Author Archive: admin

This letter was sent to the Trust by Neal Widdows

“I am an aspiring sports writer who has come up with a book idea that I would be very grateful for your help and support with.

The draft title of the book is ‘A blueprint for football’ and the idea is that the book will act almost like a manifesto from football supporters across England’s four senior divisions, illustrating precisely what the people who really care about the game want from English football.

The idea is to come up with a list of topic areas decided upon by fans, and then we use those opinions to create a survey where fans then vote on what changes they want to see in the English game.

Listed below is some topics I have come up with so far:

Finance: FFP, Wage Caps

Tickets: Prices, away allocations, away prices, cost of away travel, categoristion

Technology and Refereeing Standards

How to help the national team

League Structure: League 3 etc

Supporter Experience: Concourses, Food, Disabled Access etc

Television: Sky or terrestrial, PPV etc

Governance: Premier League, FA

Disciplinary Process

Merchandise: Kit Prices, Frequency of new kits etc

Winter Break

What I am doing right now is carrying out research on what other topics fans want to see in the book. Therefore, I am contacting supporters’ trust of all 92 clubs to ask for their opinions on what they want to discuss.

Therefore, I would be extremely grateful if you could share this with the members of your club or trust so that we can reach as many fans around England and ensure that we create a book that captures the thoughts of the great English football fan. ”

Anyone interested in contacting Neal with regards to the book should email me at nealwiddows@gmail.com

Thanks,

Neal Widdows

Who do you blame for Cardiff City’s relegation? Can the Bluebirds win promotion from the Championship at the first opportunity? Will Vincent Tan listen to the club’s fans – or ignore them?

These are among the questions City legend Jason Perry might be asked at the annual meeting of the Trust.

BBC Radio Wales’ soccer commentator Rob Phillips and Trust members will quiz Jason on all things Cardiff City at the Llandaff Institute this Thursday (7 for 7.30pm).

The Q&A will start immediately after the Trust’s AGM, and there is also an opportunity to raise any issues with board members.

All Trust members are welcome to the evening and non-members who can join the Trust from just £12 a year are also welcome to attend.

The Trust has received an encourging response to its plea for supporters to be consulted on club colour and badge changes . We are still waiting for a response from the Premier League to the letter sent on March 27.

This is what Jonathan Hall, Director of Football Services at the FA told the Trust chair Tim Hartley and board member, Phillip Nifield:

We understand the importance of the issues that you’ve referred to in your letter and appreciate your observations regarding the involvement of supporters in the approval process that deals with changes to club playing names. We felt that seeking a view from supporters as part of that process was important.

We will be happy to consider whether to extend that process or introduce a different mechanism in relation to club colours, badges and crests as you suggest – however, we would, of course, need to consult and debate that with the leagues and County FAs who represent the member clubs.

The issues are often far from straightforward and there is, inevitably, a balance to be struck between the view of supporters as well as others, including those that own and invest in the clubs.

I will liase with my colleague, Darren Bailey, Director of Governance and Regulation, who would deal with such matters, so that we can discuss with others, including our colleagues at the Premier League and Football Association.

Thank you for raising this issue with us.

As Cardiff prepares to host the 2014 UEFA Super Cup Final, find out how you can be a part of it. Following an initial recruitment drive earlier in the year, a fresh window has now opened.

Taking place at the Cardiff City Stadium and kicking off at 7.45pm on  August 12, the UEFA Super Cup will see the UEFA Champions League winners take on Seville, winners of the UEFA Europa League in the ultimate battle for European football bragging rights!

As Cardiff celebrates being European Capital of Sport 2014, this event provides the ideal opportunity for Wales to showcase the capital city’s credentials as a fantastic host city for major sporting events adding significant weight to Wales bid as a host nation for Euro 2020.

A significant volunteer effort is needed across the city to extend a warm Welsh welcome to supports and officials, enhancing their visitor experience and leaving them with a great impression of both Cardiff and Wales.

If you are interested you will need to register with the Sport Cardiff VSB at https://sport-cardiff-vsb.com

Closing Date: May 30

Freelance journalist Jim Keoghan has written a book on the rise of fan ownership in the football which may interest supporters of the Bluebirds.

Have you ever thought you could run your club better than those in charge?

Punk Football: the rise of fan ownership in English football tells the inside story of supporters who have done just that.

The 288-page  book, which is published by Pitch Publishing Ltd, looks at how supporter activism emerged in the 1980s and how it matured into the modern-day supporter trust movement.

It also looks at several clubs that have gone through a financial crisis and adopted the supporter-ownership model.

The book can be purchased through www.amazon.co.uk/Punk-Football-Rise-Ownership-English/dp/1909626368