The off-season is always a weird time at FGR; lack of games makes it feel like you have loads of time, almost too much time; yet there is a mammoth number of tasks to complete and within just a few weeks, the games return thick and fast.
Progress has been made on some key areas already - notably season tickets, hospitality and Partners; as well as extensive upgrades to the Candriam Training Centre (see below) and a whole host of Matchday changes below.
And I have also hosted the regular meeting with the Supporters Club discussion a variety of matters, including ticket pricing, away travel, Gym bar, stadium improvements and supporter feedback; you can join the Supporters Club for just £10! (https://www.fgrsc.com) and I always encourage our supporters to become members and help the club.
Candriam Training Centre:
There has been a lot of work behind the scenes over the last few months, to add significant improvements to our Candriam Training Centre ready for the 25/26 season. This includes moving our large marquee from Stanley Park to J13, new storage units, catering unit, changing rooms, EV chargers, gym and upgraded site security. The upgrades are only temporary in nature but will bring a significant improvement for the 1st team and will have a strong, positive impact for the coming season.
In terms of EcoPark stadium, we are continuing to work through the various conditions that we need to discharge, to proceed to the next step - a slow, but important process. Work is also progressing on the wider site considerations such as access roads, traffic flow, and how the different areas of the site will work together. Everyone connected to the club are keen to break ground on the new stadium as soon as we can, but we must get this right and design something that is fit for purpose and will support FGR for many years to come.
Matchday Changes for 25/26:
There has been an upgrade in the traffic management on the local roads in Forest Green, which some supporters may have noticed. This includes extensive new double yellow lines and an updated Matchday zone, using single yellow lines and signage. Overall, this will help to improve the traffic flow in the area on Matchday’s and minimise disruption to our neighbours, so very much a positive upgrade.
The 1st team gym has moved to J13 and therefore work has begun to get the Gym Bar back into use for the new season. We are using a mixture of new and second-hand furniture for the Gym Bar, with some very important help from the Supporters Club to make this happen. As previously, the Gym Bar will be open to all East Stand ticket holders.
We have also launched a new initiative, Football on Prescription; a superb collaboration between Dale Vince & Dr Simon Opher MP to offer surgeries across the area free tickets for people who are struggling with mental health. This has already got huge coverage in the media (BBC, NY Times, The Telegraph and The Sun) and is of course a great way that the club can help support our local community.
Three new self-serve kiosks have been installed in the East stand concourse as a trial, that most supporters would be familiar with from locations throughout the UK, like motorway services. This will allow us to test out the technology, adjust our operations, and gather supporter feedback; with the ultimate aim of a better and more efficient service for supporters. This is just the first part of several planned upgrades for the coming season, working with our Event Solution Partner, Freemans Event Partners, who work at some huge venues including British GP, Lord's, Glos Rugby and Twickenham.
And last but not least, we have launched our new kit with Reflo; two bold new designs and the world’s first Vegan Certified kit. And in future seasons we will only change one kit each season, to extend the natural longevity of our kit, improve sustainability and saving supporters cash; this marks just the start of what will be an exciting start to our Partnership with Reflo.
The off-season is always a time of change: improvements, upgrades, new suppliers, new products, and this season even a change in Manager; so, a little more exceptional than normal. And we have announced our next Fans’ Forum with Robbie & Dale this week (Thurs 31st 6pm for 7pm start) and an Open Training session next week (7th August); details of both are here; both are great opportunities for supporters to meet and ask questions to Robbie, players, Dale, myself and the FGR Team.
On Saturday, I thought Walsall were a strong and a well organised clinical team, so although it was disappointing that we didn’t convert any of our chances, it was a good test for Robbie & the team, who still have two weeks before our season starts on Saturday 9th August. Tickets and away travel are now online for our first few games, so there is still time to get your season ticket, book a hospitality package or grab some new kit, in time for what promises to be an exciting season.
