MK Dons 2012/13 Customer Charter
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is committed to providing its supporters with excellence in both customer service and stadium facilities and is committed to involving supporters in decisions that affect them most using a full and proper consultation process.
The Club will publicise its position on major policy issues in one or more of the following:- the matchday programme, official website, e-newsletters distributed to its supporters, official social networking sites; official SMS services.
Additionally there are methods to help supporters to raise concerns or issues and there are procedures for staff to respond to these.
These methods and procedures are detailed within this Charter.
This Charter therefore, incorporates all areas of the business from Customer Services to Anti-Discrimination and equal opportunities policy.
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
Our Customer Service contact is:
Gayle Sharpe
Milton Keynes Dons FC
stadiummk
Stadium Way West
Milton Keynes
MK1 1ST
The customer services contact can be reached by email on customer.services@mkdons.com or by phone on 01908 622900 between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday- Friday. In the absence of the Customer Service contact another member of staff from the sales and marketing team will respond on behalf of the Customer Services contact.
The Club will reply to any written complaint received by its Customer Services operation within ten working days. Should it not be possible to resolve the matter in this time we will send a holding letter explaining what steps are being taken and when a full response could be expected. If a complaint is sent to a department or individual outside the Customer Services department then there may be a delay in responding to the complaint.
If the supporter or customer is unhappy with the reply, they can refer the matter to the Group Sales and Marketing Director of the Club who will reply within ten working days of the complaint being referred to him or her. If the supporter or customer remains unhappy they can submit the matter to the Football League at fl@football-league.co.uk who will evaluate the issue and, if deemed appropriate, raise the matter with the Club. If the supporter or customer is still not satisfied the matter should be referred to the Independent Football Ombudsman atcontact@ifo.co.uk
STAFF CONDUCT
All staff whether full time, part time or casual labour employed on matchdays have a duty to act as ambassadors for MK Dons Football Club with a duty to proper supporter care and attention.
If a supporter has a problem with any member of MK Dons Football Club staff the matter should be referred in accordance with the procedures outlined above.
All members of staff will endeavour to answer supporter queries or concerns. If they are individually unable to answer the supporter query they will refer the matter to their supervisor or the Customer Services contact and if the supporter requires an answer then they will receive a response in line with the guidelines outlined above.
MK Dons is committed to briefing staff on key issues so that they are sufficiently knowledgeable to be able to directly answer the majority of supporter queries.
SUPPORTER CONDUCT
The Club encourages supporters to express their passion and support for their team at stadiummk in a safe, secure and enjoyable environment. The Club is therefore committed to preventing people from behaving in a manner likely to jeopardise the safety or enjoyment of others, or to bring discredit on the Club or the community of Milton Keynes.
If the Club becomes aware of any person having been convicted of a football related offence (whether at the Club's ground or otherwise) or having been in serious breach of any of the Club's ground Regulations, it will, in consultation with Thames Valley Constabulary, or the relevant Police Authority in the case of an away game, and a nominated representative from the Milton Keynes Dons Supporters Association (MKDSA), make a decision as to whether that person should become subject to a Club ban.
Each case will be judged on its own merits and the length of any ban will depend on the severity of the offence and/or the breach of the Club's Ground Regulations. The individual will be invited to a meeting to receive the reasons for the ban and given the opportunity to set out any mitigating circumstances.
Any person made subject to a Club ban will have the right to appeal to a committee comprised of the Club Chairman, the Chairman of the MKDSA and a trustee of the Milton Keynes Sports and Education Trust, the procedure for which appeal is available from the Club's Company Secretary.
Any season ticket holder who becomes subject to a Club ban may forfeit the right to a part refund on their season ticket for any remaining games in the season for which they have been banned.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Club's official website www.mkdons.com is updated daily to ensure all news, information and major policy issues reach supporters as soon as possible. On a match day our programme and public address system will give up to date information on ticketing and forthcoming events.
The press and media are briefed on a weekly basis by the Club's Media Relations Manager.
Full details on ticketing, membership ticket priority etc is sent to all season ticket holders and members and will be communicated via the official website with updates as necessary during the season.
CONSULTATION:
The Club is committed to a consultative process with its supporters on decisions that affect them most. The Group Sales and Marketing Director will meet regularly with representatives of the MKDSA formally at least quarterly. Supporters are also encouraged to offer suggestions/feedback on areas of concern or improvement via letter or email info@mkdons.com.
The Club has also created four different supporter working groups to help shape and monitor key policy decisions. These are the:-
• Attendance Working Party (dealing with ticket prices and development of attendances at MK Dons).
• Matchday Experience Group Working Party (to develop, improve and monitor the whole supporter matchday experience including the purchase of tickets, stewarding, catering, matchday programme, pre match and half time entertainment, supporter behaviour and accessing and exiting the ground).
• Away Ticketing Group (to work with the Club towards a fair and efficient distribution of matchday tickets and to convene to agree a fair process for the allocation of tickets where demand is anticipated to exceed supply).
• Club Red / Executive Area Working Group (to work with the Club and monitor progress in the development of executive areas and supporter experience at stadiummk).
Each Group will be chaired or attended by at least one Club Director, usually the Group Sales and Marketing Director and will meet at least four times per year or in the case of the Away Ticketing Group as necessary.
Supporters have applied to be part of these groups and the Club invites other supporters to contribute via email to the Group Sales and Marketing Director - andrew.cullen@mkdons.com or via the MKDSA who have representatives on each working party. Their contributions will be brought to the relevant working party for discussion.
In addition to the consultative working parties the Club will hold a minimum of two supporter forums each year with free admission and where supporters may ask any questions to Club Directors and senior management on any topic through the chair of the meeting.
The Club will also meet annually with representatives from the MKDSA to review the Customer Charter and make any changes as deemed necessary.
TICKETING:
The Club is committed to the principle of maximising revenue to ensure the future of the Club by encouraging high attendances. A range of prices will apply to reflect demand in different areas of the ground, encourage supporter growth and to encourage families to attend.
Pricing
Existing season ticket holders will have the opportunity to renew their season tickets at the best possible price.
As well as offering season ticket holders savings over match ticket prices, the Club also offers the opportunity to spread the cost of the season ticket, interest free through a monthly payment scheme, via a direct debit agreement.
In the event that the Club raises prices for season tickets by more than the annual increase in the Retail Price Index as measured in the month of November prior to the announcement of season ticket prices for the following season, it will set out its reasons for doing so through direct contact with existing season ticket holders. This will also be set out in the Club programme and the Club official website.
Season tickets and car park passes will be sent out two weeks prior to the start of the new season to those supporters who apply prior to 10th July of each year.
Concessions and Junior Tickets
Concession tickets are available in all areas of the ground to supporters aged 65 (those born on or before 30/04/1948) or over and those classified as disabled who are in receipt of Disability Living allowance medium or higher levels.
Supporters aged 17-21 can qualify for concession prices if they are season ticket holders or members only (those born on or after 01/09/1991). We do not offer a student discount.
Junior tickets are also available in all areas of the ground other than club Gold, club Platinum and club Black to supporters under the age of 18 (those born on or after 01/09/1994).
All supporters aged under seven will be admitted into league matches free of charge in all areas except club Red, club Platinum and club Black if accompanied by a full paying adult AND only if they are a Young Dons member. Supporters under seven will also be eligible to apply for a season ticket for the £6 membership cost in all areas except club Red, club Platinum and club Black but again this must be purchased along with a full paying adult. The Club reserves the right to withdraw any Under 7 season ticket which is not adequately utilised.
When applying for tickets for the first time it will be necessary to provide proof of age, once this has been seen it will not be necessary to provide it again for any further tickets purchased through the Box Office.
Disabled Supporters
The Club's Customer Services contact for all disabled supporters is Gayle Sharpe who can be reached on 01908 622900 or gayle.sharpe@mkdons.com.
A limited number of matchday car parking spaces are available for disabled supporters and these should be pre-booked on 01908 622900. No parking fee is payable by valid Blue Badge holders but the location of the parking space will be subject to availability. Concession prices are offered for all supporters with disabilities who are in receipt of Disability Living allowance medium or higher levels. A carer if required will be admitted free of charge.
Wheelchairs kindly provided by the MKDSA are available for supporters and customers to use on matchdays. They are available from the Customer Information Point by Gate 4.
Soccersight sets, suitable for visually impaired supporters are also available from the Customer Information Point by Gate 4 in the East Stand.
Existing disabled area season ticket holders will have the opportunity to renew their disabled area season tickets at best possible prices. The Club will also offer disabled supporters the option to spread the cost of their season tickets on the same terms as all other supporters.
Seasonal parking is available at no charge for season ticket holders who are valid Blue Badge holders and should be booked at the time of renewal of the season ticket. Spaces are limited and the location of the allocated parking space will be subject to availability.
TICKET ALLOCATION:
The Club will limit season ticket sales so that at least 10% of home supporters' seats (and at least 15% in Family Areas) is set aside for sale on a match by match basis.
If the Club intends to redevelop or refurbish a stand which means closure of that stand for part of a season or specific games then it will relocate affected season ticket holders to a part of the ground with at least equivalent facilities at no extra cost. In the event that equivalent facilities are not available then the Club will offer compensation to affected supporters.
The same policy will apply for cup matches where parts of the ground may be closed where a low attendance is expected and where the Club might save stewarding costs by closing part of the ground.
LOYALTY AND MEMBERSHIP SCHEMES:
The Club will provide a subscription membership scheme allowing supporters to obtain ticket discounts for nominated home matches if purchased in advance of matchdays.
AWAY MATCHES:
From time to time the Club may receive a restricted allocation of tickets for its away matches where it believes that demand will exceed supply. In this instance the Club will advise supporters through the Club programme and Club website and will invoke the following priority policy, which has been developed with the Away Ticketing Group.
Priority 1
Away season ticket holders.
Priority 2
Season ticket holders who can produce an agreed number of stubs / or be on the Club database having purchased tickets for away games in the past twelve months. The number of games needed will be agreed with the Away Ticketing Group prior to publication.
Priority 3
All other season ticket holders. Club members who can produce an agreed number of stubs from away games in the last twelve months or have these detailed on the Club's database.
Priority 4
All other Club members.
Priority 5
General sale.
When a category becomes oversubscribed a ballot will take place for applications in that category.
Again the deadlines for each priority level will be advised through the programme and the Club website.
The Club will use its best endeavours to prevent a complete restriction being placed on its supporters from attending any public match involving the Club.
CUP COMPETITIONS:
For home cup matches excluding replays the club may decide to close parts of the ground where a low attendance is expected. The following priority booking process will generally take place.
Season ticket holders will have one week from date of sale of tickets to reserve their seats.
Members will be given three days to claim their tickets on a one per member basis.
After this tickets will go on general sale and may in some cases be limited to a specific number per person.
In the event that timescales prevent the above timetable from being operated then the Club reserves the right to publish a revised timetable through the usual channels. Full details of our ticket prices and purchasing information are available on www.mkdons.com
AWAY MATCHES FOR DISABLED SUPPORTERS:
From time to time the Club may receive a restricted allocation of disabled tickets for away matches, where it believes that demand will exceed supply. In this instance the Club will invoke the following priority policy.
Priority 1
Disabled Away season ticket holders.
Priority 2
Disabled season ticket holders who can produce an agreed number of stubs / or be on the Club database having purchased tickets for away games in the past twelve months. The number of qualifying games required will be agreed with the MKDSA Disabled Representative
Priority 3
All other disabled season ticket holders. Club members who can produce an agreed number of stubs from away games in the last twelve months or have these detailed on the Club's database.
Priority 4
All other Club members who are registered disabled.
Priority 5
General sale tickets for any oversubscribed group will be allocated by means of a ballot.
AWAY MATCH COACH TRAVEL:
The Club from time to time may provide an official Club travel service to its away matches and also a wheelchair accessible minibus or coach Where the Club provides such a travel service and the minibus or coach fails to reach the match due to mechanical breakdown then paying passengers will be entitled to a full refund. Where the Club provides such a travel service and the minibus or coach fails to reach the match in time for kick off due to mechanical breakdown then the passengers will be entitled to a part refund, the value of which to be determined on a club by club basis.
Where the Club provides such a travel service and the minibus or coach fails to reach the match or arrives after kick off due to traffic congestion, weather conditions or circumstances other than mechanical breakdown and which beyond the Club's reasonable control then no automatic refund is available and any such refund made will be at the total discretion of the Club.
ACCOMMODATING AWAY SUPPORTERS:
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club abides by the Football League Regulations governing the allocation of tickets to visiting clubs. Admission prices to away supporters will be no higher than those charged to home supporters in comparable seats. In particular concessionary rates offered to junior, senior citizens and disabled supporters apply to supporters of a visiting Club.
REFUNDS AND RETURNS:
A full refund will be given to any supporter returning a complete ticket as long as it is returned no later than 24 hours before the match kicks-off. The ticket must be returned to the Box Office and no applications by phone will be considered.
Subject to the rules and regulations of the Football Association and League governing bodies Milton Keynes Dons will adopt the following policy on refunds for abandoned matches:
Match postponed before supporters admitted to the stadium will result in free admission to rearranged game on production of complete valid ticket or full refund.
Match postponed after spectators admitted to the stadium but before kick-off or match abandoned before start of second half will result in free admission to rearranged game on production of valid ticket counterfoil or full refund.
Match abandoned after start of second half will result in half-price admission to rearranged game (original ticket counterfoil to be retained).
In cup ties, the Club reserves the right to vary its policy as ticket arrangements will need to be mutually agreed between the competing clubs.
LOST OR STOLEN SEASON TICKETS:
Should a season ticket holder forget to bring their season ticket card ticket for the game, a duplicate day ticket may be obtained at the discretion of the Box Office.
Lost or stolen season ticket cards should be reported immediately to the Box Office and a replacement card will be issued at a charge of £25 per ticket unless a police crime reference number is provided.
DATA PROTECTION:
The Club recognises its responsibilities with reference to all customer information on our databases. All information is stored confidentially in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and no data is issued or used in anyway without prior consent.
MERCHANDISE:
Kit Cycles
The Club will change its playing strips each year but the length of sponsorship contracts may not always make this possible. The Club will display notices in its shops a minimum of three months prior to the launch of any replacement home, away or third kit.
Returns or refunds
Any customer who is not completely satisfied with any item purchased from the Club Superstore or mail order (telephone orders and internet) can return these items* provided they are in a unused condition with the original swing tags attached to the garment with the original packaging where necessary and receive a full refund on production of a receipt and if the item is returned within 30 days.
* Excluding personalised items such as shirts that have been named or numbered. MK Dons FC cannot take responsibility for any changes to squad numbers due to transfers etc.
In the event that the customer is unable to provide a receipt then the Club Store will exchange the item or provide vouchers to the current retail value. Customer statutory rights are not affected.
STADIUM FOOD AND DRINK CONCESSIONS:
Any customer who is not completely satisfied with any item purchased from any of the club's concessions within the stadium, and has a reasonable reason for complaint will receive either a replacement item to the same value or a full refund, which will be at the customer's choice.
The club will maintain an up to date log of all returns to ensure that the highest standards of quality, cleanliness and health are adhered to at all times, and this will be reviewed at the Matchday Experience Working Party meetings.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY:
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an equal opportunities employer. The Club is committed to equality of opportunity within its organisation and encourages a similar commitment from organisations with which we have contact, either through our business or socially.
Equality of opportunity at Milton Keynes Dons Football Club means that we will not discriminate against or in any way treat less favourably, any person on grounds of race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion, disability, sex or sexual orientation in any of our activities. This includes the advertisement of jobs, the selection of candidates for employment or promotion, job location or working environment, pay, and employment terms and conditions and internal and external training activities and awards.
DISCRIMINATION:
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club does not condone any sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal. The Club works with others to ensure such behaviour is met with the appropriate action in whatever context it appears.
The Club will not tolerate the use of racist language or behaviour inside or outside of stadiummk. Whether home or visiting supporters are responsible, the Club, in conjunction with Thames Valley Police force seeks to eliminate unacceptable and anti-social behaviour. Any person found using such language or behaviour may be banned by the Club and the person concerned may be liable for arrest and subsequent prosecution.
The Club fully supports the Football League and the Football Association in their commitment to develop a programme of discrimination awareness training to promote the eradication of discrimination.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN:
MK Dons Football Club acknowledges and accepts it has a responsibility for the well being and safety of all children and young people who are under the Club's care or utilising the Club's facilities. It is the duty of all adults working at the Club to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an environment that protects them from harm.
We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. MK Dons Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club whether they are volunteers, match officials, helpers on club tours, football coaches, club officials or medical staff.
All current staff who are regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of children and young people will be CRB checked.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
The Club recognises that it has an important role to play in the local community and continues to work closely with the Milton Keynes Dons Sport and Education Trust to ensure that our common goals are met.
MK DONS CHARITABLE POLICY:
Charitable donations are an integral part of the MK Dons community programme. We are pleased to provide in-kind donations (but no monetary contributions or sponsorships) to a wide variety of charities, non-profit agencies, community organisations, youth sporting groups and schools. The following information details our procedures and guidelines regarding such donations.
Procedures
1. The policy for 2012-13 season is to consider requests from organisations which:
• Are local (within 45 minutes driving time of stadiummk), and
• Will benefit children of school age through sport related activities; or
• Other health and wellbeing related causes.
2. All donation requests must be submitted in writing at least six (6) weeks in advance of the event. No telephone requests will be accepted. Written requests must be submitted on the organisation's official letterhead and include:
a) Organisation's name, address and charity number (where applicable).
b) Contact name, mailing address and phone number.
c) Type of event/programme.
d) Day, Date, Time.
e) Event location.
f) Beneficiary of the funds raised.
3. Charity requests will be considered and then responded to, by mail only, approximately two weeks prior to the event. We can not guarantee fulfilment of each and every request we receive due to the number we receive.
4. Charitable donations will only be granted directly to the organizations seeking to benefit from MK Dons involvement. MK Dons does not provide assistance through fundraising campaigns on behalf of a charity, fundraising companies or third-party representatives.
Please mail written request and donation request form to:
Charity Donations
Milton Keynes Dons Sport and Education Trust
stadiummk
Stadium Way West
Milton Keynes
MK1 1ST
KEY CONTACTS
Club Address
MK Dons Football Club
stadiummk
Stadium Way
Milton Keynes
MK1 1ST
Website www.mkdons.com
Customer Service Contact 01908 622900
General Enquiries
Tel: 01908 622922
Email: info@mkdons.com
Fax: 01908 622933
Customer Complaints
Tel:- 01908 622900
Email customer.services@mkdons.com
Fax: 01908 622933
Company Secretary
Shaun O'Hara
Tel:- 01908 622922
Email shaun.ohara@mkdons.com
Fax: 01908 622933
Group Sales and Marketing Director
Andrew Cullen
Tel:- 01908 622922
Email andrew.cullen@mkdons.com
Fax: 01908 622933
Disabled Supporters Contact
Gayle Sharpe
Tel:- 01908 622900
Email gayle.sharpe@mkdons.com
Fax: 01908 622933
Press & PR
Simone Corgan
Tel:- 01908 622955
Email: simone.corgan@mkdons.com
Box Office
Tel: 01908 622900
Box Office Fax: 01908 622933
Email: boxoffice@mkdons.com
Club Superstore
Tel :01908 622988
Email clubsuperstore@mkdons.com
MK Dons Sport & Education Trust
Tel: 01908 622888
Email: info@mkdonsset.com
Web: www.mkdonsset.com
Email: enquiries@mkdsa.co.uk
Website address:
MKDSA (Milton Keynes Dons Supporters' Association): www.mkdsa.co.uk