Norwich City Supporters Trust is surprised at the large numbers of season ticket holders reclaiming their rebate but believes Board received a clear message of dissatisfaction from supporters regarding what has happened on and off the pitch over recent seasons.
We have a measure of sympathy and respect for those Directors who invested heavily in the Club and who now find they are holding a rapidly declining asset. The Trust publicly praised them for the speedy appointment of the new Chief Executive and imminent appointment of new Directors but it is obvious that the fans perceive these same Directors as having passed up opportunities to introduce fresh money and new blood. It appears that 63.3% of over 18,000 season ticket holders have sent their message to the Board and it remains to be seen how much this will damage the long term prospects of the Club.
Both existing and new directors will feel added pressure following the fans reaction. It is now time for the Board to re-connect with supporters by examining their relationship with the fans and, in the absence of a financial “white knight”, learns lessons from models both in La Liga and the Bundesliga as well as those closer to home. For the first time in half a century our beloved Football Club will be plying their trade in the third tier of English football and amongst this seasons opponents two clubs Exeter and Brentford are owned by their fans.
Speaking on behalf of Norwich City Supporters Trust, Chairman Paul Bond said
“The Trust believes we have a scheme which would allow the Club to regain expected teambuilding income but also strengthen the fans input into the Club by making the fans a major shareholder.
If every season ticket holder reclaiming their rebate joined the Supporters Trust and donated their refund, the Trust would invest and hold a significant fan-based stake in the Club.
The Trust believes such action by a large proportion of the 63.3% of season ticket holders would give the fans the second or third largest shareholding in the Club and one that would endure.
With such a large number of members in the Trust, the Board would find it impossible to ignore the voice of fans. Almost certainly, from that size of membership, there should emerge suitable candidates with the necessary business experience to become a valuable member of the Football Club Board and an important spokesperson for grass roots fans. These candidates would be democratically elected by the full membership of the Trust before receiving our nomination.
It remains to be seen whether Michael Foulger is willing to apply his previous generous offer to income achieved by this route.
It is often said that Fan Directors can only work in the lower leagues, well that is where we are and we believe it is time for the Club to seriously consider our request for a democratically elected fan on the Board of Norwich City Football Club.”
Fans wishing to donate all or part of their rebate should send a cheque to :-
J. Easton, NCST Treasurer, 5 Park Avenue, Barford, Norwich NR9 4BA