A response to the supporters trust regarding rumours

[CantonEndBlue]

Hi all,


As one of the 28 signatories of a recent letter, I want to clarify our position on our request for an Election of the CCST Trust board, considering some of the unfair rumours doing the rounds. We have stayed silent and not put comments out on social media to avoid battles and try to keep things professional. We’ve spoken with CCST Board directly on several occasions, so they are aware of all the below.



Firstly, none of us are named Annis, despite the rumours. We are supporters of the football club, who feel more can and should be done.

“We wish the focus to only be on creating a stronger trust, not personal battles.”


Our aim has always been simple: to strengthen the Trust. We believe a club of our size should have considerably more than the 350 members quoted, prior to us joining and wish to help drive it. We note growing the Trust is mentioned by almost every CCST Board member, within their online profile, but little appears to have been done to achieve this in the last 3-4 years.






Our plans are:
Increased and more varied social media activity



More community events

Greater collaboration with the Club to gain more member benefits e.g. Q&A’s with players or Club officials making joining the trust a more attractive proposition to younger demographics

As highlighted in the CCST board’s own communication, there has been a vacant board seat for over four years, there are also 3 other co-option places that could be used. Our original request—entirely in line with the Trust’s rules—was to hold a democratic election to fill what was needed.

We have not demanded the position, we wish to follow correct process, as is the honest route. Our SGM request is in line with the last few elections run, where all Board members stood down and put themselves forward for re-election. It is neither a rule change, new, nor revolutionary.



To be candid, it’s hard to justify committing significant energy to growing the Trust if there is no realistic avenue for us to propose change. One seat out of nine was hardly hostile, nor could 28 people possibly “take over” the Trust. We’re even aware it may not even be enough to win an election should others stand, but we feel it’s right to put ourselves forward.
Some of the current talk of “protecting democracy” feels ironic, given the suggestions to ban us, alter rules or negate our votes. What was really being suggested is blocking it—changing rules and regulations in ways that would make the Trust less attractive to new members and making it weaker as a result.



Eight months is a long time in both football and life. We believe we can take advantage of the current positivity around the club and don’t want to wait until a dead period over the summer to get started. Our motives are not hostile—we simply want to see the Trust grow and regain its voice. The bigger risk, in our view, lies in declining membership and a failure to properly hold the club to account.



If you wish to discuss it further on a 1-2-1 level, we’re happy to have those conversations. Similarly, we’d encourage anyone who agrees with our stance to continue to join the Trust and make it stronger.



As a group, we look forward to sharing our thoughts, working with the Trust Board and, most importantly, the wider membership.
Thanks,
Rhys

[cityone]

Glad you've put the record straight Rhys, there is a lot of good work gone into this from a lot of good people.

[Borders Blue]

how do i join

[snoopystorm]

how do i join

You can join the Trust here

https://www.ccfctrust.org/join-the-trust-now/

[Voiceofthebluebirds]

Spot on mate

[Always City]

I’m a member and want thousands to join

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... g/viewform

[snoopystorm]

Certain board members would have everybody believe this is a hostile takeover with sinister motives but it’s far from it, as mentioned above we want to get the Trust moving in the correct direction and give the fans a voice they deserve. I’m not one of the 28, damn random generator but I do fully intend on standing for election along with a few others

As VoiceofBluebirds once said away from here our aim is to put the trust back into the Trust

[cityone]

Certain board members would have everybody believe this is a hostile takeover with sinister motives but it’s far from it, as mentioned above we want to get the Trust moving in the correct direction and give the fans a voice they deserve. I’m not one of the 28, damn random generator but I do fully intend on standing for election along with a few others

As VoiceofBluebirds once said away from here our aim is to put the trust back into the Trust

[MikeO76]

Excellent post Rhys. It highlights exactly what the 28 want and stand for......the best for Cardiff City and its loyal fans for now and the future

[tangledupinblue]

Thanks Rhys , once again really well put across.

Steve

[willhenry]

A lot of work has gone into this. Brilliant Rhys.

Deano

[Richy roofer ccfc]

Very well put Rhys
The sooner there is changes to this ccfc trust the better as it’s very worrying what’s been going on there or actually whats not been going on , a lot of work and fresh ideas needed asap to get this club where it should be . Time for new faces with fresh ideas and a boost of energy
Let’s get as many members as we can to get this club thriving
Get on the trust members and fill out that form , it’s only £12
Come on bluebirds let’s all get on this together

[Jonny L]

Rhys has been a huge force in an attempt to make the Trust more accountable. If you'd like to join please do so because its what you believe in, and for you, not because of individuals or simply because its what your mates have done.

[Sven]

Excellent post Rhys. It highlights exactly what the 28 want and stand for......the best for Cardiff City and its loyal fans for now and the future

I agree with you, Mike; and credit to Rhys (who I don’t know) the motives of those I am aware of are indeed honourable!

I’m not a member, so I only see things mainly from the outside and occasionally from one I know within, but I can give an opinion (that’s all it is) that the current Trust hierarchy (separate from its general membership) are seemingly intent on protecting their own interests, and some of their Board-bias communications in recent times, point to that!

[cityone]

Excellent post Rhys. It highlights exactly what the 28 want and stand for......the best for Cardiff City and its loyal fans for now and the future

I agree with you, Mike; and credit to Rhys (who I don’t know) the motives of those I am aware of are indeed honourable!

I’m not a member, so I only see things mainly from the outside and occasionally from one I know within, but I can give an opinion (that’s all it is) that the current Trust hierarchy (separate from its general membership) are seemingly intent on protecting their own interests, and some of their Board-bias communications in recent times, point to that!

Correct Sven.

[cardiff 74]

Rumours about what if you don’t mind me asking

[Forever Blue]

First I would like to say well done to Rhys for being honest and sincere in what he believes in and posting his post on different message boards.

Well I will be straight and honest here and get to the point, I have about a month ago re-joined the Trust as I was one of the original members and to be fair was emailed personally and welcomed back by Paul aka The Other Bob Wilson.
But you have forgotten to send my badge and membership


I joined years ago when TLG aka David Sugarman, Tracey and Mike Morris were the original board and I fully backed them all.

Years on sadly new members joined and then backed “The Despicable Rebrand” That was 100% Not for me and from then on yes i opposed the Trust.
The above also quit the Trust as they were hurt badly by their decision.


For years under my own name ForeverBlue aka Annis and I have been very unhappy on how they have failed badly in my view on standing up to the Current Hierarchy.

Plus they have stayed dormant and got weaker in members.


I was reading posts aiming at me saying instead of posting against them, you should join and say your views direct to the Trust Board and so I have.

There are 4 empty seats ( should be 12 Board Members) I have NO intentions of joining the Board or putting myself up. I just want to ask questions direct to them and help support them and see their numbers top at least 1,000.



For years I have always walked past them and I get on with many of them and I have joked many times to them as they sip their coffee and teas and munch their biscuits, you lot should be out here pushing Fans to join the Trust and they have just laughed as I have done saying it to them.


I feel the Current Board joined by New City Supporters can only be healthy for the Trust and urge more City Fans to join.

It means so much to me I have even booked a flight back to their next Lee and make my Vote.

Here’s to a bigger Trust and a Strong Trust.

Annis

https://www.ccfctrust.org/join-the-trust-now/

[Forever Blue]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=246762

[Forever Blue]

And this:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=246626

[cityone]

Rumours about what if you don’t mind me asking

Labeling us as some kind of hostile takeover group for starters, they've tried to accuse certain individuals of stirring up tension for their own benefits, none of which is true. The trust is a "busted flush" it stumbles on year after year with nothing changing,(including the committee) it could and should be doing far better for the fans including holding our horrendous owner and his two parasites to account at every oppotunity. We should have thousands of members of the trust instead of the pityful numbers they now have, it's time for fresh faces and change.

[MikeO76]

Rumours about what if you don’t mind me asking

Labeling us as some kind of hostile takeover group for starters, they've tried to accuse certain individuals of stirring up tension for their own benefits, none of which is true. The trust is a "busted flush" it stumbles on year after year with nothing changing,(including the committee) it could and should be doing far better for the fans including holding our horrendous owner and his two parasites to account at every oppotunity. We should have thousands of members of the trust instead of the pityful numbers they now have, it's time for fresh faces and change.

Well said

[llan bluebird]

I don't mean to dampen everything, but did 28 of you join a club of 350 and expect to change or amend the rules? If it were 280, they may call for an extraordinary meeting, but you make up less than 8% of the membership.

I am part of the apathetic 97% who can't be arsed to join the trust. I know I should, but I keep asking myself what the £12 is for? Our trust is a bit too socially political for me, I don't know if that is the same M.O. across other clubs' trusts, but I'm only interested in CCFC. If I want to volunteer outside of CCFC or participate in food banks, I do that in many other organizations closer to home or work. But perhaps that is the model England & Wales trusts want to project.

The trust probably needs a shake-up up but an increase of 10% is hardly a revolution.

[cityone]

I don't mean to dampen everything, but did 28 of you join a club of 350 and expect to change or amend the rules? If it were 280, they may call for an extraordinary meeting, but you make up less than 8% of the membership.

I am part of the apathetic 97% who can't be arsed to join the trust. I know I should, but I keep asking myself what the £12 is for? Our trust is a bit too socially political for me, I don't know if that is the same M.O. across other clubs' trusts, but I'm only interested in CCFC. If I want to volunteer outside of CCFC or participate in food banks, I do that in many other organizations closer to home or work. But perhaps that is the model England & Wales trusts want to project.

The trust probably needs a shake-up up but an increase of 10% is hardly a revolution.

There are far more than 28, the 28 are the ones that are making themselves available for committee places.

[montyblue]

There are those that do and those that don' t, fans want a change and are doing what they can to bring about a change fot the good, the same as those that protested.


Fans want a trust with some teeth to ask the questions that need asking, but require and decent reply and debate.

How many times has it been said the the board need to engage more with the fans but have failed to do so.

Good on all those who have wanted to bring about a more positive attitude towards the fans, and for the good of the club by joining the trust.

For to long there has been a big disconnect between both parties and things have not improved in any shape or form imo,
last season s finish and this seasons start is the biggest example of how poor things have got,


fans not having a clue what was happening regarding possible take over, transfers, no statements from above as to where we are going,

nothing on ambitions for the season ahead.
Thank God we have fell lucky with murphy ' s appointment otherwise things could have turned very toxic,
murphy is having to work with no war chest.


Once again well done to all who are trying to bring about a positive change, for the fans of cardiff city and the good of the club.

[cityone]

There are those that do and those that don' t, fans want a change and are doing what they can to bring about a change fot the good, the same as those that protested.


Fans want a trust with some teeth to ask the questions that need asking, but require and decent reply and debate.

How many times has it been said the the board need to engage more with the fans but have failed to do so.

Good on all those who have wanted to bring about a more positive attitude towards the fans, and for the good of the club by joining the trust.

For to long there has been a big disconnect between both parties and things have not improved in any shape or form imo,
last season s finish and this seasons start is the biggest example of how poor things have got,


fans not having a clue what was happening regarding possible take over, transfers, no statements from above as to where we are going,

nothing on ambitions for the season ahead.
Thank God we have fell lucky with murphy ' s appointment otherwise things could have turned very toxic,
murphy is having to work with no war chest.


Once again well done to all who are trying to bring about a positive change, for the fans of cardiff city and the good of the club.

Great post, we'll get there.

[wez1927]

Ive just joined might aswell have a say.

[cityone]

Ive just joined might aswell have a say.

Well done Wez, wecolme.

[JimmyJazz]

Just had this on an email from the Trust:

"We've been approached by some newly joined members to ask what the Trust and its board has done since its formation.

So we've drafted a list, which is far from exhaustive, of the many initiatives the Trust has been involved in through its board and members. They cover the present and the past.

As volunteers we're proud of our work for the community and representing Bluebirds fans.

For information: While we do have three long-standing board members, two new board members joined in 2024 and another in 2025.

FOOTBALL RELATED

· Worked with the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) and local MPs on the Football Governance Bill which became law and has led to the establishment of an Independent Football Regulator. Our role has been acknowledged by the Regulator's Chief Operating Officer, Martyn Henderson OBE. The Regulator's roles include protecting the interests of fans from unscrupulous club owners such as at Bury and more recently, Morecambe.

· Held regular meetings with club chair Mehmet Dalman and represented Trust members at club Supporter Liaison meetings and the Fans Parliament as well as pressing for the setting up of a Fans Advisory Board (FAB). The Trust now has two members on the FAB. The Trust board has also encouraged the club chair and other club directors to meet with fans generally.

· Attended the annual FSA meeting and represented the Trust at EFL Premier League, Championship and League One online meetings. One of our board members met with Trusts in south-west England during a recent cup tie in Exeter.

· Took a prominent role in the now successful campaign for Safe Standing at football grounds. Hosted an exhibition on safe standing in Cardiff.

· Produced a regular magazine for members. The next edition is out this month.

· Helped the club's Disabled Supporters Association financially, including paying for a bus for disabled members to go to a match in Reading.

· Led a two year campaign to raise more than £85,000 to erect a statue in honour of Fred Keenor. This involved hundreds of hours of work by some board members and lobbying bodies, including government, and individuals, for support.

· The Trust board arranged a visit by players to Barry College for Black History Month.

· Held evenings in the past with former Bluebirds legends.

COMMUNITY

· Financially backed the establishment of the wonderful Memorial Garden at the stadium and we continue to support the work there.

· Held six foodbank collections, with another planned in December, collecting thousands of donations, both in cash and food.

· Sold Sol Bamba Shirts, raising vital funds for Lymphoma Action.

· Working with Cardiff City Foundation to arrange PSA testing and prostate cancer awareness at the stadium.

· Contributed £3,000 for a specially, designed mural at the Sensory Room at the stadium.

· Donated annually to Rookwood Sound, which broadcasts to patients in hospitals.

· Donated more than £12,500 to the Ty Hafan Children's Hospice from the sale of specially-designed 'blue shirts' when Cardiff City was red. Also organised a bucket collection at the ground for the charity.

· Back in 2013 a Trust-organised survey showed City fans were pretty much split 50-50 on the controversial red rebranding. But a later year a similar survey showed 85% wanted blue back. Then a March in 2014 supported by all the major fan groups for the first time - Cardiff City Supporters' Trust, Cardiff City Supporters' Club, Cardiff City Forum, Cardiff City Online and Bluebirds Unite was held, leading eventually to the return of blue in early 2015.

· Adopted local charities chosen by members and supported them financially, including homeless and brain injury charities.

· Board members parcelled up food donations to help those in living in war-torn Ukraine."

[Always City]

I think this is a great idea,just joined the trust and pleased to hear they will be having a new election,needs some younger faces in their.
Oh by the way they voted for the Rebrand and have suddenly started to come alive the last month.
This all seems such a coincidence with having 28 new members

[cityone]

I think this is a great idea,just joined the trust and pleased to hear they will be having a new election,needs some younger faces in their.
Oh by the way they voted for the Rebrand and have suddenly started to come alive the last month.
This all seems such a coincidence with having 28 new members

Correct, they've gone into panic mode and are now sending out SOS messages on social media, the present committee stand down every year knowing that none of the members will vote for change hence they are re-elected every year by default. It's like a gentlemens club from the 60's, changes are needed.