Got this this morning if anyones interested:
RTK Newsletter 2 - March 2007
Contents
1. Overview
2. Future Plans
3. Anfield
4. The New Stadium
5. Getting Involved
6. Summary
Overview
In the 6 weeks or so since our last newsletter the RTK campaigners have been busy, so its time for us to update everyone with our progress.
Since the last newsletter RTK have been involved in a number of issues revolving around the Anfield atmosphere and ensuring we replicate this after the move to the new ground. We've been canvassing support via our forum and from the supporter's website forums. Once we'd sifted through the questions and suggestions we met with the club and discussed the various ideas. For a breakdown on the subjects we discussed and any progress please see below.
We are also in the process of producing an RTK cd; a recording of old and new terrace anthems that will hopefully be on sale by the summer. The songs that we recorded for .TV website fulfilled their role in the short term in quickly getting the songs to a wider audience. However, a more considered approach has been taken with the new project, the aim of which is to record the songs clearly so that supporters all over the world can now learn the songs - and how they are sung. In order that we can distribute this as widely and professionally as possible we have agreed with the club that the cd will be available directly from the club, via the official club shop. Any profits that the RTK make from the sale of this cd will be split amongst local charities and good causes, and covering the 'special event' costs that the RTK incur. No individuals in the RTK will profit from the sale of the cd.
Since the massive success of Truth Day in the FA Cup tie with Arsenal, the RTK produced the large 'One City' banner for The Derby game that featured so prominently on The Kop. We also tried to heighten the anticipated special atmosphere of the Barcelona game by issuing a rallying call via the local and national press. We anticipated that the fans would make the evening something special so we tried to heighten the sense of expectation and excitement with a 'call to arms'. You'd be surprised at the extra impetus such a call can make in encouraging people to actively participate by arriving 30 minutes early and ramping up the noise. Anfield responded in the expected fashion; you should be proud.
There has been some valid comments made in the past few weeks that RTK should also be targeting the lesser games - such as the Sheffield United home game. After the highs of the Barcelona atmosphere this game was always doomed to suffer in comparison. Nevertheless we should be using games like these to try and improve the general atmosphere. It is a very good point, and one we acknowledge. However. it's one that we don't feel we are ready to address - not just yet. The time for targeting games like those will come, but it's one step at a time for the minute.
Future Plans
We have been asked by various supporters to help revive the idea of the end-of-season Flag Day, so popular in the mid 90s. The first Kop party took place at the last home game of 1994 when we trounced Spurs 6-2 - the atmosphere was sensational. You may also recall the Heysel 10th Anniversary Juventus Flag Day The Kop put on in 1995 at the 2-1 home win over Blackburn when Kenny Dalglish's side secured the title. Unlike the 20th anniversary events prior to the European Cup tie with Juve in 2005, the 10th anniversary commemoration was instigated, planned and carried out by the fans alone. We have had a few suggestions for a possible 'theme' for the day which we are mulling over before throwing them open for discussion via the RTK and other supporter forums. Stay tuned and please let us have your suggestions.
Anfield
Over the past few months, we have been in constant dialogue with the club over various issues, one of which being ways in which to improve the atmosphere at Anfield for the relatively short time we have left at our historical home; as well as how we can carry this over into 'New Anfield'.
Ticketing
During discussions on ticketing, the club told us that they are looking at ways of moving away from a paper ticketing system, and having a fully electronic ticketing system in place as soon as possible. Whether we will see this at Anfield is another thing, but it is something the club are working towards and are dedicated to implementing in the near future for the new stadium. It is not something that the RTK are getting involved with, but we were asked for our opinions. We are taking this opportunity to pass on the information to you all.
It was also stressed that they will continue to operate window sales for Cup and European matches and are dedicated to doing so. A question was asked as to why the same policy was not implemented for league games, and is something that will no doubt be discussed again, as no definite answer could be given.
Banners
One opportunity we have identified is the possibility of 'decorating' the grey cladding seen at the front of the upper Anfield Road with our own banners. There are currently no advertising boards used in this area, and Ged Poynton (Stadium Manager) has agreed that we could investigate the technicalities of possibly hanging our own banners in this area.
However, there are several issues we have to consider:
* The banners must fit to the exact size of the current facia, with no overhang at all. Those people sitting at the back of the lower Anfield Road end cannot see The Kop end goal with even the smallest overhang from a banner above. Before matches several banners have been hung over this area, but this is always on the understanding that they are removed when the game kicks off. Supporters and stewards in the Upper Anfield Rd work together to ensure this happens. We would like to have permanent banners covering the full width of the Anfield Road End.
* The banners have to be of a fire proof material; they must also be securely fastened. They also have to be easily removable, as they would have to be taken down for Champions League games, as UEFA populate that area with their own Champions League banners.
If anyone has any information or can offer support in any way in the manufacture of these banners, please get in touch with us via
mail@reclaimthekop.co.uk
There is also a 'sticky' thread on the Main Forum of the RTK website, for fans to make suggestions as to what should go on these banners. Initial suggestions such as "LIVERPOOL – CAPITAL OF CULTURE, CAPITAL OF FOOTBALL " have been made by people already. Please post your own ideas and suggestions in this thread. We can then choose from the most popular suggestions and have the banners made. To make your suggestion, visit
www.reclaimthekop.co.uk and navigate to the Main Forum.
Direct link:
http://reclaimthekop.co.uk/cgi-bin/y...num=1174409838
Atmosphere
One subject we have discussed at length with the club is the possibility of moving Season Ticket holders around so that fans who want to sit together and help generate a better atmosphere can do so. The club have carried out an internal exercise into this, and although it has not been finalised and is still in an early planning stage, they have told us that a section within The Kop could be made available to accommodate this. This could possibly be carried over and extended in the new stadium so that we could recreate the old 'Kop core' that was scattered throughout the stadium when the old Kop was replaced in the 90s. It would be a chance for people that want to sing and actively support the team throughout the game to sit together. The hope is that we can 'swap' their season tickets into this new section and be surrounded by fans of a similar mindset. It is estimated at the minute that there will be between 1,000 and 2,000 seats available in this section, so as you can imagine it falls short of true 'Kop core' but it is a start, and the RTK were heartily encouraged the club had been able to - in principle - accommodate one of our initial aims.
If the club can confirm this in the near future, we have agreed to act as the initial port of call for interested fans. We will produce an 'application form' on the RTK website for people to apply to move to this section. This is purely to gauge support for the concept which we will then feed back to the club. If this plan progresses it will be the club that redistributes the season tickets, not the RTK. We are also discussing producing leaflets to distribute at the game, giving supporters without access to the fans' websites a chance to become involved, and apply for a move to this section. In the likely case of an over subscription, a ballot would determine the qualifying Season Ticket holders. It is also hoped that a number of seats within this section would be made available for sale on a game by game basis for non-Season Ticket holders.
We must stress that his is only a proposal at the moment. There is a lot of work to be done by the club to make this happen. We have agreed to go away and report back on the strength of feeling and demand for this area, but I think we already know the answer to that one!
The long term plan, if this area is a success, is to transfer this section to the new group, and keep this core of Season Ticket holders together. But with the additional space available in the new ground and new Season Tickets being issued, the scope to expand the size of this section will be huge and could be the making of the new stadium.
We'll release further details when we have them, but it looks very promising indeed.
The New Stadium
During our latest meeting with the club, attended by Chief Executive, Rick Parry, and Stadium Manager, Ged Poynton, we asked the club to comment on the recent rumours and speculation regarding the delay to the new stadium, and the possible expansion for the capacity from the proposed 62,000.
RTK were told that the new owners were currently reviewing the plans with their own design teams, and investigating ways of increasing the capacity of the stadium within the existing footprint, without being given an actual figure they are aiming for.
Even more good news, is that Rick Parry reiterated that the new Kop will definitely be a single tier stand. He also stated that the new owners are investigating ways of making The Kop an individual stand within the new ground – which is something I think we all wanted to hear. It was suggested they are looking at ways of increasing the rake of the stand to get more seats in. This would have the added effect of making the new Kop more imposing and distinct from the rest of the ground. They are also looking at things like the acoustic design to help enhance the noise generated. The American owners are very keen to include supporter's views in the design and also the design and facilities in the concourse. This is great news. We said that we would canvass your opinions and pass on any suggestions for the new ground. Once again please visit our forum to contribute.
It was also confirmed that the current Season Ticket waiting list stands at 58,000 and a lot of work has recently been carried out to restructure the waiting list. With barely 60 new Season Tickets being allocated a year, it will take a thousand years to clear the list! So the announcement that the new owners are seeking to possibly increase any capacity at the new stadium can only be good news.
Regarding the ticket prices in the new ground, Rick Parry stated this has yet to be discussed with Gillet and Hicks, but he will be voicing the concerns we raised. He also stated that with the increased capacity, there will be scope to widen the range of ticket prices. The first impression is that of the American model, with a more structured ticketing structure, keeping the lower end of the scale affordable, while resulting in a rise at the upper end of the scale. This is merely speculation at moment, as Rick Parry states he has yet to discuss this in detail with the new owners. We will give you any future updates as soon as possible.
In the near future, the club will also be seeking ideas in how to attract fans into the ground earlier, what we would like to see in the new concourses. In the mould of the Anfield Road Banner suggestions, we have set up another 'sticky' thread on the RTK forum for fans to post their suggestions on this subject for reporting back to Rick Parry, George Gillet and Tom Hicks with our ideas. This is our chance to have a say in the new stadium and the facilities that will be available to us. Now is the time to speak up. What would get you into the stadium earlier and make you stay around later after the game? Food? Drink? Entertainment?
Post your suggestions in the dedicated thread within the Main Forum.
http://reclaimthekop.co.uk/cgi-bin/y...num=1174409991
Get Involved
As well as having your say in the banners to be used on the Anfield Road, and putting forward your ideas for what you would like to see at the new stadium, Rick Parry has agreed to take part in a Question and Answer session surrounding the type of issues that the RTK have raised with the club, as well as the new stadium plans. The Q&A session will hopefully be held at Anfield towards the end of April, and more than likely will be held during the week. The time and venue has yet to be confirmed. The RTK were keen to push this as it is important that as many supporters as possible are given a chance to address their concerns, ideas and suggestions directly to the club.
If you would like to attend this event and ask Rick Parry a question on this subject, please visit
www.reclaimthekop.co.uk/q&a and submit the form.
If you are not based locally, but still feel strongly enough about a certain issue, please submit the form and if your question is short-listed it can be asked by someone else in attendance on your behalf.
The RTK Forum
We have had some concerns with the RTK forum over the past few months, and we even considered removing it from the site altogether. We have difficulty finding time to moderate the forum in detail, and as a result find some inappropriate threads and posts going unnoticed. Slight changes have been made, announcements made and 'sticky' threads posted to try and structure the forum a little better, and hopefully over time it will find it's feet.
The Main Forum is there for fans to post their ideas, suggestions or maybe their concerns about the RTK campaign. We can then review these posts on the Main Forum and respond with answers on behalf of the RTK campaign as a whole. So if you have any suggestions for the site or the campaign in general please post them on the RTK Main Forum .
This forum will now become vital for collecting fans ideas to feed back into the club.
Summary
RTK is now a few months old, and while we have obviously had a few teething troubles during the early stages, we feel we are now starting to make some real progress and can look into the immediate future with a more than positive outlook.
The possibility of moving up to 2,000 like-minded supporters together in The Kop is one that excites us all and will help improve the Anfield Atmosphere no end - possibly even addressing the 'Sheffield-United-at-home' syndrome we mentioned earlier! If we make a success of this it could be the start of something much bigger when we move to the new ground.
Liverpool Football Club, and Rick Parry in particular, have been more than welcoming to us. They have been very receptive to our/your thoughts and ideas and have impressed us immensely with their attitude towards our aims. They have told us that our new owners also share their enthusiasm for the aims of the RTK campaign, and want Liverpool's support to be the best in the world. Their re-think of the stadium plans bears testament to this. We cannot thank the club enough for their cooperation so far.
The future looks promising.
RTK