A LINE in the sand was drawn between Alloa Athletic and supporters as the club pledged to do all it can to improve fan relations.
It came during the first of three planned supporter Q&A sessions for this season on Monday (August 17) at the Hive social club.
The panel was led by Kieren Mooney, general manager for the club, first team manager Andy Graham and John O’Malley, the newest board member.
Mr Mooney opened by highlighting the importance of speaking with supporters, asking that they hold the panel to account at each session.
He said: “These kind of events are really important. I don’t believe any of these hold any weight unless we come back in December and at the end of the season and you guys can ask the same questions or different questions and hold us to account.
“That’s something we want to make pretty clear from the start – that this will be regular.”
Pre-asked questions were read out, while supporters could also raise any issues they had throughout the evening.
Earlier this year, fans had taken part in a survey issued by Alloa, but the results had not been shared.
Mr Mooney shared that the results are available on request, but that the three biggest talking points came down to the state of the toilets, the quality of the PA system and access to the railway end.
He added that the club had looked at the three issues over the summer and that work was ongoing to improve them.
On the playing side, Graham fielded a concern that Alloa are needing top-quality loans to have success each season.
He said: “When you look back at my decade in the club, every season apart from Covid, Alloa has used about four-six loans each season.
“It’s not a new thing at all. What we’re getting now is we’re getting the best ones. It’s clear for everybody to see – the guys we had last year were massive and pivotal in our team.
“It’ll be no different this season – we’ll be looking for those guys to contribute as well. I don’t think it’s an individual thing to Alloa.
“What we’ve got in the co-operation agreement is we’re going to get some exciting young talent.
“For a long-term sustainability issue, every single player is on a one-year contract. In terms of continuity, we don’t offer out two, three year contracts. What we have managed to keep a core group together which is essential.
“If you can keep that core group together, you have a good chance and that’s something we’ve been very good at at Alloa.
“They’ve got a real togetherness and belief and know that if we can add in those sprinkles of magic to take us to the next level.”
Alloa picked up their first league win of the season at home to Montrose last Saturday, a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Kyle Glasgow, Luke Rankin and Owen Foster.
The Wasps were agonisingly close to sealing play-off promotion last time out, falling to Stenhousemuir at the final hurdle, but Graham declared that the expectations remain the same this season.
He said: “If we get into a league season and my aspiration to be in the playoffs, then honestly I shouldn’t even be here.
“Yes, there are five full time teams and it’s the first time in League One there have been five full time teams.
“But, do you know what? Bring it on. It’s going to be difficult and we’re going to need a real togetherness.
“If we’re not aiming for the playoffs, I’m not doing my job right. We know it’s going to be really difficult but I do not fear anybody.”
A rising concern among the support is the number of fans at games, particularly away games.
Supporters raised that the numbers present away to Hamilton Academical had fallen from expected levels, with one pre-set question querying an “apathy” from the fanbase.
In response, the manager said the club acknowledged that it has not got things right in the past, but doubled down on a commitment to do better going forward.
“All I would want to do is bring everyone together,” Graham said. “It’s very something that I’m very open to.
“The support play a bigger part than you will ever believe. The Airdrie game, the crowd was magnificent for us.
“We need to say ‘how do we get people in the ground?’. ‘How do we get people to come?’
“It’s going to be us getting out and doing that. Kieren’s very active in looking at different ways to get more supporters.
“We need to come away with what happened in the past. We’ve changed loads of things
“We can only change things moving forward and we are actively trying our best. You can see that in hospitality. We then need to get the matchday experience better for the fans coming.
“That’s my job, I need to get together a team that excites people. You also have to caveat that with winning games of football and be successful.
“It’s a natural order – Alloa are doing well? Your pals come along.
“We can’t change that. Yes, things haven’t been right in the past but moving about, we can get it right.”
Other questions centred around ticket prices, which are now up to £21 for an adult ticket. Over 66s and concessions get in for £13, while under-18s can enter the ground for £7.
Currently, the club does not offer a student price or an early-bird special offer, which Mr Mooney said there were reasons for.
He added that the club was working on creatively looking at the pricing strategy, to make it accessible for all.
A lengthy discussion around trouble at the games took place, following on from reported incidents at the Montrose match between young supporters.
It follows a concerning trend across Scotland, which has seen youngsters ejected from grounds for repeated bad behaviour.
Fans raised worries around the way they are treated within the stadium, in particular from a member of staff.
Mr Mooney said: “We’re evolving and changing and for me, there is a duty of care to my staff as well.
“Respect works both ways. There are parts on our part that we need to do better and we’ve looked at it.
“But there have been times where that line has been crossed from an element of the support.
“There is also a duty of care for me to look after my staff. Us internally will look at various things in how we communicate and the respect is reciprocated.”
Special mention was given to club historian John Glencross’ football memories group and his Alloa Athletic memorabilia museum.
A frequent talking point was that the exhibition was not advertised on the club website, with Mr Mooney confirming this had been rectified.
He added: “My closing thing is I cannot change anything that’s happened in the past. I’ve sat in those seats and I understand those frustrations.
“There are times I’m sat in my seat on the other side of the table and I’m equally frustrated.
“I’ll continue to bang that door until that change happens and there is people now on board and enough momentum behind us that it will happen.
“It’s just going to take a little bit of time and you guys are going to come along that journey with us.”
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