The J.Davidson Stadium played host to a successful and positive Fans' Forum on Thursday evening in the CSH Bar.

Hosted in association with fan group Union Golf Road, Altrincham FC Chairman Mark Luby, CEO Sam Mackenzie and Director John Coyne fielded pre-submitted questions from supporters, while also taking questions from the near-100 plus supporters in attendance.

The two-hour fan engagement event was broken down into the three themes, incorporating the 32 wide and varied questions submitted to the Club and Union Golf Road.

Strategy, Finance & Sustainability

Questions included about the strategic plans for the short, medium and long-term future of the Robins, sustainability around the full-time model and the playing budget.

Mark Luby on the ambitions for the club going forward: "Our goal is to win promotion to the EFL. We want to be consistently competing at the top end of the National League. An ambitious target would be within three years, but we have to be realistic. Whether it's a more realistic five years or seven years, that's the ambition we have.

“There's a lot to do on the ground which, if it can be done over the next two years, to bring up Moss Lane up to EFL standards, would be great. We can absolutely be sustainable in the EFL.”

Infrastructure, Stadium & Matchday Experience

Questions included about the plans for a new stadium, repairs and improvements to The J.Davidson Stadium and how they can be incorporated into improving the matchday experience for all fans visiting Moss Lane.

Mark Luby on The J.Davidson Stadium and a potential move: "There are no plans in place to move in the near future. The J.Davidson Stadium could be amazing and keeping the character is crucial. We do not have the money for a complete redevelopment.”

Sam Mackenzie on the stadium and pitch improvements: "Doing what we’re doing at Moss Lane is already expensive, without any further improvements - which we are constantly looking at. The pitch is amazing this season and the decision not to play in the National League Cup this year has definitely helped to improve our pitch."

Operations Communication & Fan Engagement

Questions included about the specifics of the role of CEO at a club of Altrincham's size, improved communication to fans about player availability and injuries, social media quality, a larger range of merchandise and future plans for Robins Review.

Sam Mackenzie on her role as CEO: “I understand why people are inquisitive. My chief executive role is extremely hands on. It crosses absolutely everything that happens at the club. Everything crosses my desk from football to operations, communications and hospitality. I deal with the FA, Trafford Council and the police to name but a few organisations."

Mark Luby described Sam as "brilliant" and that "he couldn't have done his job as chairman for the last six months without her."

John Coyne on how we can improve in different areas of the club and the communication of injuries to fans: "We have a list of areas of the club we are looking to improve. We are looking at people in the local area who can come and give us the time and help. A lot of the time, time is the key thing. Football is non-stop, all the time and it can be difficult to find people who have the time to commit.

“The injuries have always been a topic of discussion, as fans you want to know. Phil Parkinson, and now Neil Gibson, both have the same mindset and don’t want opponents to know about injuries. It’s not something the board has ever stepped into.

“Going into expected return dates (of players from injury) can be tricky, and it can be unfair to players to make that public. It is an ongoing situation in which we’re looking into an answer for.” 

Mark Luby on getting the club out into the local community more: "The club is not anywhere in the town centre and that is a problem. It will be a massive challenge to change that. Once you have encouraged people to get involved with the Club and they do, they stay involved. If fans can help us with things like that, say done every two weeks ahead of home games, it would be a fantastic help as most of us at the club do not have time to do it."

John Coyne on Robins Review, merchandise and improving the range of products available: "We are not planning to go fully digital on the matchday programme. The print costs are under control and we more than break even on the costs of a physical copy.

“The club shop has probably been neglected a little. We do have a new person helping run the club shop who has an abundance of ideas of how to improve it.”

Once again we'd like to thank every single person who joined us for the Fans' Forum last night, and to everyone who submitted questions ahead of time and asked them on the night. We also like to thank Adam Firth from Union Golf Road for helping map out the structure of the evening and to Brian Flynn for hosting.