Manifesto for change
Wolves 1877 Trust - supported by members of Wolves Fan Alliance - issues club with its manifesto for change
Wolves independent supporters group, the Wolves 1877 Trust, has today sent the club a formal ‘manifesto for change’, asking for action and clarity across 23 points in five areas of the club. The publication of the manifesto is supported by the members of the broader Wolves Fan Alliance who will continue to press for change through visible action, like the 15-minute boycott seen at the Manchester United game this week.
Wolves Fan Alliance Groups - listed below.
Following a statement by club Chairman Jeff Shi that he is planning to ‘refresh the whole club’, the Trust has compiled a wide range of points of concern. They range from control of footballing decisions, through fan engagement, to the fabric of the stadium and the Trust strongly believes they should form part of any review.
The Trust, with its formal role as part of Premier League rules as a channel for fan consultation (Fan Engagement Standard), is asking that the club now examines the manifesto point by point and promptly provides meaningful and considered responses.
Keith Bickley, chair of the Trust, says that it is vital that the club engages with the document.
“Engagement between the club and fans is at a really low ebb. The protests we saw at the Manchester United game are the culmination of years of concern about decision-making at the club – and the results are on the field for all to see. It pains us to say it but Wolves is now a failing football club.
“Fans have been patient and protests have been a long time coming. But now that they’re here, they won’t go away until supporters see their concerns addressed. The club can’t simply bury its head in the ground but we need meaningful engagement.
“To help that, the Trust has put together a list of 23 points of concern. The club now needs to consider them and respond to fans, outlining what the future looks like for our club. Only by working together can we restore the connection between fans and the club.”
The manifesto (click here to see the full document) calls for action on a range of issues including:
A clearly stated strategy for how the club plans to restore stability then grow sustainably, which also acknowledges the shortcomings of the recent past
A dedicated football club CEO, separate to the CEO role at Fosun Sports Group
More football expertise at top levels, with a fully functioning club board made up of experienced football executives (Wolves current board consists of the Executive Chairman and two honorary non-execs)
More accountability and better engagement with fans, with senior football executives opening up to conversations and scrutiny from fans, and better visibility for the channels available for fan consultation (like fan focus groups)
A clear strategy for the stadium and training facilities which encourages sustainable growth and success on the field
A plan to move Wolves Women towards becoming full-time professionals.
The next step is for the club to consider the concerns of fans and respond with a formal statement.
Keith Bickley, the Trusts chair, says that a failure to engage will only damage the club’s health.
“For nearly 150 years, Wolves fans have wanted to turn up, meet friends and cheer on their team. We’re supporters, not protestors. But if Wolves execs can’t offer a clear path out of the trouble we find ourselves in, we won’t let our club sink without a trace. Protests led by members of the Wolves Fan Alliance are likely to get louder until supporters get the answers they want - so it’s in everyone’s interests that we see meaningful engagement from the club. Fans want to go back to being fans again but that will only happen if we see a plan for progress.”
Wolves Fan Alliance - OGP, Wolves 1877 Trust, Talking Wolves, Wolves Fancast, The Wolves Report, Wolves 77 Club, Always Wolves, Punjabi Wolves, The Wolfpack.