THE FSA. ANNUAL REVIEW 2022 - Football Supporters' Association
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THE FSA. ANNUAL REVIEW 2022
STRENGTH COMES IN NUMBERS...
JOIN THE FSA AT THEFSA.ORG.UK
Phone: 0330 44 000 44 | Email: info@thefsa.org.uk
1 Ashmore Terrace, Stockton Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR2 7DE
2 | FSA Annual Review 2022
CONTENTS
04.
08.
ABOUT THE FSA
FAN-LED REVIEW
13. FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS EUROPE
14. WOMEN’S GAME
18. FSA AWARDS
20. FANS FOR DIVERSITY
24. COMMUNITY-OWNED CLUBS / NON-LEAGUE
26. CASEWORK
29. CRYPTOCURRENCY
30. INTERNATIONAL
31. BROADCAST
32. SAFE STANDING
34. #ICYMI
Editor – Michael Brunskill
Editorial team – David Rose, Garreth Cummins, Liam Thompson
A huge thanks to all FSA members - particularly those who volunteer at their local supporters’ organisations to make
things happen. Without people giving up their time to organise events, run AGMs, attend club meetings, do admin, run
social media accounts and more, so many good things simply wouldn’t happen. The FSA couldn’t achieve what it does
without that bedrock.
Additional thanks must go to our fellow FSA staff members for supporting, and helping us collate and communicate that work,
while Andrew and Jon from Solution Group deserve a mention for putting up with this editor’s constant tweaking. Final thanks
to Lily and Daisy for their occasional help as photo editors, in between the bouts of sibling rivalry and TikTok updates.
All photos ©Alamy unless marked otherwise.
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 3
ABOUT THE FSA.
Malcolm Clarke, Chair © The FSA Tom Greatrex, Vice chair © NIA UK
In spring, the Government This is potentially a huge step forward
acknowledged that “the free market for football governance in this country.
Welcome to the FSA’s 2022 will not fix football” and prime minister It’s now up to the Government to deliver
Annual Review which looks Boris Johnson gave his backing to the upon the recommendations (pp8-12).
back at all of our major creation of an independent regulator for
the game - then in May the independent On p13 you’ll find out more about
campaign activity since the regulator was referenced in the Queen’s our ties with Football Supporters
last AGM, which took place Speech. Europe, to whom the FSA affiliates at
in December 2021.
a continental level, and SD Europe. As
During this period we encouraged well as opposing Champions League
affiliated and associated supporters’ bloat, FSE also won an important
groups, and individual fans, to lobby victory for supporters in court by
Despite covering a shorter period than the Government and MPs to deliver challenging a 2018 ruling which saw
our usual 12-month Annual Review, legislation as soon as possible – and that the French authorities ban travelling
it’s still been an extremely busy and work has had a real impact. supporters from Marseille.
productive time for the FSA and the
supporters’ movement as a whole. The review’s proposals to strengthen the Supporters in the women’s game have
voice of supporters in the game, protect been pushing for their own specific
Chief among that work has been football’s heritage and the pyramid, and review too, and that’s something we’re
the ongoing push to have the provide independent regulation, lay the continuing to lobby for alongside fan
recommendations of the Fan-led Review basis for a sustainable future for football groups in our burgeoning Women’s
implemented in full by the Government. at all levels. Game Network (pp14-17).
4 | FSA Annual Review 2022
THE FAN-LED REVIEW OF
FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE,
WHICH THE FSA HAS
BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED
IN SHAPING.
Download the Fan-led Review of Football
Governance here: bit.ly/FLR-report
In April we launched our first ever continues to deliver fantastic results and
women’s game strategy document, has gained national recognition for its
outlining the major issues of concern innovative work across football. The My MISSION STATEMENT:
to supporters in the women’s game - Club, My Shirt initiative being a particular
and crucially - what can be done about highlight, capturing imaginations across
The FSA is an inclusive,
those challenges. Earlier this summer the country (pp20-23).
independent, democratic
we also conducted our first ever
organisation working with
comprehensive survey of supporters Beyond those campaigns we’ve
supporters, governing bodies,
following the women’s game. been keeping an eye on the growth
leagues and clubs to drive
of crypto-partnerships in the game
positive change in football
Our long-running campaign to (p29), the disruption that TV causes
through supporter engagement
introduce standing into the top tiers of matchgoing fans (p31), supporting
at every level of the game. We
domestic football continues to advance, fans with casework and policing issues
nurture and develop supporter
as the Government announced that it (pp26-28), a range of international
networks at local, national and
would be expanding the early-adopter work (p30) and championing our
international levels, working
programme of licensed standing areas expanding network of community-
with supporters’ trusts, clubs
for the 2022-23 season (pp32-33). owned clubs (pp24-25).
and individuals to initiate and
support campaigns on issues of
An interim report from the Sports Of course it’s not all about campaign
concern to football supporters,
Ground Safety Authority into those work - we also like to celebrate
encouraging good governance,
early-adopter schemes - taking place everything that’s good in the game too
supporter representation
at five clubs - said that licensed and you can see more of that on pp18-
on club boards, community-
standing areas had “a positive impact 19 with the FSA Awards in association
ownership and sustainable
on spectator safety” and improved the with BeGambleAware. There are a huge
stewardship of football clubs.
matchday experience for thousands range of awards with achievements
A commitment to diversity
already. We look forward to the rollout both on and off the pitch celebrated.
underpins all of our activity
of more standing areas in future,
and we oppose all forms of
delivering choice for fans at last. We hope members find the 2022
discrimination or violence in
Annual Review useful and informative -
relation to football.
The Fans for Diversity campaign, as always if you need more information
which we run jointly with Kick It Out, on our work, please get in touch.
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 5
MEMBERSHIP
THERE ARE THREE CATEGORIES INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP All tiers of membership are embedded
in our structure, weighted towards
OF MEMBERSHIP FOR THE FSA Open to all fans.
affiliate members who receive more
AND THEY ARE ALL FREE: AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP
positions on our National Council and
For supporters’ groups who fulfil key
more votes at the AGM - five per group
criteria relating to their democratic
as opposed to one vote per individual
JOIN THE FSA: nature, independence, finance, and
member or associate group.
WWW.THEFSA.ORG.UK diversity policy.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP Policy is set at the AGM following
For entities such as regional or non- democratic processes although the
democratic fan groups, atmosphere National Council can make
collectives, and fanzines. interim policy.
NATIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES: *Denotes that a National Council member’s Network position is due for re-election pre-AGM
**Denotes that a National Council member’s position is due for re-election at the 2022 AGM
Chair Malcolm Clarke (Stoke City and York City)
Vice chair **Tom Greatrex (Fulham Supporters’ Trust)
Associate organisations Ally Simcock (A Pint Of Vale), **Thomas Concannon (Wor Flags), Tracy Brown
(Chelsea Pride)
Championship Roger Ellis (Sky Blue Trust), and *Roger Titford (Supporters’ Trust at Reading),
*Tony Wilkinson (Blackpool Supporters’ Trust)
Community-owned Martin Cantrell (Banbury United), Tim Hillyer (Dons Trust), *Nick Duckett (FC
clubs Network United of Manchester)
Fans for Diversity Chris Paouros (Proud Lilywhites), *Rodney Cyrus (Love Football Hate Racism),
*Shin Aujla (Apna Albion)
FSA Cymru co-opted representative Paul Corkrey (Cardiff City Supporters’ Club / Wales Fans’ Embassy)
Individual representatives Anielka Pieniazek, **Christine Seddon, Geoff Bielby, **Malcolm Hirst,
Peter Daykin, **Sarah Stelling
League 1 & League 2 Ian Bridge (Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust), James Young (Robins Trust),
*Peter Leatham (Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Trust)
National Game Matthew Kempson (North Ferriby United), *Richard Tomkins (Hereford United
Supporters’ Trust), *Tim Scott (Dulwich Hamlet Supporters’ Trust)
Premier League Dave Pennington (Manchester United Supporters’ Trust), Neil Dady (Wolves 1877
Trust), *Steve Moulds (Foxes Trust)
Women’s Game *Jude Morris-King (Manchester City Women FC Official Supporters Club), Rachel
Major (The Gang:England), Sian Wallis (Proud Lilywhites)
The FSA Board Ally Simcock, Chris Paouros, Dave Pennington, Malcolm Clarke, Malcolm Hirst, Peter
Daykin, Roger Ellis, Sachin Patel (co-opted onto FSA Board and National Council),
Sian Wallis, Tim Hillyer, Tom Greatrex and Tony Wilkinson.
Networks are responsible for electing their own representatives who sit upon those Networks thanks to their nomination
from an FSA affiliate (named in brackets). Nine members are elected from the National Council to make up the Board
alongside the chair and vice chair.
FA Council
There are more than 120 FA Council representatives. The body, along with FA staff and the FA Board, aims to “deliver an effective
and professional organisation for the greater good of English football”. FSA Board members Tom Greatrex and Chris Paouros sit
on the FA Council as supporter representatives, Chris having taken over the role from FSA chair Malcolm Clarke in 2021. FSA staff
member Anwar Uddin is also on the FA Council in a personal capacity as a National Game football community representative.
6 | FSA Annual Review 2022
AGM
CHAIR AND
VICE CHAIR
PREMIER CHAMPION-
LEAGUE SHIP
ASSOCIATE INDIVIDUAL
MEMBER MEMBER
REPS
NATIONAL REPS
COUNCIL
LEAGUE 1 NATIONAL
& LEAGUE 2 GAME
FAN/
COMMUNI- FANS FOR
TY OWNED DIVERSITY
CLUBS
BOARD
FSA Board: Nine members elected by the
National Council plus the chair and vice chair
Elected at AGM Selected by networks
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 7
FAN-LED REVIEW
In 2019 the Conservative Party won the
UK General Election and, tucked away
in their manifesto, was a commitment
to “set up a fan-led review of football
FAN-LED REVIEW
RECOMMENDATIONS
Every FSA affiliate and associate
WHO WAS ON THE
FAN-LED REVIEW PANEL?
governance, which will include
supporter organisation was given the The panel was chaired by Tracey
consideration of the Owners and
opportunity to present evidence to the Crouch MP and featured:
Directors Test”.
panel, along with the football leagues,
That promise sat on ice for a couple FA and other important stakeholders. Dawn Airey
of years until greedy owners and FA Women’s Super League
Our evidence submission ran to 226
executives from our biggest clubs tried
pages covering football governance, Denise Barrett-Baxendale
to create a European Super League Everton
the scope of an independent regulator,
in April 2021. Such was the backlash
that, within 24 hours, the Government
club ownership, supporter rights, Clarke Carlisle
supporter engagement, football Former player and chair
announced the launch of the Fan-led
finance, protection of assets, women’s of the PFA
Review and its recommendations were
delivered in November 2021.
football and more. It was a superb, Danny Finkelstein
hugely influential piece of work, which Independent Member
Legislation is now in the pipeline with would not have been possible without
Roy Hodgson
the sports minister and the prime the enormous contributions by FSA Former England Manager
minister himself repeatedly backing members Dave Pennington, Robbie
Dan Jones
the need for an independent regulator, Whittaker and Roger Ellis. They
Football Finance
which was also included in the Queen’s deserve special mention.
Speech to Parliament, delivered by David Mahoney
England and Wales
the Prince of Wales.
Cricket Board
Kevin Miles
FSA
Godric Smith
Cambridge United
James Tedford
Former Secretary of Southport
© House of Lords 2022 / Photography by Annabel Moeller
8 | FSA Annual Review 2022
FSA RESPONSE WHAT CAN FAN GROUPS DO?
We had four basic questions against
which we measured the final report:
Does it better protect clubs from
insolvency? Does it stop a future ESL
breakaway? Does it embed supporter
engagement into football’s power
structures? Does it redistribute
football’s wealth in a more sustainable
manner? The answer to all these
Women’s football needs its own dedicated review
questions was yes.
Does the review commit to action on every The voice of FSA members will be The review also said that women’s
single issue which the FSA raised? Of vital as we seek to steer legislation football should be given its own
course not. But it offers an unprecedented through Parliament in 2022. dedicated review to tackle its unique
opportunity to overhaul the power Familiarise yourself with the report, issues. We back that entirely, look
structures of the domestic game – giving contact your MP and ask them to forward to being involved and expect
fans a voice at the heart of football. It’s the back its progress through Parliament progress in that area soon. We need
biggest step forward in 30 years of football and meet with your club to see how supporters’ groups in the women’s
governance campaigning. they intend to adopt its ideas. game to get right behind that too.
SUMMARY OF THE FINAL REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:
• The Government should create a new • There should be a new corporate • There is a strong case for additional
independent regulator for English governance code to support a contributions from the Premier
football (IREF) established by an long-term sustainable future of League to further support the future
Act of Parliament based upon the game. This should be mandatory of the football pyramid including
specialist business regulation adapted for all professional clubs with a new solidarity transfer levy paid
to the football industry. IREF should common requirements tailored by the top-flight on buying players
operate a licensing system for to different leagues. from overseas or from other Premier
professional men’s football. League clubs.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
• To ensure financial sustainability plans should be mandatory for all • Women’s football should be treated
of the professional game, IREF clubs with EDI action plans regularly with parity and given its own
should oversee financial regulation assessed by IREF. dedicated review to guarantee its
in football which should be based future recognising the significant
upon prudential regulation in other • As every club’s most important
steps forward taken in recent years
stakeholder, supporters should be
industries recognising that football but also the unique challenges facing
properly consulted by their clubs in
is obviously sport but also now the game.
taking key decisions by means of a
big business.
shadow board. Effective supporter • The welfare of players exiting the
• New owners’ and directors’ tests for engagement should be a licence game needs to be better protected –
clubs should be established by IREF condition and overseen by IREF. particularly at a young age – and all
replacing the three existing tests to stakeholders should work together
ensure that only good custodians • There should be additional
on improving this including the
protection for key items of club
and qualified directors can run these provision of proactive mental health
heritage through a “Golden Share”
vitally important community and care and support.
requiring supporter consent and
cultural assets.
overseen by IREF.
Download the FSA’s evidence to the Download the Fan-led Review of Football
Fan-led Review here: bit.ly/FSA-evidence Governance here: bit.ly/FLR-report
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 9
TOMORROW’S WORLD
The FSA has been demanding Ashley continues: “Most clubs have “A key recommendation of the Fan-led
a minimum level of engagement but Review was not just the acceptance
football governance reform there’s also an opportunity for more that engagement is important at all
for many years, without huge progressive clubs to grow that for their levels, but also the support for what
progress, but the sudden own benefit. The clubs who do it well they termed a ‘shadow board’. It’s
today usually shape it around operational important to get the right fans in the
emergence of the Fan-led and matchday issues but not many look room for shadow boards, as people
Review has presented a at the strategic element, that’s where have to be able to have financial and
window of opportunity for things can get more difficult. other strategic discussions at a certain
real change. level of detail, and trust between those
“At the FSA we talk about the involved is hugely important.”
engagement pyramid which in its
Ashley Brown, head of supporter
simplest form might be fan forums, Ashley says that clubs can be reticent
engagement and governance at the
with the execs of a club on a top table to share what they consider to be
FSA, has been at the heart of our work
doing a Q&A with supporters. That’s confidential or financially sensitive
in this field for many years, and helped
useful but as you move up through the information in case it leaks to Twitter
draft our formal evidence to the
pyramid it should involve more strategic or the local press. It’s a reasonable
Fan-led Review.
discussions with representatives from concern and supporter groups should
supporters’ groups. work towards allaying those fears.
“We have seen improvements in recent
years in relation to supporter dialogue,
as clubs have realised there are benefits
to engaging with their own fan base,”
says Ashley.
Wind back the clock a decade and the
type of engagement we now see was
Supporter
close to non-existent. It was a pretty
ownership
barren landscape then but the clubs
rs
Su
ce
pp
who do nothing at all nowadays are Supporter
ffi
o
directors
rte
nO
pretty few and far between.
rL
iso
iai
FSA best practice
Lia
ons
r
te
Structured
Off
There’s also a clamour by many clubs,
or
dialogue
ice
pp
particularly those at Premier League
Su
rs
level, to get ahead of the review and League minimum standards
implement their own structures. That’s
Supporter Parliament / Advisory Board
not something the FSA opposes,
although league wide rules or legislation Club led engagement e.g. Fans Forum
may lift the bar higher again.
FSA Engagement Pyramid
10 | FSA Annual Review 2022Newport County - a strong legacy of supporter engagement
He cites Exeter City and Newport “The golden share stops clubs who Supporters’ groups have a great
County as examples of clubs which want to up sticks and play in a different opportunity to prove their value, embed
have a strong legacy of properly competition such as the European their influence and offer invaluable
involving supporters in strategic Super League. It won’t reside directly strategic insight to their clubs. That takes
discussions, while crediting his own with a shadow board but they would commitment, skills and expertise - and
club Portsmouth for their multi-level be a first point of discussion, the share the FSA has a huge role to play in the
engagement and creation of a heritage is more likely to lie with the supporters’ years ahead supporting our affiliated
advisory board which has started to trust, and is one example of why a groups in doing just that. It’s an exciting
tackle some more strategic topics. well run trust should be guaranteed time to be in a supporters’ group.
There’s sometimes an assumption too places on a shadow board. It’s another
that involving fans at a strategic level example of why a properly constituted
will lead to unreasonable requests to and run trust is important.
throw unaffordable amounts at the WHAT WILL A GOLDEN
latest on-field sensation. But Ashley
SHARE PROTECT?
argues that isn’t backed up by the
evidence we’ve seen in recent times.
From the Fan-led Review of
Football Governance:
“Supporter-owned clubs have not
historically just thrown huge money at “The licensing system would also
players, we actually find that supporter allow IREF to protect key items
Tracey Crouch MP - chair of the Fan-led Review. of club heritage via a ‘Golden
reps are often the financial conscience
© UK Parliament
of clubs. We’re the ones thinking not Share’ requiring supporter
just in the present but also of the “It’s pretty standard practice in consent to certain actions
club’s heritage and future wellbeing.” most industries to consult with your by a club. Football clubs are
‘customers’ but that’s what makes important cultural assets and
Clubs can benefit from the knowledge football different, as you often have must never be the playthings
of supporter board representatives an autocratic owner who feels a club of owners who are simply
and, in the best scenarios, clubs is their own plaything. This isn’t every their custodians.
might look to co-opt members of owner but they are out there and
the shadow board onto a club’s full convincing them that all of a sudden “The Golden Share would require
board. Shadow boards would also ‘hey you have to engage’ is going to the consent of the shareholder
have a critical role to play in using take time, fan reps will need to work to certain actions by the
the supporters ‘golden share’. hard to build a trusted relationship.” club – specifically selling the
club stadium or permanently
While the FSA will continue to be an relocating it outside of its local
organisation which focuses on a range area, joining a new competition
of fan issues, as outlined in this Annual not affiliated to FIFA, UEFA and
Review, there’s no doubt the supporter the FA, or changing the club
movement is at a key point, a period of badge, the club name or first
transition post-Covid, post-Crouch report. team home colours.”
Europe’s elite tried to break away
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 11IREF Q&A
WHAT IS IREF? The expectation is that a panel, with With ongoing financial analysis red
stakeholders from many organisations flags are not hard to spot - wages
including the FSA, would appoint not being paid, complaints from
The Fan-led Review concluded
a governing board who would be local businesses that invoices are
that football needs an independent
largely independent but feature being ignored - and IREF must have
regulator, created by an Act of
football representatives (including powers to intervene at the earliest
Parliament. “This regulator should be
the FSA). That body would then stages. There could also be a formal,
independent from football clubs and
appoint executive staff to IREF - evidence-based reporting structure for
government, and have a clear statutory
football’s regulator. supporters’ organisations too, who are
objective with strong investigatory
often passed back and forth between
and enforcement powers. The new
league and FA when problems arise.
Independent Regulator for English WHAT IS THE ROLE
football (IREF) would not operate in
areas of traditional sports regulation
OF IREF? The Fan-led Review: “Clubs would
work with IREF to ensure they have
which will be left to the existing
IREF should have the powers to adequate finances and processes in
authorities.” Traditional areas relate
intervene in the early stages of a crisis. place [and] be obliged to ensure they
to things like player or managerial
It shouldn’t be there to wait for things have enough cash coming into the
disciplinary matters.
to go wrong. A lot of times when crisis business, control of costs and suitable
clubs emerge the path has been a
WHAT FORM WILL
systems to ensure the sustainability of
long one and it isn’t always down to the business.”
IREF TAKE? nefarious and crooked activity, things
can just get out of control.
There has been a push from certain AT WHAT LEVELS WOULD
areas in football for the regulator to Bury didn’t happen overnight - they IREF OPERATE?
sit within the FA. Somewhat ironically, went through years of strife, two
the FSA argued for many years that owners and the EFL wrote to them The Fan-led Review recommended
an independent regulator could sit on 40-plus occasions but, as a that IREF “should be delivered through
within the FA, but the FA showed members organisation, the EFL a new licensing system, administered
no appetite to take that on - and it didn’t have sufficient powers to by IREF which would apply to the
now looks likely the regulator will be intervene. IREF must have strong professional game (i.e. the top division
entirely independent of the FA. interventionist powers. of the National League and above).”
12 | FSA Annual Review 2022EUROPE
Supporters across the continent their work had “put the brakes on the
continued to keep a close eye on worst excesses of Europe’s biggest SD EUROPE APPOINTS
European competition bloat, as
clubs,” said FSE Board member and
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
FSA chief executive Kevin Miles.
UEFA confirmed the Champions
In January 2022 Antonia
League would expand in 2024, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin
Hagemann stepped down from
with some concessions following said May’s decision concluded “an
her position as chief executive
supporter lobbying. extensive consultation process during
of Supporters Direct Europe
which we listened to the ideas of fans,
(SD Europe).
players, coaches, national associations,
Football Supporters Europe, to whom clubs and leagues, to find the best
Taking up the role following her
the FSA affiliates, launched the solution for the development and
departure was Stuart Dykes,
#WinItOnThePitch campaign which success of European football, both
a “long-suffering” Schalke 04
saw groups representing millions domestically and on the international
supporter and FC United of
of match-going fans co-signing a club stage.”
Manchester founding member.
statement to make their views known.
Stuart has been with SD Europe
LANDMARK WIN since 2010 and played a huge role
“Superbowl knock-off” in developing the concept
FSE slams UEFA’s FSE, Association Nationale
of supporter liaison officers.
Champions League plans des Supporters and Eintracht
Frankfurt, won an important
“This is an exciting time to be
taking the lead at SD Europe,
victory for fans by challenging a
FSE’s push for a reduction in fixtures given the discussions working
2018 French court ruling which
and a new format means competing towards the involvement of
saw the authorities ban travelling
teams will now play against eight supporters in the structures of
supporters from Marseille. The
different opponents, with an equal football governing bodies. I look
Court of Appeal said the decision
split of home and away games, rather forward to steering SD Europe
was illegal.
than the initially proposed ten. UEFA through the uncharted waters
also backed down on its controversial ahead for the benefit of all
“There was no justification for
plan to allow two clubs to qualify European football supporters,”
such an order, which represented
for the Champions League based on said Stuart.
a patent infringement of EU
historical performance. citizens’ basic human rights,
including freedom of movement Follow FSE & SD Europe
FSE consistently argued that any and assembly,” said FSE. @fanseurope
expansion of European competition @SDEurope07
would damage domestic leagues and
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 13WOMEN’S GAME
EYES ON THE PRIZE
Following fan campaigning and
lobbying of the FA, the prize
fund for the Women’s FA Cup will
putting on fixtures or travelling long
distances to fixtures.
the deal: “This increased investment
highlights that we want clubs
competing in it to be rewarded,
Clapton Community FC launched a while also highlighting our ongoing
increase to £3m next season with a crowdfunding campaign in order to commitment to the women’s game.
“disproportionate” amount going help them get to away games on a Women’s football continues to be in
into the early rounds. run which led them from the second a growth phase and we are always
qualifying round all the way to a trip looking to make improvements and
The FA announced in March that to Plymouth Argyle in the third investment to drive it forward and
the competition will have a seven- round proper. break new boundaries.”
fold increase in its prize fund – from
£428,915 to £3m – which will be made In our survey of fans of the women’s Now that the increased prize fund for
available to the 400+ teams who game, 88% of the more than 2,000 the Women’s FA Cup has been agreed,
compete in the competition. fans surveyed agreed that the gap in the FA said work will begin on how that
prize money between the men’s and money is divided and allocated, with an
Supporters and fan groups in the women’s FA Cups should be reduced. announcement expected ahead of the
FSA’s Women’s Game Network wrote The FA said when announcing the 2022-23 season.
to the FA earlier in 2022 outlining some increase that “a disproportionate
key principles relating to the Women’s amount of this new fund will be The growth of the women’s game is
FA Cup and associated governance invested into the early rounds of something which the FSA celebrates
issues, chiefly: the competition. This will ensure and our Women’s Game Network is
those clubs further down the keen to engage positively with the FA
• No-one should “pay to play” in the pyramid really feel the benefit.” to ensure supporter voices are heard as
Women’s FA Cup. the sport develops.
One member of the FSA’s Women’s
• Increased funding should be steered Game Network, D-M Withers from Women’s football lead at the FSA
towards clubs in the early rounds of Bristol City Supporters’ Club and Trust, Deborah Dilworth said: “We are happy
the competition. said: “The increase in prize money for to see the increase in prize money
the Women’s FA Cup is a good start, but believe our principles are vital to
• Everyone in football should actively but we still have a long way to go. further developing the competition and
support the establishment of a the women’s game as a whole.
separate review into governance in “Full equality and fair redistribution
the women’s game. of funds to uplift the whole of the “Closing the gap between the top and
women’s – and men’s game – is the the bottom is central to ensuring we
As things stood under the old ultimate goal.” have a healthy pyramid in the women’s
deal, many clubs struggled to even game. If you want to help us realise
participate in the competition as prize The FA’s director of women’s football that, get involved with your local fan
money did not cover the costs of Sue Campbell said in announcing group and the FSA.”
14 | FSA Annual Review 2022“The FSA is excited to share this
document outlining our aims and
ambitions for the women’s game.
We have been a front runner in
developing supporter activism
at a local, national and
international level, providing
input, advice and advocacy for
A STRATEGIC APPROACH volunteer supporters’ groups
and individuals. We put
In April the government formally supporter voices at the heart
responded to the Fan-led Review of of decision-making.
Football Governance and, significantly,
accepted that the women’s game “The growth of women’s football
needed its own dedicated review. The FSA’s Mission is to: brings incredible potential for
As women’s football grows and building the game we want to
develops we see it as our job to ensure • Develop women’s football see and by harnessing the passion
supporters are trained and developed as a whole. and influence of its members,
- ready to be at the heart of their clubs the FSA is well-placed to help
and to be a key stakeholder in decision • Ensure supporters are affect change.”
making around the game, and to take a represented in key decision
full part in that review. making processes within the Chris Paouros
women’s game. FSA board member &
In order to put supporter voices at FA Council representative
the heart of the women’s game, our • Push for positive change,
Women’s Game Strategy document, change narratives and give You can download the
which was also published in April, looks women’s football the profile Women’s Game Strategy
at the challenges and opportunities in it deserves. document at:
relation to that goal. bit.ly/womens-strategy
A range of activities planned
We will take a whole game approach between 2022-24, centred around
in both the domestic and international the pillars of diversity, sustainability,
arenas to represent supporters of education and development.
the women’s game, and develop
supporter activism.
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 15STAT: Which of the following
best describes you?
57.8%
I am a fan of one
particular women’s
team only
23.4%
I am a fan of
more than one
women’s team
18.8%
I am a general fan
of women’s football
without supporting
a particular team
OUR SURVEY SAID…
In June this year we were The survey, which ran online in
February and March, was completed
pleased to publish the results by more than 2,000 fans from all STAT: Which of the following
of our first comprehensive levels throughout the women’s game.
options best describes you as
a football supporter?
survey which documents the Supporters from 49 of the 51 clubs
which make up the top four tiers of
attitudes and experiences of the pyramid - WSL, Championship,
football fans across a wide and the National League Northern 7.4% 10.1%
and Southern Premier Division - were 12.2%
range of issues throughout represented, with respondents from 16.7%
the women’s game. clubs further down the system giving
their feedback, too.
22.7%
The results of the survey will not only
help inform the FSA’s work in women’s 31%
football, but this research will also give
FEMALE
52.2% 1.2% us a valuable insight into what matters
in the minds of fans on a huge range
44.4%
MALE NON-BINARY of issues. I only support my women’s team
I support my women’s team first,
We have periodically conducted a but also follow a men’s team
National Supporters Survey over the I support my women’s and men’s
teams equally
This demographic split compares past decade, which has included fans of
I support my men’s team first, but
starkly with our 2017 National the women’s game, but as our work in also support my women’s team
Supporters Survey, completed
this area has grown exponentially over I support a men’s team, and follow
by more than 8,500 supporters women’s football generally
the past few years we felt the time was
largely of the men’s game,
right to direct our focus to the unique I am a general football fan
where the respondents
were overwhelmingly male, issues that affect fans of the women’s
outnumbering women tenfold game in their own survey.
(90.6% were men, just 9.1% The result is our first attempt to
were women).
capture a comprehensive picture
on everything from fans’ matchday
16 | FSA Annual Review 2022GROWTH TWO SIDES STAT:
While there is a significant
Despite
the strong
5 2
proportion of fans who only
support teams in the women’s majority of
game (one in eight, or 12.6%) fans reporting
YEARS YEARS the vast majority of our
respondents (87.4%) said they
TV and wider media coverage as
being better than before, only
68.6% 30.1%
also supported a men’s team.
a quarter (26%) agreed that
The growth of the supporter there was sufficient coverage
base in the women’s game is of the game on mainstream
clear to see from our results – media/TV, and similar (26.6%)
two-thirds of our respondents
said there was sufficient
(68.6%) said they had begun
supporting their team in the last coverage of their team in
five years, with just under a third local media.
12.6% 87.4%
of fans (30.1%) having started
following in the last two years.
experiences to thoughts on the new Our aim is to repeat this survey in future Notwithstanding the experiences
broadcast deal with Sky Sports and the years which will help us benchmark and seen in the men’s game, any move
to install VAR in the women’s game
BBC; views on how clubs engage with track changing attitudes on key issues,
would likely prove controversial
their fanbase to on-the-pitch issues and as well as keeping up to date with new
as things stand, as a third of fans
competition structure, and everything developments specific to the women’s (32.9%) in our survey said they
in between. game as they arise. disagreed with its introduction.
CHARTING ITS Deborah Dilworth, the FSA’s lead on
women’s football, said: “This survey
OWN PATH? has highlighted some significant issues 32.9%
that are important to supporters, and
we will use the findings to support the
progress that is already being made by
the FSA in the women’s game, as well
as to identify the focus for new areas
of work.
“We will work with key stakeholders
across the game, alongside the
There was less consensus on how
close the relationship clubs and the members of the FSA’s Women’s
women’s game in general should Game Network and our Fans for
have with its men’s equivalent. Diversity campaign, to ensure that
discriminatory behaviour is tackled and
28% of fans agreed that women’s More than half of those surveyed
teams should be independent the diversity of the game’s fanbase is disagreed that the standard
from their men’s teams while continually promoted. of refereeing is acceptable in
38% were against the idea, while women’s football. Of the various
around half (53%) said that the “The recently announced independent options presented to improve
women’s game should chart its matters, almost nine in ten fans –
review into the women’s game will
own path and avoid copying the 87.6% - were in favour of full-time
be pivotal to a number of these areas
formats / structures of the referees, with only 4.7% against
men’s game. of work, and we will strive to ensure the idea.
that supporters are comprehensively
engaged in this process throughout.”
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 17FSA AWARDS 2021
BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire Peter Drury Commentator of the Year
Following last year’s online-only off competition from Chelsea’s Mason little surprised, and dazed, and glazed,
Mount, Manchester City pair Phil Foden but it’s terrific. There are some very
event as a result of the COVID-19
and Rúben Dias, West Ham United’s good commentators out there, and I’m
pandemic, it was gratifying to be
Michail Antonio and Leicester City’s only one of them, but I’m thrilled.”
able to gather together again in Youri Tielemans.
person at the Londoner Hotel in There was a first time winner in the
Leicester Square to hand out the Accepting the award, Mohamed Salah Pundit of the Year category, with Alex
FSA Awards in association with said: “I’m honoured to be the first Scott picking up the award. Accepting
BeGambleAware, which were player to win this award twice. I would the award she said: “It means a lot, and
like to thank the organisers and all the I know I’m the first one to break that
hosted for the first time by the
football fans who voted for me.” stranglehold of Gary Neville and Jamie
BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire. Carragher. I’m not going to let them
In the women’s game Vivianne live this one down, I might brag a
With almost 400,000 votes cast, the Miedema made it a hat-trick of little bit!”
FSA Awards are the largest supporter- successes, with the Arsenal forward
led awards in the UK. picking up her third consecutive Elsewhere it was also a trophy-laden
Women’s Player of the Year award. night for Sunderland, with fanzine A
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was Love Supreme picking up the Fanzine
crowned Men’s Player of the Year, Peter Drury won the Commentator of of the Year award, and Sunderland-
becoming the first men’s player to win the Year Award for the second time born writer Jonathan Wilson picking
the award for a second time, holding and said “I’m honestly thrilled, and a up his third FSA Writer of the Year title.
18 | FSA Annual Review 2022Alex Scott Pundit of The Year Punjabi Rams Fans for Diversity Award
The full list of winners of the FSA Awards 2021
in association with BeGambleAware are below
MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Vivienne Miedema (Arsenal)
FAN MEDIA OF THE YEAR CLUB PODCAST OF THE YEAR
Arseblog (Arsenal) It’s All Cobblers To Me
COMMENTATOR OF THE YEAR FANS FOR DIVERSITY AWARD
Peter Drury Punjabi Rams
FANZINE OF THE YEAR NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
A Love Supreme The Guardian
ONLINE MEDIA OF THE YEAR PODCAST OF THE YEAR
The Athletic The Guardian Football Weekly
PUNDIT OF THE YEAR RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
Alex Scott The Warm-Up WIth Max Rushden
SUPPORTER LIAISON OFFICER OF THE YEAR WRITER OF THE YEAR
Shona Groves (Millwall) Jonathan Wilson
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 19FANS FOR
DIVERSITY
Now in its eighth year, the
Fans for Diversity campaign
has continued to spread the
good word about diversity in
matchday experience – to overcome
exclusion or a perception of exclusion,
to engage clubs and other supporters
to welcome those who might believe
football is for ‘them’ not ‘me’.
once again,” says Fans for Diversity
campaign manager Anwar Uddin.
“It’s been another exceptional year for
the campaign - we’ve been funding
projects across all the major strands of
the game while breaking down equality, diversity and inclusion.”
barriers to attending As pandemic restrictions were lifted
for the 2021-22 season, the campaign Anwar has led events and partnerships
live football. has continued to grow and connect across football. Highlights include a
supporters across the country. Ramadan partnership with Nujum
Running since 2014 in partnership Sports, supporting the South Asians
with Kick It Out, the Fans for Diversity “It’s been great to get back out there in Football Network, the Fans United
campaign aims to support and and meet all the fan groups involved project at Millwall and working
empower people to enjoy a fantastic in our Fans for Diversity campaign alongside AFC Autism.
Want to get a Fans for
Diversity project off the
ground at your club?
Get in touch with Anwar:
anwar.uddin@thefsa.org.uk
20 | FSA Annual Review 2022NATIONAL RECOGNITION
At the start of June, Anwar was “I’m just the one who’s fortunate “The transition from being a player,
awarded an MBE in the Queen’s enough to work on the campaign full into a post-football job and a new
Birthday Honours list, in recognition of time but it’s a real team effort and as life can be really, really difficult for
his work leading the Fans for Diversity far as I’m concerned this award is for all many ex-pros but the FSA and all
campaign and a playing career the volunteers and people in football the people who work with us have
spanning more than 20 years. who’ve backed us and made the made that transition so much easier
campaign happen.” – a massive thanks to everyone who’s
Anwar said: “I joined the FSA to launch been involved. I feel privileged to be
the campaign and since then we’ve Anwar has been responsible for many in a position to help people access the
done more than 200 events and helped firsts including: the first player from a beautiful game, which has been so kind
100+ new supporter groups form, south Asian background to captain a to me.”
helping them along the way too. There Premier League or EFL team, coach
are now thousands of people watching England C, and join the FA Council.
football because of that work.
AMAR CYMRU:
A NEW
GENERATION
OF WALES FANS
Wales last qualified for a World Cup “People are keen to follow the team but anywhere really where people are
in 1958 – the same year the modern there are barriers in the way so we’ve most comfortable.
hula hoop was invented – but thanks been busy joining the dots, providing
space for people to start getting “There are barriers to getting involved
to their win against Ukraine they’ll
together to watch the match.” in football and starting to follow
be heading to Qatar 2022 and taking
your national team, so we’ve been
a new generation of fans along with
Amar Cymru is a fledgling network focusing on creating that environment
them in the process.
of Wales fans predominantly from where people feel comfortable
Following Wales’ impressive showings the country’s growing south Asian picking it up.”
at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, a World community. The Office of National
Cup will further energise and broaden Statistics estimates just over 5% Amar Cymru was established last
the country’s supporter base according of Wales’ 3.1m people are of Asian year with support from the Fans for
to Jalal Goni, head of Amar Cymru, a descent, and Jalal wants the network Diversity fund and Anwar has been
new network of Wales fans founded to tap into that. helping the group ever since. Amar
with the help of Fans for Diversity. Cymru have used the fund to take 30
“It started off as just a handful of us but fans to see Wales play in the qualifying
“In most towns and cities in Wales we’ve grown to a network of hundreds rounds and arrange a friendly with
you’ll find some kind of south Asian all over Wales,” he says. their counterparts across the border,
community,” Jalal says. “And Amar Amar England.
Cymru is all about finding those pockets “We keep in touch on Whatsapp and
of people that want to follow the national get together to watch the games Jalal says: “It shows just how much
team whether they’re in Newport, Cardiff, in community centres, on digital potential there is out there and that
Swansea or north Wales. platforms, Zoom calls or Teams, network is growing.”
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 21MY CLUB, MY SHIRT
Fans for Diversity’s My
Club, My Shirt initiative
So far nine clubs across the country,
up and down the football pyramid,
have taken up the format of the
My Club, My Shirt project. Its
captured hundreds of supporters from
all walks of life.
“It’s a simple yet effective way of
is now in its third year, format is simple: fans of the club putting fans at the heart of the
having debuted at Cardiff are photographed in their club’s
colours at the ground and famous
diversity message,” Anwar says.
“The portraits are fantastic.
City in 2020 amid the locations around their town or city.
COVID-19 pandemic. “I love this program – it celebrates all
This simplicity allows clubs and the different kinds of diversity among
supporter groups to show just how football fans, even the subtle kinds,
diverse their supporter base can be. in a way that fans immediately get
So far the My Club, My Shirt project has and understand.”
22 | FSA Annual Review 2022MY CLUB,
MY SHIRT CLUBS:
Bath City
Wolves
Lincoln City
Newport County
Carlisle United
Nottingham Forest
Bristol Rovers
AFC Wimbledon
Cardiff City
Blackburn Rovers
Stoke City
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 23COMMUNITY-OWNED
CLUBS / NON-LEAGUE
THE NEWEST MEMBER “In the summer of 2018, a new-look club playing at home in its city, it has
OF THE CLUB
football club board was appointed the potential to grow sustainably and
including supporters’ trust board reclaim ground on its previous non-
members with three aims: to return to league stature.”
Late last year Worcester City Worcester; to become a community-
became the latest club to achieve owned club; and to become financially
community-ownership. Luke Cox, sustainable. HELPING CLUBS
former-Worcester City director
“In the following seasons, with the
and supporters’ trust board The FSA continues to support
supporters’ trust in control and as the network of over forty
member tells us more about the largest single shareholder, the clubs in England and Wales
their journey. club rebuilt trust and relationships providing advice on everything
with the local community. from planning applications for
“On 6th November 2021, the WCFC new grounds to HR issues and
Supporters’ Trust gained 51% of the “With its long-awaited homecoming assistance with the writing of
shares in the club. Some may consider taking place in 2020, it was time to strategic plans.
it a miracle the football club is still deliver true community-ownership.
here today. Following a short campaign to We are constantly taking calls
convince shareholders of the model’s from clubs and supporters
“The 2010s was a decade of grave benefits for the club, enough shares interested in community
uncertainty during which many were donated to the supporters’ trust ownership and are now seeing
supporters feared the worst. The club to pass over the all important 51% line. a real change in the nature of
experienced the sale of its beloved those calls.
ground St. George’s Lane and spent “Now in 2022, plying our trade in the
seven years cast out in exile from the Midland Football League Premier In previous years these were
city of Worcester. Division it is a modest reality compared typically in reaction to a
to the National League North days and crisis (Bury AFC), a protest
“This was accompanied by a drop from giddy highs of knocking Coventry City at the actions of the FA (AFC
the National League North to Midland out the FA Cup in 2014. Wimbledon) or football club
Football League Premier Division (Step owners (FC United of Manchester).
5 of non-league) in one season with “However, if well-nurtured with Now clubs are looking to utilise all
a voluntary relegation. The club was an engaged membership and a the benefits of being a community
losing money hand over fist trying to community around it that values benefit society as a strategic
cover the cost of playing away from having influence in how the club is run decision to grow their club.
the city while missing out on vital and who appreciates that it is quite
revenue streams. literally theirs, as a community-owned
24 | FSA Annual Review 2022NON-LEAGUE AWAY DAY
OF THE YEAR
Blyth Spartans were named as the We want all clubs to make away is worthwhile if you have a good day
2021-22 winners of the FSA’s Best fans feel welcome and our award out helped by considerate stewarding
Away Day in Non-League award at acknowledges those clubs who go that and a welcome from the host club.
the Non-League Paper’s National extra mile. Travelling supporters are The evidence from our annual survey
Game Awards. vital to the atmosphere at matches and of fans demonstrates that those clubs
away fans also bring additional revenue, who make away fans feel welcome
It is the third time we’ve partnered with improving the financial viability of attract more supporters and reap a
the Non-League Paper to recognise the our football clubs. Without away fans, financial benefit from both home and
clubs who are the best at welcoming grounds are far quieter, less vibrant away fans alike.
fans from Steps 1 to 4 of non-league, places. A noisy and colourful away
and the first time since 2019 due to the end can make even a mediocre game Our award acknowledges best practice,
COVID-19 pandemic. more memorable. and we hope that it will encourage all
clubs to look at how the match day
The winners at each level were: The cost of travel and tickets can be experience for away fans at their own
barriers to supporters, but that cost club can be improved.
Step 1 – Maidenhead United
Step 2 – Blyth Spartans
Step 3 – Merthyr Town
Step 4 – Clitheroe
We recognise that facilities and
resources vary at the different levels of
the game and categorise nominations
at each of Steps 1 to 4 of the National
League System. A judging panel sifted
through the nominations we received
before deciding the winning club at
each level. The winners at each level
were then assessed for the overall
winner and Blyth Spartans were judged
as overall winners.
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 25CASE-
WORK
FAIRCOP:
TROUBLE AT THE MATCH
It’s been a fractious season experiences and discussions with our We’ll continue to support fan education
own supporter groups. work and champion restorative justice
in many ways, with a spike in projects across the country.
disorder and football-related “We should be clear that we can’t look
incidents recorded since at fan behaviour in isolation, ‘’ Amanda “Nobody thinks that there is a quick
says. “The decline in policing and and easy solution but everyone in
a return to full stadiums stewarding standards post-COVID have football has to work together and have
following the pandemic. definitely contributed to the problems a complete rethink about how to deal
we’ve seen this season. with the challenges of anti-social and
criminal behaviour,” Amanda said. “And
A number of high profile incidents, “Football as an industry should supporter groups should be involved
combined with the UK Football Policing recognise they can’t ban or prosecute with designing solutions to this
Unit (UKFPU) releasing selected their way out of these current trends.” complex issue.”
midseason statistics, led to a media
frenzy earlier this year around the issue Against this backdrop there have Despite media hysteria, football
of trouble at the match. Some of that been calls from senior police figures remains a safe and enjoyable
coverage was well-thought out and for more powers, the creation of more environment for the overwhelming
balanced, but a lot of it predictably football-specific offences and more majority. Bob Eastwood, the EFL’s
was not. money spent on policing. Amanda has safety and security adviser says:
been bringing together our affiliate and “It is important to remember that
FSA caseworker Amanda Jacks says associate supporter representatives the vast majority of our matches
she has received more reports this from FSA networks to hear their recent, remain incident-free with the
season than usual relating to pyro, drug first-hand experiences, the extent of overwhelming majority of fans
use and other incidents of disorder. the problems and what their own clubs getting behind their team and
That tallies with other matchgoers’ are doing to tackle it. respecting those around them.”
26 | FSA Annual Review 2022FLARE PLAY:
PYRO AND THE LAW
This season’s FA Cup final between once again reminded supporters of the then given three year Football Banning
Chelsea and Liverpool might have dangers of smoke bombs and flares - Orders, as well as bans handed out
both legal and physical. by the clubs themselves.
been short on goals, even if it was
a great game, but viewers will You don’t have to let off a flare inside a “Supporters who let off pyro inside
have noticed an abundance of stadium for it to be a criminal offence. stadiums might want to improve
smoke bombs. Possession of a smoke bomb or flare the atmosphere but they’re putting
is itself a crime if you even attempt to themselves at risk of lengthy club
There is no denying the fact that many enter a stadium – and that can include bans and criminal prosecution,”
supporters, particularly younger fans, possession en route to the match. Amanda says.
feel that they add to the atmosphere The law doesn’t actually distinguish
and spectacle – and TV directors between smoke bombs, flares or “Over the past decade we’ve spoken
certainly seem to agree. fireworks either. to lots of fans who’ve been prosecuted,
and even jailed, for letting off flares
With numerous pyro incidents taking Amanda regularly hears from fans or smoke bombs in stadiums. It isn’t
place at the end of the season, we who have been prosecuted in court, worth it.”
PITCH INCURSIONS
The end of the 2021-22 season saw but positive intentions – but they might still This isn’t an empty threat as we’ve seen
celebratory - but controversial be charged with a criminal offence. We’ve already. The Safety Advisory Group
been contacted by fans in that position. at York City cut capacity from 8,500
- pitch incursions taking place,
to 7,500 following a pitch incursion
with a number of incidents in the And if thousands enter the pitch all versus Chorley. That’s a 12% capacity
Premier League, EFL play-off semi- it takes is one or two idiots to cause reduction. Replicate that in a larger
finals, and non-league drawing problems for everyone. Sheffield stadium and huge numbers could be
condemnation. United’s Billy Sharp was attacked at excluded from going to the match.
the City Ground following Nottingham
While there has been a tradition of Forest’s play-off win, and the idiot We’ll be speaking to the football and
celebratory incursions in decades past responsible was rightly jailed. Players safety authorities over summer and
(think Ronnie Radford, Jimmy Glass) many and managers have an absolute right to into 2022-23, making the case for a
of those took place before it was a criminal leave the pitch without being attacked proportionate response, and outlining
offence to enter the pitch. It’s now illegal or antagonised. the negative consequences for those
to do so and nobody would suggest that who break the rules, as we often have
supporters are above the law. No-one’s suggesting a return to to pick up the pieces when young
deadly perimeter fences but there is a fans break the law and realise the
We know that many thousands of fans possibility that other restrictions could consequences. When it comes down to
will have jumped on the pitch as the make live football a worse experience if it, the stands are for the fans and the
season reached its climax with nothing pitch incursions continue. pitch is for the players.
FSA Annual Review 2022 | 27You can also read
