open letter to jeff shi
5th July 2021
Wolverhampton Wanderers (1986) Limited
Molineux Stadium
Waterloo Road
Wolverhampton
WV1 4QR
For the attention of Jeff Shi – Executive Chairman
Dear Jeff,
RE: An open letter to our club
Wolves Fans’ Parliament was formed in 2006 by the club to improve supporter consultation. At the time Fans’ Parliament members were invited and appointed by the club with limited numbers; as you will recall, the commitment was to hold four meetings with the clubs senior management each year.
The concept of ‘supporter consultation’ was on the agenda of most clubs, Wolves Fans Parliament provided a platform for both the club, and supporters, to demonstrate that ‘consultation’ was taking place.
As time passed it became ever clearer that fully evolved supporter consultation groups should be independent of the club, be open to all supporters, and hold democratic elections for officers this should be coupled with a (binding) commitment from the club to hold meaningful dialogue with representative group(s). Unfortunately, Wolves Fans’ Parliament delivered none of these things.
In 2018 a steering committee was formed, by members, and for the first time a constitution was introduced that distanced the Fans’ Parliament from the club and introduced elections for officers. Since 2018 many factors have come into play that have clearly demonstrated that the ‘Fans’ Parliament’ concept is no longer fit for purpose.
The increasing influence of the Football Supporters Association (FSA) along with the concept of supporter’s trusts has established a new benchmark of how supporter representative groups should be constituted and the circumstances in which consultation should take place. This new benchmark is becoming the ‘norm’ in football at all levels.
Members of Wolves Fans’ Parliament, and others, have recognised that change is required. Increasingly the club are accused of not communicating effectively with the supporters and that our club is ‘out of step’ with the changes that are taking place regarding supporters trusts and the wider role of the FSA.
As a consequence of this new momentum, on the 5th May 2021 Wolves Supporters established and registered the first supporters trust in the club’s history ‘Wolves 1877 Supporters’ Trust’ is constituted as a Community Benefit Society under the guidance, and rules, of the FSA. Open to all supporters our constitution ensures democratic representation of the wider supporter base and brings those Wolves Supporters their first opportunity in our clubs’ history to be represented at both club and national level.
Supporter influence in the wider governance of football is gaining momentum, the Governments ‘fans led review’ of governance within the game will hopefully bring significant change. Never again should we all be faced with a breakaway ‘super league’ or similar arbitrary decisions.
Wolves supporters, young and old, know our history both on and off the pitch. We have seen the glory days of the 1950’s fade into the past, intermittent success on the pitch has been interspersed with long periods of material decline. Success on the pitch runs parallel with good governance in the Board Room, over the years we have had owners, that for various reasons, have squandered the opportunity presented by a sizeable worldwide loyal fan base.
The arrival of Fosun has therefore been a breath of fresh air, positive engagement with the supporter base which was achieved through the open style of MD Laurie Dalrymple and, on the pitch, the arrival of Nuno brought a connection between the players, supporters and wider City population unseen at Molineux for many years.
Success on the pitch relies on unity at all levels, the Board Room, the management team, the players, and the supporters. Neither, nor all, can be bypassed on the path to long term sustainable success.
Despite the welcome Fosun involvement, no company, individual or group own the heritage of Wolverhampton Wanderers we are all custodians of the club, in part our responsibility is to deliver a strong and sustainable club for the benefit of future generations.
Supporters understand the commercial reality of professional sport, we may not agree on every aspect of the decision-making process but we, the supporters, request our right as key stakeholders to be part of that process. Such consultation improves understanding and alignment between all key stakeholders.
Consultation and Governance are distinctly different to focus groups and ‘set piece’ media interviews. Supporters can bring real value to the overall running of the club, we are your partners and are aligned with you in the desire to see sustainable success at Molineux, as custodians of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.
Wolves 1877 Trust is an opportunity for the club to build a new model of supporter and club collaboration, let us get to know each other better, agree a way forward and avoid the mistakes of the past.
The first step on this journey is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the trust and club, this is not a legal document but seeks to build a joint commitment between all stakeholders.
Let there be no doubt that we greatly appreciate so much that Fosun has already brought to the club, and the wider community. Doing things, the ‘right way’ seems to be part of the Fosun DNA, as custodians of the club Fosun have already shown a long-term commitment to our club and real compassion towards the people of Wolverhampton particularly during the worldwide pandemic, thank you for all of this we will be forever grateful.
Enclosed is our draft Memorandum of Understanding, we seek at your earliest convenience a ‘face to face’ meeting, we ask nothing more than ongoing dialogue with the real decision makers. We do not expect a place on the board, we do not want to run the club, we seek to add value as the ‘critical friend’ that every organisation needs, if it is to truly have empathy with all of its stakeholders.
Wolves is our club, a supporter base as diverse as any in the country, a supporter base that will pass its rich heritage down through the future generations.
The first supporter arrived in 1877, we have been here ever since and for ever more. We are ‘one pack’, we are Wolves.
Thank you for taking time to read our open letter we look forward to contributing, in some small way, towards your leadership decisions.
Signed on behalf of the steering committee of Wolves 1877 Trust.
Anne Bott Ciaran Barker
Peter Bradburn Mark Hadley
Steven Bailey Mark Bullock
Cheryl Gilbert Simon Bennett
Neil Dady Adrian Willetts
Wolves 1877 Trust is open to all supporters – www.wolves1877trust.co.uk
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
Parties
The parties to this Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) are:
1. WW1877 Supporters’ Society Limited also known as Wolves 1877 Trust a community benefit society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with number 8625 whose registered address is ABC House, Bank Street, Wolverhampton, WV10 9DU (“the trust”) 2. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club (1986) Ltd also known as ‘Wolves’, company number 01989823, Molineux, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR. (“the club”)
Background
a) As part of the Government Expert Working Group on Football Supporter Ownership and Engagement from the start of the 2016/17 season it is a requirement for all EPL and EFL clubs to meet structured dialogue commitments, with the National League due to follow a similar path for 2017/18.
b) The minimum level of commitment is for senior Club representatives (owners, directors, senior executive management) to meet with a representative group of supporters, that must include the Supporters Trust, at least twice a year.
c) The matters for discussion will often be of a strategic nature and may relate to the management and day to day running of the club
d) Where meetings are not open to all supporters wishing to attend, the supporter representatives must be elected, selected or invited in line with basic democratic principles; and individuals cannot be excluded by the Club without good reason (the Club acting reasonably).
This is not a legally binding document or contract, but it is a statement of the principles that the trust and the club subscribe to, to create an effective, mutually beneficial, structured communication channel.
The Trust will:
1) Be properly incorporated and constituted with a democratic ‘one member one vote’ democratic governance structure, filing annual returns with the FCA, and offering an open and affordable membership to any supporter of the club
2) Consult with its membership regularly on issues of importance particularly ahead of structured dialogue meetings with the club.
3) Liaise with other supporters’ groups and stakeholders on suitable topics for discussion ahead of structured dialogue meetings, respecting other existing communication and supporter dialogue structures that exist between supporters and the club.
4) Send suitable non-conflicted people who understand their role as representatives for supporters, not just to voice their own views
The club will:
1) Provide a suitable level of financial information split into appropriate categories and with a level of detail that builds trust and understanding of how the club is being run
2) Use the structured dialogue format to consult about significant decisions such as any permanent ground move, change of club badge or substantial change to club colours.
3) Use the meetings to discuss wider league/national consultation that will affect supporters
4) Take the opportunity to discuss any potential ownership changes including future opportunity for supporters to invest in their club
5) Not exclude individuals without good reason
6) Send suitable senior club representatives who have the appropriate knowledge of the club and decision-making authority
Both parties will:
1) Agree agenda items in a timely manner, circulating sufficient supporting information to be read ahead of the meeting.
2) Respect that some items may be sensitive and deemed confidential, with an agreed protocol about how they should be reported
3) Publish minutes agreed by both parties in a timely coordinated manner
4) Share key contact information including roles and decision-making powers
5) Ensure the meeting is ‘structured’ so that any topics that either party wants to discuss can be done so in an appropriate environment.
Each party hereby confirms its agreement to the terms contained in this memorandum of understanding.
Signed on behalf of the Wolves 1877 Trust:
Name: Sam Payne
Position: Chairman
Date: 1st July 2021
Signed:
Signed on behalf of Wolverhampton Wanderers (1986) Ltd
Name:
Position:
Date:
Signed: