Media Watch
Posted on: Wed 24 Oct 2007
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The Chad's Tim Morriss speaks to the new regime at Field Mill.
THE new regime at Field Mill has already begun work ahead of its expected takeover of Mansfield Town Football Club.
And they shared a little of their vision for the immediate future ? with Chad and the Stags fans and business people they want to help turn the club around.
This includes plans for:
Experienced Ravenshead businessman John Thorpe, drafted in by James Derry, whose local consortium hopes to complete its takeover 'as quickly as possible', has already met many Field Mill employees and is looking at the structure of the club.
Lifelong Stags fan Mr Thorpe (45), a former national director with Lloyds TSB and first named as one of the members of the executive management team by Chad, said: "We are not going to over-promise and under-deliver. We have seen that happen at football clubs before.
"We want to make progress through proper strategic planning and follow through . . . so that people can see we do what we say!"
Mr Thorpe, who will become an associate director once the takeover is completed and has been linked to a chief executive's role at Field Mill, added: "Fans have identified issues that need attention and we are starting to take action.
"We are just custodians of the club for the fans, for the future fans, and this is all about improving our service to them."
The new management team is also keen to stress that it is 'very keen to add experienced business people who will add value to the football club'.
Mr Thorpe told Chad: "The club will be run professionally to the highest standards and be open and above board, from boardroom level downwards."
Once the takeover is complete, members of the consortium will also join the board of directors, possibly together with other backers.
One immediate change is the decision to expand the role of commercial manager Tony Lormor. The former Stags striker will now be head of commercial and marketing activities at the Stags.
The plans include:
WEST STAND
Transforming a large void area under the West Stand so that it could be used seven days a week as a functions venue ? and perhaps be used as a vice-presidents lounge and also a supporters lounge on matchdays.
The current empty space would be turned into a large lounge with a full industrial kitchen that could host large functions away from matchdays ? such as weddings/corporate events ? and as a lounge for fans on matchdays, providing hot food, large television screens and other facilities.
A spokesman for the management team said: "The club has a boardroom, an executive lounge . . . this 'new' area could double the number of people we are capable of entertaining on matchdays.
"This area could, perhaps, hold upto 250 people and also be sectioned off into two areas if necessary.
"This is all about listening to what the fans want and expanding our facilities and extending their matchday experience and choices."
BISHOP STREET STAND
Mr Thorpe told Chad: "If you speak to fans, one thing they always mention is the state of this area of the ground. They say it needs flattening.
"Turning it into terracing would give people a more economic choice on admission prices and some people prefer standing at matches anyway.
"That is one of the options we will be discussing with the local authority. We would hope to get something done next year with the stand.
"It is also a problem area as far as the county council's Safety Advisory Group group is concerned and needs addressing."
COMMERCIAL
Tony Lormor, now head of marketing and commercial activities at Field Mill, will get support from more staff.
He is now looking for local business/tradesmen interested in joint ventures to receive reciprocal hospitality for their services.
Already he has interest from some businesses and he is talking to a flooring specialist this week about a deal.
He also envisages many initiatives in the community to try to bring the younger fans back to the Mill, such as recreating a Junior Stag section or developing a Junior Sammy the Stag.
Mr Thorpe added: "We need to get more youngsters into the club, create a whole matchday experience for them, starting in the morning."
In the past week the club has announced sponsorship from Marston's brewery and Circus Casino.
Now the Stags are hoping to secure sponsorship for the away shirts, possibly with a phone company.
RUNNING OF THE CLUB
Mr Thorpe has already spent time at Field Mill meeting members of staff and said: "We have a lot of good quality staff and they need to know what their job is and be given the support to do it. Too many people have left the club, particularly in the past year or so, and we want to stop that happening.
"We will bring a passionate, driving and caring leadership and make Field Mill and Mansfield Town Football Club a great place to work.
"The club must be run properly, like any business, with a strong leadership from the top.
"We want this to be a world class business, that people can see we have strategies in place and we execute our strategies."
COMMUNICATION
Mr Thorpe told Chad: "Fans have identified issues that need attention and we are starting to take action.
"They have let us know that off the pitch we are unprofessional and show a lack of concern to the supporters ? our customers. We have started to listen to them and are looking at possible solutions. The link between the club and fans needs to be stronger and we will listen to them.
"We want Field Mill to be a great place to come and support your team ? on and off the pitch. It is all about service to fans.
"The relationship towards supporters groups needs a positive change of direction. We know they are are genuinely interested in the welfare of their club and we are lucky to have people like that."
This includes plans for:
- Transforming a void area under the West Stand
- Turning the Bishop Street Stand into a terraced area for fans
- Expanding the commercial activites of the club
- Improving communication with fans
- Improving the running of the club
Experienced Ravenshead businessman John Thorpe, drafted in by James Derry, whose local consortium hopes to complete its takeover 'as quickly as possible', has already met many Field Mill employees and is looking at the structure of the club.
Lifelong Stags fan Mr Thorpe (45), a former national director with Lloyds TSB and first named as one of the members of the executive management team by Chad, said: "We are not going to over-promise and under-deliver. We have seen that happen at football clubs before.
"We want to make progress through proper strategic planning and follow through . . . so that people can see we do what we say!"
Mr Thorpe, who will become an associate director once the takeover is completed and has been linked to a chief executive's role at Field Mill, added: "Fans have identified issues that need attention and we are starting to take action.
"We are just custodians of the club for the fans, for the future fans, and this is all about improving our service to them."
The new management team is also keen to stress that it is 'very keen to add experienced business people who will add value to the football club'.
Mr Thorpe told Chad: "The club will be run professionally to the highest standards and be open and above board, from boardroom level downwards."
Once the takeover is complete, members of the consortium will also join the board of directors, possibly together with other backers.
One immediate change is the decision to expand the role of commercial manager Tony Lormor. The former Stags striker will now be head of commercial and marketing activities at the Stags.
The plans include:
WEST STAND
Transforming a large void area under the West Stand so that it could be used seven days a week as a functions venue ? and perhaps be used as a vice-presidents lounge and also a supporters lounge on matchdays.
The current empty space would be turned into a large lounge with a full industrial kitchen that could host large functions away from matchdays ? such as weddings/corporate events ? and as a lounge for fans on matchdays, providing hot food, large television screens and other facilities.
A spokesman for the management team said: "The club has a boardroom, an executive lounge . . . this 'new' area could double the number of people we are capable of entertaining on matchdays.
"This area could, perhaps, hold upto 250 people and also be sectioned off into two areas if necessary.
"This is all about listening to what the fans want and expanding our facilities and extending their matchday experience and choices."
BISHOP STREET STAND
Mr Thorpe told Chad: "If you speak to fans, one thing they always mention is the state of this area of the ground. They say it needs flattening.
"Turning it into terracing would give people a more economic choice on admission prices and some people prefer standing at matches anyway.
"That is one of the options we will be discussing with the local authority. We would hope to get something done next year with the stand.
"It is also a problem area as far as the county council's Safety Advisory Group group is concerned and needs addressing."
COMMERCIAL
Tony Lormor, now head of marketing and commercial activities at Field Mill, will get support from more staff.
He is now looking for local business/tradesmen interested in joint ventures to receive reciprocal hospitality for their services.
Already he has interest from some businesses and he is talking to a flooring specialist this week about a deal.
He also envisages many initiatives in the community to try to bring the younger fans back to the Mill, such as recreating a Junior Stag section or developing a Junior Sammy the Stag.
Mr Thorpe added: "We need to get more youngsters into the club, create a whole matchday experience for them, starting in the morning."
In the past week the club has announced sponsorship from Marston's brewery and Circus Casino.
Now the Stags are hoping to secure sponsorship for the away shirts, possibly with a phone company.
RUNNING OF THE CLUB
Mr Thorpe has already spent time at Field Mill meeting members of staff and said: "We have a lot of good quality staff and they need to know what their job is and be given the support to do it. Too many people have left the club, particularly in the past year or so, and we want to stop that happening.
"We will bring a passionate, driving and caring leadership and make Field Mill and Mansfield Town Football Club a great place to work.
"The club must be run properly, like any business, with a strong leadership from the top.
"We want this to be a world class business, that people can see we have strategies in place and we execute our strategies."
COMMUNICATION
Mr Thorpe told Chad: "Fans have identified issues that need attention and we are starting to take action.
"They have let us know that off the pitch we are unprofessional and show a lack of concern to the supporters ? our customers. We have started to listen to them and are looking at possible solutions. The link between the club and fans needs to be stronger and we will listen to them.
"We want Field Mill to be a great place to come and support your team ? on and off the pitch. It is all about service to fans.
"The relationship towards supporters groups needs a positive change of direction. We know they are are genuinely interested in the welfare of their club and we are lucky to have people like that."
