Bradford City fans are by nature a divided set of people when it comes to issues on and off the pitch.
This has been the way since well, forever. But clearly since the invention of Broadband internet and later social media sites it’s easy to see the sometimes chasm of differences between how supporters approach certain questions and arguments that pop up. A discussion that doesn’t turn into abuse is healthy as is disagreement, but beyond the corners of your mobile device, it changes very little. We often look to the Football Club hierarchy for change or response to fans’ concerns. When that isn’t forthcoming we would probably ask what representations are being made by the groups who are or were set up to put forward fans’ issues on our behalf. It’s here where supporters often comment they’ve hit a dead end as a fan base because they feel they don’t either get a response or are unaware of the response because it’s not put into the modern arena of social media for fans to see.
Beyond that, there are the timescales and lack of change. The Trust was set up around 2003. That’s 20 years in existence with more recently also having guaranteed meetings with the Club CEO by FA rules to work on behalf of fans. The FSA/Supporters Direct affiliated organisation like most trusts final aim would be to have a supporter as a board member. That after all these years its no nearer that aim and a large section of fans often say they don’t want a supporter anywhere near the boardroom anyway.
The Supporters Board was set up by our former CEO David Baldwin. Supporters seen as having certain skills to bring to the table were “hand-picked” by the Club. That’s how it all started. Supporters’ travel clubs as they were formed were brought on board automatically to have their say. But at no time was there any democratic process to elect anyone via referral to the wider fan base. As such, some individuals have remained on the board for the full 12 years without fail. It’s not for me to get into arguments (for a change) about the pros and cons of such. But I did have high hopes when the current CEO said he was relaunching it with the existing Chairperson stepping down and a new set of people coming on board.
What we ended up with was more hand-picked people mostly from the same pool of people involved with the travel clubs, trust and ones that have been on there from start. There were some new faces but again no wider fan-base election or process where supporters could democratically have a say from outside the room. There’s a general consensus that the Supporters Board is not working in the interests of the fans and remains too close to the wishes of the Club itself. The New board refute that and I accept I only have a view like any other fan from outside the organisation.
I did personally try to join 12 months ago and was rejected, which is fine but I did try. I also spoke with Ryan Sparks about my concerns that it might not turn out to be different and he asked me to give it time. So 12 months on and with a few new puzzling moves by the club against the wishes of fans and despite their own survey telling them as much. I decided to stick my head above the parapet and see if anyone else wanted to do something different, democratic and most importantly Independent.
Around 2007 we had a similar situation. We had the Supporters Trust with a different Chairperson but again fans were restless that we weren’t being represented, or a wider set of opinions weren’t being taken seriously.
That particular version of an independent group lasted a while but unwisely got too close to the club, were used by them and ultimately blamed when something went wrong. And ceased to be as a result. Match-going supporters we believe go to the match to do one thing, watch the game and get rid of the stresses and strains of that week’s work, and hopefully, the team will win, we’ll see our mates or
spend time with family and go home happy. The vast majority aren’t concerned with political angles on the national game, nor do they want to spend time in meetings in darkened rooms or reading meeting minutes or making big speeches. We know that and that’s why our group is centred in and around the supporter in the stands.
The issues that affect their experience and well-being. That if there are no issues then that’s great, we aren’t looking for issues. As fellow fans, we want to watch the game like anyone else. But should someone need help they can contact a fellow supporter who
understands where they’re coming from and either approach the club or the appropriate agency on their behalf. We will have supporter liaisons at all games if we are able. With that in mind we’ve recruited multiple fans liaisons. Amongst them are fans who go to nearly every game and can see with eyes on the ground what’s going on and experience the same as their fellow fans.
We leave the running of the club to those who are best placed to do so. We have no intention of pushing for a place on any club board nor would we try to suggest from a business point of view we know better. Supporter groups that work effectively have a relationship with the club but that relationship is a two-way one, not a top-down one. They need to be independent. Not just from the club itself but from other umbrella groups that have their own politically based agendas.
Major changes of direction or to our founding constitution that you can read on this website will be put to the members. Major issues we want to put a response out about or any action will be put to the membership. We want to expand our Fans Liaison and Steering Group roles. But more over this type of supporters group just NEEDS to exist for the bad times as well as the good times. We can’t be in a position again where an outsider can come into the club and do so much damage unchallenged as our former CEO did, with people who were supposed to speak up for the fans seemingly taking a position alongside them rather than alongside their fellow fans.
Lastly, I hope people can put aside their many differences as a fan base and create something new and worthwhile because there are 17,000 reasons it needs to be a success.
Nige Hall.
To become a member of Bradford City Independent Fans Group, click HERE