Fan Advisory Board - Q&A Trust Chair
As part of their overall fan-engagement plan, Wolves, in line with the Premier League rules, established a Fan Advisory Board (FAB) at the start of the 2023/24 season. The Fan Advisory Board at Wolves consists of representatives from various fan groups, including the Wolves 1877 Trust, the Disabled Supporters’ Association, and other focus groups.
Wolves Trust Chair, Daniel Warren, was elected by our members to be the Trust’s representative on the Fan Advisory Board. We thought it would be interesting for members, and the wider fan base to understand Dan’s role and the broader purpose of the Fan Advisory Board:
Wolves 1877 Trust - Membership is open to all
Q1 – What is the role of the FAB?
Dan – The FAB is a structured group of supporters that provides a formalised way for fans to communicate with and influence the club's decision-making processes. Under Premier League rules, all clubs should have a FAB set up.
Q2 – Who is appointed to the FAB?
Dan – The club has appointed representatives from their Fan Engagement Groups, covering ticketing, retail, match day experience, and EDI. alongside independent representation through the Disability Supporters’ Association and Wolves 1877 Trust. An independent supporter was also appointed after applications were received and an interview process was carried out by club and Football Association Officials.
Details are published on our website - https://www.wolves1877trust.co.uk/news/wolves-fan-advisory-board
Q3 – Who represents the club at FAB meetings?
Dan - Russell Jones (General Manager of Marketing and Commercial Growth), David Wood (Fan Services Manager) along with Matt Wild (Director of Football Operations & Administration); and Matt Hobbs (Sporting Director/GM Football) has also attended meetings, Russell Jones is the club’s appointed representative under the published Fan Engagement Standard, it is also a requirement that the CEO, Jeff Shi (owner’s representative), attends at least one meeting per year. There is scope for other club officials to attend if they have specialist knowledge of a particular area under discussion (ticketing, security etc).
Q4 – How often does the FAB meet?
Dan - The FAB usually meets on a quarterly basis, but there is scope to call extraordinary meetings as required. It would be fair to say that the FAB has met regularly and dialogue is maintained outside formal meetings.
Q5 – What topics are discussed at FAB meetings?
Dan – The idea is that the FAB discusses a wide range of issues. These include governance, strategic direction, community and social initiatives, matchday experience, ticketing, stadium, marketing, and communications alongside club heritage. Direct ‘on pitch’ performance matters are not normally discussed, but we do get the chance to offer our thoughts and opinions!
Q6 – Is it true that FAB members have signed a non-disclosure agreement restrictring what can be reported back to the wider fanbase regarding the discussions held?
Dan – No, a non-disclosure agreement has not been signed; however, the club operates on a trust basis with FAB members, they do share ‘confidential’ information for the benefit of the FAB with the understanding that some matters are restricted.
Meeting notes are published on the club’s website - https://www.wolves.co.uk/fans/fan-engagement/fan-advisory-board/meeting-notes/
Q7 – The big issue in the last 12 months has been ticket pricing. How was the FAB consulted about price increases, and what outcomes were achieved?
Dan – Initially the club discussed ticketing generally but detailed ticket price increases for the 2024/25 were not shared before they were publicised. The Trust felt there was insufficient consultation and that the decision on price increases was taken before meeting with the FAB. After a campaign at the end of last season, coordinated with other fan groups, alongside a petition with over 15,000 signatures, the club agreed to meet again with the FAB. After long negotiations they agreed to an Adult Season Ticket price freeze for season 2025/26, and to remove the proposed increases for under-14s. The club has agreed, in future, to share pricing details with the FAB before general release.
Q8 – Are you in consultation about ticket pricing for the 2025/26 season?
Dan – Yes. Although we have a commitment to freeze Adult Season Ticket prices there are a lot of other areas to discuss, not least the threat of changes to concession pricing and categories. Discussions will start soon with the club, Wolves 1877 Trust is clear in calling for a freeze across all pricing categories; this season has seen the result of over-pricing with empty general and corporate seats at almost every game.
Q9 – Being a member of the FAB is an important role, alongside representing Wolves 1877 Trust members. Do you feel progress is being made in respect of club/supporter consultations?
Dan - Yes, I feel progress has been made, we now have a greater understanding of the decision-making process and generally how the club is being run. We feel that influence has been made concerning several issues. As an example, access for disabled supporters to travel away (accessible coaches) is now an available option for DSA supporters. Open discussions were held concerning kit sponsorship, the new kit provider SUDU ,and arrangements for the Honved anniversary game, Club heritage is also an important area of discussion.
Q10 – Many fans feel that there is a growing disconnect between the club and fans, some of the statements made by Jeff Shi have not gone down well. Do you think the FAB will play an increasingly important consultation role going forward?
Dan – Wolves were front runners in setting up the FAB, as FAB representatives we have good lines of communication with senior officials at the club, generally, the club has been open in its communications. Whilst we understand that there have been frustrations with some of the actions, and decisions of the Chairman, the Chairman has engaged with the FAB, where open, and critical feedback, has been given about some of the decisions made.
Q11 – How can fans make their voices heard when it comes to decision-making at the club?
Dan – The first thing they should do is join the Wolves 1877 Trust. The more fans we have as members, the louder our voice gets and the harder it is to ignore. We’ve already fought off further price increases for fans but if, say, half of all season tickets signed up to the Trust we’d be in an even stronger position to advocate for supporters. Membership for the year is about the same price as a pint in the South Bank and it’s the first step to making sure that Wolves is a club that recognises that we as fans won’t be ignored.
https://www.wolves1877trust.co.uk/membership
