Meeting 2 – 2023/24
Date: Monday 12th February 2024
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: London Stadium
Attendees
Club staff
Lee Woodcock, Supporter Engagement Manager
Charlotte Kennedy, Marketing Fan Engagement & Events Lead
Ruth Kennedy, Matchday Safeguarding Manager
Megan Carruthers, Events & Fan Engagement Executive
Stephen Ofori-Boateng, Supporter Services Executive
JSB Members 1. Richie 2. Rose 3. Grace 4. Zach 5. Lenny 6. Austin 7. Fraser 8. Mae 9. Kora 10. George
Agenda 1. Introductions 2. Itinerary 3. Review of actions from Meeting 1 4. New actions 5. 2023/24 Junior Supporters’ Board Terms of reference 6. First-team open training session
1. Introductions Lee Woodcock (LW) opened the meeting by welcoming all Junior Supporters’ Board (JSB) members back for Meeting 2 and asked how they found Meeting 1. The meeting continued onto the agenda of the day the JSB had raised for discussion. These included:
2. Agenda LW took JSB members through the agenda for the day, including:
1. Introductions 2. Agenda 3. Review of actions from Meeting 1 4. New actions, submitted by JSB members 5. 2023/24 Junior Supporters’ Board Terms of reference 6. First-team open training session
3. Review Of Actions from Meeting 1
All feedback and actions from Meeting 1 have been raised to different departments at the Club. LW starts the review of actions with ‘JSB 1/1-23-24’:
JSB 1/1-23-24 - JSB crest (LW)
LW explains that the crest has been used on whufc.com and features on the new JSB Flag which features on rotation in the West Stand on a matchday. JSB happy with the outcome of the JSB crest.
JSB 1/2-23-24 – JSB Flag (LW)
LW reveals new JSB flag displayed in the Boleyn Social and explains that it has been displayed in the West Stand since the Manchester United fixture in December.
JSB 1/3-23-24 - Review junior fan area of the matchday programme (LW)
JSB discussed that they prefer the fold-out content in the matchday programme. LW confirmed that since Meeting 1 the matchday programme has featured two fold-out posters in the Manchester United and Arsenal programmes. JSB members deliberated and confirmed they would like to see an alternative-quiz page with quizzes aimed at both junior and adult supporters.
JSB 1/4-23-24 - Look at ways to share the Club’s history in a way that resonates with younger fans. (CK)
LW introduces Charlotte Kennedy (CK) to introduce a plan to share our Club history that resonates with junior supporters. CK explained that a history section could be hosted on the junior page on whufc.com, potentially through a comic style.
JSB 1/5-23-24 – Hammerhead and Bubbles matchday locations (LW / CK)
CK asks the JSB for their thoughts on where Hammerhead and Bubbles would be best located on a matchday. A discussion was had around deployment of Club mascots, with the North side (between Turnstiles K and J) of the Stadium identified as a key area. JSB members also mentioned that they would like to see the mascots take part in half-time activations.
JSB 1/6-23-24 - Review JSB idea to create junior competition to win prizes (CK)
CK announces that a competition is launching tomorrow (Tuesday 13th February 2024) where supporters can submit a drawing of Hammerhead, for a chance of winning a pre-match pitch side experience to meet Hammerhead.
CK enquired about what dream prizes could be won, JSB suggested prizes could include:
Signed shirt
Replica shirt (Unsigned)
FC25 game
CK asked JSB members what competitions they would like to see announced in the future. JSB members suggested the following:
Design a West Ham United shirt
Quizzes
JSB 1/7-23-24 - Review junior takeover for the Half-Time Quiz (CK)
CK announced the next Hammer Time junior takeover will take place at the Aston Villa fixture.
JSB 1/8-23-24 - Explore Open Training Days at London Stadium and more opportunities to interact with players (CK)
CK is looking at ways to further facilitate player meet and greet opportunities for supporters. JSB members also suggested for the Club to review signing sessions at the Stadium Store. LW asked all members where they would prefer these events to take place. After discussion JSB members suggested that they should all be hosted at the Stadium Store as a central location for supporters.
JSB 1/9-23-24 - Review junior web/app experience and junior matchday guides (CK)
CK confirmed that the website (whufc.com) junior matchday guide will come first, with the App a long-term project. Junior matchday guides will continue to be worked on ahead of Meeting 3.
JSB 1/10-23-24 - Review JSB suggested ideas for Christmas (CK)
CK confirmed that the Club hosted the following activations for Christmas:
HT Quiz at the Manchester United fixture
Santa pitch side at the Manchester United fixture
Christmas Wishes (https://www.whufc.com/news/submit-your-west-ham-christmas-wishes)
Christmas event at Stadium Store
JSB 1/11-23-24 - Toilet facilities on the stadium island during matchdays (LW)
JSB members explained that the portable toilets were not clean post-match. LW mentioned that the toilets are cleaned after each match. JSB members identified that toilets could be installed before the search lanes, near Bridge 1 (Haugen Restaurant). LW explained that this is outside the Stadium footprint, however, will raise this with the relevant teams.
JSB 1/12-23-24 – Raise and monitor use of accessibility lanes on matchday (LW)
LW explains that the Disabled Supporter Assistants (DSAs) manage the accessibility lane until 15 minutes prior to kick-off to assist with the pre-kick-off congestion.
4. New Actions
The meeting continued onto the topic discussions the JSB had raised ahead of the meeting, this included:
Junior meals
LW starts the discussion asking what JSB would like to propose. JSB asked whether it would be possible to create a ‘Hammers Meal’ junior lunch box, which would include a sandwich, crisps, snack and juice box. JSB members suggested that the box could be West Ham branded and feature a quiz, colouring pack and West Ham facts. A JSB member suggested that this could tie in with action ‘JSB 1/4-23-24’ and feature a history comic of West Ham United.
Another idea put forward by the JSB was for there to be a junior discount for U16s. JSB discussed the process for juniors to access the discount, it was mentioned that the discount would be available on production of Season ticket at all Delaware North kiosks. JSB also highlighted that this may not work as parents may use kids’ tickets to obtain discounts.
LW plans to pass feedback directly to Delaware North.
Matchday programme
JSB shared an idea for the matchday programme to be more interactive and feature more posters and junior quizzes. JSB member also put forward an idea for a ranking system to be included, where you win a certain number of points per question and at the end you can tally the questions to see where you rank on a table: Winners, Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, mid-table and relegation.
Mascots
JSB members would like to see the junior mascot announcements made closer to kick-off. The announcements would feature favourite player and age. LW said that this will be discussed at the next matchday meeting and added as an action.
Fan Engagement
• West Ham App & Games
LW introduces CK to present the fan engagement topic discussions. CK asks what interactive games junior supporters would like to see featured on the West Ham App. JSB shared the following ideas; Football game, competitions, Wack-a-mole and penalty competition. LW asks JSB members what platform they use for information, with the app being the main source.
JSB member also put forward an idea that the user playing the game for prizes would have to input their client reference number to ensure that only juniors can win prizes.
• Junior Half-time
JSB said they would like to do some more engaging activations at half-time, suggesting a penalty shootout, Hammerhead vs and a screen Based Quiz.
CK to review half-time activations.
• Pre-Match Activities
Discussions were had around pre-match activities that juniors can get involved with. JSB suggest preloading the quiz, so supporters would not need signal to take part.
CK to review pre-match activations.
LW will send over actions from meetings, with JSB members all agreeing on the matters raised. The Club will be seeking the views of JSB members between now and the end of the season on how they feel we may be able to further enhance the atmosphere and experience on matchdays.
5. 2023/24 Junior Supporters’ Board Terms of reference
LW sent proposed 2023/24 terms of reference to JSB members to review ahead of the meeting. LW asks JSB members if there are any changes or questions the JSB would like to raise regarding the terms. JSB members deliberated and confirmed that they were happy with the terms of reference proposal.
LW asks for a show of hands to confirm the terms of reference, all ten JSB members raised their hands to approve.
6. Open training session
JSB members left the meeting to head to the West Stand Lower to watch the open training session, before having photos and a signing session with available first-team players.
Meeting ends.