Following early consultation with the Voice of the Fans group, it was agreed to issue a charter of their responsibilities to define to the wider fanbase, as follows:
1. Introduction
The Voice of the Fans is established to provide a structured and independent channel through which supporters of Scunthorpe United can contribute to the development, governance, and culture of our football club. This Charter sets out our purpose, principles, and commitments to ensure that the views of the fanbase are heard, respected, and acted upon by the club leadership wherever possible.
2. Purpose
The primary purpose of the Voice of the Fans is to:
- Represent the collective interests of supporters in dialogue with the club by providing scope for particular areas of supporter influence: Stadium improvements; community initiatives; Club Policies; (club crest being an example).
- Strengthen the relationship between the club and its fanbase.
- Ensure that decisions affecting supporters are informed by meaningful consultation.
3. Core Principles
The Voice of the Fans will operate in accordance with the following principles:
- Representation – Ensuring that the views of supporters across all demographics are fairly and accurately presented in a timely manner.
- Transparency – Communicating clearly and openly with both the club and supporters on matters discussed and actions agreed.
- Respect – Upholding the values of fairness, inclusivity, and constructive dialogue at all times.
- Accountability – Remaining answerable to the supporter base and maintaining high standards of integrity.
- Unity – Promoting a culture of “one team” togetherness, recognising supporters as an essential part of the club’s identity and future.
4. Objectives
The Voice of the Fans representatives are committed to:
- Establishing a consistent and accessible forum for consultation with supporters.
- Raising matters of importance on behalf of the fanbase directly with the club’s Board of Directors and club management. All to enable valued discussion and opportunity for incorporation into decision making processes which will benefit the ongoing development of the club.
- Supporting initiatives designed to enhance the matchday experience, community engagement, and supporter well-being.
- Encouraging cooperation between supporter groups to foster solidarity and shared purpose by providing a centralised and shared discussion/communication route with the club.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion to ensure that all fans feel welcome and valued.
5. Structure and Operation
- Meetings: Regular meetings will be held between the Voice of the Fans representatives and the Directors of the club. A minimum of 6 formal meetings per year.
- Engagement: Fans will be invited to submit, via the Voice of the fans email address and/or verbal contact with Voice of the Fans representatives, questions and issues for discussion in advance of meetings.
- Reporting: Outcomes and actions from meetings will be communicated publicly in a timely and transparent manner via meeting notes on the club website.
- Representation: The body will seek to reflect the full diversity of the supporter base.
6. Commitment
The Voice of the Fans representatives commit to:
- Listening to and representing supporters with impartiality and fairness and bringing prompt attention to the Board of Directors all significant feedback items.
- Working proactively and constructively with the club to identify solutions and improvements to the feedback received from the fanbase.
- Providing clear explanation when a fan feedback request or proposal cannot be implemented.
7. Review and Amendment
This Charter will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with the interests of supporters and the club. Amendments may be made following consultation with both the fanbase and the club. The representatives involved in the Voice of the Fans will also be reviewed on a regular basis within the same manner.
Open applications are always available via slo@scunthorpe-united.co.uk and will be held until such a time in which recruitment is necessary.
