Everton have agreed to strengthen the voice and influence of supporters at the highest levels of the club.
The decision has come following consultation with the Everton Stakeholder Steering Group (ESSG) and there are now plans to establish a new Fan Advisory Board (FAB) by the end of the current season and ensure fan representation at Everton board meetings.
The ESSG came together in the wake of the failed attempts to create a European Super League (involving 12 clubs include six from the Premier League – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur) and ahead of the Government fan-led review to develop proposals for effective fan representation at board level at Everton Football Club.
Last month, the ESSG met with Everton CEO, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale and senior club officials to share its recommendations which included:
- Fan Directors on its board who are accountable to, and elected by, Everton supporters; and
- A Fan Advisory Board representing the diversity of the fanbase to ensure that the interests of Everton fans are considered in strategic decision making.
The proposals were drawn up after the ESSG considered the views of Evertonians through a series of stakeholder workshops, independent online forums and the results of a survey undertaken by Everton Football Club, which captured the views of over 10,000 Evertonians.
The ESSG will now develop a Terms of Reference for the FAB, that will set out its purpose and aims and an independent process for electing its members; including supporters who are not part of affiliated fan groups.
The ESSG will then work with the club to ensure that the FAB will work within Everton’s Articles of Association; ensuring the FAB’s ability to engage, be consulted and influence strategic issues.
Everton has also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fan representation at board meetings.
It is proposed that the FAB will develop further detail about how this will come into effect, as one of its first priorities when operational in the summer.
Fan representation at board level received 80% support and the creation of the FAB (supporter committee or custodian group) got 91% backing from the 10,000 Evertonians who responded to the club’s survey in the summer of 2021.
Jazz Bal, Chair of the ESSG said: “When developing our proposals the clear message from Evertonians was they wanted supporters to be represented at the highest levels of our club, something that has also been echoed by the club in our meetings with them.”
“The ESSG is pleased that the club has accepted our proposal to create a Fan Advisory Board that will consult on key strategic matters that impact supporters and ensure that there will be fan representation at board meetings.
“We’ll now be inviting views from Evertonians over the coming weeks to get their input on how we can make these proposals a reality and strengthen the voice and influence for supporters.”
The ESSG will be consulting with Everton fans about the composition of the FAB, its purpose and process for establishing it in February.
Further information about how Evertonians can get involved in the consultation will be published shortly.
