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Dear Members

Please see a link to the latest Cardiff City FAB meeting with club officials held on December 8th.

It is the Trust board’s intention to draft a commentary on these minutes within next few days. The Trust Board will also be discussing them at the next Trust Board meeting,time and date to be confirmed.

https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2025-12/FAB%20Meeting%20Minutes%208th%20December%202025.pdf

Trust Board

Trust Chair Keith Morgan

As 2025 comes to a close, it is time to reflect on events at Cardiff City Football Club, both on and off the field.

The first half of 2025 on the field was extremely disappointing to say the least. Turgid football, management changes and a relegation to League 1 at the end of the season for the first time in more than 20 years.

Financially, Cardiff City FC– which was the subject of rumours of offers to buy the club in the summer – took the decision not to renew a number of player contracts which expired in May and June 2025 which was necessary to compensate for the loss of around £10m in TV and EFL solidarity income arising from the relegation from The Championship.

Off the field, a continued disconnect between the club owner Vincent Tan and board and the fanbase contributed greatly to the negative atmosphere surrounding the club. We were promised a review after relegation last season but that has not been forthcoming. That is hugely disappointing. There also remains a continued absence of football expertise at board level.

Then we come to the positives. After what seemed a protracted interview process, the club announced the appointment of Brian Barry-Murphy as first team coach/manager.

What followed was the development of a whole new team selection and playing style based on giving the best of the club’s Academy players the opportunity to establish themselves as first team regulars.

As a result, they have been encouraged and coached to play an attractive, entertaining brand of football which has been well received by fans. Not only that, but the new style of football has proved to be successful results wise and we find ourselves top of League 1 at the end of 2025. So going into 2026 there is a long overdue spirit of optimism at the club and amongst the fanbase. Long may that continue.

Having said that despite the on-field positivity, the off-the-field situation in 2025-26 regarding the strategic management of the club has not changed. There is still no sign of Vincent Tan making an appearance at the club and meeting fans. Direct communication between the owner and fans, promised on a number of occasions, has never been forthcoming which remains hugely disappointing.

In Trust activity terms , we continue to be involved in a number of local community initiatives such as foodbank collections, the Memorial Garden, local hospital radio and initiatives due in the early part of 2026 such as the proposed Football Museum at the ground and a prostate cancer testing facility.

We also held an online meeting with a top executive of the new Football Regulator to talk about the impact of the Football Governance Act and we continue to have an active relationship with the Football Supporters Association (FSA). Our membership grew substantially in the year to more than 500 members and the board is looking at ways we can increase that further in 2026.

Wishing all of our members a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year on behalf of the Trust Board.

Keith Morgan

Trust Chair

Trust vice chair Mike Spear (4th left) and Trust member David Craig (2nd left) pictured with the match officials before the Doncaster Rovers match

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust’s foodbank collection was one of six organisations to benefit from an initiative this Christmas between Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

Match officials donated food and toys in some cases to supporter-led initiatives at six clubs across the country. Three drop-offs took place over last weekend at Cardiff City, West Ham United and Walsall, with another three scheduled at Everton, Newcastle United and Ipswich Town during the final match round before Christmas.

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor said: “Christmas is a time for everyone to come together and, as a group of match officials, we wanted to give back and support people over the festive period through the football family. Our game has the power to unite people in many ways and it’s a privilege for us as officials to play a small part in that. ”

In Cardiff, where officials delivered items to the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust Foodbank, Board member Phillip Nifield highlighted the partnership’s value: “These donations make a meaningful difference to families across the Rhondda Valleys and having match officials involved further strengthens the bond between football and our communities.”

Jane Hughes, EFL Network Manager at the FSA, said: “Supporter-run foodbanks are rooted in their communities and this project shows football at its best – the game uniting to support those who need it most.”

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Dakarai Mafico with Rhondda Foodbank staff and Trust vice chair Mike Spear

The Trust’s seventh foodbank collection was a huge success with more than 700 items of food and other products donated with around £700 in cash and cheques.

Staff from the Rhondda Foodbank were overwhelmed with the generosity of Bluebirds fans. The donations will help families and individuals who might otherwise have struggled food-wise over Christmas.

We had great support as usual from Cardiff City Football Club, its players and staff and it was great to see Trust members helping out with the collection on day.

Young City stars also came along to see the collection at first hand. Thanks to them also.

Trust board member Jeremy Williams is pictured handing over cheques totalling £310 to foodbank staff with Trust member Rhys Bunce