Trust News

We had fantastic support from Bluebirds fans and Cardiff City staff and players for our foodbank collection earlier this month.

A campaign is being run in support of Shelter’s #NoHomeKit initiative to help the homeless and it was targeted at Boxing Day games.

Cardiff City was one of the clubs supporting the campaign by wearing No Home Kit for the Boxing Day fixture.

Even though the match is off fans can still take part by wearing their away/third kits and by also donating to the cause at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/NoHomeKit

If you can help, please do so and please spread the word.

Nadolig Llawen, Merry Christmas.

Trust Chair Keith Morgan looks back on the contents of the major Fan-Led Review of Football

At the end of November 2021 the report on a Fan-Led Review of football was published which has subsequently been discussed in Parliament and received widespread support from all political parties. It is hoped/anticipated that the report will be implemented and passed into law in the next Queen’s Speech.

The review was headed by Tracey Crouch MP but, more importantly, had a major involvement of fans through the Football Supporters ‘Association (FSA) with input into its drafting by over 130 clubs, including input from CCST.

The major recommendations of the report were as follows

1. The appointment of an Independent Regulator of football to oversee its running on the basis that the football authorities have lost the trust and confidence of fans
2. A mandatory (legally binding) requirement of clubs to engage with their fans on a structured basis. This will include two key recommendations
3. The granting of a “Golden Share” to fans with the power to veto certain club decisions impacting on fans
4. The formation of a “Shadow Board” made up of elected fans` groups to be consulted by clubs on “all material off-field matters”. Discussions will be subject to commercial confidentiality but most matters will be considered suitable to disclose to the fans they represent
5. A better distribution of Premier League riches down through the football pyramid, doing away with “parachute payments” and replacing them with a greater levy on Premier League clubs with a better distribution down through the leagues below. The aim is to achieve longer term financial stability for clubs
6. Improvement of diversity and equality in the game

This report is not just a subject for idle discussion. It has the support of all parties in Parliament and is being championed by Tracey Crouch MP (a former Sports Minister), the current Sports Minister Nigel Huddlestone and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden MP. Not a single MP when put to Parliament objected to the idea of an Independent Regulator.

If implemented next year, which seems almost certain, the law will apply to all levels of football from the National League upwards.

The above is just a brief summary of the position. A full version of the report can be found on the FSA website https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fan-led-review-is-a-huge-step-forward/ .The Trust will keep its members updated as developments occur.

Seasons greetings to each and every one of you and all those close to you.

These are very difficult and worrying times with no sign of the Covid pandemic coming to an end but, instead, new troubling strains being identified which are likely to take us into a third year of precautions and restrictions impacting on our day-to-day lives.

This is likely to lead to match postponements and possible short-term deferment of the football season unless the situation improves quickly as more and more players (particularly those who still refuse to be vaccinated) are tested positive for Covid.

On the field, at the time of writing this, results and certainly the style of football has improved under new boss Steve Morison. There will undoubtedly be dips in form by some of the youngsters being brought into the team but I personally have no doubt that many of them will develop into very good players at Championship level and play a major part in the development of our club on the field going forward.

This is also reflected in the excellent results being achieved at U23 and U18 levels this season under the overall supervision of David Hughes and with Darren Purse a recent welcome addition to the system as well.

Let`s hope for a better 2022 for us all. In the meantime, enjoy a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

Keith Morgan, Trust Chair

Trust magazine, December 2021

The latest Trust magazine, Moving To A Different Beat, is out.

The 16-page magazine features a piece by former South Wales Echo football correspondent, Terry Phillips on Cardiff City pre-season tours and Charlie Brown of  Rockwood Sound writes about challenges of broadcasting while David Collins tackles the Safe Standing issue.

Paul Evans looks back at Mick McCarthy’s ill-fated managerial reign and quizmaster Rob Jeffery contributes his popular Bluebird Brainteasers quiz and there’s a message from our chair, Keith Morgan.

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.

Trust vice-chair David Craig (left) with Trust board member Phillip Nifield

Rhondda Foodbank has sent a lovely thank-you letter to Trust vice-chair David Craig following the delivery of food donated by fans and Cardiff City staff and players. We’re proud to have organised the collection before the Sheffield United game.

Theresa Thomas and Gaynor Jones wrote: