A recent study conducted by the University of Glasgow has found that nearly two-thirds of Celtic supporters advocate for the formation of an independently elected Fan Advisory Board.
Funded by the British Academy Leverhulme Trust, the research was led by Professor Jeanette Findlay and Dr. Marco Guidi from the Adam Smith Business School, highlighting key areas where fans desire change within the Scottish Premiership club.
The survey included input from Celtic stakeholders, such as season ticket holders and small shareholders from around the world, indicating a growing demand for increased fan involvement in club decisions.
This comes in the wake of widespread calls for greater fan participation in major football governance, particularly following the backlash against the proposed European Super League.
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In response to these concerns, the UK government initiated a fan-led review of football governance, addressing issues related to club ownership and financial viability.
While plans for a new football regulator in England are advancing, similar initiatives have yet to gain traction in Scotland.
The findings reveal that over 67% of Celtic supporters support the creation of a Fan Advisory Board, with this figure rising to 70% among season ticket holders and 77% among members of fan organisations.
Additionally, many respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the club's current level of fan engagement, which is generally perceived as average; notably, one in four described it as either "poor" or "very poor."
The assessment indicates that more active fans - such as season ticket holders, fan organisation members, and shareholders - view Celtic's engagement efforts less favourably than the broader supporter base.
Key insights from the survey show that between 40% and 50% of fans prefer the Fan Advisory Board to be established and managed in collaboration with the Celtic Trust and Celtic PLC.
Moreover, 70% to 79% of respondents believe this board should be incorporated into Celtic PLC's Articles of Association.
A significant portion, between 50% and 64%, favours selecting elected representatives from a diverse range of supporters, including various organisations, individual season ticket holders, and small shareholders.
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Findlay emphasised the importance of fan influence in club decisions and expressed hope that the findings would foster meaningful discussions with Celtic's hierarchy.
She stated: “This survey underscores the growing role of fan power in the decision-making processes of major football clubs and governing bodies. We are witnessing an increasing number of fans taking on active roles as stakeholders, which clubs must consider in their strategies.”
The preliminary findings are being shared with various stakeholder groups and Celtic to gather feedback before the final report is published.
