MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
SUPPORTERS' CONSULTATIVE FORUM
FORUM OBJECTIVES & RULES
Sections:-
1) GENERAL
The body will be a consultative forum, which will be an opportunity for a representation
of supporters to discuss various issues concerning Manchester United Football Club
with senior members of the administration team.
2) AIMS & OBJECTIVES
- To create an environment for a cross section of fans to interact with club
officials;
- To develop a better understanding of fans wants and needs;
- To provide a channel of open communication in order that the club can present
its policies.
3) END GOALS
- To develop services for fans that are valued and enhance their relationship
with the club;
- To increase fan loyalty;
- To recruit new fans;
- To create a co-operative environment between the club and its fans that enables
the club to develop the best business structure to support a successful football team.
4) PRINCIPAL ISSUES OF DISCUSSION (ARISING FROM THE CUSTOMER CHARTER)
- Supporter consultations
- Ticketing
- Merchandise
- Away supporters
- Community activities
- Complaints procedures
5) REPRESENTATION ON THE FORUM
There will be no less than 12 and no more than 18 individuals on the Forum at any
time. The Forum will be composed of individuals selected to represent the major sections
of support for MUFC. The Club will decide the precise number of representatives from
supporters and administration, in consultation with the Forum.
These individuals will not, however, be required to represent the views of sectional
interests, and are there to provide their own opinions. Some individuals (such as
those representing independent supporter groups or supporters' branches) may wish
to take soundings amongst their fellow supporters. However, this is a matter for them,
and they are in no way expected to represent anyone not present at the meeting.
A reserve cannot be nominated to fill the place of an individual for a particular
missed meeting.
Where an individual is no longer able to attend meetings at all, a reserve will
take their place for the remaining period of time that they have to serve.
6) DIVISION OF PLACES
See Appendix One for the initial breakdown of places.
Any prospective representative must have reached the age of 18 no later than the
closing date for selection.
7) ROLLOVER OF MEMBERS OF THE FORUM
It would prove beneficial to the group to have a gradual change of membership,
to allow the views of other supporters to contribute to the discussion.
However, this should be balanced with an element of continuity, so that there is
not wholesale change after a certain period of time.
Two years will be the optimum period of time for a representative to serve. Therefore
at the final meeting of the first year, lots will be drawn for half (or one less than
half if an odd number) of the supporters to be replaced. Those people would then be
replaced on the basis of a new round of selection in the same way as described below.
New members selected at that point will then serve for two full years.
The remaining members of the original Forum will serve for an additional year before
selection is held to replace them.
Thus a rolling two-year procedure will have been established.
It is important for the Forum to allow a variety of views to be heard. Therefore
no individual can sit on the Forum for two consecutive periods of representation.
8) PROCEDURE TO SERVE ON THE FORUM
The selection process will be administered independently from MUFC. The general
procedures will be as follows:-
For Groups A - E (Appendix One), an application form must be completed and
returned to the independent scrutineer. The application form will be available from
either the club programme, the club directly, or via other reasonable means of communication
as decided by the club.
Thereafter, a draw will take place for the requisite number of representatives
from each group. In addition, the names of three reserves will be drawn for each group.
For Group F (Appendix One), those branches wishing to be represented will
inform the club. The names of the successful branch(es) will then be drawn by the
independent scrutineer. Each successful branch will then be contacted to supply a
representative.
If a reserve is needed at a later date, the same branch as the retiring representative
will again be approached to provide another individual.
For Groups G- H (Appendix One), the independent scrutineer will contact
each organisation, to request signed confirmation of (a) representative(s). Each organisation
will be offered the opportunity to ballot their members should they so wish.
If a reserve is needed at a later date, the same organisation as the retiring representative
will be approached to provide another individual for the duration of the original
term.
9) LOCATION & FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
It is intended that the Forum will meet four times during the year.
The dates of the meetings will take place during the regular season, with meetings
scheduled to co-incide with match days. See Appendix One for the initial dates and
proposed times of meetings. These dates may be subject to change according to alterations
to fixture dates and times.
It is envisaged that members of the Forum will thereafter (or before) be invited
to watch the match.
10) CHAIR & MINUTES
There will be an independent Chair. This will not be a supporter or official of
MUFC, and therefore will have no vested interest in the consultation process.
The minutes will also be prepared independently.
If a member of the Forum wants to present documentation to the meeting, MUFC will
offer a reasonable level of secretarial support.
11) TRAVEL & EXPENSES
Reasonable travel and expenses costs may be paid for travel to and from the Forum.
In some instances, this may include overnight accommodation (for those who travel
a long distance).
12) AGENDA OF THE MEETINGS
The first meeting will take the role of a less formal session, in which the purpose
of the Forum will be discussed, members will get to know each other, and a general
discussion on identifying relevant agenda items can take place.
Thereafter, an agenda will be sent to members of the Forum prior to all ensuing
meetings to allow members to give the issues due consideration. This may take the
form of specific questions for members to consider, in order to provide some focus
to their preparation.
A representative may introduce an item under Any Other Business, relating to a
relevant topic, if time allows.
APPENDIX ONE:
Season 2000-2001
Division of Places on the Forum
The following will be the initial breakdown for the division of places:-
A
|
Season Ticket and League Match Ticket Book Holders:
|
3 places
|
B
|
Club Members:
|
3 places
|
C
|
Private Box and Executive Suite Members:
|
1 place
|
D
|
Family Stand Season Ticket Holders:
|
1 place
|
E
|
Over 65 Year Old Supporters:
|
1 place ***
|
F
|
UK & Ireland Supporters' Branches:
|
3 places
|
G
|
Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association:
|
1 place ***
|
H
|
Independent Supporters Groups,
|
|
|
- IMUSA
|
1 place
|
|
- SHAREHOLDERS UNITED
|
1 place
|
***This, of course, in no way prevents someone over-65, or disabled, from representing
any of the other supporter groups.
Meeting dates for the Forum
Initial dates for meetings are as follows:-
23rd September 2000 (match vs. Chelsea)
2nd December 2000 (match vs. Spurs)
24th February 2001 (match vs. Arsenal)
5th May 2001 (match vs. Derby)
A provisional timetable for meetings on a match day would be as follows:-
11.30am kick off; meeting starts c. 2pm
3pm kick off; meeting starts c. 11.30am
4pm kick off; meeting starts c. 12.30pm.