August 19 – Liverpool have become the first Premier League club to legally formalise a Supporters Board in the wake of the European Super League debacle and Project Big Picture proposals that so dramatically split fans and their club owners.
The 16-person Liverpool Supporters Board aims to close the gap between supporters and the club management via formal meetings and involving supporters in key club decision-making processes.
The Supporters Board will not make decisions for the club but will have input into those decisions.
A club statement said: “This historic moment is a step change between the Club and fans. It is a legally binding commitment from Liverpool FC to structure strategic engagement with supporters, strengthen dialogue and increase fan involvement in decision-making processes, all of which is integral in future proofing the Club.”
The Supporters Board is made up of 10 elected members of the Spirit of Shankly and six elected members from other fan organisations or experts in their field.
Board positions are for 2-year terms and will meet four times per year with club staff to discuss strategic club issues and provide dialogue between the club and supporters. Liverpool’s chair and vice chair will meet with the Supporters Board annually.
Andy Hughes, Liverpool’s managing director, said: “In our first meeting we were able to outline our objectives and purpose and meet each representative. It’s important to us that we have engagement with our fans and that they can input into important strategic matters, having the Supporters’ Board means we put a process in place that is more formal but in a meaningful way.”
The club said it has “committed to consult and engage with fans on key strategic issues such as matchday experience, ticketing arrangements and to give fans consent over two heritage items.”
Joe Blott from the Spirit of Shankley will be the Supporters Board’s first chair.
“We are moving into a new era of engagement with our Club and I am really looking forward to working even more closely alongside partners and affiliates. This is historical, ground-breaking work, a step into the unknown but one I truly believe will be a benefit to our current fans but more importantly, a legacy for future generations,” said Blott.
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