Business Advantages of Supporter Community ... - Supporters Direct

goodwill within the wider community. Without that, FC United wouldn’t be
where they are with the council, with other agencies, with sponsors etc.’
He says that members know board members and staff are around
and available on match day; that the manager and players are
accessible; that they’re all part of the same club. This makes the club
‘permeable’ and provides a level of integration between supporters
and board which, even at non league level often involves an artificial
separation.
‘All too often, even in non league football, those that have the privilege of being
involved at the heart of the club, forget that it is a club and see themselves as
different. Things need to be run in a business-like manner, but at the heart of
any sports club is the idea that everybody is in it together and that’s why they
are called clubs.’
FC United hold an Annual General
Members know that board members meeting and a formal General
and staff are around and available Meeting each year which include
on match day; that the manager and a ‘warts and all’ discussion of
players are accessible; that they’re finances. However, since they
all part of the same club.
have been developing plans for
their own ground, they have held
at least one other members’ meeting per year to keep fans updated
which attracts over 300 members. In addition the club has run
several surveys of fans and involves them in the ground development
consultation process.
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