Club respond to open letter

[Michael Morris]

With Saturday’s fixture against Watford having been postponed due to Storm Darragh, Cardiff City Football Club wishes to take a moment ahead of the weekend to address an open letter circulated earlier in the week attributable to supporters representing Cardiff City Supporters’ Club; Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust; Cardiff City DSA and the Fan Advisory Board (FAB).

Frustrations with early-season performances and our League position at this stage of the season are acknowledged and empathised with; however, the Club is disappointed that the referenced letter was made public suddenly by the FAB on Sunday evening, without due dialogue and communication processes being assumed in line with the FAB’s terms of reference.

Prior to this letter’s publication, no discussion from supporter-elected members of the FAB was had with the Nominated Board Level Representative (NBLR) and Co. Chair, Steve Borley. For optimal function of the FAB as it was agreed and intended, it is essential that this formalised dialogue consistently, and without exception, takes place in future.

Cardiff City’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is an independent body for in-depth discussion with the Club’s hierarchy including Executive Club Staff and the Club’s Board of Directors. In February 2024, five directly elected fans were elected to the FAB. Five statutory supporter representatives sit on the FAB, including two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust (CCST); two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club (CCSC); and one member of Cardiff City Disabled Supporters’ Association (CCDSA).

Meetings are co-chaired by Club Director Steve Borley, Cardiff City’s NBLR, and Michael Weedon, the elected supporter representative.

Scheduled meetings happened in February, May and August this year, with the fourth and final meeting of 2024 scheduled for next Monday. Cardiff City FC’s Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) serves as Secretary of the FAB with meetings published via the Club website and available to refer to, here.

In addition, a fan parliament, attended by Mehmet Dalman, Ken Choo, Steve Borley and Omer Riza and ten Heads of Departments took place on November 1st.

Ahead of several other clubs and without current obligation, Cardiff City Football Club took the decision to form its own independent fan advisory board earlier this year to give supporters a stronger voice that was heard mandatorily. It is therefore concerning that an incendiary open letter was published, contrary to the procedures and process that the FAB agreed upon.

[Father Dougal]

With Saturday’s fixture against Watford having been postponed due to Storm Darragh, Cardiff City Football Club wishes to take a moment ahead of the weekend to address an open letter circulated earlier in the week attributable to supporters representing Cardiff City Supporters’ Club; Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust; Cardiff City DSA and the Fan Advisory Board (FAB).

Frustrations with early-season performances and our League position at this stage of the season are acknowledged and empathised with; however, the Club is disappointed that the referenced letter was made public suddenly by the FAB on Sunday evening, without due dialogue and communication processes being assumed in line with the FAB’s terms of reference.

Prior to this letter’s publication, no discussion from supporter-elected members of the FAB was had with the Nominated Board Level Representative (NBLR) and Co. Chair, Steve Borley. For optimal function of the FAB as it was agreed and intended, it is essential that this formalised dialogue consistently, and without exception, takes place in future.

Cardiff City’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is an independent body for in-depth discussion with the Club’s hierarchy including Executive Club Staff and the Club’s Board of Directors. In February 2024, five directly elected fans were elected to the FAB. Five statutory supporter representatives sit on the FAB, including two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust (CCST); two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club (CCSC); and one member of Cardiff City Disabled Supporters’ Association (CCDSA).

Meetings are co-chaired by Club Director Steve Borley, Cardiff City’s NBLR, and Michael Weedon, the elected supporter representative.

Scheduled meetings happened in February, May and August this year, with the fourth and final meeting of 2024 scheduled for next Monday. Cardiff City FC’s Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) serves as Secretary of the FAB with meetings published via the Club website and available to refer to, here.

In addition, a fan parliament, attended by Mehmet Dalman, Ken Choo, Steve Borley and Omer Riza and ten Heads of Departments took place on November 1st.

Ahead of several other clubs and without current obligation, Cardiff City Football Club took the decision to form its own independent fan advisory board earlier this year to give supporters a stronger voice that was heard mandatorily. It is therefore concerning that an incendiary open letter was published, contrary to the procedures and process that the FAB agreed upon.

Who does their PR I wonder?!

They are an expert into how to make your own already really annoyed fans even more annoyed that's for sure!

This is a parody isn't it?

[rich munn]

Who does their PR I wonder?!

They are an expert into how to make your own already really annoyed fans even more annoyed that's for sure!

This is a parody isn't it?

That is a meaningless attempt to seem as though they understand something.

It's pathetic.

And how could that message be summed up? What does it mean?

Apart from "Shut Up!"

[Father Dougal]

That is a meaningless attempt to seem as though they understand something.

It's pathetic.

And how could that message be summed up? What does it mean?

Apart from "Shut Up!"

Indeed. Not really sure what the point of the FAB is then?

Basically can't speak until spoken to? What an attitude from the club.

When will the club be asking us to buy season tickets again?

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

They've failed to address anything raised in the letter. All they've done is have a pop at the supporters' groups
about their communication and dialogue. Tossers.

[Former Labour leader]

Bit shocked by this tbh, including the use of 'incendiary'.
Tan must have sanctioned it, but certainly didn't write it.
Not sure the club can do any worse to upset the fanvase.

[Trigger]

That's a disgrace to be fair, further exemplifies how out of touch they are.

"I won't say I've done a shit job, but how you called me out is so unfair".

[Father Dougal]

Bit shocked by this tbh, including the use of 'incendiary'.
Tan must have sanctioned it, but certainly didn't write it.
Not sure the club can do any worse to upset the fanvase.

I agree.

I didn't think they would pay any attention I just thought they'd call a fans meeting and talk about the academy and they are trying hard etc.....

I didn't really expect them to completely dismiss the basis and even legitimacy or right of the fans to dare to write such a letter.

Disgrace.

[B. Oddie]

They're insulting our intelligence.

[Father Dougal]

Ì wonder if they would have published this tonight if the game was on tomorrow?

[insider]

Those fan groups are as useful as a chocolate teapot.
If I was part of 1 I'd just resign waste of time and people's energy dealing with the 3 stooges.

[J R Hartley]

Absolute car crash of a football club.

[The Bloop]

I wonder how they would have addressed the points raised in the letter if the fans groups didn't exist?

[the other bob wilson]

The club’s response probably sums up why the FAB and the various supporters organisations took the action they did - they wouldn’t have got anywhere without it being publicised in advance. Let’s not forget that when the Trust dared to question the club eighteen months ago, their response was to put the boot in and start throwing mud.

The most depressing thing about the reply is that it doesn’t come as a surprise - in fact, the use of words like “incendiary” was to be expected.

Some people took exception to the letter mentioning that they knew the three of them were working hard. I make no comment on that, except to say that the three of them no doubt believe they are working hard for the club, and maybe they are, but they should think on. If they hadn’t been so bad at their designated tasks over a considerable period of time, maybe their jobs wouldn’t seem so hard and unforgiving and they’d have the supporters on their side a bit more.

The three of them are successful and intelligent in their specialised fields and I can’t believe that they don’t look at the other clubs we play every week and wonder why they appear to be so much better run than we are? The answer should be obvious to them, it is to most of the fans they prefer to ignore.

[TheBirchgrovePub]

It just highlights how precious the club - especially VT - are to any sort of criticism. He can’t handle it and this is why live protests in big games covered by Sky should happen. It would get under his skin and force his hand slightly

[Don Corleone]

How dare we criticise the management of the club . They have every right to ignore the concerns and comments of their customer base

The arrogance of that reply is quite astounding - and they always bring up the name of Steve Borley in these replies as they think it will appease the fans somewhat as we have more time for him than the other members of the board

[Jimmy the Jock]

Does it ever cross your minds that most people don't share your outrage?

If there is a procedure why would you not follow it?

[The Lone Gunman]

That response has Dalman written all over it.

[The Lone Gunman]

Does it ever cross your minds that most people don't share your outrage?

You are, of course, correct. Most people couldn’t give a shit about CCFC. And of those who do, many simply stop going to games when they get disillusioned or pissed off. Recent attendances are proof of that.

[Jimmy the Jock]

You are, of course, correct. Most people couldn’t give a shit about CCFC. And of those who do, many simply stop going to games when they get disillusioned or pissed off. Recent attendances are proof of that.

Recent games have been far more enjoyable . A stern letter is a Brucie bonus.

[Father Dougal]

Borley defending the club statement on twitter. All quite hard to follow to be honest.

[The Lone Gunman]

Recent games have been far more enjoyable . A stern letter is a Brucie bonus.

Yes indeed, the last two home games were a hoot. You could sense within the stadium how much the fans were enjoying them.

[Don Corleone]

Yes indeed, the last two home games were a hoot. You could sense within the stadium how much the fans were enjoying them.

Yes did think had he forgotten the performances in the last two home games

[RichardM]

Yes indeed, the last two home games were a hoot. You could sense within the stadium how much the fans were enjoying them.

The previous two were enjoyable.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

It's almost like Tan doesn't give a shit what the fans think? If only we had more evidence of this?!