A fan rep on the board can be good for everyone

Jan 06

The recent decision to appoint a fan representative to the board of Millwall FC may seem like an innovative move for our football club but in terms of supporter influence in this country at Millwall we are some way off the pace.

In the Football League alone, 21 clubs have fans representatives on their club boards.  18 of these have resulted from the ground-breaking supporters trust movement led by Supporters Direct. 

It hasn’t been plain sailing at all 21 of these clubs, being part of Supporters Direct, means that The Lions Trust is in contact with these clubs so we can share some of their experiences.

Clear understanding of the scope of the position is vital.  Our board representative needs to be given assurances that they will be treated as a full director.  At Exeter City, supporters were offered the opportunity of a representative on the board, and were given an ‘associate directorship’ which turned into the worst of both worlds. The rep became a focal point for supporter's minor concerns, yet whenever any serious business was to be discussed, he was asked to leave the meeting.  The club Chairman and Vice chair later left under police investigation.

Not all clubs are as badly run as Exeter City was then, and a boardroom ‘observer’ can be a positive, as Leicester City know.  This is, however, only successful because of the total mutual respect shown to and by the Leicester fans, the fans representative, and the Leicester FC board, who recognise the importance of including the fans. This relationship stretches as far as including a fan rep as a full member of the clubs independent audit committee which ensures that the money going into and out of the club is properly accounted for and so the fans know where their money has gone.

Choosing the right representative is critical.  This seems obvious but it is not always straightforward.  At Brentford, a supporters trust representative was elected with a very specific manifesto yet was perceived by some of the trust`s membership to represent his own views rather than the supporters who voted for him.  Despite this setback, they are still determined to elect their representatives and are starting the process again.

Having a fan on the board is a long-term thing.  It has to work through the bad times as well as the good.  Luton Town have had a fan representative for 6 years on and off, yet they are currently struggling to make the club keep them informed on the most important issues that will affect the long term future of the club.  Since the current representative was fully inducted in March of last year the club has yet to hold a full board meeting, with the Chairman only holding meetings on specific issues and withholding information relevant to their potential ground move.  And this is despite the fact that their supporters trust owns 10% of the club – more than Theo does at Millwall!

Doncaster Rovers, however, have had an overwhelmingly positive result since their fan rep was elected, and like many clubs who have proper supporter influence in the running of the club, the club has been very well run and has gone from the Conference to the upper reaches of League 1.  Not to mention the 2 (and almost 3) Premiership scalps they have taken in the Carling Cup this season.

Every single club is unique, however, and their fans even more so.  And it is this that makes the potential benefits of a fan on the board so far-reaching.  No-one can come into a club and assume they know what will be successful for that club. But the fans know best.  They know why they support their club, they know what brings them in through the gates and they know what makes them not bother.  As we know all too well, the chairmen come and go, the managers come and go, the players come and go, but the fans are in for life.  Most of us want the same thing; to be the best team we can be without changing who we are. Unlike clubs like Manchester United, there are no waiting lists for tickets, the existing fans are a large part of Millwall’s future. 

The opportunity we have been given by the new management, to begin to rid the club of the ‘them and us’ mentality that has developed is a huge step forward, and one we must make the most of.  Few indications have come from the club regarding their expectations of the fan on the board, but it does appear that they will be full board members, fit and proper to be company directors, and they will play a full part.  The indications are good but time will tell.

The Millwall Supporters Club committee has been charged with the task of appointing the fan director, and has already consulted with other supporters representatives, including The Lions Trust, to decide a framework for the role and a fair and open process to elect the person.  A very good start.  We have a lot to say – lets make sure the new Chairman and club directors get to hear it. 

The Lions Trust is a democratic, not for profit organisation, with a formal constitution, which includes its aims and objectives. The Lions Trust is a shareholder of Millwall PLC.  It is owned by its members and The Lions Trust is duty bound to carry out the wishes of its members.  For more details, to see the Trust’s aims and objectives, or to join online, visit the website www.thelionstrust.co.uk. Or write to The Lions Trust, PO Box 24767, London SE13 6GY. Do it today. It only costs a tenner, even less for concessions.