A short summer newsletter, mainly focusing on the advance notice for the AGM and CST board elections. The fixtures are due out shortly, and the Community Shield less than seven weeks away, so we hope you are enjoying your abbreviated summer.
Annual General Meeting
Notice of this year’s AGM can be found here along with a the Nomination Form for candiates who wish to stand for election as Board members. The current Board would encourage you to consider putting yourself up for election; new people bring fresh ideas and perspectives which can only be good for the future of the Trust. If you would like more information about what becoming a Board member involves, please contact any of the current Board or email [email protected] for further information.
Stamford Bridge Redevelopment
The CST board welcomes the recent announcement from Chelsea Football Club with regard to supporter consultation on the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge and the invitation emails being sent individually to all season ticket holders and members.
Such consultation, being held at Stamford Bridge from Tuesday 30th June – Thursday 2nd July from 12.00-20.00, is something we have discussed with the club on a number of occasions and we are encouraged that they are keen to obtain supporter input, as well as that of local residents. We would urge as many CST members who are season ticket holders or members to attend as possible.
Chelsea Quiz
Straight after the AGM we plan to hold a Chelsea quiz for members attending the AGM, compered by official Chelsea historian Rick Glanvill. More details, including how members can participate in the quiz, nearer the time.
Annual Membership Survey
A reminder that all members have been sent an email link to the annual CST survey. We are very keen that as many members as possible give us their opinions in order that we have as comprehensive a view of member opinion as possible when we present the survey results to the club. The results also dictate CST board priorities over the next year. If you haven’t completed yours yet, it only takes about 15 minutes, so please complete and submit it by the deadline of 30th June
Members who have joined since the initial survey was sent out will receive access to it shortly via email.
Apologies for the gremlin in the system that meant that many of you were mailed the survey twice. If you have not yet completed the survey, please use the link in the original email or reminder. A further reminder will be sent out shortly.
Encounter with the Police
Members of the CST board attended a meeting at Scotland Yard recently. There were supporters representatives from most London clubs, and a range of officers from the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police. A range of issues were discussed including ticket touting, the stewarding of post-match tube station queues, designated away pubs, pre-match pub closures, kick-off times (the Met are adamant that they almost never intervene with regard to kick-off times), ‘dry’ trains and supporter involvement in council-led Safety Advisory Groups.
We had a post-meeting catch up with Inspector Jim Brockway, the match day commander at Stamford Bridge who attended a CST SGM earlier this year, and discussed specific issues relating to touting, and possible ways forward.
Virtual General Meeting
We held a Virtual Members Meeting a couple of weeks ago, which had a pleasing amount of interaction from members. 188 members listened live and over 1600 have downloaded the podcast to date, which is very pleasing. The meeting notes, together with a link to the podcast and Chelsea Fancast soundcloud site, can be found here.
Shed Atmosphere Group
The CST board is pleased that the Shed Atmosphere Group seems to be making good progress in regard to their efforts to help improve the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Those interested in joining the Shed Atmosphere Group or finding out more about what they do can find details via @Shed_Atmosphere (Twitter), http://shedatmosphere.wordpress.com (blog) or email to [email protected]
Supporters’ Summit
CST board members will be attending the two day Supporters Summit, organised by Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters Federation, in Manchester next month. The highlight will hopefully be a meeting between Premier League trusts and senior representatives of the Premier League. We will give feedback from this meeting, and the whole summit, at the CST AGM. CST members are welcome to attend the summit – registration details are given here
Best wishes to Jeff Bell
The CST Board is sorry to hear that Jeff Bell, the landlord at The Finborough Arms, has decided to move on from what many supporters consider to be one of the best Chelsea pubs around Stamford Bridge. We would like to thank Jeff for making us feel very welcome during Trust SGM and board meetings over the last year, and wish him all the best for the future. Read more from him here
Culture, Media & Sport Sub-committee
The key position of Chair of the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport sub-committee is being voted for by MPs this Wednesday (17th). One of the candidates, Damien Collins MP, has made positive interventions on a number of football issues including FIFA reform, and there is a feeling among organisations like the Football Supporters’ Federation that he would be an excellent ally for our national game. On this basis, the CST board would welcome support for Mr Collins in this election.
VoteFootball have come up with a slick means of enabling you to ask your MP to vote for Mr Collins . It is worth pointing out that this is not a party political issue as all of the candidates for this post are Conservatives,
In the News
Celtic receive approval for 2,600 safe standing section
The 2014/15 best and worst football away days
Frank and astonishing interview with FA Chairman Greg Dyke
New Sports Minister Tracey Crouch says more Premier League cash should go to the grassroots
World War One and Chelsea v Sheffield United in the 1915 FA ‘Khaki’ Cup Final
FA Cup to be renamed The Emirates FA Cup
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool face prosecution over stadium disabled access
The old Lots Road Power Station to be redeveloped into riverside housing
