Supporters Liaison Meeting 14 October 2021

[Michael Morris]

Supporters Liaison Meeting 14 October 2021

https://www.ccfctrust.org/trust-reports-on-supporters-liaison-meeting

Present:

Wayne Nash (Head of Operations)

Mona Sabbuba (Head of Ticketing)

Paul Corkrey (Supporters Liaison Officer)

Representatives of :-

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust

Cardiff City Supporters Club

Disabled Supporters Group

South Wales Police

Away travel coach organisers.

The club will be publishing formal minutes of the meeting but here is a broad overview of the proceedings.

The meeting was run by Paul Corkrey (universally known as Corky) who has replaced Adam Gilliatt as Supporters Liaison Officer. His rôle it is to act as a link between the Club and Supporters Groups.

Covid Passes

Wayne Nash outlined the difficulties faced by the club (and Swansea and the WRU) in implementing the requirements of the Welsh Parliament. It was recognised by the club that the process has not been straightforward for the supporter to obtain either a digital or paper copy of the pass. They have provided guidance on their website in respect of acquiring the necessary documentation, however, they are determined to make a difficult situation work. “Outer perimeters” will be set up within the stadium car park through which fans will be funnelled to have their passes checked. The existing body and bag checks that take place immediately before accessing the turnstile will continue. In order to be as helpful as possible, for those who do not have the necessary documentation the club will make available Lateral Flow Tests although they did point out that results would need to be uploaded to the NHS website to complete the process. Yet again, not an easy process but the club is trying to do its best under the circumstances. The pass checking process prior to the game will be kept under constant review and risk assessed accordingly. The home game against Middlesbrough on 23 October will be the first occasion on which the new rules will be implemented. Middlesbrough FC has been made aware of the fact that their travelling supporters will be obliged to comply with Welsh Government requirements which the EFL have reinforced. A positive note was that the club undertook to continue, whenever possible, the socially distanced seating arrangements in the Upper Ninian Stand. The club will be publishing specific details of how the process will be managed in due course.

Supporters Code of Conduct

The requirement for evidence of double vaccination or negative test will mean a significant revision to the document. The club will be publishing version 5 as soon as possible.

Forthcoming Away Fixtures

The club outlined at length the logistical arrangements for away coaches for the Swansea game. This fixture is the only one where City fans have the added complication of the Covid Pass on top of what is already a problematic away fixture. The club also announced ticket allocations and pricing structures for away fixtures at Fulham, Stoke and Preston North End.

Safe Standing

Wayne Nash outlined the work the club has carried out to provide safe standing areas at the rear of the Canton Stand and in the away section. He said that the club recognise that some supporters do wish to stand and they have tried to cater for that. Wayne emphasised that providing these areas has been achieved in the context of stringent financial conditions in the club and spending in the order of £75,000 has been made to arrive at the current situation. He also inferred that, if we were to be promoted to the Premier League again, the standing areas in the Canton and away section would be expanded.

Season Ticket/Reward Card

Mona referred to the delays in issuing the season ticket cards which were solely down to activating the reward functionality of the card by an external provider. Whilst the card can be used as a stadium entry card only, she did refer to the fact that many fans had activated the reward aspect of the card and uploaded funds to spend using the card. She reminded everyone that this benefits not only the cardholder but also the club and urged fans to take advantage of this.

Anti Social and Hooligan Behaviour at Games

Police representatives outlined a depressing litany of incidents at various games so far this season. Mostly minor in nature and some avoidable with more informed liaison between respective clubs and Police Forces. The most serious incidents took place at the Millwall home game whereby a steward was knocked down and repeatedly punched on the ground. A total of 10 arrests of Millwall fans during and subsequent to the game have taken place. They will be subject to action in the courts and will be banned for life by Millwall. However, the incidents that will have the biggest impact on the club are the 3 pitch invasions at the Brighton Carabao Cup game which will likely result in a 5 figure fine for the City as well as the reputational damage that goes with it.

Memorial Garden at CCS

After the previous item, the mood of the meeting was lifted when Wayne Nash outlined progress with the development of the Memorial Garden. Its maintenance and development is carried out by local military veterans who volunteer their services as well as other volunteers. Their activity not only enhances the garden but also has a beneficial impact on the volunteers in terms of recuperation. The club keeps a watching eye on activity but leaves planning and managing the work to the volunteers who are planning further planting and the addition of benches. They also raise funds to finance their activities.

Remembrance Day

The fixture against Huddersfield on 6 November is the nearest to Remembrance Day and the occasion will be marked by a Company of the Welsh Guards who will march at the stadium. Shortly after they are due to be deployed to Iraq.

Unacceptable Chanting at Games

Under “Any Other Business” the issue of the unacceptability of the “Hymns and Arias” chant was raised from the floor. The sentiment was that the chant was unacceptable and totally distasteful and should be stopped. The Police representatives were in complete agreement with this view. Club representatives were also in agreement. This is not an easy situation to resolve but the general consensus was that it should be pursued. The Trust will follow up on this issue with the other supporters’ groups.

[BLUETIT]

Unacceptable Chanting at Games

Under “Any Other Business” the issue of the unacceptability of the “Hymns and Arias” chant was raised from the floor, by Tony Jefferies. The sentiment was that the chant was unacceptable and totally distasteful and should be stopped. The Police representatives were in complete agreement with this view. Club representatives were also in agreement. This is not an easy situation to resolve but the general consensus was that it should be pursued. The Trust will follow up on this issue with the other supporters’ groups.

Enough is enough, it’s got to stop !!

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Unacceptable Chanting at Games

Under “Any Other Business” the issue of the unacceptability of the “Hymns and Arias” chant was raised from the floor, by Tony Jefferies. The sentiment was that the chant was unacceptable and totally distasteful and should be stopped. The Police representatives were in complete agreement with this view. Club representatives were also in agreement. This is not an easy situation to resolve but the general consensus was that it should be pursued. The Trust will follow up on this issue with the other supporters’ groups.

Enough is enough, it’s got to stop !!

What did they say they were actually going to do

We know it's difficult

Did anyone from the club or the police say they were going to do anything ?

If they are not then what's the point of them having a glossy page on what isn't acceptable behaviour and chanting at CCFC ?

So the trust and the supporters groups are going to have to deal with these idiots ?

What about the police and the club ?

[Armitage Shanks]

It's that bloody tory MPs fault from North Wales who has created all the extra work for the covid passes.

[Enoch Mort]

It's that bloody tory MPs fault from North Wales who has created all the extra work for the covid passes.

The suggestion from Wayne Nash at the meeting was that, if the Covid pass motion had been defeated, the Welsh Govt might have considered reintroducing social distancing at games resulting in reduced maximum attendance as before. The question of the club holding a lottery for season ticket holders would be dragged up again. Perhaps the Covid pass option is the least inconvenient ?

[BLUETIT]

What did they say they were actually going to do

We know it's difficult

Did anyone from the club or the police say they were going to do anything ?

If they are not then what's the point of them having a glossy page on what isn't acceptable behaviour and chanting at CCFC ?

So the trust and the supporters groups are going to have to deal with these idiots ?

What about the police and the club ?

I brought the topic up, under "any other business"

From the floor, there was total agreement, that it's got to be stopped !

But unfortunately, a bit of impact was lost, when it was suggested the club run a competition to write new songs.

I suggested, the club could make announcements, give out leaflets, send out Emails, with no success.

That song will embarrass the club on Sunday, pounding out over the airways.

It's utterly disgraceful

[lisvaneblue]

I brought the topic up, under "any other business"

From the floor, there was total agreement, that it's got to be stopped !

But unfortunately, a bit of impact was lost, when it was suggested the club run a competition to write new songs.

I suggested, the club could make announcements, give out leaflets, send out Emails, with no success.

That song will embarrass the club on Sunday, pounding out over the airways.

It's utterly disgraceful

I doubt leaflets etc will work. For home games our drummers could cut across the song whenever it starts by playing something at a different tempo. Very difficult to continue the song with the drums beating out something else for the fans to sing.

[Canton Kev]

it was suggested the club run a competition to write new songs.

I actually don’t mind that idea. Maybe not done as a competition, but having some fresh ideas put to paper would help improve the atmosphere and would be easier for people to learn than trying to pick up songs on the fly during games.

Also perhaps Vince could lay off the drum a bit, a few times people have tried getting chants going which get drowned out by the drum starting up “Barmy Army” or similar.

I appreciate him trying to get an atmosphere going but half the time it achieves the opposite. Perhaps instead of the drum a group of supporters could start chants from the same spot.

[BLUETIT]

I actually don’t mind that idea. Maybe not done as a competition, but having some fresh ideas put to paper would help improve the atmosphere and would be easier for people to learn than trying to pick up songs on the fly during games.

It's not about writing new songs/ditties, It's about getting rid of that one load of rubbish

[Canton Kev]

I actually don’t mind that idea. Maybe not done as a competition, but having some fresh ideas put to paper would help improve the atmosphere and would be easier for people to learn than trying to pick up songs on the fly during games.

It's not about writing new songs/ditties, It's about getting rid of that one load of rubbish

Yeah I get that. I’m just saying I think it’s a decent way to get people alternative songs to sing

[Armitage Shanks]

This week's blue Peter..

We've been approached by the Cardiff City sipporters liaison officer to come up with a new chant for their supporters. (And you the viewer could help).

We are asking you to come up with a simple memorable chant to get Mike Mcarthys players motivated to get them to the top of the table.

The winner will be drawn by their owner Mr Vincent Tan live on this show in 3 weeks time
The winner gets of course a blue Peter badge. So let's get your chants coming in.

[insider]

Can someone ask at the next meeting what is the point of making every fan unzip their coat for 2 seconds when approaching the turnstiles ie the open coat policy.
Especially when I'm soaked through and it's absolutely pissing down.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I brought the topic up, under "any other business"

From the floor, there was total agreement, that it's got to be stopped !

But unfortunately, a bit of impact was lost, when it was suggested the club run a competition to write new songs.

I suggested, the club could make announcements, give out leaflets, send out Emails, with no success.

That song will embarrass the club on Sunday, pounding out over the airways.

It's utterly disgraceful

What a complete farce

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

What a shambles of a football club , family club my arse , anti racist my arse

A meeting of the club .......Nice of them to turn up .....supporters groups , trust and the police .......a suggestion of some kind of action to be taken about just ONE offensive chant

Everyone agrees it's offensive

Action to be taken ? Absolutely feck all

What a bunch of jokers and clowns 🤡

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

This week's blue Peter..

We've been approached by the Cardiff City sipporters liaison officer to come up with a new chant for their supporters. (And you the viewer could help).

We are asking you to come up with a simple memorable chant to get Mike Mcarthys players motivated to get them to the top of the table.

The winner will be drawn by their owner Mr Vincent Tan live on this show in 3 weeks time
The winner gets of course a blue Peter badge. So let's get your chants coming in.

Cardiff City Are A Fecking Laughing Stock !

To the tune of you're gonna get your fecking heads kicked in !

[BLUETIT]

Can someone ask at the next meeting what is the point of making every fan unzip their coat for 2 seconds when approaching the turnstiles ie the open coat policy.
Especially when I'm soaked through and it's absolutely pissing down.

Can't wait for your post, after the next home game, when you start on about looking for your covid passport.

[Madassa]

What a shambles of a football club , family club my arse , anti racist my arse

A meeting of the club .......Nice of them to turn up .....supporters groups , trust and the police .......a suggestion of some kind of action to be taken about just ONE offensive chant

Everyone agrees it's offensive

Action to be taken ? Absolutely feck all

What a bunch of jokers and clowns ��

And your proposal is .....?

[insider]

Can't wait for your post, after the next home game, when you start on about looking for your covid passport.

Already down loaded

[Armitage Shanks]

Already down loaded

Some say that you need a digital photo download but nowhere on the nhs website does it say that

[Cleve van Leef]

I actually don’t mind that idea. Maybe not done as a competition, but having some fresh ideas put to paper would help improve the atmosphere and would be easier for people to learn than trying to pick up songs on the fly during games.

It's not about writing new songs/ditties, It's about getting rid of that one load of rubbish

If everyone is serious about getting rid the easy option is ban everyone in the section that’s singing it for life. That’ll stop it.

[insider]

Some say that you need a digital photo download but nowhere on the nhs website does it say that

I uploaded a photo.
When they scan your QR code how will they know that you have not use someone else's covid passport?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

And your proposal is .....?

I have sent them several proposals and suggested they work with the police and supporters clubs , trust etc

And it seems Tony, who was at the meeting raised the matter with similar ideas

The response it seems .......nothing whatsoever

Joke club

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

If everyone is serious about getting rid the easy option is ban everyone in the section that’s singing it for life. That’ll stop it.

They are not serious , they couldn't care less

They are like the nosey neighbour, twitching the curtains

They could, at the lead up to every game at home say that people singing offensive songs are being monitored , filmed and will be prosecuted

They will do feck all , Cardiff City have always been the same , completely inept behind the scenes

[Enoch Mort]

They are not serious , they couldn't care less

They are like the nosey neighbour, twitching the curtains

They could, at the lead up to every game at home say that people singing offensive songs are being monitored , filmed and will be prosecuted

They will do feck all , Cardiff City have always been the same , completely inept behind the scenes

Tony brought up the issue under AOB at the end of a long meeting and, whilst the Police quickly came out against the chant the meeting got wrapped up very quickly without a satisfactory resolution. It will be interesting to see what the minutes say when the Club produce them. Hopefully all is not lost yet. The item will be placed on the main agenda for the next meeting.

[splott parker]

And your proposal is .....?

Start ejecting people who are singing it, there are posters around the ground’s interior regarding offensive chanting. I’m presume racism, homophobia, paedophilia etc all come under that banner.