Town switching the age at which fans are entitled to senior citizens' concessions from 60 to 65 and the move of Cobbold Stand season ticket holders to elsewhere in the ground at the Leeds game next month proved the most controversial issues at this evening’s PLC AGM at Portman Road’s Sir Bobby Robson Suite.

The meeting, which was live-blogged by TWTD here, saw Blues managing director Ian Milne answer questions on a number of topics from the 58 shareholders present, while academy manager Lee O’Neill (pictured speaking at lecturn) and head of coaching and player development Bryan Klug talked about the academy and also responded to questions from the floor.

When the 2016/17 season tickets were launched in March the Blues increased the age at which fans are entitled to a senior citizens’ concession from 60 to 65 in line with other clubs.

Those who were already paying a senior concessions price for a season ticket but were 64 or younger had to switch to an adult ticket, although their seat was subsidised by 50 per cent for this campaign. Around 800 supporters were affected with a number refusing to renew their seats in protest.

“I can understand the issues about the season ticket increase,” Milne told TWTD after the AGM. “I think that’s been well and truly answered over the last few months and I do apologise for that. But it was made by the powers that be and there we are.

“But I think there was a very positive message coming through from the academy. I think people really enjoyed that part of [the AGM].

“And the [comments regarding] Galloway’s coaches and all the rest of it I think was constructive criticism, which is always very welcome and I hope me and my colleagues do get around and listen to it.”

Might the club look at the senior citizens situation again? “I do understand particularly the movement in the [60 to 64 price] but commercial organisations do change ages, it does happen and there was a need to change it to bring it in line.

“I hear people ask, ‘Why do we have to follow other clubs?’. We have to move on, we are a commercial business, it’s heavily underwritten by the owner but, including the fans, we’ve all got to do our bit to support the club.”

As reported last month, Leeds are being given most of the Cobbold Stand for the match on Saturday 13th January, taking their allocation to more than 3,000, which will require season ticket holders to move elsewhere in the ground for that game, something some supporters were annoyed by at the AGM.

“This is a difficult one,” Milne admitted. “There are a number of reasons behind it. Some away clubs that come here have wanted to have more seats. And yes, it does mean more money for the club.

“But also as part of reciprocal arrangements we give us extra room as well. And also we’re trying to get more atmosphere into the club, so that’s what we’re trying to do by having more away support.

“Of course, we’re not going to end up having 10,000 away supporters in the ground but it is a 30,000-seater stadium, a large one in the Championship, and we’re doing our best to fill it. And if one way of doing it is to bring more away supporters in then I think we should do it.

“If you’re bringing in another 1,000 fans that’s £25,000. But there are not many games where that’s going to happen, it’s going to be three or four. We watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.”

Does he understand why the fans affected wouldn’t want to move? “I totally agree and I think we’ve got to understand that there are a lot of people who have been sitting in the same seat for very many years.

“But there have been people who have have left who don’t support us or have moved around and so there are a lot of holes, so to speak.

“There aren’t big sections which we can just give to opposition fans, we have to move people about.

“We don’t just do it wholesale, we have meetings, about eight of us sit around a table and there’s no easy answer.

“I think people understand the theory, they may not want to move but they understand what we’re doing. It’s a difficult juggle to try and get more atmosphere in the stadium.”

Earlier in the evening the Blues announced a loss of £4.3 million for the financial year to the end of June, a figure in line with expectations.

“Again the owner supports it all,” Milne continued. “We, the Portman Road side of the business, try and keep costs down and support the owner because he’s going to have to spend a lot of money on the squad.”

Town’s wage bill was up just over a million from £16.57 million in 2015/16 to £17.78 million last term but is still less than a third of the oney paid out in salaries at a number of other clubs and probably lower mid-table in the division as a whole.

“It is a long way behind a lot of other clubs but it’s also a lot more than some other clubs,” Milne said. “But it’s a case of what the owner can afford and I think we have to respect that.

“Yes, it’s not going to be as much as Middlesbrough but whether they do that next season or other clubs who are coming out of parachute payments [do that remains to be seen].

“I think we all know a number of clubs who are tightening their belts, look at what [Norwich City chairman] Ed Balls was saying.”

Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Milne says he’s not aware of any additions currently being worked upon.

“I don’t know any specific targets at the moment but I know Mick and Marcus talk and if there’s holes to be filled then they will do it,” he added.

“But let’s face it, we do have a pretty good quality squad and it’s a case of what infilling there needs to be done.”

Manager Mick McCarthy wasn’t at the AGM, he was already committed to being elsewhere this evening when the meeting was scheduled late last month, and one shareholder asked if he could be absent from the club permanently.

McCarthy is out of contract in the summer and has hinted that he might look to move on at that point, although owner Marcus Evans has an option to keep him at Portman Road for two more campaigns.

Asked when that situation might be addressed, Milne said: “His contract’s not up until the end of the season. I know that Marcus hasn’t made his mind up one or the other and Mick understands that and knows that and I think is in the same place. So it’s to be discussed. As far as I’m concerned it’s not an issue between Mick and Marcus [at present].”

Milne also paid tribute to long-serving staff member Dick Parker, who died suddenly over the weekend.

“I was very sorry to hear about his passing,” he said. “Our deepest condolences to his family and his friends. He was particularly well known at Playford Road, a unique figure.

“It was very sudden, we were away at Middlesbrough when it happened. Quite a quiet giant, but a very pleasant man.

“I know the academy and the first-team squad were very sad to hear of his passing. The tweets from the players today spoke volumes, they were quite attached to him and what he did for them. It was a shock.”

Photo: TWTD

Lord_Mac added 01:14 - Dec 12 The issue with senior citizens' season tickets is just stupid. I understand moving the age to 65, but don't do it retrospectively to people who've already qualified- it's like taking someone's pension away! They could have introduced it gradually: 64-63-62-61-60 over 5 years. It would be interesting to know if they lost money by doing it this way. How many children and grandchildren will not be coming, possibly for ever? A real kick in the teeth to the core support. To say that it's decided by the powers that be when Milne is the MD is absurd. It's still not too late to change their minds and put it right. I'm waiting for the call. I had a call from the club this week asking me to support the Academy. I told them no support until I'm 65 or they reinstate my ST concession. A sad end to a long period of support. I wouldn't have done it because if the poor fare on offer last year, but I don't like being taken for a mug.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 03:05 - Dec 12 Rather than planning on how to fill PR with away fans I'd prefer we spent energy on how to fill it with HOME fans!
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NBVJohn added 06:43 - Dec 12 ‘'a decision that was made by the powers that be'' Is this the most Teflon* coated, slopey shouldered statement ever made by an MD? Take some responsibility man! *Other non stick surfaces are available.
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Ippy89 added 07:00 - Dec 12 I try and support this club as much as I can, I really do. I am grateful for the owner putting so much money in and I'm glad Mick is in charge with the budget we have. But this absolute lack of respect for 60-64 year olds is hard to stomach. I feel for those people affected as it's an avoidable situation. The numbers affected may be small in comparison but aren't we supposed to be a family club? I wouldn't treat the older members of my family like this. Do what you want Milne but at least take responsibility for your actions... "powers that be"? Who's that then?

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Penguinblue added 07:03 - Dec 12 Where else in the world would a MD refer to 'the powers that be'. Pathetic, insipid, cowardly. Where else in the world would a business or football club allow a foul mouthed, negative, one trick pony insult shareholders and supporters and produce a brand of hoofball against the tradition of the club driving long-standing supporters and paying customers away. Both these jokers should be out

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Simonds92 added 07:17 - Dec 12 Obviously this would be brought up as I assume the majority of the shareholders are middle aged and above. In reality people of that age group are the ones that can afford to pay the adult price. I think what the club has done is right trying to target younger fans. There's a whole generation that have never seen us be successful, and at least if you reduce the barriers for them to go to a game it may encourage them to continue going in the long term.

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carlisleaway added 08:40 - Dec 12 I believe the club lost between 400-500 season ticket holders over this stupid dipecision.
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Bildestoned added 08:53 - Dec 12 I believe that the Club needs to be brave and next season reduce ticket prices across the board. I'm an over-65 and am doing the 160 mile round trip on Boxing Day with my student son onboard. Even with two concessions (albeit in decent seats) that's nearly £70 for an afternoon out, and that without the £25 fuel and other expenses. This is not good value for money for Championship entertainment.

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warwickblue added 09:04 - Dec 12 Sorry, but nothing remotely positive enough coming from the meeting to encourage me, and perhaps many of the other 2,000 ex- season ticket holders to renew any time soon.
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carlisleaway added 09:30 - Dec 12 Spoke to 3 shareholders who did not renew this season because of McCarthy, along with many others. Interesting to to see how many on this board would renew with a new manager in place next season....
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ArnieM added 09:55 - Dec 12 Its patently clear that Ian Milne is nothing more than Evans' puppet. He CANT take responsibility , because he has none. He is merely Evans front man. This underlines the real problem at ITFC. We are owned by a faceless individual who has no contact with his customers , nor wants any. Well guess what , those customers ar voting with their feet.
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cornishblu added 10:00 - Dec 12 .....and goes to my sheer bafflement that I get down votes when I end my comments ...love the club hate the heirachy .....as this is yet another example of being completely out of touch with fans When you change the rules a decent “supplier” would say to their CUSTOMER ....we are raising the retirement age to 65 but all currently in the bracket 60-65 you will continue to be charged the old rate...anyone then currently outside this age ..ie pre 60 you will be charged the new rate when you “qualify” Be fascinated to know how much money the club has gained by this and then for that to be offset by the amount they have lost due to non renewals of supporters in this age bracket ....and as has already been mentioned the lost good will, generation grandchildren , grandparents talking to their grandchildren of their joy of supporting Town etc .......and for Milne ...”the powers that be” ...akin to the phrase that absolutely drives me insane at work which is ...”,..the business has decided ...” ....basic business speak for we haven't got the guts to tell you who made the decision so we will attribute it to a inanimate object that you have no reference point over ....ie it was me but I want to protect my butt .....astonishing ....so again....Love my club absolutely despair at the heirachy ...both on and off the pitch Your decisions and what you are serving to your customers is driving them away in literally their thousands ...you have once again made a loss.....if this was any other business you would have been sacked along time ago ....you call it a business yet clearly are unable to run one properly COYB

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Scuzzer added 10:01 - Dec 12 I turned 60 this year. So that was perfect timing wasn't it? This was a major factor in me not renewing my season ticket, which I had held since promotion in 1992. Plus the increase in the under 12s ticket, so I no longer take my grandson regularly thus not building his love for the club. The overall price increase was another factor, as I took early retirement it all meant that I could not justify the spend against the backdrop of a complete season of non inspiring dross. I probably will now have to wait another 5 years before it is affordable to me and worth considering another season ticket....by which time my grandson will be over 12....and way down the line of supporting a club like Man City.

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Carberry added 10:12 - Dec 12 There is so much good sense being spoken on here but we are the mugs and 'those f**kers' who Evans and his cronies look upon as an annoying hindrance. You only have to read this sample of the comments Milne made last night to understand how patronising they have become. It is pitiful. And the manager couldn't be there because of a previous engagement i.e. Reading v Cardiff, which he could have recorded and watched later. They just don't care.

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teegee added 10:41 - Dec 12 I have to agree with most of the points made by Lord_Mac and cornishblu. I was in "that" age bracket, supported ITFC all my life, long term season ticket holder. I understand the reason for raising the age, but you don't kick the people in the teeth who already were within that "band" . I can't begin to understand how anyone associated with a large media company, could even think that's o.k. Every other organisation would have honoured those remaining years until the new age limit was reached. I too understand that parents are too busy to take their children to games and it is often the grandparents who do it instead, unfortunately the grandchildren are missing out as well. I now have Saturdays "off" from football and it becomes increasingly easier to find other things to do, thus another supporter is lost. Come on, ITFC admit you were wrong and made a mistake and reinstate the concession price for those season ticket holders who were already in the "60 -65 "band"

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BullardsMagicMullet added 11:04 - Dec 12 Evans doesn't care if the supporters stay away or don't renew, it will just save him more money on less staff needed, less paperwork to process and send out. Teflon Milne just reads Evans scripts, never directly answers any questions and just talks around in circles. What's the betting he will be on Lifes a pitch on Saturday spouting the same rubbish as normal. Apathy is setting in.

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braveblue added 11:09 - Dec 12 What a comment by the ‘MD'. Only following orders - not my fault. Pathetic. I gave my ticket up after decades when they made the seniors decision. Hundreds who would bring the next generation along did the same. He says it is commercial. It is a dreadful strategic decision. If they offer I would come back. But refuse to be treated like this after so many years. Find I can now go to the odd game with offers. No real hardship. Well done ITFC.

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BlueBhoy added 11:21 - Dec 12 Can't Marcus Evans write off some of his other business taxes against ITFC losses ? That would explain why he is happy to take a loss every year at ITFC as he makes some back and then will just sell the club anyway at the end. Not that anyone is going to want to buy us at the minute.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:41 - Dec 12 aside from the ticket issues, it has been made obvious that we are a club going nowhere with no ambition, wages less than a third of many clubs!, ok if Evans cant afford to make a real go of it ,SELL UP! . Personally I think its more likely he is just unwilling to invest more ,he isn't really interested in the club . He is as invisible now as when he took over the club, Milne is a pathetic messenger boy ! just comes out with crap in the hope he may convince a few gullible people that we are on course and all going to plan .It is very clear to most of us that all he really does is follow Evans with a loo roll. I am more convinced each season that the club needs to be completely re invented under a new regime .Championship mid table mediocrity, seems to be the only aim.

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Europablue added 12:01 - Dec 12 The point of the senior citizens' concession is for pensioners, and as the state pension age has had to be increased due to increased life expectancy, it's totally reasonable for the club to raise the age from 60 to 65. However, the way it was implemented was bad. As one poster says, jumping 5 years in one go, does feel like having something taken away from you, and a gradual increase would have been easier to take.

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Europablue added 12:03 - Dec 12 Increasing the number of away fans will improve the atmosphere and that should encourage more home support and better performances from our team
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blueboy1981 added 13:44 - Dec 12 ........ our Club has surely lost it's way under the current ownership / management - debt increased from £32million to £89million during this time, owner obviously not interested in any Supporters concern or opinion, a mouthpiece who is just that and nothing else. What a shambles ? The very least is that both the Owner and Manager should have shown SOME interest and attended this meeting - but obviously neither could be bothered to do so. Even the staunch diehards are now seeing the light, after being so supportive for so long, they deserve better - but eventually, enough becomes enough, as indeed is happening. The Club we still love - is no longer.

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blueboy1981 added 13:50 - Dec 12 ............ quite simply - THEY JUST COULDN'T CARE LESS - about anyone other than themselves. A sign of the times - very much portrayed at PORTMAN ROAD.
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blue86 added 13:59 - Dec 12 I'm only 31 so it dosent affect me, but it still really really pees me off how the club has gone about the ticket prices for senior citizens! It's just not right! Sort it out NOW town as it's insulting and embarrassing! ME take note people are getting pissed off! Rant over ahhh
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BlueBlood90 added 14:44 - Dec 12 We don't need 1,000 more Leeds fans in the ground. Just make it more affordable for people to come every week. Especially now we're actually scoring goals and being quite entertaining to watch.
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