new trust continues work with fsa
Following the formation of Wolves 1877 Supporters’ Trust, Wolves supporters now have representation at national level with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA). Wolves have had fan representatives at the FSA in recent years through the Fans’ Parliament and other supporters’ groups, but the formation of a Supporters’ Trust means Wolves now hold a meaningful voting right and are formally recognised FSA.
In recent months, those representing Wolves 1877 Supporters’ Trust throughout this transition period have been involved with the FSA on various matters. Firstly, in dialogue with the FSA in setting up the supporters' trust, while also being actively involved in projects currently underway at the FSA. Wolves 1877 Trust are an active member of the Premier League Network, a group of supporters who represent Premier League clubs and can discuss matters relevant to the league itself. The Trust has also been part of the FSA’s VAR Working group, which was set up at the last AGM amidst growing discontent with the video technology from Premier League Supporters across the country. This group, made up of supporters from several Premier League clubs, has worked extremely hard in recent months and put together the VAR Fans’ Survey which was circulated in April. This survey had over 30,000 responses and provided some clear results as to the opinions of football supporters across the country on VAR. The group will now work to set up a stance against VAR, which will be the beginning of the FSA working with supporters and the relevant authorities to ensure football supporters interests are maintained within the game when it comes to the unpopular technology.
More recently, Wolves 1877 Trust attended the Premier League Network’s meeting with Tracey Crouch MP and her panel who are leading the Government’s Fan-Led review into football. This was promised in the Conservative Party’s manifesto for the 2019 General Election and was brought forward following the disturbing European Super League proposal in April. Tracey and her panel have met with various club and league specific fan groups across the FSA, and most recently spoke to the Premier League Network. The network focused their evidence session on clubs who have a largely positive view of and relationship with their owners, giving good and bad case studies on what they believe should be done. The group focused their wider meeting on these important subjects and clubs because those involved in the Super League have had their own individual meetings with Tracey Crouch. Wolves 1877 Trust gave evidence alongside a representative from West Ham United’s Independent Supporters’ Association surrounding the topic of cultural heritage and the need for regulation in football to protect it in the game. The presentation focused on stadiums and the need for fans to be consulted if major changes or re-locations are considered. Other topics covered in the meeting included regulation for fan communication and consultation as well as discussions surrounding the possibility of an independent regulator in football and what this may consist of.
Moving forward, Wolves 1877 Trust will continue to liaise and provide input to all aspects of the FSA’s work. This includes continuing to assist with the VAR working group as the FSA looks to put the results of the survey into action. The Government’s fan-led review interim report is due in the coming weeks, with the final report due in the autumn. The formation of an independent supporters’ trust means that members will be represented on all issues tabled by the FSA at national level and will have the chance to give feedback and input to those who will represent them before any meetings that take place. This is an important step forward as any views shared with the FSA will be more representative of the fanbase than may have been previously.
Article prepared by Ciaran Barker – Wolves 1877 Trust FSA representative.