Voice of the Fans: September 2026 Club Meeting

PRESENT:
SUFC – George Aitkenhead; James Moody; Julie Taylor, Sue Rands
Voice of the Fans (VoF) - Ryan Ashmore; David Cross

1. Last meeting notes 17 Aug 26

No further comments raised following finalisation and publication on the SUFC – VoF webpage

2. Replacement of Eloise - process to be arranged

VoF stated that a few days after discussions in the previous SUFC - VoF meeting held on 18 August, Eloise had advised, that after some weeks of consideration and discussion with fellow representatives, she could no longer give her time to being a Voice of the Fans representative. David and Ryan were very sad to lose Eloise from the “VoF team”. Eloise having been a founder member and she had worked enthusiastically with the group to try and shape how we wanted to go about establishing the Voice of the Fans for SUFC.

All agreed should now move forward with seeking replacement representative(s) for Voice of the Fans Team. SUFC advised a request for applicants would be posted on the SUFC News webpage. VoF would join with SUFC in the candidate review process.

3. Fan Zone Survey - next steps

VoF confirmed it had prepared Fan Zone survey having taking on board some comments and it was now available to publish. SUFC advised it would be publishing on the Club website with VoF to administer the responses and collate for Club review.

4. Season 26/27 shirts Survey

VoF confirmed it had prepared Shirts survey taking on board some comments and it was available to publish. SUFC advised it would be publishing on the Club website with VoF to administer the responses and collate for Club review.

5. Update of IFR meeting with club - in particular Fan engagement part of Licence.

SUFC advised that the Board along with Phil Hough and James Moody had met with the club’s IFR Supervisor face to face on 8th Sept building on a number of virtual meetings since the IFR was established in May. Subsequent VoF discussion with Lee Collinson enabled a more detailed discussion.

In summary:
Since the May all club’s in the top 5 divisions of English football are required to comply with ‘ Additional Duties’ under the legislation primarily around protecting the heritage of the club. Examples include change of home colours, change of club crest
To obtain IFR approval for any such changes, clubs are required to evidence appropriate fan engagement and majority fan support. Going forward all 116 clubs are required to obtain a Provisional three year Licence to operate from the 27/28 season. The application window opens in Nov 26 until the end of Feb 27.A key element of the licence will be evidencing appropriate fan consultation on an ongoing basis.

The Act requires clubs to consult with fans regularly on relevant matters and defines relevant matters as:

a. the club’s strategic direction and objectives
b. the club’s business priorities
c. operational and matchday issues, including ticket pricing
d. the club’s heritage
e. the club’s plans relating to additional fan engagement

There are four key principles underlying appropriate fan consultation:

1. collaborative
2. two way
3. open
4. integrated

Additionally, each club will be obliged to produce an annual report evidencing how they have complied with the fan consultation element of the act as part of their ongoing licence.

The club is awaiting full details of the application process from the IFR in advance of commencing its licence application later this year.

Noted that more details are available on the IFR website.

SUFC advised it was also investigating the sources of information used in the Supporter Index published recently, since that score also feeds back to IFR review, and improvement measures would be put into place.

6. Kevin Keegan Memorial progress

VoF advised that it had a representative on the Steering Group, which was meeting on a regular basis and is active consulting with organisations and individuals familiar with design and sourcing of memorial structures, all to enable a good view of what options can be considered to provide an appropriate and widely acceptable memorial of Kevin’s association with Scunthorpe United.

SUFC advised it was aware of the progress being made and looked forward to further updates from the Steering Group.

7. Fan Community - reaching out and ways to encourage positive feedback

VoF advised that reaching out with the Fan Zone and Shirt survey would provide good impetus to fan engagement and in turn create feedback opportunity. Having future engagement initiatives, alongside those led by the VPs (see 8 below), all presented early to the fanbase encouraged stronger sense of interaction and community.

8. Update on Vice President activities and plans

Sue Rands summarised a lot of activities had been led and supported recently by the VPs with good fan participation:-
- Golf Day at Holme Hall Golf Club
- The Legends game had been very well attended along with the supporting activities, with auction and raffles being successful.

- Match sponsorship by Porsche Centre Hull at the Borehamwood game
- Atrium Group partnership collaborating with the Club on corporate networking events

Forthcoming events included:-
- Sportsman's Dinner with Dean Saunders on 22 October 26 at the Attis Arena - Fireworks display at the Attis Arena on 6 Nov 26
- Ideas for December events presently being considered.

9. Update on season 25/26 fan queries

a) Women’s team any future plans: SUFC advised still in mind but not with same priority for attention/funding as the Academy.

b) Academy or other form of young players association: SUFC said that returning to a full Academy would be reliant on a return to the EFL since funding is provided for such by the League. However, considerations are underway for future youth team.

10. This season queries update

a) Iron Insider: SUFC advised it is here to stay and is being developed for extra content with wider access to team personnel and their off field activities.

b) Attis Arena Sound system. Poor sound reception problem was identified (interfering external source) and rectified.

11. AoB

Fan querys/comments raised in the week:

a) Positive feedback regarding landscaping of West Car Park with compliments to the work undertaking by the club.

b) In response to query raised in regards to the Club advising its approach to additional funding to enable a robust promotion push at some point in future years, SUFC advised that a 5th investor would be a good source of such funds. However, the Club was active building its structure and operations to open up other revenue channels to open up new funding initiatives to not only build for promotion but also for a more sustainable future.

c) SUFC advised in response to fan query as to what contingencies are being made for parking when East Car Park is sold by NLCC, that some provision for parking in that area – in particular for games with large crowds expected. A clearer view as to what is happening should be known in New Year 27.

d) Query raised on half time entertainment on the pitch. Was there any intention to have fan participation activities in the near future? SUFC advised “Cross bar challenge” more so than “Pole to goal”. Query taken away for consideration.

12. Next meeting

Proposed for 19th October 5 – 6pm. VoF to issue out Teams Meeting invites.