An exercise in futility? My 10 election questions

This blog is an exercise of the utmost futility. Possibly the most futile Pompey blog ever written.  It lists ten questions I'd like to ask each of the nine candidates seeking one of the six places on the Board of the Pompey Supporters Trust.

Questions to help me understand their views on issues important to me. Questions on issues they were unable to cover in their 400-word manifestos. Questions of candidates who will be Board members of the majority stakeholder in PCFC. Questions of people who are, or could soon become, a Director on the PCFC Board and have a very important and influential role in running the club. In short questions to help me use my vote wisely.

Futile questions, though, because the candidate aren't allowed to answer them. PST rules say we have to rely solely on their manifestos.  Rules clearly no longer fit for purpose.  Rules which, to be fair, have been rapidly overtaken by the astonishing and largely unforeseen events of the past couple of years.

So on with the futility.  Here are my ten questions:

1. Are you a shareholder?
2. How do you think the PST and its Board can most effectively support and influence the future growth and development of PCFC?
3. As a PST Board member what would be your top priority for the next 12 months?
4. What role do you think borrowing should play in Pompey's long-term financial strategy?
5. How do you see the respective future roles of the PST and the Fans Conference?
6. In what sorts of circumstances do you think it is appropriate for PCFC to be giving gifts to commercial partners and volunteers?
7. What are your views on the Club's participation in the workfare scheme?
8. How do you think the Club can give something back to the local charities and firms let down so badly by previous regimes?
9. Pompey have drawn local rivals at home in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. History tells us it will be a glorious 4-1 victory. Everybody on the PCFC database wants to be there. On what basis do you think PCFC should allocate tickets?
10. And last but certainly not least, Carling or Pompey Royal?       

You will have different and, in all likelihood, better questions. And you know, thinking about it, I don't think asking these questions is quite as futile as the start of this blog makes out. We may not be able to find out what the candidates think about these issues before we vote for them but they will at least know which issues we are interested in and concerned about. It will give those who are elected food for thought. It may influence how they act as Board members. So don't let a ridiculous rule stop you asking the questions you want to ask. Let's pretend it's a proper election and ask them anyway.

And one final thought.  It has proved impossible to organise a Q&A session for candidates before the vote closes but presumably there is no reason why the new Board shouldn't hold one soon after the election.  I think it should.

Home match ticketing policy update

Firstly thanks for all the kind comments on my previous blog on this subject and which prompted a vigorous but constructive debate about PCFC's approach to home match ticketing policy.

This blog provides a brief update following discussion on twitter on Monday evening. All I plan to do in this blog is pass on some of the information shared by the club's Engagement Manager, Micah Hall, as it tells us the latest on the Club's position and next steps on this issue. To summarise:

• The Club will be consulting season ticket holders on the current policy first, and then extending the consultation to other fans. No timescales specified but Micah indicated the Club will take its time to consult widely and get this right. The Club 'will take all views into consideration' and 'will consult everyone in due course'. That sounds to me like the survey of ST holders will be followed by one of non-season ticket holders on the club's database or something similarly comprehensive, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
• Micah indicated he is neutral on the policy but isn't prepared to change it until he has consulted widely.
• Season ticket holders are being consulted first because the Club believes 'friends and family priority' is primarily a benefit to the ST holder not the person who gets to use the ticket, and because ST holders have invested millions in the club this year.
• ST holders bought 300 extra tickets for friends and family for the Oxford game. 
• The club has no information on when the policy was adopted by the club, by whom or whether the decision or policy itself is documented.
• The club has no information on how many times the policy was actually used for home games in recent years. 
• The club did not publicise the 'friends and family' benefit in promoting STs this summer, and has no information on whether this happened in previous years.
• The club has already consulted on away match ticketing policy and will be issuing a statement on this soon. I didn't ask how this had been done so have no info on the nature of that consultation exercise. [Update: Apparently the Fans Conference was consulted.]

In summary there will be full consultation on the home ticketing policy sometime soon with season ticket holders being asked first.  Hopefully my earlier blog and Micah's helpful answers will inform the responses provided to that consultation and help the club move forward from what Micah described as 'a less than perfect situation we inherited.'

I really can't see why 'everyone' can't be consulted on this at the same time but putting that to one side the confirmation that there will be full consultation is to be welcomed and thanks are due to Micah for patiently answering questions from me and other fans well into the evening.