Fan Advisory Board confirmed

[Target man]

Time will tell of course, like it does with a new signing, new manager, new owner, but it’s very premature to be slagging them off before they’ve had a chance to do ananything.

Exactly this and the very reason I and many others steered clear from this process. I'm sure it wasn't easy to reduce it down to 6 and I'm sure many others could easily have been in that 6 who had different skills and for different reasons. Members do not stand forever and there will be another opportunity in the future to re-apply, when perhaps the set up will be far more advanced and progressive. The current group are the guinea pigs and need support, not publicly criticised by others without having even started, who want to select the members on behalf of COSU. This club .... seriously. Ron wasn't the only problem with the last 20 years.

 

[BEERMONSTER]

I have to admit I am not surprised by some of the shall we say lukewarm reactions to the 'profile' of the successful candidates. The reason for my lack of surprise is from the very beginning when the Club laid out 'It's' expectations of what the FAB was to be, it was in all honesty to operate at a higher bar than what many supporters precieved.
Indeed it would only be right to acknowledge those that applied and made the final interviews, the right impression was obviously well made.
Let me quantify my 'higher bar' comment.
The selection board obviously needed to find individuals who although fans, showed they had the skills to be balanced in their judgement of the actual Boards policies, strategies and operations and not just Champions for the fans. A mandated two way liason channel, which at times may well face their own collective level of criticism from the fanbase for endorsing actions or policies that are not universal supported by supporters, but FAB by their skillset concur it's the right course of action.
FAB is not and from COSU's perspective never intended to be a hyped up supporters action group.
If we look at COSU's current approach to the attempt to improve the match day and Roots Hall experience the engagement has manifested itself by liason with the Trust, surveys, views expressed on here and other social media platforms.
We also now have an official 'feedback' form available, arguably a good here and now approach in attempting to addressing supporters concerns in the areas that effect them around matchdays.
Is FAB a PR play from COSU? Some will see it like that because it's not mandated to solely address the concerns of those, who over recent months have shown it's all about on the pitch, entertainment and value for money. All other aspects of the make up of the Football Club are secondary.
Are COSU trying to ensure that as a Club they have an identifiable Fan engagement process in place which addresses any future recommendations or regulatory requirements introduced by the Government? I believe this to be a major consideration in it's introduction.
From my perspective I am sure these 'Fans' will not see or perceive themselves as a secondary 'puppet' COSU Board.
Undoubtedly given the history of poor ownership they I am sure will have a watchdog mentality and so they should!
Yes FAB must represent the fans but can not have an entrenched stance of just being a fan, unfortunately that is not going to be a popular perception for some and you can already feel a them and us vibe in certain quarters.
I wish them well and I do believe going forward the Club as a whole will be better for it's introduction.

 

[Southend Elvis]

Here's my 2p's worth, from what I see, the reason for the Advisory board is to give the fan a voice etc. Looking at those selected it does seem that they missed the point.
I would rather call it a cross section of fans is needed, not very similar to the board members, my mates aren't on the board of anything, too ****ed for that, but we need to hear their voices as well.
A lot of what's needed, is that the club have to get the look or optics right, how can they represent the whole fan base if they all think a similar way.
I appreciate the club is trying to get things right, and this policy on paper is good, but
I'm not sure the make up is right.
Unfortunately you need a jogger wearing, manual working, disagreeable oaf on the board ( just like me) as they would talk for a different section of fans, who still don't have a voice.
UTB

 

[Firestorm]

I have to admit I am not surprised by some of the shall we say lukewarm reactions to the 'profile' of the successful candidates. The reason for my lack of surprise is from the very beginning when the Club laid out 'It's' expectations of what the FAB was to be, it was in all honesty to operate at a higher bar than what many supporters precieved.
Indeed it would only be right to acknowledge those that applied and made the final interviews, the right impression was obviously well made.
Let me quantify my 'higher bar' comment.
The selection board obviously needed to find individuals who although fans, showed they had the skills to be balanced in their judgement of the actual Boards policies, strategies and operations and not just Champions for the fans. A mandated two way liason channel, which at times may well face their own collective level of criticism from the fanbase for endorsing actions or policies that are not universal supported by supporters, but FAB by their skillset concur it's the right course of action.
FAB is not and from COSU's perspective never intended to be a hyped up supporters action group.
If we look at COSU's current approach to the attempt to improve the match day and Roots Hall experience the engagement has manifested itself by liason with the Trust, surveys, views expressed on here and other social media platforms.
We also now have an official 'feedback' form available, arguably a good here and now approach in attempting to addressing supporters concerns in the areas that effect them around matchdays.
Is FAB a PR play from COSU? Some will see it like that because it's not mandated to solely address the concerns of those, who over recent months have shown it's all about on the pitch, entertainment and value for money. All other aspects of the make up of the Football Club are secondary.
Are COSU trying to ensure that as a Club they have an identifiable Fan engagement process in place which addresses any future recommendations or regulatory requirements introduced by the Government? I believe this to be a major consideration in it's introduction.
From my perspective I am sure these 'Fans' will not see or perceive themselves as a secondary 'puppet' COSU Board.
Undoubtedly given the history of poor ownership they I am sure will have a watchdog mentality and so they should!
Yes FAB must represent the fans but can not have an entrenched stance of just being a fan, unfortunately that is not going to be a popular perception for some and you can already feel a them and us vibe in certain quarters.
I wish them well and I do believe going forward the Club as a whole will be better for it's introduction.

There will be a Trust Member on the FAB , now given the Trust driving for fan representation on the Board and the FAB being proposed as the "next best" it would appear to me to be a fairly weight role requiring a chunk of experience and ability , as well as a strong link to the football club , this is apparent by the appointments .
Easy Access to the FAB for Fans would be the Trust , as well as the The Fan Engagement Team , as well engagement directly with the FAB (which no doubt will be outlined in the near future)

 

[ColinMorrisWalksOnWater]

I do feel the representation of the FAB is a little too corporate. Maybe that's what COSU were looking for, with alot of activity highlighted to be happening off the pitch, but with all respect to those elected through the process, I personally was hoping for a more diverse range of supporter types and experiences, past and present.

Good luck to them though and at yet again, something has been discussed and promised by COSU and put in place.

Another step in the right direction? Definitely imho.

 

[rararblue]

Can't believe there are any negative comments!
It's a good new initiative by COSU and demographically will evolve over time.
This isn't a sprint, it's basically the rebirth of a club that was nearly taken from us.
Let's all chill and contribute.

 

[Cricko]

Can't believe there are any negative comments!
It's a good new initiative by COSU and demographically will evolve over time.
This isn't a sprint, it's basically the rebirth of a club that was nearly taken from us.
Let's all chill and contribute.

Yours is a positive comment, which of course is your choice, however others have reservations or perhaps don't see things in Black and White or maybe just want to add their views to the topic

That is the very reason for these forums to allow members to discuss all issues surrounding the club. I very much doubt at anytime people will see things in exactly the same way and long may that continue. I for one like to see diverse views from all.

 

[Strykr]

Dont think people are being overly negative, just surprised that its essentially a cosu part 2.

May work really well having even more experienced business minds on the case, and using the expertise of the fans is definitely a plus.

Its just not what I and it seems others expected. Instead of a them and us it now seems a them and them and us.
But if everyones pulling forward together then hopefully it will be good.

 

[Supershrimper]

I too don't get the negative comments.

2 seem to have held quite decent roles within Barclays and BBC, 1 sits on a governance committee at a further education collage. 1 is an accountant and the other a publican and 1 doesn't confirm a job but has a track record of leading successful teams (Whether thats management within business or taking Southend from National League to Champions League on Football Manager who knows, but quite frankly who cares)

Seems a decent mixture of fans and i'm all for them giving it a go. I'd sooner this bunch of fans that decided to through their hat into the ring than a couple of fans who spent the second half against Woking heckling a steward being a "pedo" just because he seemed to be wearing glasses.

 

[blues exile]

The selections in the main seem to be an extension of the consortium rather than widely representative of the supporters in general. I wonder what the criteria was for deciding on those appointed. Has the feeling of a PR exercise rather than to allow or encourage a broadly based selection of supporters' views which might not be fully in tune with the priorities and ambitions of the consortium.

 

[stewart]

over the past few decades we have had some terrible owners that have sent this club to the lowest depths ,the club have lost the trust of just about every players manager as well as trust from other clubs , businesses and the tax man, if having this board is a way of safeguarding any of that happening again, then so be it, , i wish them well , they are the voice of the supporters and god willing they will show that and not be yes men etc , Its an important initiative bought forward by COSU in whom i trust.

 

[Cricko]

over the past few decades we have had some terrible owners that have sent this club to the lowest depths ,the club have lost the trust of just about every players manager as well as trust from other clubs , businesses and the tax man, if having this board is a way of safeguarding any of that happening again, then so be it, , i wish them well , they are the voice of the supporters and god willing they will show that and not be yes men etc , Its an important initiative bought forward by COSU in whom i trust.

I wish them all well in the roles that the club have chosen for them but i would say they are more supporters with a voice rather than the voice of the supporters.

 

[defender05]

I too don't get the negative comments.

2 seem to have held quite decent roles within Barclays and BBC, 1 sits on a governance committee at a further education collage. 1 is an accountant and the other a publican and 1 doesn't confirm a job but has a track record of leading successful teams (Whether thats management within business or taking Southend from National League to Champions League on Football Manager who knows, but quite frankly who cares)

Seems a decent mixture of fans and i'm all for them giving it a go. I'd sooner this bunch of fans that decided to through their hat into the ring than a couple of fans who spent the second half against Woking heckling a steward being a "pedo" just because he seemed to be wearing glasses.

This is what the club said the FAB was about,

'The Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is in addition to existing arrangements between the Club and various supporter groups but will allow a unified platform for fans to pass comments and ideas on to the Board.

It will also keep fans involved and informed regarding the strategic direction of the Club.'

You don't need to have had a great job at Barclays or the BBC to do that.

 

[Southend Elvis]

I think it's a wasted opportunity unfortunately.

 

[Supershrimper]

This is what the club said the FAB was about,

'The Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is in addition to existing arrangements between the Club and various supporter groups but will allow a unified platform for fans to pass comments and ideas on to the Board.

It will also keep fans involved and informed regarding the strategic direction of the Club.'

You don't need to have had a great job at Barclays or the BBC to do that.

No, your absolutely correct you don't need to have had a job at Barclays or the BBC to do that. But 2 of the applicants that applied did. I'm sure they weren't the only jobs they have held. Go back far enough and they may have had a paper round or worked in a shop whilst at Uni etc

I applied but didn't get to any interview stage. However, in my bio I would have placed more emphasis on my 18 years in financial services, 10 years in local government rather than the 2 years when I worked as a delivery driver to a company that supplied to fish and chip shops and takeaway industry (think cooking oil, packaging, batter and flour etc)

Perhaps the successful applicants should have just said I have supported Southend for xx number of years, i sit in the xxx stand and my favourite player was / is xxx for all of their bios to ensure no-one starts looking at job titles. Actually scrap the favourite player bit as I can see that being more divisive than someones job.

 

[Hooly]

I wish them all well in the roles that the club have chosen for them but i would say they are more supporters with a voice rather than the voice of the supporters.

Like others I wish them all success & I don't really see the majority of the comments on here as negative. I believe most people are just airing views as to what their personal expectations were around the sort of person who might be appointed & reaction to what is the reality.

Perhaps we should have discussed our thoughts around the nomination profile of members before the selection but I doubt many on here envisaged such a perceived corporate outcome. I know quite a few who say they put their names forward & I would have been happy if any of those had suceeded in getting through the process. However, seeing who has been appointed, it's obvious that probably none of us would have come up with a mix of their profiles on our bingo card.

In terms of the forthcoming regulatory requirements I'm sure the FAB members are better quailified than many to review what the club is up to using their undoubted experience. Don't forget that we also have David Gracie, another long term supporter, & his operation Indigo as the clubs "good governance partner" who are also going to be tracking the progress of how SUFC apply any regulatory changes & also will be observing the FAB (per the website when this appointment was made).

I think @Cricko has this spot on in the difference between "with a voice" & "voice of".
Am I mid-whelmed (not under or over) by these choices. Well apart from 1 person yes.
Do I think COSU have chosen the right people. Based on THEIR parameters I'm sure they have & given what they have put into the club it's only their view that really counts at this particular stage of the process.
I do agree with @Supershrimper that a less detailed bio would probably have been sensible as even though I work in a corporate world this group do seem a little top heavy.

This is a discussion board & we can't all expect to agree about everthing.

 

[Cricko]

So if i can get this correct we have overseeing things.

The Consortium with regular updates 12
The Shrimpers Trust 12
The Fan advisory board 8
The youth fan advisory board to come. ?
The Fan engagement forums loads
The fans groups Liason meetings. 10
The boxes around the ground to share your comments and thoughts
Dave Gracies good governance operation.

Seems to me we do not need anymore overseeing, it's getting a bit silly now or do we need a committee to oversee the others.

 

[Sherif H]

So if i can get this correct we have overseeing things.

The Consortium with regular updates
The Shrimpers Trust
The Fan advisory board
The youth fan advisory board to come.
The Fan engagement forums
The fans Liason meetings.
The boxes around the ground to share your comments and thoughts
Dave Gracies good governance operation.

Seems to me we do not need anymore overseeing, it's getting a bit silly now.

Presumably everybody on this extensive list has come from a financial and/or governance background...seems to be the pattern I am sensing in terms of the COSU requirements

 

[WestyReturns]

I got to the final stage as well, again like @Napster did not get past the final hurdle

Rumour has it the final test was to last a session with Justin!

 

[Cricko]

Justin checking out the latest map of fan advisory links and boards.