Q&A: Port Vale Supporters Club explain recent membership changes
Port Vale Supporters Club vice chairman Malcolm Hirst spoke to OVF’s Rob Fielding to explain recent changes.
Rob: You seem to have started a new membership list for the Supporters Club, why has this happened?
Malcolm: Yes that’s right. It’s all down to the new General Data Protection Regulation. The Supporters Club a lot people were receiving emails but we didn’t have any record of how or when they entered on the mailing list. Without authority, we couldn’t keep people on the mailing list. We made the decision to start with a brand-new list.
Anyone who has not re-signed to the Supporters Club will no longer be getting emails from us. If people haven’t done so they can register by going to the Supporters Club website…
Rob: Does that mean that people should join again?
Malcolm: Yes it does. Anyone who has not re-signed to the Supporters Club will no longer be getting emails from us. If people haven’t done so they can register by going to the Supporters Club website on this link https://portvalesupportersclub.org.uk/db/user/register It’s free to register.
Rob: How is this different from the badge membership you’ve recently launched?
Malcolm: We have just rolled out the badges. Personally speaking, it was a way for the Supporters Club to engage with the fans. The badge looks great and is season specific, so this one is for the 2018-19 season. The £3 cost is a bargain; it is a great little collectors piece and fans are also helping the Supporters Club with projects like supplying a new defibrillator to the club. Badge members will also have access to online polls.
Rob: How can fans get hold of the badges?
Malcolm: They can either order one online or get one at a Supporters Club meeting. They may also see me around one of the pubs in Burslem on match days too. To get a badge online fans can go here http://portvalesupportersclub.org.uk/db/node/2 Supporters will already need to be signed up to the mailing list to get the badge.
Rob: Some people have said they’ve joined but not seen any emails from the Supporters Club?
Malcolm: Yes, unfortunately that is right. The Supporters Club have started using MailChimp to help manage the emails. Some email providers may have marked the email from us as junk, so it’s probably a good idea to check your ‘junk’ email box as it is could be in there.
OVF would like to thank Malcolm Hirst for taking the time to talk to us.