THE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
Wed May 04, 2016 9:52 am
Trust Annual Report 2015 - 2016
By Cardiff City Trust
[i]Please find below the annual report from Trust chairman, Tim Hartley, which will be presented to next week's AGM, along with the minutes from the last AGM.
Annual Report 2015 – 2016
The Cardiff City Supporters Trust Board agreed four aims for the season. Here we report on our progress.
Dialogue – To represent the views of members and ensure effectivedialogue between them and Cardiff City AFC.
The Trust has forged relationships with the club at every level. We have met and questioned the Chairman and the Chief Executive about the way the club is run, how it is financed and their plans for future investment.
We attended the club’s Extraordinary General meeting which was to confirm a new board of directors. The fact that it did not go ahead was a big disappointment as there are still questions over the club’s governance.
At the Supporter Liaison Officer’s meeting we discuss among other things,flags, stewarding, disabled facilities and pricing. Looking forward we will need to ensure that promises over the club’s finances are kept.
Participation and Representation – To increase supporter’s influence and campaign for supporter representation on the Club board.
The Trust has been part of Supporter Direct’s Championship club group which discusses common issues and campaigns. We have welcomed other trusts, including Brentford, Ipswich and Leeds to our office at home games.
We have gained the respect of the club and now have a continuing dialogue with them, be that over shirt colours, the club’s finances, disabled parking or the price of a pint.
The Trust attended a meeting of the club’s board of directors to tell them about our work. We will continue to represent the fans interests and to campaign for a supporter representative on the Cardiff City club board.
The club may not always like what we say but they understand that we have a right to be heard.
Community Activities – To strengthen the links and understanding between the club, its supporters and the community it serves.
The Trust has worked with community groups across south Wales to promote the club and cohesion. We have arranged visits to the stadium and football tournaments with minority groups and disadvantaged young people from Cardiff and the valleys.
Our own stories of going down the City are now online, recorded in the oral history project which you can hear on our website.
The Trust has organised social evenings for members: we met with the manager Russell Slade at the Stadium, held an event in Aberaman and went to Pontypridd to share memories with Cardiff legends Gary Bell, Bobby Woodruff and Leighton Phillips.
Connection – To work with stakeholders, opinion formers, other supporters’ bodies and organisations so that the Trust develops as a positive, inclusive and representative group.
Alongside Supporters Direct we have successfully lobbied Parliament, the National Assembly and the Welsh Government on a range of issues.
The Government and the football authorities are now making it easier for fans to take over failing club and the Leagues have endorsed the introduction of regular structured engagement between clubs and supporters. Clubs will be required to meet with a representative group of supporters at least twice a year.
The National Assembly debated safety at football grounds and voted in favour of a trial of safe standing. Fan pressure has led to a reduction of Premier League ticket prices. We now need to do the same for Championship supporters.
We have argued the case for Welsh football grounds to be offered the same protection as ‘assets of community value’ as those in England. We co-wrote a proposal for Supports Direct Cymru for the Welsh Government so that we can help build the trust movement in Wales and we await the appointment of a new minister who will decide if there is funding available.
It has been a privilege to have been Chair of your Supporters Trust for the last seven years. There are still challenges ahead - we need to increase membership and improve communication. But let’s not forget our amazing successes. Anyone going to the Cardiff City Stadium will see our fantastic Fred Keenor statue and the Memorial Garden. We have lobbied on behalf of all fans, on pricing, policing and travel arrangements, on football governance and for a better future for the game we love. And let’s not forget the campaign for the return to blue! Together we have ensured that the club cannot ignore the views of the supporters.
Bluebirds!
TIM HARTLEY
Chair, Cardiff City Supporters Trust
By Cardiff City Trust
[i]Please find below the annual report from Trust chairman, Tim Hartley, which will be presented to next week's AGM, along with the minutes from the last AGM.
Annual Report 2015 – 2016
The Cardiff City Supporters Trust Board agreed four aims for the season. Here we report on our progress.
Dialogue – To represent the views of members and ensure effectivedialogue between them and Cardiff City AFC.
The Trust has forged relationships with the club at every level. We have met and questioned the Chairman and the Chief Executive about the way the club is run, how it is financed and their plans for future investment.
We attended the club’s Extraordinary General meeting which was to confirm a new board of directors. The fact that it did not go ahead was a big disappointment as there are still questions over the club’s governance.
At the Supporter Liaison Officer’s meeting we discuss among other things,flags, stewarding, disabled facilities and pricing. Looking forward we will need to ensure that promises over the club’s finances are kept.
Participation and Representation – To increase supporter’s influence and campaign for supporter representation on the Club board.
The Trust has been part of Supporter Direct’s Championship club group which discusses common issues and campaigns. We have welcomed other trusts, including Brentford, Ipswich and Leeds to our office at home games.
We have gained the respect of the club and now have a continuing dialogue with them, be that over shirt colours, the club’s finances, disabled parking or the price of a pint.
The Trust attended a meeting of the club’s board of directors to tell them about our work. We will continue to represent the fans interests and to campaign for a supporter representative on the Cardiff City club board.
The club may not always like what we say but they understand that we have a right to be heard.
Community Activities – To strengthen the links and understanding between the club, its supporters and the community it serves.
The Trust has worked with community groups across south Wales to promote the club and cohesion. We have arranged visits to the stadium and football tournaments with minority groups and disadvantaged young people from Cardiff and the valleys.
Our own stories of going down the City are now online, recorded in the oral history project which you can hear on our website.
The Trust has organised social evenings for members: we met with the manager Russell Slade at the Stadium, held an event in Aberaman and went to Pontypridd to share memories with Cardiff legends Gary Bell, Bobby Woodruff and Leighton Phillips.
Connection – To work with stakeholders, opinion formers, other supporters’ bodies and organisations so that the Trust develops as a positive, inclusive and representative group.
Alongside Supporters Direct we have successfully lobbied Parliament, the National Assembly and the Welsh Government on a range of issues.
The Government and the football authorities are now making it easier for fans to take over failing club and the Leagues have endorsed the introduction of regular structured engagement between clubs and supporters. Clubs will be required to meet with a representative group of supporters at least twice a year.
The National Assembly debated safety at football grounds and voted in favour of a trial of safe standing. Fan pressure has led to a reduction of Premier League ticket prices. We now need to do the same for Championship supporters.
We have argued the case for Welsh football grounds to be offered the same protection as ‘assets of community value’ as those in England. We co-wrote a proposal for Supports Direct Cymru for the Welsh Government so that we can help build the trust movement in Wales and we await the appointment of a new minister who will decide if there is funding available.
It has been a privilege to have been Chair of your Supporters Trust for the last seven years. There are still challenges ahead - we need to increase membership and improve communication. But let’s not forget our amazing successes. Anyone going to the Cardiff City Stadium will see our fantastic Fred Keenor statue and the Memorial Garden. We have lobbied on behalf of all fans, on pricing, policing and travel arrangements, on football governance and for a better future for the game we love. And let’s not forget the campaign for the return to blue! Together we have ensured that the club cannot ignore the views of the supporters.
Bluebirds!
TIM HARTLEY
Chair, Cardiff City Supporters Trust
Re: THE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
Wed May 04, 2016 10:41 am
In fairness to the Trust it does seem to be getting it's house in order and becoming more effective.
Re: THE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
Wed May 04, 2016 10:42 am
Reading this, it does! 
Re: THE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
Wed May 04, 2016 4:09 pm
Top work.