Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust members have voted against the controversial rebranding of the club’s shirts and badge while also criticising the failure to consult fans adequately on the issue.
Trust members voted 54.7%-43.8% (blank votes 1.9%) against the change to red while nine out of 10 members said they had not been consulted adequately over the changes. And 80.4.% said they wanted more information from the club on the investment proposals. There was a turnout of 39% of the Trust’s 688 members.
Tim Hartley, chair of the Trust, said: “It is clear that our members feel that the club have failed to consult properly with our fans. The majority of our members are against the switch from blue to red, and the feedback we have had is that many of those willing to change to red do so reluctantly. The club now needs to reflect very carefully on the views of some of its most loyal supporters. What is clear is that fans feel the club failed to consult them properly before such a radical change. We believe that as a minimum, all season ticket holders should have been consulted in advance.
“The results again highlight the need for elected supporter representation on the board of Cardiff City Football Club. The voice of the supporter needs to be heard loud and clear to avoid the alienation of some of the club’s most loyal and long-standing fans.
“There is supporter representation on the board of Swansea City and it works very well. We believe the owners and the board must look at this as an option in the future. Formal consultation would have avoided the embarrassing debacle over the last few weeks. While supporters are pleased at the proposed investment in the club, they have still not received a full explanation for the need to rebrand alongside the additional funding.”
Tim Hartley added: “I’m pleased that the club will have a Supporter Liaison Officer in place before it becomes a requirement at the start of next season under UEFA rules. This, and the fans consultation announced by the club last week, are moves in the right direction and we look forward to a meaningful and constructive dialogue on behalf of our members. There must be greater transparency at the football club we love in the future and we are writing to the chairman, Dato Chan Tien Ghee (TG) and Mr Vincent Tan, to invite them to meet Trust members and other fans at the earliest opportunity.”
Keith Morgan, Trust board member and a football finance expert, said: “The results of the poll also indicate that, despite a recent statement from Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, the need for greater transparency. The absolutely crucial question is that after the Langston matter has finally been resolved, will all the loans introduced by the main Malaysian investors be converted into shares? If not, more debt will be piled onto the club which would be a continuing concern.”
Questionnaire to Trust Members and Results
Proposed changes to the club shirt and badge
You will have heard that our Malaysian owners are proposing to make a major investment into the club to improve the stadium, tackle the debts, build new training facilities and offer Malky Mackay money to strengthen the team. However, the plans also include changing the strip from next season to red and changing the Bluebirds badge.
Question 1 Given the information above, do you support the re-branding of Cardiff City FC with red shirts and a new badge?
Yes 43.8%
No 54.7%
Blank 1.5%
Question 2 Do you believe the club consulted fans adequately about these changes?
Yes: 8.7%
No: 89.4%
Blank 1.9%
Question 3 Do you want the Trust to press for more information from the club about the proposals?
Yes: 80.4%
No: 18.1%
Blank: 1.5%
Last year the Trust submitted evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport which said: “Supporters trusts should have formal representation on the boards of professional football clubs, even if this is simply in an ‘observer’ capacity. Fans issues should become a permanent agenda item at all clubs’ board meetings.”
The Trust’s detailed evidence can be viewed by clicking on the link here
