Fans Advisory Board – Initial Meet-Up Summary (15 April 2026)
On 15th April 2026, members of the newly formed Fans Advisory Board (FAB) came together for an informal introductory meeting. This was not an official session with the football club, but rather an opportunity for elected fan and commercial representatives to meet one another, share early ideas, and begin shaping priorities ahead of the first formal meeting with the club, scheduled for May 2026.
Getting Started
One of the first actions agreed was to introduce FAB members to the wider fanbase. Each member will provide a short (50-word) summary about themselves as a Crawley fan, along with a photo. These introductions will be submitted to Steve by Saturday 18th April, with the aim of featuring them in the upcoming Salford matchday programme.
In preparation for formal engagement, Sam will reach out to key club contacts to arrange the first official FAB meeting in May, ensuring appropriate club representation is present.
Looking Ahead to the First Club Meeting
The group discussed how to make the first official meeting with the club as productive as possible. A key priority will be to establish clear timescales for agreed actions, ensuring accountability and measurable progress between meetings.
Another important discussion point will be how FAB communicates and engages with the wider fanbase. A multi-channel approach is likely to be explored, including programme notes, email updates, QR codes, and social media. Clarifying ownership and responsibility for these channels will be essential.
Key Topics and Questions for the Club
FAB members identified several areas they would like to explore with the club:
Gaining a clearer understanding of the club’s operational and leadership structure
Exploring whether a non-executive advisory group with business expertise could support strategic direction
Identifying opportunities for volunteers to contribute (for example, technical support)
Introducing a “You Said, We Did” communication approach to demonstrate progress and transparency
Considering a supporter engagement initiative such as birthday emails with club shop incentives
Reviewing plans for reintroducing or refreshing a Junior Reds-style programme
Improving the consistency and content of club emails (e.g. shop updates, ticket news, promotions)
Planning regular community-focused events throughout the year (e.g. Easter, Halloween, Christmas, end-of-season), with the dual aim of boosting engagement and revenue
Early Role Discussions
Initial ideas around FAB member roles were also discussed. These are very much in draft form and will be refined once members have had the opportunity to contribute their preferences and following the first official meeting with the club.
Current areas of interest include:
Tech and communications
Travel coordination
Programme contributions
Sponsorship representation
Inclusivity
Club compliance
Further clarity on roles will develop as the group evolves and priorities become more defined.
A Positive First Step
This initial meeting marked an important first step in bringing together a diverse group of supporters with a shared goal: to strengthen communication, collaboration, and progress between the fanbase and the club. With the first official meeting on the horizon, there is a clear sense of purpose and momentum as the FAB begins its work.
More updates will follow after the May meeting with the club.
