- Chelsea fan groups at loggerheads
- CST claimed fan morale was at lowest point since 1980s
- Fan Advisory Board hit back
WHAT HAPPENED?
Per The Athletic, the Fan Advisory Board at Chelsea has criticised the letter released by the club’s Supporters’ Trust. In it, the CST claimed that morale amongst the fanbase had plummeted to the lowest point since the 1980s, and also warned the club’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, against increasing ticket prices.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Now, the Fan Advisory Board – which is comprised of seven Chelsea supporters – have claimed that they “do not agree” with the CST in a statement that even they admit is “blunt”. The divisions are laid bare by the fact that the chairman of the CST, Mark Meehan, is also a member of the FAB, yet the two statements stand in direct opposition with each other.
WHAT THE FAN ADVISORY BOARD SAID
The FAB statement reads: “Bluntly, we don’t recognise the suggestion that fans are not being involved in the future of the Club. This goes directly against our experience.
“Significantly more resources have been allocated to fan liaison than at any point in the club’s history. Before the FAB was created there was one part-time employee devoted to supporter liaison. There is now a department which will number four full-time members of staff. Contrary to what has been suggested, these facts give a full and proper picture of what is going on.
“Chelsea’s FAB is a pioneering effort, created around a year ago, to ensure that the fan’s voice is listened to across the Club. FAB ensures it is very broadly in touch with supporter sentiment, to collect and present these views very directly to the club and its board members.
“The club is aware that, while the FAB is constructive and understands the realities, we are also challenging. We make our views known forcefully. We achieve real change. We work and will continue to work on the relationship.”
WHAT NEXT?
It remains to be seen if Chelsea will attempt to broker some sort of consensus between the groups. On the pitch, they are currently 11th in the Premier League, and face Burnley this weekend.
