7 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Just realised they didn't even say anything when Barry Murphy left did they?

Very very brief statement

[Sol thewall Bamba]

1 hour ago, AjcW said:

Very very brief statement

Anthony really earning his coin with that one!

[Dan]

18 hours ago, AjcW said:

Going to be absolute scenes on July 1st, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, a picture of the worst manager in our history’s face, accompanied by the caption…

 

”Happy Birthday to our men’s first team manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy”

 his birthday is actually 1st July. Sensational.

[AjcW]

Just a small check list...

 

- Memberships 25/26 

- New home, away and third kit 

- Confirmation of sponsorship for 25/26  (BC Game no longer listed as a club partner)

- New training gear 

- Confirmation of manager 

- Punishments/None punishments for PSR 

- Signing/Selling players 

 

[AjcW]

Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPY MENDY

[Foxes1]

No mention of Danny Ward's birthday yesterday though.

[Foxes_Trust]

We have today published another article on the Communication Void. This time, we have taken a look at how other clubs in a comparable situation have handled comms recently.

 

Available on our website here and in-full below:

 

LCFC & The Communication Void (Part Two)

 

While Ipswich and Southampton are busy setting out their approach to life in the Championship, we still have silence from Leicester City.

 

As part of our objective to hold the club to account to the highest standards of business management and operational performance, over the last 12 months the Trust, both in meetings with the club, and through the Fan Engagement Framework has told LCFC it needs to improve communications with its supporters and be more transparent. But the communication void continues. In respect of the club’s preparation for the coming season, all we know is that some friendlies are lined up. In the last few weeks fans and the media have been talking about the communication void.

 

Anyone who’s knows anything about ‘Comms’ is aware that where a void occurs, others fill it with speculation, rumours and ‘what if’s’. On one LCFC fan’s Message Board someone posted ‘Obviously the club are busy behind the scenes.’ Really? Are they? … Or have they all just gone on holiday.

 

Three days after our article published on 9 June, the Radio Leicester Bootroom show covered 30 minutes of Matty Fryatt and Jack Rafferty discussing what might be happening. But they don’t know. None of us do. Not even it would seem, Ruud.

The irony is, on the same day, Mark Ashton, the Chairman of Ipswich Town, did a 45-minute interview with the media setting out their plans.

 

He didn’t give specific information about which players would be sold and bought, but he did give a clear insight into the club’s direction of travel, their policy about recruitment, his faith in the manager, their style of play and the way they would continue to move forward. Most Ipswich fans would feel reassured and believe they were in good hands.

 

We took a look at what’s happened at Southampton.

 

Their new Director of Football (DoF), Johannes Spors, following his appointment in March, did a 45-minute interview and a round of Q&As with other media and fans. The main message that coming out of this was exactly what his responsibilities would be. What he would be accountable for and judged on.

 

Then Southampton had the appointment of Will Still. As you would expect more interviews followed but what is clear Still and Spors are on the same page about what they want. Southampton fans know what’s happening and the direction of travel.

 

Now following that, their Chairman and owner, Dragan Solak, has sat down with BBC Radio Solent and held his first interview with them since his company, Sport Republic acquired a majority stake in Southampton in early 2022.

 

He talked knowledgably about football, gave assurances that he’s not selling up, covers the prospects of working with his Director of Football and his new manager Will Still. He accepts the failures of last season, and the fact that they didn’t act quickly enough to replace Jason Wilcox as DoF when he left for Manchester United before their Premier League campaign commenced.

 

This is engagement with the supporter base. This is how to get, and keep, supporters on board.

 

The big fear for Leicester City supporters is whether we have people at the club, whether it be the Chairman, the Director of Football, or the Head of Comms at LCFC, who have the skill set and the capabilities to even be able to give interviews of this nature, let alone whether they will.

 

Two weeks after we published our first article regarding commenting on the silence from the club following our relegation nothing has changed. Minutes of the Fans Consultative Committee Working Groups, remain hidden away on the club’s website. Minutes which contain information many fans would find informative because they covered matters such as ticketing, safe standing, the match day experience, and more.

 

Just making them accessible would have been a start. But it seems real engagement doesn’t seem to be as important to LCFC as marketing. It’s time for them to change.

 

Links:

 

When You’re Smiling Podcast 12 June – No News Isn’t Always Good News

Mark Ashton Interview 12 June – Ipswich Town Chairman on relegation, transfers and future plans

Johannes Spors Interview 12 March – BBC Sounds – Spors speaks to Radio Solent

Daily Echo interview with Spors – Spors to assume ultimate responsibility of all of the club’s football decisions.

Will Still interview 26 May 2025 – Style, philosophy and identity outlined for Southampton

Southampton owner Dragan Solak talks to Radio Solent – Hear the full interview

[AjcW]

Again, it’s an improvement, but why does it just end? Why no calls to action or what we want to see? 
 

I contacted two senior marketers at the club today and offered my services for free to sort out the mess they’re creating. It included clear points on what could change simply and almost overnight to get fans back on board. 
 

Just felt that letter needed an ending…

[Nods]

To be fair to the club, it's difficult to communicate a vision and/or a plan, because there isn't one.

 

Even if they were the best communicators going, what would they tell us? How Top's latest polo match went? An outfit of the day video filmed by Jon at the beach, posted to Tiktok?

 

I hate the lack of communication, but I wouldn't mind it half as much if there was recent evidence of us quietly and efficiently going about our business. 

[Foxes_Trust]

35 minutes ago, AjcW said:

Again, it’s an improvement, but why does it just end? Why no calls to action or what we want to see? 
 

I contacted two senior marketers at the club today and offered my services for free to sort out the mess they’re creating. It included clear points on what could change simply and almost overnight to get fans back on board. 
 

Just felt that letter needed an ending…

It's an article for supporters, not a letter to the club.

 

The Trust has already, and will continue to, tell the club about how we feel their communication with fans is lacking and why. We have shared suggestions with the club and will also be publishing our end of season survey results in-full which will be rich in insight on what fans want to see from the club

 

But part of campaigning effectively on key issues is also getting fans talking about them and aware of how the club compares to others. It shouldn't be the case that everything the Trust publishes is written for the consumption of the club.

[Bob666]

2 hours ago, Foxes_Trust said:

We have today published another article on the Communication Void. This time, we have taken a look at how other clubs in a comparable situation have handled comms recently.

 

Available on our website here and in-full below:

 

LCFC & The Communication Void (Part Two)

 

While Ipswich and Southampton are busy setting out their approach to life in the Championship, we still have silence from Leicester City.

 

As part of our objective to hold the club to account to the highest standards of business management and operational performance, over the last 12 months the Trust, both in meetings with the club, and through the Fan Engagement Framework has told LCFC it needs to improve communications with its supporters and be more transparent. But the communication void continues. In respect of the club’s preparation for the coming season, all we know is that some friendlies are lined up. In the last few weeks fans and the media have been talking about the communication void.

 

Anyone who’s knows anything about ‘Comms’ is aware that where a void occurs, others fill it with speculation, rumours and ‘what if’s’. On one LCFC fan’s Message Board someone posted ‘Obviously the club are busy behind the scenes.’ Really? Are they? … Or have they all just gone on holiday.

 

Three days after our article published on 9 June, the Radio Leicester Bootroom show covered 30 minutes of Matty Fryatt and Jack Rafferty discussing what might be happening. But they don’t know. None of us do. Not even it would seem, Ruud.

The irony is, on the same day, Mark Ashton, the Chairman of Ipswich Town, did a 45-minute interview with the media setting out their plans.

 

He didn’t give specific information about which players would be sold and bought, but he did give a clear insight into the club’s direction of travel, their policy about recruitment, his faith in the manager, their style of play and the way they would continue to move forward. Most Ipswich fans would feel reassured and believe they were in good hands.

 

We took a look at what’s happened at Southampton.

 

Their new Director of Football (DoF), Johannes Spors, following his appointment in March, did a 45-minute interview and a round of Q&As with other media and fans. The main message that coming out of this was exactly what his responsibilities would be. What he would be accountable for and judged on.

 

Then Southampton had the appointment of Will Still. As you would expect more interviews followed but what is clear Still and Spors are on the same page about what they want. Southampton fans know what’s happening and the direction of travel.

 

Now following that, their Chairman and owner, Dragan Solak, has sat down with BBC Radio Solent and held his first interview with them since his company, Sport Republic acquired a majority stake in Southampton in early 2022.

 

He talked knowledgably about football, gave assurances that he’s not selling up, covers the prospects of working with his Director of Football and his new manager Will Still. He accepts the failures of last season, and the fact that they didn’t act quickly enough to replace Jason Wilcox as DoF when he left for Manchester United before their Premier League campaign commenced.

 

This is engagement with the supporter base. This is how to get, and keep, supporters on board.

 

The big fear for Leicester City supporters is whether we have people at the club, whether it be the Chairman, the Director of Football, or the Head of Comms at LCFC, who have the skill set and the capabilities to even be able to give interviews of this nature, let alone whether they will.

 

Two weeks after we published our first article regarding commenting on the silence from the club following our relegation nothing has changed. Minutes of the Fans Consultative Committee Working Groups, remain hidden away on the club’s website. Minutes which contain information many fans would find informative because they covered matters such as ticketing, safe standing, the match day experience, and more.

 

Just making them accessible would have been a start. But it seems real engagement doesn’t seem to be as important to LCFC as marketing. It’s time for them to change.

 

Links:

 

When You’re Smiling Podcast 12 June – No News Isn’t Always Good News

Mark Ashton Interview 12 June – Ipswich Town Chairman on relegation, transfers and future plans

Johannes Spors Interview 12 March – BBC Sounds – Spors speaks to Radio Solent

Daily Echo interview with Spors – Spors to assume ultimate responsibility of all of the club’s football decisions.

Will Still interview 26 May 2025 – Style, philosophy and identity outlined for Southampton

Southampton owner Dragan Solak talks to Radio Solent – Hear the full interview

Appreciate the better comms from FT (which shows what a change "at the top" can achieve); all we need is KP to make similar changes "at the top" @ LCFC (although wishful thinking). 

[lcfc278]

12 hours ago, AjcW said:

Again, it’s an improvement, but why does it just end? Why no calls to action or what we want to see? 
 

I contacted two senior marketers at the club today and offered my services for free to sort out the mess they’re creating. It included clear points on what could change simply and almost overnight to get fans back on board. 
 

Just felt that letter needed an ending…

Be interesting to know if you hear anything back from them or if they take on board any of your points. Are you able to share any of your suggestions to them?

[AjcW]

16 minutes ago, lcfc278 said:

Be interesting to know if you hear anything back from them or if they take on board any of your points. Are you able to share any of your suggestions to them?

I imagine it'll be taken personally rather than a genuine offer for help. 

 

I've sent loads but general gist of things....

 

- Don't post content just for the sake of it, the days of having to post every day, ten times a day are gone, every single social platform values quality and engagement over quantity.

- Produce quality, engaging, insightful content that is human and relateable, even vulnerable at times, give fans access to things they can't normally see. Gave the example that interviews with players can be seen ANYWHERE, but a day in the life of a player from home to training and beyond... can't

- Involve fans, spend the summer posting polls and asking what content they'd like to see, then do it!

- Don't be scared of fan forums, use them and learn from them, create an account, nothing stopping you! Find out information and form a marketing strategy around it. 

 

That sort of thing...

Edited 24 June 2025 by AjcW

[brookfox]

It’s definitely starting to feel like the old “no news is good news” school of thought may not apply here!

[Foxes1]

How things have changed in the last 4 years the excerpt below is from the club website after Sue Whelan was awarded an OBE in 2022, 12 months after being named CEO of the year.

Whatever happened to the fan engagement.

 

'In 2021, Susan was named CEO of the Year at the prestigious Football Business Awards, the same year the Club won the award for Best Fan Engagement - an area of particular focus since Susan joined the Club in 2010.'

[Guest RYM]

1 hour ago, Foxes1 said:

How things have changed in the last 4 years the excerpt below is from the club website after Sue Whelan was awarded an OBE in 2022, 12 months after being named CEO of the year.

Whatever happened to the fan engagement.

 

'In 2021, Susan was named CEO of the Year at the prestigious Football Business Awards, the same year the Club won the award for Best Fan Engagement - an area of particular focus since Susan joined the Club in 2010.'

Like most awards, you buy enough advertising / tables at the event and you’ll “win” something.

 

Ego stroking nonsense for the LinkedIn massive.

[lcfc278]

1 hour ago, AjcW said:

I imagine it'll be taken personally rather than a genuine offer for help. 

 

I've sent loads but general gist of things....

 

- Don't post content just for the sake of it, the days of having to post every day, ten times a day are gone, every single social platform values quality and engagement over quantity.

- Produce quality, engaging, insightful content that is human and relateable, even vulnerable at times, give fans access to things they can't normally see. Gave the example that interviews with players can be seen ANYWHERE, but a day in the life of a player from home to training and beyond... can't

- Involve fans, spend the summer posting polls and asking what content they'd like to see, then do it!

- Don't be scared of fan forums, use them and learn from them, create an account, nothing stopping you! Find out information and form a marketing strategy around it. 

 

That sort of thing...

Some good suggestions definitely!

 

In this kind of situation I imagine people in their position will either turn their noses up and think they know best or, like you say, they’ll take it personally and think you’re having a pop at their efforts (which I think the average joe bloggs leicester fan can see is crap). 
 

I hope they take on board even just one of those suggestions and their content will instantly be improved from what we’re getting at the minute. 
 

 

[Guest RYM]

14 hours ago, AjcW said:

Again, it’s an improvement, but why does it just end? Why no calls to action or what we want to see? 
 

I contacted two senior marketers at the club today and offered my services for free to sort out the mess they’re creating. It included clear points on what could change simply and almost overnight to get fans back on board. 
 

Just felt that letter needed an ending…

Best of luck 

 

You’re reliant on people swallowing pride and egos and surrendering to external help which isn’t a paid for agency. They should 100% get in touch (over a thanks for the email) but I’m not sure they will. 
 

Thats not a slight on you if they don’t but we have a culture internally that is not open to criticism even if it is for the betterment or growth for the football club.

 

There are without doubt people in the fan base that could help, and also within that fan base millionaires that could be the next sponsors but without open, transparent communication channels you can never uncover those gems.

 

The problem here is Whelan and Herlihy as we all know and they need to go.

 

Hope you hear and can help 🦊