Town are to set up a new panel of fans which will meet throughout the year aimed at improving their engagement with supporters.

The club want a diverse section of fans involved in the panel, which they envisage working as an alternative voice to the Supporters Club, which will continue its regular meetings throughout the season.

“The club remains committed to improving the engagement levels with supporters,” assistant media manager Jonny Ogle told the club site.

“We have a close working relationship with the Supporters Club and that will continue but there are a lot of fans out there who have a voice and we want to hear from them as well.

“While there has to remain a level of structure to the meetings - we can’t be discussing on-field matters for example - most other topics can be looked at.

“As a starting point, what would you like to see included or improved at Portman Road that might add to the matchday experience?

“We can directly address questions from Town fans during the meetings and have the minutes fed back to all supporters that wish to view the notes.

""“We want the panel to be a real cross section of supporters - including some younger fans - who are keen to engage directly with the club. We want it to be a real ‘voice of the fans’ opportunity.”

""The meetings will be hosted by Ogle with the first set to take place in the home dressing room ahead of the start of the new season, while other members of staff will also be invited to attend over the course of the season.

If you’re interested in getting involved, email jonathon.ogle@itfc.co.uk briefly outlining why you would like to join the panel.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 13:10 - Jul 4 Brilliant idea, we really are trying to make a difference this season
3

colchesterchris added 13:15 - Jul 4 Agreed, I've emailed already as think it is a great idea. It doesn't undo a lot of the damage done to the relationship between the club and the fans, but it is at least a sign that the club is willing to engage.
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Carberry added 13:35 - Jul 4 Taking place in the home dressing room - not expecting many then? And this exciting new initiative is announced by the assistant media manager - not the MD or the media manager. What does that tell us?
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dirtydingusmagee added 13:45 - Jul 4 the panel will consist of Milne, McCarthy , and a bloke called Bob . lol
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 13:50 - Jul 4 Shows the club are making an effort to re-engage. Have to give the club some acknowledgmentof that. We give enough $hit when.its the other way round
6

cat added 13:59 - Jul 4 The best way of improving relations between the club and fans would be to gag McCarthy post match!!! All very tongue in cheek from me (lol), cause as I stated earlier this year, I actually enjoy his "ROYAL RUDENESS" post match rants, last season they were far more entertaining than the brand of football on offer!!
2

TractorBeezer added 14:21 - Jul 4 Great idea which acknowledges that there is room for improvement. Transfer activity is most promising so far. Some pricing has been adjusted. Now we need MM to learn when to keep his big mouth shut! Seriously, if the club can get the fans behind it from the start and get an average of over 20,000 plus at Portman Road it will translate into what happens on the pitch. Well done Town!

7

LimitlessBlue added 16:48 - Jul 4 Have to say that it does look like the club are actually trying to bring supporters back in from the cold so credit is due for that. It will take time and good results to bring the paying public back though I am sure of that. Nice to have some feelgood stories from the club.
1

therein61 added 17:30 - Jul 4 Good move by the club should have happened 4 years ago
3

carlisleaway added 18:20 - Jul 4 Think you find the Club has had a supporters forum for many years, we have been pushing for a reduction in prices for the past 3 years. Ian Milne has always rebuffed the forum until they have realised the reduction in season ticket numbers. If the club listens to the fans more often the attendances might increase
7

Geddis78 added 18:33 - Jul 4 I sincerely hope those on this forum with the loudest voices join up. What an opportunity to get their views across and answers they seek from those in charge.
3

Sergio added 19:49 - Jul 4 Does TWTD get a place? TWTD election!
1

Talbs77 added 20:59 - Jul 4 I think it's a great move by the club I just hope that the club will listen to and it doesn't turn into a box ticking exercise but let's stay positive
3

ITFCsince67 added 21:56 - Jul 4 Sounds like a sensible idea but Horse and Bolted spring to mind.
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Daleyitfc added 22:50 - Jul 4 I presume they only want 'supporters' such as that bottom licking woman who runs the Supporters' Club, not anyone who will actually criticise the way the club is run.
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Titters added 07:35 - Jul 5 “As a starting point, what would you like to see included or improved at Portman Road that might add to the matchday experience? ..... Eeerrr! playing good football and winning games. I think this is far more important than live music and people dressed as animals!!!! I know I am old fashioned but watching the team win in the days of Holland, Stewart etc WAS the matchday experience.

2

Freddies_Ears added 08:38 - Jul 5 I don't see how this is any different from the existing Supporters Forum, which has been in place for years and has been highly critical of club practices where deserved.
3

cat added 09:57 - Jul 5 You can attend these events or similar, air your grievances and probably end up being ignored. Fans not renewing or buying season tickets on the other hand is the real reason ITFC are on the charm offensive right now IMO, ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS. ITFC is a business and we are the paying clients, so big respect to all those who made a stand. Ps Agree with Titters, if all is good on the pitch everything else is secondary.

2

whosroundisitanyway added 11:33 - Jul 5 Before I put my glasses on thought it said fence panel! Was gonna order twenty for my garden.
2

braveblue added 12:12 - Jul 5 As a ripped off 61 year old they know what to do to bring back hundreds of long term fans. Accept they got it wrong. Simple.
3

carsey added 13:34 - Jul 5 A decent idea but not sure it will have much effect since the club already knows what the main problems are - season ticket and match day prices, McCarthy's inability to not slag off the fans and garbage on the pitch. I shall apply to be part of it but as a white heterosexual male in my mid 50s I'm not sure I fit the type of supporter they will be wanting to include.
2

Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:05 - Jul 5 Great Idea. Well done Town. As for all the balls about MM slagging off fans, I've rarely if ever disagreed with his opinion of fans, especially the idiots who see good ideas like this and can only bring themselves to say something negative.
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CherryHintonBlue added 18:51 - Jul 8 I was on the old Fans Forum in the years when the excellent Derek Bowden was CEO, immediately following administration. There have been attempted replacements since, but this looks like the closest to what we had back then (or it will be if the MD attends). We discussed a lot of subjects, and put some really good ideas into practice. But most importantly, the club used the opportunity to explain itself in response to our questions, and members could disseminate the information. So it's important that there are members of the Panel who are active on TWTD, Twitter, the email list, etc. Then it could be useful!

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