Answers from Peter Jones

[Simi]

For quite a while lcfc_jme, Standupandsing and myself have been in contact with Peter Jones.

Here is the email, quite brilliantly prepared by Jamie.

Peter,

Here is the briefing...albeit a little long!

As you are aware, we want to make the atmosphere better at home games for the sake of enjoyment and in the hope that it’ll lift the players and help us to start winning more of our home games. It’s apparent to me that the club, and you in particular, are open and receptive to any ideas or initiatives we may have with regards to improving the currently non-existent atmosphere inside the Walkers.

There are a few ideas that we feel we’d like to discuss with you, some in more depth than others

depending on your stance in relation to them.

1) We’d like to cut all music over the PA system between 5 and 10 minutes before kickoff. It’s well known that we have a brilliant, loud PA system, but the continuous stream of music right up until kickoff doesn’t give the fans a chance to begin creating an atmosphere by themselves before the players come out as they are completely and utterly drowned out by the music. It feels all too Americanised. We feel that if the music was stopped with a reasonable amount of time left until kickoff, the families could still enjoy some of their pre-match build-up and then the people who like atmosphere would get to do what they enjoy doing - singing and being heard without being drowned out by unnecessary noise.

2) After goals are scored, maybe we could leave it down to the fans to create the noise and entertainment for themselves, not play music over the PA system. Look at the example of the away fans: when they score, is there any music playing? No - but they make a lot of noise and all appear to be having a good time. With more home fans in the ground than away fans, we’re obviously likely to be able to make more noise than they are if we’re given the chance and not drowned out by the music. It’d also indicate to the players that what they have done was appreciated a lot more as the fans are using their own initiative to get behind them, not requiring assistance from a PA.

3) I know it has been done to death, but the issue surrounding switching the Kop and the Family Stand is still something which I know would interest supporters if they were aware that they were being given the choice. It’s not completely unmanageable, either -

Southampton’s ground layout shows that. It’s quite contradictory and unfair to have a designated "Family Stand", yet still allow younger children into the Kop, so that if there is any foul language (which there is bound to be at football matches), people are told off and treated with contempt. If the Kop and the Family Stand have no chance of being switched, this should be vindicated by tightening up the admittance to the Kop (ie nobody under a certain age be allowed in there) should be an option, so that people do not feel awkward or vilified for expressing their opinions / trying to create an atmosphere.

4) The "safe standing" debate is something we’d also like to discuss with you. The whole issue regarding safe standing has been well publicised as of late, and it’s no secret that many fans would like to see a return to standing if they were given the choice. I know Tim Davies is at least pro-choice, if not openly pro-standing, so we’d like to gauge what the club’s opinions are regarding the whole issue, and whether they would be prepared to give supporters the choice should the opportunity arise. It’d also be interesting to hear what the club’s feelings were on being the first club to take a stand on this matter, bearing in mind that it is not actually illegal for fans to stand up and so the club wouldn’t technically be breaking any laws for allowing small pockets of fans to do so. It’d certainly get the club a lot of publicity, and hopefully other clubs would follow suit, or at least it’d force a serious discussion regarding standing with the powers that be. As an aside, an idea to implement the MLS model in our ground has been bandied about amongst a small group of supporters and we’re currently working on suggestions about that to put to the club to see what they feel about it.

Thanks Peter.

Then, finally after two weeks he replied, with this...

Simon

I have read your e mail with interest and have made a few short comments.

1. There are lots of opinions and it is a case of not pleasing everyone.

2. Ditto

3. A difficult project and if it was to take place needs long term planning. Fans in the Kop enjoy where they sit and many have sat there since the stadium opened. There would be lots of opinions again and many would not want to change. I do accept that some may wish to change.

4. We have to conform with current safety standards and legislation. I have personally been to meetings to debate ‘safe standing’. This is a complex issue and one particular meeting in London was attended by MP’s and representatives from throughout football. LCFC continues to participate in the discussions.

If you wish to suggest a meeting time and date I will make every effort to discuss your thoughts in more detail.

Best wishes

Peter

After reading the thread about the Kop a minute ago, I thought now would be a relevant time to post this. I'll come back with my reaction a little later, when I can be bothered to type more. But for now, I feel like it was a complete waste of time going through the effort of contacting him and trying to organise a plan with Jamie and Andy. Seems all the time the club spout out about been open to new ideas is all a front. I know switching the Kop isn't a new idea, but coming out with the same excuse every time for different subjects is getting tiresome and patronising.

[Thracian]

For quite a while lcfc_jme, Standupandsing and myself have been in contact with Peter Jones.

Here is the email, quite brilliantly prepared by Jamie.

Then, finally after two weeks he replied, with this...

After reading the thread about the Kop a minute ago, I thought now would be a relevant time to post this. I'll come back with my reaction a little later, when I can be bothered to type more. But for now, I feel like it was a complete waste of time going through the effort of contacting him and trying to organise a plan with Jamie and Andy. Seems all the time the club spout out about been open to new ideas is all a front. I know switching the Kop isn't a new idea, but coming out with the same excuse every time for different subjects is getting tiresome and patronising.

You're right, he's a suit. Always will be.

[Babylon]

For quite a while lcfc_jme, Standupandsing and myself have been in contact with Peter Jones.

Here is the email, quite brilliantly prepared by Jamie.

Then, finally after two weeks he replied, with this...

After reading the thread about the Kop a minute ago, I thought now would be a relevant time to post this. I'll come back with my reaction a little later, when I can be bothered to type more. But for now, I feel like it was a complete waste of time going through the effort of contacting him and trying to organise a plan with Jamie and Andy. Seems all the time the club spout out about been open to new ideas is all a front. I know switching the Kop isn't a new idea, but coming out with the same excuse every time for different subjects is getting tiresome and patronising.

What you see as an excuse, can for someone else ring true. Like he said you can't please everyone.

[davieG]

Or what he could have said is Ched, lcfc_jme and Standupandsing fook off you annoying little up starts.

[Babylon]

Or what he could have said is Ched, lcfc_jme and Standupandsing fook off you annoying little up starts.

[James.]

Take him up on his offer of a meeting.

Like many of us he can hide behind his computer screen and make the usual excuses. Face to face will give you the opportunity to pursue your arguments more effectively and hopefully be rewarded with more thorough answers.

Don't write the whole thing off when he has made you an offer.

[davieG]

What you see as an excuse, can for someone else ring true. Like he said you can't please everyone.

So why not consider a compromise like they suggested with the pre-match music and as for music after the goals did they consider those that don't want it before introducing it - of course they didn't because it's all part of their control techniques.

[thybluefox]

Incredibly disappointed with that reply. Fair enough if the suggestions aren't feasible, but he could have actually seemed like he was bothered about what the fans thought.

[James.]

So why not consider a compromise like they suggested with the pre-match music and as for music after the goals did they consider those that don't want it before introducing it - of course they didn't because it's all part of their control techniques.

Surely the e mail is just the first rung on the ladder. He hasnt dismissed the ideas outright, he has offered to discuss them in more detail.

While I strongly admire any effort made to implement positive change this won't arise after just one e mail. The meeting offer should be taken up and the matters pursued face to face.

[Thracian]

What you see as an excuse, can for someone else ring true. Like he said you can't please everyone.

Suits can always defend their standpoint. It's what makes em suits. I'm not even saying he's wrong. It doesn't matter. It's just a waste of time talking to him. You can have all the "consultation" you like but nothing will change. He's governed by his parameters. Moving them is not an option. Save your breath.

[The People's Hero]

What you see as an excuse, can for someone else ring true. Like he said you can't please everyone.

Babylon is right.

You are young and idealistic.

He's older and wiser.

Your energy and passion for this, tempered by his knowledge of what can and cannot be done, could yield results should a compromise be met.

Take him up on his offer of a meeting.

[Sods]

I always thought he was a good bloke.

Dont feel their was much respect given in that reply at all.

Sums it up to be honest, to scared of a change.

[Thracian]

I always thought he was a good bloke.

Dont feel their was much respect given in that reply at all.

Sums it up to be honest, to scared of a change.

It's easy to mistake a diplomat for a "good bloke".

[Ashley]

I agree with all expect getting rid of the music after we score

[The People's Hero]

It's easy to mistake a diplomat for a "good bloke".

You're such a cu nt sometimes.

Would a reply saying 'fu ck off' from Peter Jones have made you happier?

He can't win, can he?

[Tevez]

Giving "Ditto" as an answer seems like he couldn't give a fook.

[Maybes]

3. A difficult project and if it was to take place needs long term planning. Fans in the Kop enjoy where they sit and many have sat there since the stadium opened. There would be lots of opinions again and many would not want to change. I do accept that some may wish to change.

So they can still sit in the same seat cant they? All they have to do really is rebrand the north stand the kop and name the south stand as the family stand??

[James.]

Thracian is a suitist.

[The People's Hero]

Maybes, I thought I told you, knickers are for girls.

[Simi]

So why not consider a compromise like they suggested with the pre-match music and as for music after the goals did they consider those that don't want it before introducing it - of course they didn't because it's all part of their control techniques.

This is what I was getting at in my first post.

I don't see how he can draw to a conclusion for either.

But I think a lot of it comes down to pleasing the people that need to be pleased. Although I do accept that many fans do enjoy Chelsea Dagger.

[Leicester Rule!]

I think an away season ticket would be good.

Sure other teams do this ...

[Simi]

So they can still sit in the same seat cant they? All they have to do really is rebrand the north stand the kop and name the south stand as the family stand??

What I'd like to know is how he came to the conclusion "Fans in the Kop enjoy where they sit".

Nice little generalisation there.

[Smudge]

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[Uncle Albert]

What I'd like to know is how he came to the conclusion "Fans in the Kop enjoy where they sit".

Nice little generalisation there.

Maybe the majority of the fans in The Kop do enjoy sitting there.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I think the majority are apathetic unfortunately.