Quick update from last night. There was a decent turn out, perhaps 50 or 60, so no doubt higher than previous years. However, for a Trust of 12,000+ people, this needs to change. An over-riding sentiment from people there and the Board, was how this can be improved. I spoke with @Greg afterwards and I have to agree that communication needs to be improved. Social Media is king, as Wor Flags have shown, with tens of thousands getting the message to bring a scarf against Leicester, so it can be done, and the message can get out there.
To answer your question @NUFC91 no it wasn't. As I asked a question in AOB about ticketing issues, and how it seems to be the number 1 issue amongst fans at this moment in time. I also directed a question in regards to issues surrounding corporate away tickets, using the examples from this week of both Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. The response was effectively, the Trust are now working closely with the club and will be raising these matters. But they'll only have more clout if more people get involved, answer the surveys etc. Which is a fair comment. If people want to have a say in how future season tickets, Cup Final tickets etc are distributed, moaning about it on tiwtter and fighting on forums won't change anything. Like it or not, the Trust, clearly has the largest body to represent the fans on such matters. The reason why I didn't bring up the singing section, is it effectively was answered by the above question. Sarah Medcalf, newly inaugurated Supports Liaison officer was there, and I purposefully directed the question towards her as well, in regards to the ticketing issues.
Thomas, spoke about how each PL club and the supporters trusts, alongside the FSA, will need to create a Fan Engagement Plan. Sarah Medcalf and the Trust will be working on this and it will come out in February. Independent Regulation may come in, in future and a big thing is supporter involvement will increase at club level. For the engagement plan, no doubt ticketing, singing sections, safe standing, Castore issues is something that will be discussed and hopefully implemented by the club. Again, tell the trust your thoughts (as others won't!), and your desire has more chance of fruition if the Trust can take it forward.
@LFEE posed questions on a few matters. He spoke about how people volunteer and give up their time, however did ask a few questions surrounding lack of engagement with fans (there were only 4 nominations for 3 board spaces, and the 4th nominee didn't have a proposer/seconder - so no vote was required) and if the Board members are aware of the look of it becoming a True Faith club. This certainly did not sit well with Alex Hurst and Charlotte Robson. I'm not sure who piped up at the back as well? Was it Michael Martin? i don't know what he looks like. Alex's retort was sitting on the board had nothing to do wirh profile as TF has a wider audience. Make of that what you will.
I'm glad I went, and I'll certainly look at going to more Trust initiatives, but they MUST MUST MUST increase fan engagement and empower the supporters to get invovled. For me that means reaching out and empowering fans through matters such as ticketing, safe standing, supporter experience and anything else you can think of. If they don't, and don't do it quickly, there will be very little point in them moving forward. Yes, people are volunteers, but you need to have to drive to change things. I hope they heed the advice!
Good luck to them and I'll reserve judgement until the next AGM.
