Trust News

Keith Morgan, Trust Chair

Trust Chair Keith Morgan lays down the key issues in the UK Government White Paper on the future of football.

In November last year, we updated Trust members with the contents of a Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) report setting out Government progress over the first year since the initial report was created in getting the report into legislation via a White Paper. That White Paper, after some delays, was finally published today.

Set out below is a brief comparison of the “one-year on” review with the White Paper contents. The bold type is the contents of the FSA report together with Government initial reaction to it. Underneath is set out how the White Paper deals with each point:

1. a) Creation of an Independent Regulator of English football-recommendation accepted
2. b) The IREF to oversee financial regulation in football- accepted
3. c) New strengthened owners and directors test – accepted
4. d) A new approach to corporate governance – accepted
5. e) To improve diversity, equality and inclusion in clubs -accepted need to support clubs in implementing this
6. f) Supporters to be properly consulted by clubs in making key decisions by the formation of Fans Advisory Boards – supported with details of mechanism to follow
7. g) Additional protection for assets of key club heritage (stadium, colours, name etc.) – supported with details to follow
8. h) Fairer distribution of funding in football – supported (football authorities to implement ahead of White Paper
9. i) Women`s football to be treated with parity and be subject to a separate review – accepted
10. j) To carry out an urgent review of support for footballers leaving the game – supported but as a matter for the football authorities 

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew started his address to Parliament at 12 noon today and finished at 12.50. The main points of interest were as follows:

1. He was effectively told off by the Deputy Speaker for giving a briefing to the media yesterday with an embargo until last night before he addressed Parliament.
2. He was highly critical of the football authorities for not putting their own house in order, leading to the need for the Fans Led Review.
3. Cardiff City was specifically mentioned as an example of bad practice by owners for changing the club colours and badge without proper consultation and consent of the fanbase.
4. He gave a figure of £6bn as being the current level of net debt across the Premier League and EFL clubs.
5. He confirmed that the following issues are in the White Paper taken direct from the Fans Led Review

1. The appointment of Independent Regulator of English Football (IREF) and an interim one to push things along until it happens.
2. A greatly strengthened owners and directors test.
3. Fans to have a greater involvement in all major club decisions.
4. A ban on clubs joining new invitational leagues such as the European Super League.
5. The IREF will have “fallback” powers over the distribution of cash between the leagues if the PL and EFL don`t change things themselves in the near future.

MPs speaking in response all gave their support to the White Paper and pressed for its implementation ASAP.

It will probably not be fully debated in Parliament until the Autumn 2023 session and then be brought into law in time for the 2024-25 season.

There will be a 12-week consultation period in which the Trust will be invited to contribute.

Keith Morgan said: “The Trust is very pleased to see the long awaited White Paper published because it will mean radical changes to the way football is run and lead to far greater involvement of fans in their clubs which is long overdue.”

The Trust is supporting a bucket collection before the Reading game this Friday in aid of former City stalwart Jason Bowen who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The money raised will be used to support the ongoing cost of Jason’s treatment.

Cardiff City is looking for volunteers to assist with the collection. If you would like to help out, please meet at the Fred Keenor Statue at 6pm.

Alternatively, contributions can be made directly to Jason’s GoFundMe page a link to which can be found below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jason-bowens-motor-neurone-disease-treatment

Keith Morgan, Trust Chair

Trust Chair Keith Morgan and Trust board member Mike Spear, along with a small number of representatives from other supporters groups,  attended a meeting at Cardiff City Stadium ahead of yesterday’s match against Middlesbrough.

The meeting had been called by club Chair Mehmet Dalman. Also representing the club were Chief Executive Officer Ken Choo and head of operations Wayne Nash together with Mark Denham (Communications) and Amy James (Fan Engagement).

The meeting was informal in nature but the main points discussed were

1. All groups represented commentated that communication between the club and the general fanbase continued to be very poor and needed to be addressed urgently. It was suggested that a meeting of a wider fan base should be held as soon as practicable to deal direct with points of concern/criticism in a direct manner. Fans offered to arrange such a meeting with AJ and MD promising to attend and address such a meeting when arranged.
2. It was also suggested to the club that it would be helpful if the club could outline to fans what the club structure was in its recruitment department as this is far from clear – are self-employed recruitment people used, who makes recruitment decisions etc?
3. MD again emphasised that the CCFC board structure was very different to most as the club owner remains the sole decision maker on all major issues rather than the appointed board members.
4. The meeting was informed that the club had requested support from EFL to have the current transfer embargo lifted but that such support had been rejected.
5. Confirmation was also given that potential legal actions involving the Swiss Federal Tribunal and Nantes were still ongoing.
6. All present agreed that the current position on the field was of great concern with a very real risk of relegation to League 1.

The Trust’s latest magazine is about to hit doormats.

The 16-page edition of Moving To A Different Beat includes an article from South Wales-based writer David Collins, who joined forces with fellow Trust member Jonathan Power to write the book Fortune and Fame. It tells the story of how a young lad from Cardiff reached the top of the sporting and show business world. A proportion of the funds from the book will be donated to Velindre Hospital.

Paul Evans recalls the old Welsh League and the opportunities it gave to Cardiff City’s youngsters while we look back at the campaign to raise money for a Fred Keenor Statue, 10 years on from the unveiling.

Trust member Dai Thomas continues his story of chaotic expatriate football in unlikely settings in Peru and Rob Jeffery provides his usual brainteaser quiz.

You can join the Trust for just £12 a year. See our website for more details and you can also join on matchdays at the Trust office, near Gate 5. Help us make the voice of fans stronger.

We have been notified of the revised  Club Customer Charter. The club describes this document as “dynamic” in the sense that it is subject to regular review but the changes will be outlined at the Supporters’ Liaison meeting this Thursday. The club say that the most significant changes relate to pages 14 – 16 on the subject of Fan Behaviour, Bans and the Appeals Procedure.

A link to the revised document is enclosed:

https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2023-01/2022-23%20Club%20Charter%20v.18.pdf

Keith Morgan
Chair