Why I Have Left The TRUST

Why I'm Leaving the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust: Apathy, Inaction, and a Stagnant Leadership

After more than 15 years, I've made the difficult decision to step away from the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust. This isn't a decision I've taken lightly, but it comes from a place of deep frustration and a belief that the Trust, in its current form, has become a stagnant entity, failing to truly represent the voice of the vast majority of Cardiff City fans.
Since its inception in 2008, the Trust was founded with the admirable aim of giving supporters a genuine voice in the club's decision-making process and strengthening the bond between Cardiff City and its community. While the intentions were undoubtedly noble, the reality, sadly, has fallen far short of this ambition.
The most glaring symptom of this malaise is the Trust's alarmingly small membership base. For an organisation that purports to speak for the entire fanbase of a club like Cardiff City, the numbers are frankly embarrassing. To have endured for over 15 years and to effectively gain only one new member per year on average is not just a sign of slow growth; it's a stark indictment of its inability to engage and attract the very people it claims to serve. This isn't a thriving, dynamic movement; it's a niche group, disconnected from the pulse of the wider supporter community.
And for this lack of progression, much of the blame must, regrettably, be laid at the feet of the current chairman, Keith Morgan. While I acknowledge the commitment of individuals who volunteer their time, the leadership of the Trust, under Mr. Morgan, has consistently failed to demonstrate the proactivity and vision necessary to invigorate the organisation.
Where is the outreach? Where are the bold initiatives to attract new blood and energize the existing membership? The Trust has simply not been proactive. It has operated in a reactive mode, issuing statements or holding meetings only when forced to by external events, rather than proactively shaping the discourse or leading from the front. This passive approach has led to a feeling of irrelevance for many supporters who, like myself, initially believed in the Trust's potential.
A supporters' trust should be a vibrant, campaigning organisation, constantly seeking to engage with fans, hold the club accountable, and drive positive change. Instead, the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust has become a quiet echo chamber, its voice barely heard amidst the wider clamour of social media and individual fan opinions.
The minimal membership is not just a number; it reflects a deeper problem. It signifies a lack of trust, a lack of perceived impact, and ultimately, a lack of relevance in the eyes of the ordinary Cardiff City fan. If supporters don't see tangible benefits or a meaningful platform for their voices, why would they join?
Furthermore, the Trust should not feel aggrieved that it has been effectively blackballed by the club in regards to information on takeover bids. While transparency from the club is always desirable, a body with such a minuscule membership cannot reasonably expect to be privy to highly sensitive, commercially confidential negotiations. If the Trust genuinely represented a significant portion of the fanbase, if its numbers reflected widespread support and influence, then its exclusion would indeed be a grave concern. However, with its current paltry membership, the club can, and perhaps rightly, argue that providing privileged information to such a limited group does not constitute informing the wider fanbase. The Trust's lack of numerical strength is, in itself, a reason for its marginalization in such critical matters.
It is time for a fundamental reassessment of the Trust's direction and its leadership. Without a significant shift in approach, a renewed focus on proactive engagement, and a genuine effort to expand its reach beyond a tiny core, the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust risks fading into complete obscurity, a well-intentioned but ultimately ineffectual footnote in the club's history.
For me, personally, I can no longer justify my involvement in an organisation that has, for too long, settled for complacency and failed to live up to its foundational promise. My hope is that my departure, and perhaps the voices of others who share these concerns, will serve as a catalyst for genuine change, allowing the Trust to finally become the strong, representative, and proactive voice for Cardiff City fans that it was always meant to be.

Who's 2nd account is this?? Come on, own up...

The amount of members the trust has after all these years is pitiful and tells it's own story. I've said before, the trust should have 20,000 members and run in the way it should be then i would join in a heart beat. The trust job is to be fully supportive of the club/board but also hold them accountable when needed, something which is obviously not happening. It looks to me that it needs a clear out at committee level and bring in people who are more than lackies for the owner/board.

:laughing6:

Whose 2nd account is this?? Come on, own up...

It’s too well written to be linked in with usual anti anything Ninian 27, Barnet Blue etc.

How many members does the trust have?

How many members does the trust have?

One less now apparently.

How many members does the trust have?

One less now apparently.

How many members does the trust have?

One less now apparently.

:laughing6:

Who's 2nd account is this?? Come on, own up...

My guess is Daya

Just like you, I have put the following details into ChatGPT, and this is what came back. I would like to emphasise that this is not my take on the trust, and neither am I a member of it, but I just wanted to point out that anybody can write rubbish like you have above and state they are actually not what they are.
And this is what ChatGPT gave me

I've been a member of the Cardiff City Supporters' Trust for 15 years, and I feel I need to give a different perspective.

In my opinion, the Trust has been far more active and engaged than this post suggests. It may not always shout the loudest, but behind the scenes it has consistently worked on behalf of supporters — issuing well-researched statements, asking the right questions when needed, and maintaining a calm, responsible voice during turbulent times at the club.

Keith Morgan, in particular, has done an excellent job as Chair. He’s volunteered countless hours and provided steady, thoughtful leadership in what is often a thankless role. He doesn’t deserve criticism for a lack of effort — quite the opposite, in fact. He deserves appreciation and support for his dedication and the sheer amount of work he puts in.

Of course, there is always room for growth and new energy. But to characterise the Trust as stagnant or irrelevant doesn’t reflect my experience. It’s easy to measure success by membership numbers, but the value of the Trust also lies in its integrity, persistence, and its willingness to represent fans in a measured and constructive way.

It’s fine to want more from the Trust — we all do — but let’s also recognise those who have done their best to keep it going in difficult circumstances. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but I think Keith and the Trust deserve a lot more credit than they’re being given here.

The problem is that I doubt many believe you!

You have posted (for the first time ) on a forum that historically has low trust numbers. Mike's Board has a lot more involvement with the trust; surely any grievances are better there.

Why don't you put yourself forward if it means that much? Most people just don't renew without the need for posts.

I would normally just ignore these threads, but the playground taunts on each forum are doing my head in.

The problem is that I doubt many believe you!

You have posted (for the first time ) on a forum that historically has low trust numbers. Mike's Board has a lot more involvement with the trust; surely any grievances are better there.

Why don't you put yourself forward if it means that much? Most people just don't renew without the need for posts.

I would normally just ignore these threads, but the playground taunts on each forum are doing my head in.

I agree.

The trust is needed. It’s a trust and it’s not a dictatorship. Thank God for Keith putting his hand up to do something for the club. Steve Borley as well and he got stick on here as well for some unfathomable reason.

One of the most obvious fake accounts I've ever seen on here

RockyBlue now goes by a new name

How many members does the trust have?

The same as yesterday

How many members does the trust have?

The same as yesterday

One of the most obvious fake accounts I've ever seen on here

With all due respect, and bearing in mind that you experience 'negative thoughts' at times, I must assure you that your assumption is incorrect.

What exactly constitutes a “fake account”? I have signed up to express my personal views and frustrations—surely that’s one of the core purposes of a message board. I had three options for where to post; the alternative to this forum appeared to be heavily pro-Trust, which didn’t feel like the right place for balanced discussion in my case.

This kind of narrow-minded approach is, in many ways, what holds back broader engagement and progress.

Regards
Ex