" Details on Fan Advisory Board "

Established this summer (2023) in response to the findings of the UK Government’s Fan-Led Review (FLR) of football governance, Cardiff City’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is an independent body for in-depth discussion with the Club’s hierarchy including Executive Club Staff and the Club’s Board of Directors.

The three primary objectives of the FLR are to ensure club sustainability, systemic sustainability within the football pyramid and the safeguarding of cultural heritage. Discussions will focus on short, medium and long-term Club strategy and will give supporters a voice and understanding on some decision-making that will directly affect them.

STRUCTURE

The FAB will comprise of 19 individuals and meetings will be chaired by Club Director Steve Borley, Cardiff City’s Nominated Board Level Representative.

Nine senior Club representatives will sit on the FAB, including Executive Director & CEO, Ken Choo and Community Foundation Director, Gavin Hawkey.

Six statutory supporter representatives will sit on the FAB, including two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust (CCST); two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club (CCSC); one member of Cardiff City Disabled Supporters’ Association (CCDSA) and one corporate member, sponsor or stakeholder (from a shortlist presented by the Head of Commercial) selected by the NBLR. These positions are fixed (save for resignation) for a two-year period.

Three members of the FAB will be elected by Cardiff City FC’s Season Ticket and Club Member fanbase. These individuals will comprise of a Season Ticket Holder/Club Member; a Season Ticket Holder/Club Member under the age of 25 and a female Season Ticket Holder/Club Member. The elected members’ initial term will be for one year and two years thereafter should they be re-elected.

The supporters representatives will also be asked to select a Chair who will sit as the Vice-Chair of the FAB.

Cardiff City FC’s Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) will serve as Secretary of the FAB.

MEETINGS & TERMS OF REFERENCE

The FAB will meet four times a year (in January, April, July and October) and the following will regularly be discussed:

- Competition matters

- Enhancing the fan experience

- Stadium development and projects

- Sustainability and corporate and social responsibility initiatives

- Improving fan products and services

- Football governance

- History and Heritage

TIMESCALES

It has been proposed that official bodies hold conversations with the Club in relation to the election of their statutory members by the end of November 2023 and should offer a framework for Club-run elections for supporter places, scheduled for December.

It is intended that the FAB will be finalised and in-situ by late December 2023 and for the opening meeting to be held in mid-January 2024.

Regular Supporter Liaison Group meetings during which Travel Group members (including those from CCST, CCSC, CCDSA and independent travellers) focus on operational matters including ticketing, travel and fan behaviour at home and away fixtures will continue to run in addition to FAB meetings.

A Fans’ Parliament will be held twice next year (February and September) at which a larger number of supporters will have the opportunity of speaking directly with the Cardiff City Board of Directors and FAB members. Further information on this will follow closer to the time.

It is of concern that the Fans Parliament is supposed to meet in September and February, I have been asked to go on our FP but have had no notice from the club about any such meeting in September. I want to take this position seriously but there seams to be a lack of information on this matter, I would like to know if anyone else has had notification of the "September meeting"

It is of concern that the Fans Parliament is supposed to meet in September and February, I have been asked to go on our FP but have had no notice from the club about any such meeting in September. I want to take this position seriously but there seams to be a lack of information on this matter, I would like to know if anyone else has had notification of the "September meeting"

The September meeting did not happen due to various reasons so the first fans parliament will be held on February, possibly around 100 fans will attend and if you had an invite for the September meet then you will get an e mail seeing if you are still interested in attending in February.

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

Will get back to you

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

The FAB is a concept that the fan led review will bring into legislation probably within the next few years but our club wanted to be ahead of this and proactive.

This was debated and driven by the supporters groups especially the trust and the configuration of the group was decided. 9 from the Club and 9 from the supporters.
Initially it will be as described but going forward this can be changed if the fans are not happy .

It just needs to get started now and up and running ,then we can all see how this is working and if its fit for purpose in its current state.

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

The FAB is a concept that the fan led review will bring into legislation probably within the next few years but our club wanted to be ahead of this and proactive.

This was debated and driven by the supporters groups especially the trust and the configuration of the group was decided. 9 from the Club and 9 from the supporters.
Initially it will be as described but going forward this can be changed if the fans are not happy .

It just needs to get started now and up and running ,then we can all see how this is working and if its fit for purpose in its current state.

Thanks Corky, as I said, its a good thing and of course the structure may change as it goes along if fans want it to be more equitable and representative. From a personal perspective I would have liked to have seen two more 'independent' fans included rather than the Trust and SC taking up two spots each as I think offers more representation and to also press on any questions which the Trust and SC will not press on due to their various ties with the club, whereas an independent fan doesn't have those limitations. Again, not a pop at anyone, it's a great platform and something we haven't had before and good in the club for doing it early but I'd like to see it be effective to include as many fans views as possible as opposed to a relatively small percentage.

I'm guessing that the club will be announcing how the independent fan selection process will be conducted in due course as it's not in the statement, not sure if you have any info you can share on that?

I think the fans groups will play the main role in this process...and will announce how its going to work...this is a fans initiative.

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

The FAB is a concept that the fan led review will bring into legislation probably within the next few years but our club wanted to be ahead of this and proactive.


This was debated and driven by the supporters groups especially the trust and the configuration of the group was decided. 9 from the Club and 9 from the supporters.
Initially it will be as described but going forward this can be changed if the fans are not happy .

It just needs to get started now and up and running ,then we can all see how this is working and if its fit for purpose in its current state.

Thanks Corky, as I said, its a good thing and of course the structure may change as it goes along if fans want it to be more equitable and representative. From a personal perspective I would have liked to have seen two more 'independent' fans included rather than the Trust and SC taking up two spots each as I think offers more representation and to also press on any questions which the Trust and SC will not press on due to their various ties with the club, whereas an independent fan doesn't have those limitations. Again, not a pop at anyone, it's a great platform and something we haven't had before and good in the club for doing it early but I'd like to see it be effective to include as many fans views as possible as opposed to a relatively small percentage.

I'm guessing that the club will be announcing how the independent fan selection process will be conducted in due course as it's not in the statement, not sure if you have any info you can share on that?

I can only comment on behalf of the Trust rather than the other elected fans` bodies but can categorically assure you that the Trust never has and never will be afraid to press the club and its senior management for answers on topics raised by our members. This is because we have no ties whatsoever with the club other than all the Trust board are long standing fans of the club. We have never received funding from it or any other "favours" and have no financial or family ties to it. Our independence is supported by our membership of the national Football Supporters Association and the fact that we are formally recognised as an independent organisation by our registration with the Financial Conduct Authority.
We have been heavily involved in getting the structure in place since the first Fans Led Review, through the government White Paper until the latest development.

If we don`t do a proper job on the FAB when its gets going properly in the New Year then I would hope and expect that the members who elect us will tell us in no uncertain terms and we will act on it.

As for the election process, this has yet to be finalised at present but the aim is for the club to ask all season ticket holders to put forward applications for the three roles as the club has access to the database containing all season ticket holders. From the applications a shortlist will then be created by club discussions with the CCST,CCSC and DSA to make sure that applicants meet the criteria - i.e female for the ladies role, under 25 for the second role and a current season ticket holder for the third role. Applicants will be asked to confirm that they are not conflicted out of the selection process and are independent in their views. They must also confirm that they are available to attend all quarterly meetings in person. The shortlist is then intended to be circulated to season ticket holders to vote on.


Hope this helps

Keith

I think the fans groups will play the main role in this process...and will announce how its going to work...this is a fans initiative.

Cheers Corky and thanks for keeping us updated on here.

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

The FAB is a concept that the fan led review will bring into legislation probably within the next few years but our club wanted to be ahead of this and proactive.


This was debated and driven by the supporters groups especially the trust and the configuration of the group was decided. 9 from the Club and 9 from the supporters.
Initially it will be as described but going forward this can be changed if the fans are not happy .

It just needs to get started now and up and running ,then we can all see how this is working and if its fit for purpose in its current state.

Thanks Corky, as I said, its a good thing and of course the structure may change as it goes along if fans want it to be more equitable and representative. From a personal perspective I would have liked to have seen two more 'independent' fans included rather than the Trust and SC taking up two spots each as I think offers more representation and to also press on any questions which the Trust and SC will not press on due to their various ties with the club, whereas an independent fan doesn't have those limitations. Again, not a pop at anyone, it's a great platform and something we haven't had before and good in the club for doing it early but I'd like to see it be effective to include as many fans views as possible as opposed to a relatively small percentage.

I'm guessing that the club will be announcing how the independent fan selection process will be conducted in due course as it's not in the statement, not sure if you have any info you can share on that?

I can only comment on behalf of the Trust rather than the other elected fans` bodies but can categorically assure you that the Trust never has and never will be afraid to press the club and its senior management for answers on topics raised by our members. This is because we have no ties whatsoever with the club other than all the Trust board are long standing fans of the club. We have never received funding from it or any other "favours" and have no financial or family ties to it. Our independence is supported by our membership of the national Football Supporters Association and the fact that we are formally recognised as an independent organisation by our registration with the Financial Conduct Authority.
We have been heavily involved in getting the structure in place since the first Fans Led Review, through the government White Paper until the latest development.

If we don`t do a proper job on the FAB when its gets going properly in the New Year then I would hope and expect that the members who elect us will tell us in no uncertain terms and we will act on it.

As for the election process, this has yet to be finalised at present but the aim is for the club to ask all season ticket holders to put forward applications for the three roles as the club has access to the database containing all season ticket holders. From the applications a shortlist will then be created by club discussions with the CCST,CCSC and DSA to make sure that applicants meet the criteria - i.e female for the ladies role, under 25 for the second role and a current season ticket holder for the third role. Applicants will be asked to confirm that they are not conflicted out of the selection process and are independent in their views. They must also confirm that they are available to attend all quarterly meetings in person. The shortlist is then intended to be circulated to season ticket holders to vote on.


Hope this helps

Keith

Thanks Keith, it's great this is coming forward early and I can only see it being a positive and much needed. What was the reasoning of having two Trust representatives at the meetings as I personally would have liked to have seen that space given to an additional elected fan, as they represent a wider base? I'm guessing the same reason also applies to the SC also having two as opposed to one where I would have thought that one representative would have been enough.

Hi Corky - The FAB hopefully is a great step forward for fans involvement. What I don't understand is why the Trust needs two members when one would surely suffice to represent their members, of which they only have 400? It applies to the SC too which has considerably more members to represent but given there are only positions for 3 'independent' fans (male/female/youth), the Trust seems to be massively over represented and surely they only need one spokesman, same as the SC really and two further other 'independent' fans could have had a position, so a total of 5 independent fans to represent the vast majority?

In no way a pop at the club, Trust or SC, just seems to be unnecessarily lop sided. I'm sure there's a logic in it but just interested to know how this format was decided.

The FAB is a concept that the fan led review will bring into legislation probably within the next few years but our club wanted to be ahead of this and proactive.


This was debated and driven by the supporters groups especially the trust and the configuration of the group was decided. 9 from the Club and 9 from the supporters.
Initially it will be as described but going forward this can be changed if the fans are not happy .

It just needs to get started now and up and running ,then we can all see how this is working and if its fit for purpose in its current state.

Thanks Corky, as I said, its a good thing and of course the structure may change as it goes along if fans want it to be more equitable and representative. From a personal perspective I would have liked to have seen two more 'independent' fans included rather than the Trust and SC taking up two spots each as I think offers more representation and to also press on any questions which the Trust and SC will not press on due to their various ties with the club, whereas an independent fan doesn't have those limitations. Again, not a pop at anyone, it's a great platform and something we haven't had before and good in the club for doing it early but I'd like to see it be effective to include as many fans views as possible as opposed to a relatively small percentage.

I'm guessing that the club will be announcing how the independent fan selection process will be conducted in due course as it's not in the statement, not sure if you have any info you can share on that?

I can only comment on behalf of the Trust rather than the other elected fans` bodies but can categorically assure you that the Trust never has and never will be afraid to press the club and its senior management for answers on topics raised by our members. This is because we have no ties whatsoever with the club other than all the Trust board are long standing fans of the club. We have never received funding from it or any other "favours" and have no financial or family ties to it. Our independence is supported by our membership of the national Football Supporters Association and the fact that we are formally recognised as an independent organisation by our registration with the Financial Conduct Authority.
We have been heavily involved in getting the structure in place since the first Fans Led Review, through the government White Paper until the latest development.

If we don`t do a proper job on the FAB when its gets going properly in the New Year then I would hope and expect that the members who elect us will tell us in no uncertain terms and we will act on it.

As for the election process, this has yet to be finalised at present but the aim is for the club to ask all season ticket holders to put forward applications for the three roles as the club has access to the database containing all season ticket holders. From the applications a shortlist will then be created by club discussions with the CCST,CCSC and DSA to make sure that applicants meet the criteria - i.e female for the ladies role, under 25 for the second role and a current season ticket holder for the third role. Applicants will be asked to confirm that they are not conflicted out of the selection process and are independent in their views. They must also confirm that they are available to attend all quarterly meetings in person. The shortlist is then intended to be circulated to season ticket holders to vote on.


Hope this helps

Keith

Thanks Keith, it's great this is coming forward early and I can only see it being a positive and much needed. What was the reasoning of having two Trust representatives at the meetings as I personally would have liked to have seen that space given to an additional elected fan, as they represent a wider base? I'm guessing the same reason also applies to the SC also having two as opposed to one where I would have thought that one representative would have been enough.

The initial selection process is largely based on the Government White Paper suggestions and recommendations. The whole Fans Led Review White Paper is hardly a "quick read" but if you Google it look at section 8 which deals with fan engagement. In there are suggestions that clubs should engage with fans groups that have been elected (i.e. have a board or committee voted in by their members). It also recommends that a "shadow board" as they refer to it should include the Trust and a female representative. These are only recommendations and guidelines until an independent regulator is in place but if not there it is highly likely that a club will not qualify for its licence that will then be necessary to operate. To be fair to CCFC we have been discussing this with them for ages and they have decided to put in FAB in place before they will be forced to when the legislation is formally and fully in place.
The structure of the FAB may change over time if a better structure would improve fan engagement but, in the interim period, fans can have their say through the fans elected. All three groups (CCST,CCSC and DSA ) are fans first so are very keen to get fans` views across to the club .

Keith