CCST announce 2 new board members (including Sian Branson)

The Trust is delighted to announce that we have co-opted two members to join our elected members and strengthen the board at this important time.

Sian Branson and Jeff Mansfield join the existing team of chair Tim Hartley, vice chair, David Craig, Jon Day, Brian Mertens, Keith Morgan and Phillip Nifield.

Both Sian and Jeff have written pieces setting out their views on the Trust.

You can join the either at the Trust office (near Gate 5) on match days, online through Paypal at http://www.ccfctrust.org/?page_id=223 where you can also download a form and pay by standing order or cheque.

SIAN BRANSON

Watching the events of the past few years unfold at Cardiff City has been a real ‘eye opener.’

Like others, I was stunned and saddened when the rebrand became a reality in the summer of 2012. The shock of it was compounded by the absence of any sort of meaningful opposition. In fact, those like Keep Cardiff Blue (KCB) who did try to protest met considerable resistance from some supporters.

Despite there, seemingly, being little appetite for opposition to the rebrand, myself and others felt that we had to do something – our club’s history and traditions are really important to the city of Cardiff itself and not just the football club.

So, in the spring of 2013, we put together a supporters group called Bluebirds Unite. Our aim was simple – to oppose the rebrand and demonstrate our pride in our history and long established identity.

We organised several events such as a celebration walk, a petition with more than 10,000 signatures calling on Vincent Tan to reverse the rebrand and a number of protest marches.

In the early days of Bluebirds Unite, I had the good fortune to meet Trust chair Tim Hartley, an enthusiastic supporter of our own group. From regular contact with Tim I began to understand the great work the Trust did, such as fund raising for Ty Hafan, initiatives promoting City’s history, supporting the drive to kick racism out of football, the alternative shirt campaign and work with Supporters Direct on a UK-wide scale.

Club politics had always pretty much passed me by but from speaking with Tim it was clear that the Trust does lots of things that often go under the radar. I offered my support as I feel that Supporters’ Trusts provide a direct route for fans voices to be heard at their football clubs. Also, being part of an umbrella body like Supporters Direct gives fans even more clout.

At a time when clubs are moving further away from their fan base, I feel passionately that supporters need to have far more say in how their clubs are run. They are community focal points with long held traditions. We need to make sure we protect these cherished institutions.

I really hope that in the coming months and years Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust significantly grows its membership and becomes a powerful voice in the running of our club. We all want to see the Bluebird soar again, let’s work together to make it happen.

JEFF MANSFIELD

I joined Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust not long after I moved back home in April 2013, after many years away, most recently living near Portsmouth.

I’d seen what happened at Pompey at first hand: after seven years in the English Premier League, finishing 9th in the table and winning the FA Cup along the way, Pompey were relegated and went into freefall. A series of unknown ‘investors’ suddenly appeared, ready to grab a piece of what was left, and it really looked as if the club was finished.

Many Pompey fans thought it had all been worth it for the seven years they’d had in the big time, but as events developed they began to see that there really was an alternative to the ‘benefactor’ model, that there was a better way to run a club. They put up the money to buy a share of their own club and they were on their way.

I didn’t want anything like that to happen to us, so I joined CCST because I believe football clubs should be run like any other business and be partly or wholly owned by their fans, together with investors who should get a fair return on their investment. CCST, with its strong commitment to that ideal, and its community values, was the right place for me.

So now I serve as co-opted Secretary to the Board, organizing meetings and generally helping out, and I’m happy to be able to contribute to the future of the Trust and our community-based club.

Well that's ended any slight interest in the trust I would have had. Glad I didn't get the shirt now.

This

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Not sure what if any significance the trust has. The supporters club have more of an impact to me.

Co opt - Does this mean non elected ?

Not sure what if any significance the trust has. The supporters club have more of an impact to me.

Co opt - Does this mean non elected ?

Wouldn't have thought so? Surely the trust members decide things like that otherwise what is the point.

Not sure what if any significance the trust has. The supporters club have more of an impact to me.

Co opt - Does this mean non elected ?

Yes it does.

The Trust leadership has never impressed me and I am sceptical of this move. I hope Sian can see through the wood here if there is a Forest there.

I thought there had to be a democratic CCST members vote in order to elect new board members?

If not, then why has this not been done before? Why hasn't Annis, Carl, Vince, or Joe Blogg's for that matter, been elected in the past???

Making rules up as you go along.........?

I thought there had to be a democratic CCST members vote in order to elect new board members?

If not, then why has this not been done before? Why hasn't Annis, Carl, Vince, or Joe Blogg's for that matter, been elected in the past???

Making rules up as you go along.........?

Welcome to the Trust.

The rules of the trust allows the elected board the power to elect people who would add something to the board, like an accountant, barrister ,expert in football matters etc or fans they feel have a contribution to make...it would be wise for the co opted people to put themselves up for election when the time comes

The rules of the trust allows the elected board the power to elect people who would add something to the board, like an accountant, barrister ,expert in football matters etc or fans they feel have a contribution to make...it would be wise for the co opted people to put themselves up for election when the time comes

Corky have you ever been offered a position on the trust board? Would you take it?

Like her or not I can see Sians inclusion as a fans barometer but who is the other fella ?

Why is this a sticky?

The rules of the trust allows the elected board the power to elect people who would add something to the board, like an accountant, barrister ,expert in football matters etc or fans they feel have a contribution to make...it would be wise for the co opted people to put themselves up for election when the time comes

Corky have you ever been offered a position on the trust board? Would you take it?

I was one of the people behind its formation when Ridsdale was here I was the chairman but I am no longer a member...I don't like the governing body SD much...

Well that's ended any slight interest in the trust I would have had. Glad I didn't get the shirt now.

Why's that mate? Not part of it myself but always wondered why people don't support sian really if that is the reason .

I distance myself from anything to do with BU. Didn't like anything they said or the way they went about it. Bullies in a playground. It's not for me.

I distance myself from anything to do with BU. Didn't like anything they said or the way they went about it. Bullies in a playground. It's not for me.

Nor me.
This is a sad day for the trust having this mad woman on the board, also not even elected, what the hell's going on.
This has ended any interest I had of joining the trust.Democracy has ceased to exist at the trust.

I distance myself from anything to do with BU. Didn't like anything they said or the way they went about it. Bullies in a playground. It's not for me.

Nor me.
This is a sad day for the trust having this mad woman on the board, also not even elected, what the hell's going on.
This has ended any interest I had of joining the trust.Democracy has ceased to exist at the trust.

See we have a few drama queens out today.

Maybe not the best move by the Trust.I thought people had to be elected to the board but obviously not.I wonder what Trust members think ?

Maybe not the best move by the Trust.I thought people had to be elected to the board but obviously not.I wonder what Trust members think ?

Nothing different to other "trusts" or similar organisations.

Sain really is a none executive on a board of directors for a company. Basically she has been brought on board for her pro blue stand with BU. I don't think she will have any power or voting right as she is really their as an advisor.

Maybe not the best move by the Trust.I thought people had to be elected to the board but obviously not.I wonder what Trust members think ?

Nothing different to other "trusts" or similar organisations.

Sain really is a none executive on a board of directors for a company. Basically she has been brought on board for her pro blue stand with BU. I don't think she will have any power or voting right as she is really their as an advisor.

There are explanations about this on the other board. the gist of which is a couple of board members have dropped out and these 2 offered to step in. They will have to stand for election in May.



Jeff Mansfield says

For your information, I'm just another fan, born and brought up in Ely, a season ticket holder who cares about the future of our club.

My greatest memory is of April 1960 when we got promoted and I ran onto the pitch with everyone else. I hope to get a chance to do so again some time soon, though I might not run as fast as I did.

For £12 a year anyone can join us and help us get a Supporters' Director on the Board of CCFC to represent the interests of fans, members or not. Fan ownership along with good investors is the way forward, as I stated in my piece on our web. That's why Trusts exist.

Any member is legally entitled to stand for election to the Board at the AGM, or as in my case, be co-opted temporarily to fill a gap until the next election, which will be in May, at which time I will either stand for election or step down to make room for someone else.

Know anyone who'd like the job?

I distance myself from anything to do with BU. Didn't like anything they said or the way they went about it. Bullies in a playground. It's not for me.

Nor me.
This is a sad day for the trust having this mad woman on the board, also not even elected, what the hell's going on.
This has ended any interest I had of joining the trust.Democracy has ceased to exist at the trust.

See we have a few drama queens out today.

Nothing dramatic about it, just didn't like anything BU did or how they went about it.

Maybe not the best move by the Trust.I thought people had to be elected to the board but obviously not.I wonder what Trust members think ?

Nothing different to other "trusts" or similar organisations.

Sain really is a none executive on a board of directors for a company. Basically she has been brought on board for her pro blue stand with BU. I don't think she will have any power or voting right as she is really their as an advisor.

Exactly my worry, lets hope The Trust don't start behaving like BU.

It is a shame as I thought the trust was starting to get some momentum with Shirts which were a brilliant idea although shame they seemed to take ages to be delivered.

There are explanations about this on the other board. the gist of which is a couple of board members have dropped out and these 2 offered to step in. They will have to stand for election in May.



Jeff Mansfield says

For your information, I'm just another fan, born and brought up in Ely, a season ticket holder who cares about the future of our club.

My greatest memory is of April 1960 when we got promoted and I ran onto the pitch with everyone else. I hope to get a chance to do so again some time soon, though I might not run as fast as I did.

For £12 a year anyone can join us and help us get a Supporters' Director on the Board of CCFC to represent the interests of fans, members or not. Fan ownership along with good investors is the way forward, as I stated in my piece on our web. That's why Trusts exist.

Any member is legally entitled to stand for election to the Board at the AGM, or as in my case, be co-opted temporarily to fill a gap until the next election, which will be in May, at which time I will either stand for election or step down to make room for someone else.

Know anyone who'd like the job?

Sounds like he's had enough already

There are explanations about this on the other board. the gist of which is a couple of board members have dropped out and these 2 offered to step in. They will have to stand for election in May.



Jeff Mansfield says

For your information, I'm just another fan, born and brought up in Ely, a season ticket holder who cares about the future of our club.

My greatest memory is of April 1960 when we got promoted and I ran onto the pitch with everyone else. I hope to get a chance to do so again some time soon, though I might not run as fast as I did.

For £12 a year anyone can join us and help us get a Supporters' Director on the Board of CCFC to represent the interests of fans, members or not. Fan ownership along with good investors is the way forward, as I stated in my piece on our web. That's why Trusts exist.

Any member is legally entitled to stand for election to the Board at the AGM, or as in my case, be co-opted temporarily to fill a gap until the next election, which will be in May, at which time I will either stand for election or step down to make room for someone else.

Know anyone who'd like the job?

We have a good investor.

He has bought lots of players, increased capacity, raised our profile massively. Hopefully his managerial appointment will take us back into the premiership.

Well that's ended any slight interest in the trust I would have had. Glad I didn't get the shirt now.

Sadly, I have to totally agree. I've never thought the Trust represent anyone except themselves (certainly not by some of their actions/statements) and the new additions appear to have been 'selected' rather than 'elected' which is indicative of an effective 'clique'

Certainly don't 'represent' me or my views in any way shape of form (despite what they'd like me to think) as I am not a member and have have no intention of becoming one!

Strange opening statement from Sian Branson on her elevation to an 'officially recognised' group within the club, as it is an effective Party Political Broadcast for the Bluebirds United Reunited Party (BURP) and won't go down too well with mainstream supporters of Cardiff City FC (although obviously it will with some)

I look forward to them putting in many £millions at which point they an have as much say on the goings-on at Cardiff City Football Club as they want!

That's called 'real world' politics!

There are explanations about this on the other board. the gist of which is a couple of board members have dropped out and these 2 offered to step in. They will have to stand for election in May.



Jeff Mansfield says

For your information, I'm just another fan, born and brought up in Ely, a season ticket holder who cares about the future of our club.

My greatest memory is of April 1960 when we got promoted and I ran onto the pitch with everyone else. I hope to get a chance to do so again some time soon, though I might not run as fast as I did.

For £12 a year anyone can join us and help us get a Supporters' Director on the Board of CCFC to represent the interests of fans, members or not. Fan ownership along with good investors is the way forward, as I stated in my piece on our web. That's why Trusts exist.

Any member is legally entitled to stand for election to the Board at the AGM, or as in my case, be co-opted temporarily to fill a gap until the next election, which will be in May, at which time I will either stand for election or step down to make room for someone else.

Know anyone who'd like the job?

We have a good investor.

He has bought lots of players, increased capacity, raised our profile massively. Hopefully his managerial appointment will take us back into the premiership.

Difficult to disagree with maccydee above, TBH and they do say there is no such thing as 'bad' publicity

I distance myself from anything to do with BU. Didn't like anything they said or the way they went about it. Bullies in a playground. It's not for me.

All I've seen is a woman highly motivated to return our identity, judged by many for not doing it the right way when they haven't made strides even a fraction as big as what she has. What is it about BU that defines them as bullies? I went on the marches I'm not a bully and I certainly didn't see any bullying?

I'm not looking for an argument by the way just need enlightening on exactly why so many appose her and BU?

I distance myself from anything to do with BU. Didn't like anything they said or the way they went about it. Bullies in a playground. It's not for me.

All I've seen is a woman highly motivated to return our identity, judged by many for not doing it the right way when they haven't made strides even a fraction as big as what she has. What is it about BU that defines them as bullies? I went on the marches I'm not a bully and I certainly didn't see any bullying?

You can't really count what BU did a success. There were hundreds on the March out of 25,000 fans. All it did was reinforce what Tan was saying to be accurate.

I'm not looking for an argument by the way just need enlightening on exactly why so many appose her and BU?

Sian did a great job and is a genuinely decent person totally undeserving of the bile that has come her way.

One of the few people to actually put her words into action, unlike most who harp on about wanting City's identity returned but do less than nothing about it.

She got the odd minor thing wrong, particularly around the Facebook group but the vast majority of what she did was superb. She's not a career politician FFS.

Hopefully the opinions of a small band of smug, self important nobodies will be water off a ducks back to her.