First official update from the Preston North End Fan Advisory Network (FAN).
Established to represent supporter views and build constructive dialogue with the club as we move forward.
New webpage 👇
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FAN Preston North End's Fan Advisory Network (FAN) - May Statement
First official update from the Preston North End Fan Advisory Network (FAN).
Established to represent supporter views and build constructive dialogue with the club as we move forward.
New webpage 👇
If we have new owners first thing that needs to go is that confidentiality bollocks! What’s the point of having a fan engagement group and then not letting the outcome of any meetings be shared with a wider fan base, except of course for what the club deems acceptable to put out there. Box ticking comes to mind.
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- Jan 5, 2021
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- 6,334
Who is to decide what is confidential and what is not? The club, like any business, can say or not say whatever they want (unless they’re legally bound to disclose something).
The FAN thing shouldn’t exist in the first place. There should be fans forums, reported on by the LEP with tickets available for fans (maybe charge £1 entry with all fees going to the community trust).
The fact these fan groups are now a thing mean North End have ticked an EFL-shaped box with regards to fan engagement. Ultimately they’ve taken advantage of how a select few fans want to feel important by being asked if they’d like a brew at Euxton. I mean someone in this FAN group wanted us to continue playing the Lancashire Hot Pots pre-match - and they’re supposed to be speaking on behalf of the wider fanbase? Good grief.
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- Messages
- 1,531
A lot of the same people who are part of PSC are part of the FAN, so its just the same people asking the same questions.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2016
- Messages
- 12,971
That statement is pretty pointless if I'm being honest, a lot of words without saying anything at all.
Screams of trying to stay relevant. As said above, absolutely worthless if the contents of meetings are censored and fans don't get to hear the relevant information.
Screams of trying to stay relevant. As said above, absolutely worthless if the contents of meetings are censored and fans don't get to hear the relevant information.
OP
In response to some of the replies and speaking on behalf of the forum, not the FAN itself it’s worth adding a bit of context.
When the FAN was first set up, I was one of those hesitant about it. However, the majority view was that it was better to have a seat at the table than not, so I was more than willing to give it a go.
There’s been a suggestion that everything is hidden behind confidentiality. That simply isn’t the case. Nothing discussed is outside of what is already in the public domain, aside from a limited area around season ticket pricing.
As for “trying to stay relevant” the FAN is required to provide updates as part of its constitution. The timing of this statement aligns with the end of the season and also coincides with finally being given a presence on the club’s official website, something that has taken six months to achieve.
The reason the statement lacks detail is straightforward: there isn’t a great deal that can be reported publicly at this moment due to ongoing situations that everyone is already aware of. That said, there are more detailed proposals and priorities being worked on they just aren’t ready for publication yet.
On the point of fan forums, both Craig Hemmings and Peter Ridsdale have consistently refused to hold them over a number of years. Both the PSC, PNE Online and FAN have repeatedly pushed for greater communication with the wider fan base.
More open engagement with supporters is something I hope the new regime will get behind.
The idea that members are simply turning up at Euxton for a chat is wide of the mark. Several members are exiles and attend meetings remotely. For what it’s worth, as Co-Chair I believe meetings should be held at Deepdale rather than Euxton.
In terms of overlap, there are two FAN members connected to the PSC, one as the PSC representative, and one representing Her Game Too and disabled and impaired supporters.
It is not simply “the same people” asking the same questions.
I have been involved in supporters and various group meetings for years, yet most of the committee are folk I didn't previously know.
ANY PNE fan could have put their name forward to join as an independent member or approach me to help out for the forum.
I don’t think anyone wants a running commentary on every meeting, but given some of the comments, it felt necessary to clarify a few points.
Ultimately, the aim is simple: better, more transparent communication for as many fans as possible. That’s something I hope and expect to improve under any new ownership
When the FAN was first set up, I was one of those hesitant about it. However, the majority view was that it was better to have a seat at the table than not, so I was more than willing to give it a go.
There’s been a suggestion that everything is hidden behind confidentiality. That simply isn’t the case. Nothing discussed is outside of what is already in the public domain, aside from a limited area around season ticket pricing.
As for “trying to stay relevant” the FAN is required to provide updates as part of its constitution. The timing of this statement aligns with the end of the season and also coincides with finally being given a presence on the club’s official website, something that has taken six months to achieve.
The reason the statement lacks detail is straightforward: there isn’t a great deal that can be reported publicly at this moment due to ongoing situations that everyone is already aware of. That said, there are more detailed proposals and priorities being worked on they just aren’t ready for publication yet.
On the point of fan forums, both Craig Hemmings and Peter Ridsdale have consistently refused to hold them over a number of years. Both the PSC, PNE Online and FAN have repeatedly pushed for greater communication with the wider fan base.
More open engagement with supporters is something I hope the new regime will get behind.
The idea that members are simply turning up at Euxton for a chat is wide of the mark. Several members are exiles and attend meetings remotely. For what it’s worth, as Co-Chair I believe meetings should be held at Deepdale rather than Euxton.
In terms of overlap, there are two FAN members connected to the PSC, one as the PSC representative, and one representing Her Game Too and disabled and impaired supporters.
It is not simply “the same people” asking the same questions.
I have been involved in supporters and various group meetings for years, yet most of the committee are folk I didn't previously know.
ANY PNE fan could have put their name forward to join as an independent member or approach me to help out for the forum.
I don’t think anyone wants a running commentary on every meeting, but given some of the comments, it felt necessary to clarify a few points.
Ultimately, the aim is simple: better, more transparent communication for as many fans as possible. That’s something I hope and expect to improve under any new ownership
OP
Sorry, that I was more meaning a running commentary from me, every time there is a statement for those who disagree with the entire existence of the FAN.
I am happy to answer questions or take constructive feedback without the personal nonsense.
JK- could you please drop me a line at gdw@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks!
I am writing this as Chair of the FAN of which like JK have been a part of now since it's inception.
Like JK , I also had my reservations about how things would go. This 1st season has been a challenge at times but we are in better position to move forward in terms of meaningful engagement around the things that matter to supporters of our great club.
JK has hit the nail on head in terms of why the statement maybe doesn't have as much detail as hoped but that is because of what is happening at the moment that everyone is aware of that is in the public domain. We will continue to push for transparency and openness whenever it allows.
There has been a lot of background work put in over the past few weeks in producing a detailed statement and priorities document that the FAN feel are fundamental with any potential change in ownership or investor. This has been drafted in readiness so that as soon as anything does happen we will be strategically placed to have these meaningful discussions around what truly matters to all supporters of our great club.
This has been done over many hours at either ends of the day alongside doing our day jobs and not to just get a jolly to Euxton for a cuppa as some would like to think. We prefer the meetings to be at Deepdale but as previously stated a few join virtually as we have a few exiles but each and everyone of the elected group is passionate about driving forward what matters to the wider fanbase and not just as individuals.
There will be elections for 3 places on the FAN coming up over the next few months as part of the rolling membership process which is stated in the constitution that is available to see in in the dedicated area on the official club website. As JK has said we are mixture of people and NOT just the same old people raising issues. If you feel like you would like to contribute and be an elected member of the FAN then put your name forward when the process opens. Don't forget the votes are from supporters not the club so it is a fair and open process.
Like JK, I am happy to reach out to anyone who would like a meaningful conversation about anything they feel that they would like us to progress forward.
Like JK , I also had my reservations about how things would go. This 1st season has been a challenge at times but we are in better position to move forward in terms of meaningful engagement around the things that matter to supporters of our great club.
JK has hit the nail on head in terms of why the statement maybe doesn't have as much detail as hoped but that is because of what is happening at the moment that everyone is aware of that is in the public domain. We will continue to push for transparency and openness whenever it allows.
There has been a lot of background work put in over the past few weeks in producing a detailed statement and priorities document that the FAN feel are fundamental with any potential change in ownership or investor. This has been drafted in readiness so that as soon as anything does happen we will be strategically placed to have these meaningful discussions around what truly matters to all supporters of our great club.
This has been done over many hours at either ends of the day alongside doing our day jobs and not to just get a jolly to Euxton for a cuppa as some would like to think. We prefer the meetings to be at Deepdale but as previously stated a few join virtually as we have a few exiles but each and everyone of the elected group is passionate about driving forward what matters to the wider fanbase and not just as individuals.
There will be elections for 3 places on the FAN coming up over the next few months as part of the rolling membership process which is stated in the constitution that is available to see in in the dedicated area on the official club website. As JK has said we are mixture of people and NOT just the same old people raising issues. If you feel like you would like to contribute and be an elected member of the FAN then put your name forward when the process opens. Don't forget the votes are from supporters not the club so it is a fair and open process.
Like JK, I am happy to reach out to anyone who would like a meaningful conversation about anything they feel that they would like us to progress forward.
can we have hooped socks for ever please
I hold some of those involved in FAN and PSC in high regard, even if it doesn't come across that way online (I do like a wind up to be fair, when it comes to PNE, which has often got me in bother over the years 🤣)
But this does feel a bit weak.
It reads like it's been written for the club rather than for the fans, and it's obviously been fed through AI (which is fine, but you can tell, and it doesn't always go down well with actual people when it sounds too broad and generic).
Grammatically it's solid enough but it's very careful and doesn't really say anything - like members of the group have been threatened with legal action if they say too much. At the end of the day this is a football club, you've not signed the fucking official secrets act.
As a fan, you want something tangible.
I get the constraints - I really do - confidentiality, ownership, timing, all of the rest of it - but if that's the case, an update really needs to be shorter and more direct rather than a waffly piece of work which raises expectations but then doesn't really deliver anything.
I agree with @daveleigh over the "Jolly at Euxton" stuff - people are clearly putting the work in. But if fans can't see outcomes, it becomes a box ticking exercise.
Even one or two real life examples of progress would make a massive difference. But I'm thinking that your average fan can't see any change or difference from the outside.
I hope this changes in the future, I really do. I realise how hard it is though.
But this does feel a bit weak.
It reads like it's been written for the club rather than for the fans, and it's obviously been fed through AI (which is fine, but you can tell, and it doesn't always go down well with actual people when it sounds too broad and generic).
Grammatically it's solid enough but it's very careful and doesn't really say anything - like members of the group have been threatened with legal action if they say too much. At the end of the day this is a football club, you've not signed the fucking official secrets act.
As a fan, you want something tangible.
I get the constraints - I really do - confidentiality, ownership, timing, all of the rest of it - but if that's the case, an update really needs to be shorter and more direct rather than a waffly piece of work which raises expectations but then doesn't really deliver anything.
I agree with @daveleigh over the "Jolly at Euxton" stuff - people are clearly putting the work in. But if fans can't see outcomes, it becomes a box ticking exercise.
Even one or two real life examples of progress would make a massive difference. But I'm thinking that your average fan can't see any change or difference from the outside.
I hope this changes in the future, I really do. I realise how hard it is though.
Appreciate the points within and I share not just your frustration but that of many.
It has been a challenging 1st season since the full formation of the FAN. We have indeed as a group proposed a number of items that we would like to see the club take forward and in some cases there has been a bit of movement but not yet to the point that it is worth shouting from the rooftop.
I think with all the many issues that have been occurring through the season it has felt like a slow burn for us as group. Certainly over the past few weeks we have now got in place a couple of working documents highlighting the priorities that the FAN wish to address on 2 fronts - one within the current club structure and one within a new club structure with any potential new owner/investors.
As a tangible bit of progress we were heavily involved in the recently announced Season Ticket launch and pricing and also the revised loyalty points system for away matches. The music issues we keep pushing on in a number of areas. The volume is a major one and also the anthem quality as well has been discussed many a time.
In relation to the "wording and style" of the statements we have to be conscious that they are going on the club website and therefore have to be careful with the wording but always aim for it to sound authentic.