Albion’s Biggest Team Talk was brought to life with the support of Fuel, who played an important role in helping us create a genuinely independent process for supporter feedback.
From organising and facilitating supporter forums to speaking directly with individuals from across the club and wider Albion community, Fuel helped ensure the conversation reached beyond the usual channels. Their role was to listen independently, encourage honest discussion and challenge us to make sure the supporter voice was heard clearly throughout the process.
That independence was important. We wanted people to feel able to tell us what they really thought, whether that feedback was positive, challenging or somewhere in between, and Fuel helped create the environment for those conversations to happen.
Earlier this year, hundreds of supporters, players, partners, volunteers and members of the wider Albion community took part in Albion’s Biggest Team Talk. Through surveys, forums and conversations, you told us what matters most to you, what we’re doing well, and where we need to improve.
Firstly, thank you.
The feedback was thoughtful, honest and, above all, constructive. It reinforced something we’re incredibly proud of: people care deeply about Plymouth Albion and want to play a part in shaping its future. More than 93% of respondents told us they intend to stay engaged with the club and over 91% said they would recommend Albion to others. That goodwill is something we never take for granted.
But listening only matters if it leads to action.
What We Heard
Across the survey and supporter forums, several clear themes emerged.
Supporters told us they want:
A competitive first team and a stronger rugby pathway.
Continued investment in the matchday experience.
Better affordability for families and casual supporters.
Faster service and reduced queues.
Improved facilities over time.
More opportunities to influence and engage with the club.
Stronger communication and transparency.
Growth that protects Albion’s identity, heritage and values.
The encouraging news is that many of the things supporters asked for are already underway.
What We’ve Already Done
Making Matchdays More Affordable
Affordability was the single biggest concern raised during the research. We know household budgets remain under pressure and we want Albion to remain accessible.
That’s why we’ve:
Reduced matchday ticket prices through advance purchase discounts.
Introduced £5 Teen Tickets.
Continued free admission for Under 13s.
Added lower-priced food and drink options across the ground.
These aren’t one-off initiatives. Affordability will remain under constant review as we balance value for supporters with the long-term sustainability of the club.
Investing in the Matchday Experience
Supporters told us that the overall matchday experience is hugely important.
Recent improvements include:
Installation of a brand-new scoreboard.
Plans for a new bar facility to improve service capacity.
Reviews of bar operations and queue management.
Expanded low and no-alcohol beverage options.
Continued investment in live entertainment and post-match activities through initiatives such as The Third Half.
We’re also working through a wider facilities improvement programme, including improvements to cleanliness, family facilities and supporter amenities. Some changes can happen quickly. Others require significant investment and phased delivery, but they remain a priority.
Improving Retail and Merchandise
Many supporters want more ways to show their connection to Albion beyond matchday. That’s why we’ve expanded our retail offer through partnerships including Terrace and the Clobber Club, providing more choice and new merchandise lines for supporters. This is an area we will continue to develop over the coming seasons.
Better Communication
Some supporters told us they rely on channels beyond social media and would like more regular direct communication.
In response, we’ve continued to develop the Brickfields Brief, improved website content and increased the breadth of stories we’re sharing across the club.
However, we can only communicate directly if supporters choose to hear from us. One clear takeaway from the research is the need to grow our email subscriber base, ensuring important updates reach more people directly rather than relying solely on social platforms.
What We’re Working On
Not every piece of feedback can be addressed overnight, but the survey has helped us prioritise where we focus our efforts.
Key areas currently being developed include:
Rugby Performance and Pathways
Supporters made it clear that rugby must remain at the heart of everything we do. We agree.
Work is ongoing around:
Strengthening player pathways.
Supporting player development.
Building stronger relationships across the local rugby community.
Improving the structures that help players progress through the club.
Supporter Voice
More than a third of respondents expressed an interest in future supporter forums and Big Team Talk events.
That’s something we’re keen to build upon.
We want supporter engagement to be an ongoing conversation, not a one-off survey. Expect more opportunities to contribute ideas, challenge us constructively and help shape future decisions.
Community Impact
Albion’s role in the city remains one of our greatest strengths. More than 83% of respondents recognise the club’s importance to the community.
We know there is more to do.
From our Vospers Schools Project to wider community engagement activities, we’re committed to making our impact more visible and broadening the number of organisations and communities we work with over time.
Protecting What Makes Albion, Albion
One of the strongest messages from supporters was that growth should never come at the expense of the club’s character.
That’s a message we embrace wholeheartedly.
We want to improve facilities, enhance the matchday experience, strengthen commercial partnerships and grow the club sustainably. But we also want Brickfields to remain welcoming, accessible and unmistakably Albion.
Progress and tradition are not opposing forces. The challenge is ensuring they move forward together.
This Is Just the Beginning
Albion’s Biggest Team Talk wasn’t about producing a report and moving on.
It was about creating a genuine dialogue.
Some of the changes you’ve asked for are already visible. Others will take longer. But every piece of feedback has helped shape the direction we’re taking.
Thank you for taking part, thank you for caring and thank you for continuing the journey with us.
Because this is your team, your club and your community.
And together, we’re building what’s next.
Albion’s Biggest Team Talk findings available at the club upon request.
