Crawley Town Football Club is delighted to announce the launch of the club’s new Fan Advisory Board (FAB).
To align with the evolving landscape of fan engagement across football, we have made the decision to relaunch the way we formally consult with supporters.
Supporter consultation will play a key role within the upcoming Football Governance Bill and under the Independent Football Regulator. To ensure we follow best practice and meet these new expectations, the club is proud to rebrand and relaunch our formal consultation process.
Throughout this process, the club has worked closely with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), whose guidance and recommendations have been invaluable in ensuring the new FAB represents our fanbase in the best possible way.
As part of this transition, the club will be bringing its relationship with the previously established Devils Advocates to an end. We would like to thank the Devils' Advocates for their dedication and support throughout this process.
The new FAB will consist of up to 11 seats. Six of these will be allocated to fan representatives. The club has held positive discussions with the CTSA and GH Coaches, who we are delighted to confirm will join the FAB as founding members. Two additional seats will be reserved for a commercial sponsor representative and a member of the Crawley Town Community Foundation.
This will form a structured group of fan representatives that meet regularly with senior club staff and the ownership group to discuss strategic and off-pitch matters, ensuring supporters' voices are heard. The FAB provides a direct communication link between fans and the football club's decision-makers
Speaking on behalf of the FSA, EFL Network Manager Jess Grundy said: “It is great to see the club working with supporters, fan groups and the FSA to develop fan engagement at Crawley Town. The Fan Advisory Board will make fans an integral part of the decision-making process, which can only improve the matchday experience for all fans.”
Club CEO Tom Allman added: “I’m delighted to announce the formation of the club’s advisory board. In the time I have been at Crawley Town, we as a club have never been able to communicate through one body. The formation of the FAB allows us to do so without compromising the variety of voices that make up the football club and local community. To have both the CTSA and GH onboard from the off was crucial and I welcome their partnership on this project, likewise with the Crawley Town Community Foundation. I would encourage fans to apply for a position on the board to ensure their voices are heard and look forward to working with supporters on what is a fan-led, club-backed initiative.”
Chair of the CTSA Reuben Watt said: "I welcome Crawley Town FC’s decision to establish a Fan Advisory Board as an important step in strengthening the relationship between the club and its supporters. I would also like to thank the FSA for working with the club to embed the FAB within the club's governance structures, particularly at a time when the Football Governance Bill is to become law."
Alain Harper from GH Coaches added: “We are extremely pleased to be invited to become a board member on the new Advisory Board and to assist the football club and our supporters to move forward as a single body. We feel this is a positive progression for the club and that all supporters should now get behind this initiative.”
The application window for fans wishing to take one of the six available supporter seats will open at 17:00 on Monday, 10th November. Details of how to apply will be shared on the same day.
We are keen to hear from supporters across the fanbase who are over 18 and have a previous purchase history with the club. We encourage applications from anyone who wants to be part of the Crawley Town Fan Advisory Board and make a positive contribution to the club.
Applications will be reviewed in collaboration with the FSA, who will take part in both the application and interview process.
The closing date for applications is Thursday, 28th November at midday. A shortlist will then be created, and successful applicants will be contacted to proceed to the next stage, which will be voted for by fans.
Fans can view supporting documentation about the proposed FAB below. These documents are the latest versions and may be subject to change. Final versions will be agreed upon with the elected FAB members during the first meeting.
