Chelsea announce fan advisory board to boost supporter engagement
Chelsea announce creation of six-member fan advisory board to discuss decisions Todd Boehly and Co make that impact Blues supporters
- The panel will meet three times a year with Chelsea board representatives
- Fans can submit applications to secure three places on the advisory board
- The Supporters Trust have called on the club to go further than the proposal
Chelsea have announced the creation of a six-member fan advisory board which will ‘engage in discussion, exchange information and share insights’ on potential decisions impacting supporters.
Three places on the newly created panel have been reserved for supporter advisers to the board, who were appointed last January.
The advisors were selected through the Fans’ Forum, through diversity and equality representatives on the Fans’ Forum and Chelsea Pride, and from the unofficial supporters’ groups.
Chelsea say the remaining three places on the fan advisory board will be decided after an open application process, with the club encouraging supporters of all backgrounds to put their names forward.
Fans are able to apply until the deadline on March 24.
Chelsea have announced the creation of a fan advisory board to boost engagement
The move is the latest step to enhance fan engagement since the failed Super League project
‘Building on successful consultation and engagement mechanisms the club already has in place, the FAB will engage in discussion, exchange information and share insights on potential decisions that impact Chelsea FC supporters,’ a Chelsea statement read.
‘The focus will be on the club’s strategic vision and objectives, as well as medium- and long-term decision making.
‘The FAB will meet at least three times a year with Chelsea FC board members, with additional senior club executives also in attendance at all meetings.’
The fan advisory board is the latest move aimed at increasing fan involvement within the club, following the appointments of the supporter advisers.
Chelsea announced the creation of the supporter advisers in 2021 following the club’s involvement in the European Super League project, which generated anger from Blues fans.
The advisers have been allowed to attend board meetings to ensure fans are part of the decision-making process.
The Chelsea Supporters Trust have billed the establishment of the fan advisory board as a ‘momentous day’, but claim the current proposal must go further.
‘While this initial proposal issued by CFC forms a good base and addresses many of our asks, we believe that there is still a significant amount of work still to be done before many of our concerns over the unelected nature of a large percentage of the FAB are removed.
‘It must go further than what has been included within this initial proposal before it is fully endorsed by the CST.
‘Nevertheless, we will engage with the club and word within the parameters they have initially set.
‘The CST Board would like to place on record its sincerest thanks to CFC for the continued efforts on this proposal.
Chelsea fans will be able to apply to become one of three members of the fan advisory board
‘We appreciate that the FAB is a complex concept and believe that getting this right for supporters will be beneficial to the long-term prosperity of our football club.’
The announcement comes a week after the Government published its White Paper outlining plans for independent regulator for English football.
The regulator is expected to give fans greater involvement in the running of clubs, including having a veto over changes to the badge and home shirt colours.
Chelsea are currently 10th in the Premier League following a difficult campaign.
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