With Saturday’s fixture against Watford having been postponed due to Storm Darragh, Cardiff City Football Club wishes to take a moment ahead of the weekend to address an open letter circulated earlier in the week attributable to supporters representing Cardiff City Supporters’ Club; Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust; Cardiff City DSA and the Fan Advisory Board (FAB).
Frustrations with early-season performances and our League position at this stage of the season are acknowledged and empathised with; however, the Club is disappointed that the referenced letter was made public suddenly by the FAB on Sunday evening, without due dialogue and communication processes being assumed in line with the FAB’s terms of reference.
Prior to this letter’s publication, no discussion from supporter-elected members of the FAB was had with the Nominated Board Level Representative (NBLR) and Co. Chair, Steve Borley. For optimal function of the FAB as it was agreed and intended, it is essential that this formalised dialogue consistently, and without exception, takes place in future.
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. In February 2024, five directly elected fans were elected to the FAB. Five statutory supporter representatives sit on the FAB, including two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust (CCST); two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club (CCSC); and one member of Cardiff City Disabled Supporters’ Association (CCDSA).
Meetings are co-chaired by Club Director Steve Borley, Cardiff City’s NBLR, and Michael Weedon, the elected supporter representative.
Scheduled meetings happened in February, May and August this year, with the fourth and final meeting of 2024 scheduled for next Monday. Cardiff City FC’s Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) serves as Secretary of the FAB with meetings published via the Club website and available to refer to, here.
In addition, a fan parliament, attended by Mehmet Dalman, Ken Choo, Steve Borley and Omer Riza and ten Heads of Departments took place on November 1st.
Ahead of several other clubs and without current obligation, Cardiff City Football Club took the decision to form its own independent fan advisory board earlier this year to give supporters a stronger voice that was heard mandatorily. It is therefore concerning that an incendiary open letter was published, contrary to the procedures and process that the FAB agreed upon.