Welcome to the final CST Newsletter of the season.
Congratulations to the team, manager and coaching staff for adding the Premier League to the League Cup, to round off what has been a highly successful season for the club. It is not the primary purpose of this newsletter to comment on on-field issues or comments by other managers, but if that was a boring league season then here’s hoping for many more.
Announcing Virtual General Meeting
After the success of the one that was held last year, our final membership engagement session will be a Virtual General Meeting. The date for this is Wednesday, 27th May from 7 pm (BST). Details on how to listen in and participate will be sent out to members nearer the time together with the agenda.
CST Annual Survey
The third CST members’ survey is currently being drafted and will be sent to members in the next few weeks. The results of this survey dictate CST policies and priorities for next season and the three year trends will be of particular interest. The results of the survey will be discussed with club executives and in both the past two years the media have take an active interest in the findings as well. The survey is a key cornerstone of CST activity and we would urge you to have your say when you receive it.
Annual General Meeting
The third CST Annual General Meeting will take place at the start of the new season on the weekend of 8th/9th August, on whichever day Chelsea are not playing. The finalised date, together with agenda, location, the CST annual report, etc will be sent to members over the summer.
Stand and Deliver!
A key part of the CST ethos is the annual board election process. It is a cornerstone of our focus on transparency and democracy, along with the annual survey and regular members meetings and newsletters. Over the summer we will advise members of the key dates in the process.
A number of members have expressed an interest in potentially standing for the CST Board and we would encourage everyone to consider putting themselves up for election. If you would like to know more about what being a CST Board member involves, then please email us at [email protected] (using Board Member in the subject line), or come and talk to the CST rep on the cfcuk stall prior to the Liverpool or Sunderland games, or contact any current Board member directly.
Fans’ Forum – Make your voice heard
The final Chelsea Fans Forum of the season is before the Sunderland game on 24th May. If you have any issues you would like the CST representative, Julian Beattie. to raise, please let us know at [email protected]. The deadline for Fans’ Forum agenda items is 13th May, so please send these through as soon as possible
Many of you will share our scepticism as to the effectiveness and representative nature of the Forum, but as it stands it is another means of engaging with the club and we are keen to identify and highlight any issues you wish to raise.
European Away Ticket Collection
The CST board responded to the club announcement regarding the need to collect European away tickets. Many CST members have expressed concerns regarding the appropriateness and workability of the proposal, and we made representations to the club to this effect. The issue will be discussed at the Fans Forum (see above) but, given the concerns raised, it is a shame that there was no supporter consultation before the announcement was made.
Playfair Quatar
The Chelsea Supporters Trust and Playfair Qatar arranged a demonstration by Chelsea supporters regarding the abuses of migrant workers building the 2022 World Cup infrastructure. The well attended event took place before the 1-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday the 18th April.
Chelsea Summer Tour – Help from CIA
Chelsea In America have kindly been in touch to let our members know that they can help out any supporters planning on following the team with hotel deals, special events and planned meet-ups before and after the games with Barcelona, PSG, New York Red Bulls. See here to get in touch.
CST Website Re-vamp
Exciting news! The CST website is being redesigned and is due to be relaunched over the summer. Keep your eyes peeled for updates and the launch when it is announced!
Enjoy the Summer
There will be a couple of CST emails over the summer when timings around the board election process, timing of the AGM etc are firmed up. The CST board would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interaction, involvement and support this season and wish each of you an enjoyable, celebratory summer.
In the News
The League Champions Victory Parade has been announced for Monday 25th May at 12pm
Former Bradford City chairman linked to at least eight other fires before Valley Parade disaster
Supporters must unite not divide on high ticket prices
The story of Blackpool’s decline from Premier League to double relegation and mass protest
FSF caseworker responds to claims of widespread football disorder on British trains
Cambridge United to breathalyse fans before matches
How Safe Standing technology has made the Bundesliga the envy of Europe
