Martin Perrys at Fans Forum

[Whitterz]

I am amazed these provisions havent been made long ago. I know there has been alot going on in the club with the build, etc, etc, but less than a fortnight before the first league game and things are still up in the air is a bit daft.

 

[The Wookiee]

Obviously, NSC isn't the place to negotiate in detail about such matters - and it all depends on how long the journey is from the car park to the destination. To run the service effectively - from the passenger's point of view - you need several vehicles to provide it (or leave people having to wait for too long before a bus shows up to carry them). Using trained staff, who know how to secure a wheelchair and its occupant in a minibus safely, involves pay as well. To the nearest fiver per passenger ... I'd say the costs would be between a fiver and a tenner per passenger, depending on how well the service was used.

And I'm not very keen on bunging that additional cost on to supporters who are already paying a lot more for their season tickets compared with last year, and have a car park bill of over £7 a game to pay as well.

if the cost is that low its ridiculous that the club won't listen to this compromise over car parking at the stadium.

 

[severnside gull]

Just to expand on this, a little.

Before putting this particular proposal together, I had a long conversation with the Vice Chairman of the National Association of Disabled Supporters. The "accessible park and ride" option was one of several practical ideas that were put forward. All of them were, to a point, compromises, necessary because it seemed to be impossible to provide enough disabled parking close enough to the Amex stadium to ensure easy access for every supporter with mobility difficulties.

We all have to recognise that there are constraints. But it would be nice if the Club could acknowledge that some action to overcome the constraints that arise from the location of the stadium might be worth pursuing. But nothing was done at the time, other than an assertion by the Club that they would find more disabled parking spaces. 120 spaces were promised. These have now failed to materialise.

I got no response - not even an acknowledgement - to my January message to the Club.

In the past week, following confirmation that there would not be enough disabled parking spaces near to the stadium, I have resubmitted the proposal to the Club. I was encouraged to do this by a Director of the Club. So far ... no acknowledgement has been received.

The new information, revealed at the Fans Forum this evening, that the Club is looking to provide more disabled parking on the Sussex University site, begs the question - already posted by BODS on NSC this evening - how can disabled supporters make the half-mile journey from the parking space to the stadium? An accessible park & ride service might be the answer, surely?

The door is still open, if the Club wants to pursue this. But they need to get in touch.


And, if this just sounds like a load of hot air, I should add - for the benefit of those who don't know - that I manage a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in providing transport for people with disabilities and has a fleet of accessible minibuses, based in Brighton.

It is hard to understand the lack of response from the club. I am left with the distinct impression that:

(a) Martin Perry won't act because he sees any criticism as being intrinsically unfair when he and TB have done so much for the club/fans;
(b) He has an open disrespect for NSC and identifies the concerns directly with this forum:
(c) He thinks if he ignores the criticism it will go away.

In any "grown up" organisation someone would take him aside and have a gentle (or perhaps not so gentle) word and would possibly realign this element of his duties to ensure that someone else took action. Unfortunately football clubs per se rarely work that way and anyway the person who would possibly be designated to act would probably be Richard Hebberd..........the thoughts "frying pan" and "fire" come to mind.

Seriously though, I am sure the solution lies in disassociating the issue of disabled access from NSC (and I fear that BODS is tainted in this respect in Perry's mind). However, I am not sure how that is done other than by any individuals experiencing access issues raising concerns consistently. To borrow a singularly appropriate metaphor, it will not be a short journey.

 

[ROSM]

I think you have a point severnside. But what the frequent mentions on NSC since January should have done, is put the club on notice that an issue exists and needs addressing. The ramping up of concerns in the last two weeks and a number of comments saying this would be raised at the forum would in most companies mean the preparation of a statement recognising concerns and giving details of next steps or resolution. That statement would be released before the forum or given in full when the question is asked. To some degree ken brown or the comms manager must take some responsibility as they both read NSC.

Granted the way the question was asked was aggressive and there was more negativity overall than the current situation warranted, but a calm, full response would have taken the sting out of it and handed the club the initiative.

I also think andy naylor is right. Off field issues should be split out from on field matters in forums like this.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

I'm really shocked by this. It seems that this was at the bottom of the to do list and it's just been forgotten about.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Hopefully something that is resolved. All I can say is Go Nads!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

(a) Martin Perry won't act because he sees any criticism as being intrinsically unfair when he and TB have done so much for the club/fans;
(b) He has an open disrespect for NSC and identifies the concerns directly with this forum:

This.

I think the club need a proper communications person. If we did get into the Prem, and Perry was put under more scrutiny with an even bigger spotlight he will come badly unstuck. He gets things built, and he does this well. But he is not a front man for a football club.

 

[ewe2]

This.

I think the club need a proper communications person. If we did get into the Prem, and Perry was put under more scrutiny with an even bigger spotlight he will come badly unstuck. He gets things built, and he does this well. But he is not a front man for a football club.

.....Andy Coulson......

 

[Superphil]

With all the constant snipes and gripes on here about the disabled parking issue I would like to present a few FACTS.

1. Bods and Nads have been trying to resolve this parking issue with the club for many months. In January Lord Bracknell and Tinytears put a proposal was put to Martin Perry to set up a bus that would run from a park and ride site that would enable a wheelchair user and carer to use their own bus service so that on site parking wouldn't be needed. To date he has never replied therefore has IGNORED them.

2. When the club first put in the planning application nothing was in them for diasbled fans at all. This proves that they were an after thought.

3. When my mother purchased her season ticket in January she was told that she would NOT have to pay for parking at the Amex. Then in July the club announce that they will charge £180.00.

4. As my mother has no other way to get to the staduim she has been forced to pay the £180.00. Being in a wheelchair isn't a choice for her. If she didn't use it then she wouldn't be able to go.

5. The club are saying that they are offering more disabled parking in the University car park!! What use is that to a disabled person the other side of the A27?

6. Martin Perry said that NADS had advised the club to charge. What NADS said was that SOME other clubs do charge. That dosen't mean that Brighton have too.

7. Why is is that in April that BODS have an email from Mr Martin Perry that says that the club WON'T be charging for parking and when BODS question it it's said oh we changed our mind. I think you may find that a comment from someone at the club was "Oh well this will work out who really needs a space if they have to pay for it"

8. Some people have said on here that they don't want to hear wingers at the forum and I agree but what other option has been left to them. Martin Perry dosen't answer emails or calls, no-one gets any answers on here it's "wait and see and we will advise shortly". The communication from the club has been poor and all they do is ignore people.

9. Martin Perry says he dosen't like NSC - well I can tell him why - he is reading the truth and dosen't like it.

I would also like Mr Perry, Mr Brown and Sally Townsend to actually look after someone that is in a wheelchair, has mobility issues or is ill - maybe take them on the park and ride or train and see how easy it is.

I have been looking forward to the stadium at Falmer for many years now like the rest of us but the lack of respect and understanding for wheelchair users and people will a need to be close to the stadium for any reason in saddens me. We are meant to be a COMMUNITY STADIUM.

1. He may have ignored LB and TT, but I doubt the suggestions were ignored, MP, KSS & Buckingham are not amateurs, but they were responsible for the entire build, I would be confident that these suggestions would have been passed onto the relevant persons in the construction team (see, I too can make assumptions).

2. It proves nothing, every single building project in this country has to be accessible and comply with legislation regarding disability. There is no way that no provision would have been made, under any circumstances.

3. I am in 100% agreement with you, this is something the club need to retract, refund everyone who has paid, and apologise for making such a balls up. There should be a campaign started, immediately, petitions, protests etc, let's make this happen.

4. See above.

5. If you are a disabled student in the University, you have to park where the spaces are, and make your way to wherever you are going, just like anywhere else (shopping centres etc). Naturally the spaces should be in as close proximity as possible to the stadium, but it's not feasible here, or anywhere, that everyone can be on the doorstep.

6. Whatever way you look at this, they (not just MP) have done nothing actually wrong, even though I think they have, as do many, this is wrong in this instance, see point 3.

7. Re: Your Quote "Oh well this will work out who really needs a space if they have to pay for it". That is totally unfair, this is a club with the most amazing AITC set up, how could you for one minute think anyone in the club would have said or thought that? Comments like yours do not help endear support from others.

8. The communication does seem to be shocking; however, to say all they do is ignore people is not correct. They have been in consultation with many groups throughout the construction period.

9. On NSC he is reading some truth, he also reads some lies on here (you know about them), some propaganda and a lot of assumptions, opinions and rhetoric too. It must be difficult to sift through it all, and after all, NSC is not official, it is populated by some Brighton fans, and has been responsible for plenty of unjustified and undignified comments aimed at the club over the years. BTW, he does read the site, he does take note, and he appreciates the importance of it as an outlet for Albion fans (he told me this when he gave us a tour of the building site).

I think putting MP, KB and ST into a wheelchair/reduced mobility situation for a game or function at the Amex would be an excellent idea, it would be difficult to do, but f there was any way of doing it, it could well make them see the errors they’ve made and maybe change tack.

There is a lot of support here for making the changes, and a lot of justified outrage, if it is one more battle we, as Albion fans, have to win, then count me in, it must be resolved.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

It is rather sad that one of the greatest periods in our Club's history is at risk of being somewhat tainted by this issue. I am focused on the bigger picture in that we have a fab Chairman, Stadium, manager and squad all very much heading in the right direction and that any snagging issues with The Amex were exactly just that and no more in the wider scheme of things. However my experience of managing projects in the real world and my instincts were also telling me that the matter of disabled access could become an emotive issue if not satisfactorily resolved.

To add insult to injury it is not good enough for some on here to belittle the genuine issues of the disabled fans. I am embarrassed (but not totally surprised) to read some of the comments. Maybe it was naive of me to hope that both the Club and fans would be more understanding and supportive of those less fortunate. We have a brand new 'state of the art' Community stadium that should welcome one and all in an inclusive way treating all with fairness and dignity without let or hindrance.

Having just read the background posted on here by Lord B (keep up the good work) and in particular those posts from fans with mobility issues or their companions I now understand the situation more clearly. I am rather disappointed to see opportunities that appear to have been missed which make the Club look like it is painting itself into a corner rather than seize the initative and resolve the problem in a more equitable manner. It seems to me that disabled fans are being discriminated against by having to pay extra for an unsatisafctory parking arrangement and some will then have access issues within the stadium. I am surprised that the latter situation has been created in a new build stadium that should comply with building regs and DDA requirements which specify minimum design requirements but also allow for more imaginative and not unreasonable solutions to be adopted.

Martin Perry is one of the true heroes in the revolution that is going on at the Club but I would respectfully suggest his main talents are as a project manager. It is understandable that he is passionate about all things Amex related and would become defensive when any perceived criticism arises. It does not help when criticsim is expressed in less articulate ways, no doubt borne out of frustrations from fans passionate about their football club. However the underlying issue remains genuine and should not be fobbed off. MP is also a Director and as such the corporate face of the Club so should be capable of fielding questions at public forums especially when it now appears this issue has been festering for some time and quite likely to crop up. In these circumstances I would want to have answers and kill the issue, not engage in confrontation. I am not criticising MP merely expressing constructive feedback that this issue could have been dealt with more sensitivity by the Board. Let MP concentrate on all things Amex including the expansion and hopefully the inclusion of acceptable design solutions for all fans.

I suggest that on this and other matters the Club needs a PR / media / marketing guru to get a grip on its dealings, marketing etc because it is not communicating very well with it's community at the moment - across a range of issues. Hopefully Tony Bloom will recognise this so we can all move on and focus on the bigger picture ie exciting times 'on the pitch'.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It is rather sad that one of the greatest periods in our Club's history is at risk of being somewhat tainted by this issue. I am focused on the bigger picture in that we have a fab Chairman, Stadium, manager and squad all very much heading in the right direction and that any snagging issues with The Amex were exactly just that and no more in the wider scheme of things. However my experience of managing projects in the real world and my instincts were also telling me that the matter of disabled access could become an emotive issue if not satisfactorily resolved.

To add insult to injury it is not good enough for some on here to belittle the genuine issues of the disabled fans. I am embarrassed (but not totally surprised) to read some of the comments. Maybe it was naive of me to hope that both the Club and fans would be more understanding and supportive of those less fortunate. We have a brand new 'state of the art' Community stadium that should welcome one and all in an inclusive way treating all with fairness and dignity without let or hindrance.

Having just read the background posted on here by Lord B (keep up the good work) and in particular those posts from fans with mobility issues or their companions I now understand the situation more clearly. I am rather disappointed to see opportunities that appear to have been missed which make the Club look like it is painting itself into a corner rather than seize the initative and resolve the problem in a more equitable manner. It seems to me that disabled fans are being discriminated against by having to pay extra for an unsatisafctory parking arrangement and some will then have access issues within the stadium. I am surprised that the latter situation has been created in a new build stadium that should comply with building regs and DDA requirements which specify minimum design requirements but also allow for more imaginative and not unreasonable solutions to be adopted.

Martin Perry is one of the true heroes in the revolution that is going on at the Club but I would respectfully suggest his main talents are as a project manager. It is understandable that he is passionate about all things Amex related and would become defensive when any perceived criticism arises. It does not help when criticsim is expressed in less articulate ways, no doubt borne out of frustrations from fans passionate about their football club. However the underlying issue remains genuine and should not be fobbed off. MP is also a Director and as such the corporate face of the Club so should be capable of fielding questions at public forums especially when it now appears this issue has been festering for some time and quite likely to crop up. In these circumstances I would want to have answers and kill the issue, not engage in confrontation. I am not criticising MP merely expressing constructive feedback that this issue could have been dealt with more sensitivity by the Board. Let MP concentrate on all things Amex including the expansion and hopefully the inclusion of acceptable design solutions for all fans.

I suggest that on this and other matters the Club needs a PR / media / marketing guru to get a grip on its dealings, marketing etc because it is not communicating very well with it's community at the moment - across a range of issues. Hopefully Tony Bloom will recognise this so we can all move on and focus on the bigger picture ie exciting times 'on the pitch'.

This, and very well put.

 

[Triggaaar]

Seriously though, I am sure the solution lies in disassociating the issue of disabled access from NSC

I disagree with this point - NSC is just a place where we can all chat. If MP doesn't like NSC, he should ignore it, he will still receive the complaints via the normal chanels. I get the feeling that if we weren't in the age of the internet, he'd be blaming pub talk instead. This is a real issue that needs to be addressed, if we weren't talking about it here he'd assume it wasn't a real issue.

The ramping up of concerns in the last two weeks and a number of comments saying this would be raised at the forum would in most companies mean the preparation of a statement recognising concerns and giving details of next steps or resolution. That statement would be released before the forum or given in full when the question is asked.

Good point. They should have known the complaints were coming, and pre-empted them with a statement.

I'm an MP fan, I just think the team have got this one wrong. Hopefully they'll get it right quickly.

 

[Triggaaar]

I think putting MP, KB and ST into a wheelchair/reduced mobility situation for a game or function at the Amex would be an excellent idea, it would be difficult to do, but f there was any way of doing it, it could well make them see the errors they’ve made and maybe change tack.

Do it, this Saturday! Get them to meet a supporter and carer at their car, and let them take the supporter to their seat, while having a nice friendly chat with the carer on the way. Nothing agro, all in the spirit of highlighting the reality of getting to a game for some fans. Make it happen!

On a separate point - means testing disabled fans seems out of order, but how else are the club supposed to identify those who really NEED to park close to the stadium, and those that can manage a bit further? Some of those who are disabled must understand that there are other fans whose need is even greater, and those with milder disabilities shouldn't be taking a space from those who need it more. Unfortunately, having a blue badge doesn't give enough information.