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SUPPORTER UPDATE
R A N G E R S. C O . U K
Rangers Football Club recently commissioned a face-to-face fan survey to collect in-depth feedback on the issues that are important to our supporters. In the coming weeks, a further series of fan consultation sessions have been organised around home fixtures in order to create a platform for continuous fan feedback and to share the outputs of the survey directly with supporters. The responses and insights gathered from the Fan Survey have been used to identify and shape a number of key supporter initiatives. An action plan has been developed by the club’s Commercial & Marketing department and progress will be supported and monitored by the Rangers FC board. In line with the Club’s commitment to fan engagement and open communication, we are pleased to share to an update on several initiatives that underpin this action plan. Further updates and announcements will be shared during the course of the season and at the club’s Annual General Meeting in November.
RANGERS MEMBERSHIP SCHEME
The Fan Survey highlighted a strong desire from supporters to access and benefit from an official Rangers Membership scheme. Supporters informed the club that they would welcome a membership scheme that will help to reward fan loyalty, provide benefits and allow fans to feel closer to the Club. Rangers are delighted to announce that a Membership scheme is currently in development and will be launched during 2020. Supporter groups will be consulted at multiple stages of the scheme’s development to help influence the shape of the programme and the benefits it entails. The Club looks forward to providing further updates on the programme as the development progresses.
ENGAGING WITH YOUNG FANS Introducing the next generation of supporters to the Rangers Family is very important to the Club. To make the matchday experience as enjoyable as possible for families and young fans, the Club has continued to invest in the Family Stand and the Fan Zone through the provision of pre-match entertainers, game consoles, soccer activities, giveaways and appearances from Rangers’ most famous family – Broxi, Roxi and Boris. Our matchday stadium footprint volunteers also handout giveaways including new “My first match at Ibrox” and “I love Rangers” stickers. As part of the Club’s drive to maintain exceptional home attendances, we have refreshed our ticket resale platform to make it easier and more attractive for supporters to use.
benefits such as winning VIP hospitality tickets, signed shirts from the first team and track how much credit they have earned through re-selling their seat via their Rangers account.
The updated scheme, Seat Sub, is now live and, as part of the enhancements, season ticket holders will be able to access additional
On top of the 50% credit, new incentives will also be in place for season ticket holders who use the scheme – for example, monthly
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
prize draws. During the month of August, all supporters using Seat-Sub were entered into a draw to win VIP hospitality tickets and a signed shirt from the first team. Further opportunities to win are being rolled out during September matches. More information on Seat Sub can be found on rangers.co.uk/seatsub
The club continues to offer free mascot and flag bearer opportunities to its junior fans with season tickets. The Club is continually looking to evolve and enhance the relationship we have with our young fans and to help with this the Membership programme will have a tier dedicated to reward and engage its Junior fans. Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
RANGERS CHARITY FOUNDATION
IBROX SMOKING PILOT SCHEME
The Rangers Charity Foundation shows compassion to those in need, helps to tackle inequalities and creates opportunities for people of all ages to change their lives for the better.
Although smoking is strictly prohibited within the confines of Ibrox stadium, we are aware that smoking is still taking place in the concourse toilets which creates unpleasant conditions for other visitors.
Last season, the Foundation delivered 26 community programmes to over 6,800 people across a range of areas, including: employability, education, health and wellbeing and diversity and inclusion.
To help combat this issue, the Club is increasing its stadium controls to strictly prevent smoking in toilets and is currently piloting a half-time smoking trial within selected areas of the stadium to allow supporters who wish to smoke an opportunity to do so in a designated area.
The Foundation is also passionate about making dreams come true for fans going through a tough time. People impacted by disability, illness or other difficulties can enjoy special experiences with the Rangers first team and manager, to help create a day they’ll never forget.
The pilot has been well received and discussions are underway with stakeholders to explore the possibility of rolling the facility out to the wider support.
Other local, national, international and Armed Forces charities are also supported with donations each season, including Unicef, which celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the Foundation last season. For more information on the Charity Foundation’s work and to find out you can get involved with future events, please visit www.rangerscharity.org.uk.
MATCHDAY MUSIC Developing a matchday playlist that enhances the atmosphere at Ibrox is something that we are working closely with the fans focus groups on. We aim to create a playlist that appeals to the broadest range of fans and compliments the supporter noise that is generated at key moments in the game. Following the first wave of fans focus group feedback, we are looking at creating more Rangers themed songs to be played.
STADIUM ACCESS Supporters will be aware that the club have installed a new Access Control System in partnership with leading supplier FortressGB. The previous system was reaching the end of its life span and didn’t enable the club to introduce a fully automated access around the stadium, which can now be achieved. The new system allows NFC and RFID capability through supporters smart cards, which will soon allow for mobile access and other enhancements to the fan experience.
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
MATCHDAY CATERING
RANGERSTV
The Club, alongside our contracted catering partner, recognise that catering offer is an important part of the matchday experience for supporters.
RangersTV continues to expand it content creation and live match coverage capabilities and recently announced a series of platform enhancements to be rolled out in the months ahead, including:
The Club is actively listening to feedback in this area with a view to implementing improvements and a greater choice of Food & Beverage offerings during the forthcoming season, and beyond. If supporters would like to share any particular feedback or requests match day catering, supporters are encouraged to send this to slo@rangers.co.uk.
• New Chromecast functionality being introduced enabling users to watch RTV content and live matches on their TV screens being cast from compatible devices • A dedicated Rangers TV mobile app will be launched before the end of the year, allowing fans to view RTV content with a seamless user experience on their mobile devices • Improved customer support will be offered through the switch to StreamAMG, the new RTV product supplier, allowing the club to react faster to customer service enquiries and technical support
IBROX CONNECTIVITY The fan survey outlined supporters desire for improved connectivity on match days. The club is working with a new supplier and sponsor to develop plans for the installation of Wi-Fi connectivity for supporters inside the stadium bowl. A separate announcement and timeline for the installation will be confirmed in due course.
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
NEW WEBSITE & APP The club has launched plans to develop a brand new website for its global audience and the introduction of an Official Rangers mobile app. Last season, 5 million fans visited rangers.co.uk and the club is committed to delivering the best user experience on all of its evolving digital platforms. The new website and app will be launched in 2020.
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
EVERYONE ANYONE CAMPAIGN
EVERYONE ANYONE CAMPAIGN Rangers recently launched a ground-breaking campaign, ‘Everyone Anyone’ which aims to unite people from all backgrounds, cultures and communities. This new initiative, which has been created with the support of the Rangers Charity Foundation, will promote Rangers as a modern football club through which fans can come together and support a common cause – equality for everyone. Rangers is for everyone and anyone and we will build on the launch by rolling out a series of diversity and inclusion events at Ibrox Stadium, the Hummel Training Centre and within the wider community throughout the year and beyond. Supported by the club’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, which was launched in 2017 with staff and external representatives from a wide range of groups and communities, Rangers will develop new, and enhance existing, initiatives via a comprehensive diversity and equality strategy.
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
Rangers Football Club / Supporter Update
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS 2 0 2 1/ 2 2 Three important anniversary events are on the horizon for the club and each will be recognised in its own way. On the 2nd January 2021, the club, supporters and wider community will come together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster. In addition to the annual marks of respect that the club conducts to honour the victims of the disaster, the Club will carry out a number of additional tributes to mark the 50th anniversary. The additional tributes are being developed in careful consultation with the appropriate
Life
In 2022, Rangers will enter a special period of celebration as we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the club’s formation alongside the 50th anniversary of our European Cup Winners Cup victory! The club is already developing an exciting series of events and initiatives and we will also engage with supporter focus groups at key stages of development. Rangers supporters around the world will have an opportunity to commemorate these special anniversaries and we look forward to sharing the details with you in the future.
MAY 2022
2ND JANUARY 2021
50th Anniversary of the Ibrox disaster
stakeholders, including Honorary President, John Greig MBE.
150 years since Rangers played their first game vesus Callander FC
24TH MAY 2022
MARCH 2022
150 years since Rangers were born
50 years since Rangers won the European Cup Winners Cup