The FAB has been set up as a way of ‘forming part of a wider supporter engagement structure’ at the club going forward, and is much more structured than similar efforts from Dejphon Chansiri’s time at the club.
Silverwood’s invitation to the board is one that comes as recognition of his ‘personal contribution, experience and expertise’.
While Silverwood became well-known amongst the fanbase for his work during the trying times of the last year, and the dying embers of the Chansiri era, as part of the Trust, it has been clarified to The Wednesday Word and other media houses that his invite to the board is on a personal basis - and in no way connected to the Supporters Trust.
For those who don’t know him, Silverwood is the Senior Lecturer in Politics at Leeds Beckett University, with his research specialism being in British political economy, publishing work on British economic, environmental and educational policy - as well as the sustainability and governance of English football.
A statement from the club today read, “Sheffield Wednesday is pleased to confirm the formation of its Fan Advisory Board (FAB)… Forming part of a wider supporter engagement structure designed to strengthen dialogue, representation and collaboration between the club and Wednesdayites, the FAB will hold its inaugural meeting on Tuesday 3 November.
“Its formation is accompanied by three specialist sub-groups covering Fan Experience, Ticketing, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), alongside new UK and International Supporters Collectives.
“The FAB has been established following a comprehensive consultation and selection process, supported by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), designed to secure broad and representative supporter involvement.
“As part of the club’s wider commitment to strengthening supporter representation, James Silverwood has also been invited to join the Sheffield Wednesday board of directors as an unpaid Non-Executive Director.
“James currently serves as Chair of the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust and has played an important role in supporter representation during a significant period in the club’s history.
“The invitation recognises James’ personal contribution, experience and expertise, with the role offered in an individual capacity, separate from his position with the Supporters’ Trust.
“Before formally accepting the invitation, James intends to consult the Supporters’ Trust membership to seek their support.”
Fan Advisory Board Breakdown
The FAB will comprise representatives from six supporter organisations and collectives:
• Regional Supporters’ Groups Collective (UK)
• The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust
• The SWFC Women’s Supporters’ Group
• Wise Old Owls
• Rainbow Owls
• The Wednesday Voice
The board will provide a structured forum for dialogue on strategic matters affecting supporters, with its members contributing perspectives from across the Wednesday fanbase.
The club is committed to reporting back following each FAB meeting, ensuring supporters have visibility of the issues raised, the progress made and how their views are influencing decisions.
Dedicated sub-groups
Three specialist sub-groups will support the FAB, providing focused consultation and recommendations on key areas of the supporter experience, with relevant matters referred to the FAB and club leadership where appropriate.
Fan Experience
Focusing on the matchday experience, stadium facilities, accessibility, supporter services and wider opportunities to improve the experience of following Wednesday.
Membership: The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust, SWFC Women’s Supporters’ Group, Wednesday Voice, Armed Forces Owls, Wednesdayite and International Supporters’ Groups Collective.
Ticketing
Providing a dedicated forum for consultation on ticketing policies, pricing, accessibility, processes and future developments.
Membership: The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust, Regional Supporters’ Groups Collective (UK), SODA and Wednesdayite.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Supporting the club’s commitment to creating an inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment for all Wednesdayites.
Membership: SODA, SWFC Women’s Supporters’ Group, Rainbow Owls, Armed Forces Owls and Wise Old Owls.
Supporters’ Groups Collectives
Recognising the geographical breadth of Wednesday’s support, the club is also establishing two new supporter collectives.
The Regional Supporters’ Groups Collective (UK) will bring together recognised supporter groups from across the United Kingdom, including Sheffield and the surrounding region, with representation on the FAB and its Ticketing sub-group.
The International Supporters’ Groups Collective will provide a similar platform for supporter groups based overseas, strengthening relationships with the club’s international fanbase and informing how Wednesday engages with supporters around the world.
The International Supporters’ Groups Collective will also be represented on the Fan Experience sub-group.
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I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question but It would be interesting to find out where these recognised regional supporters groups are and how well organised they are. I know there is a London Owls group and the Limavady Owls in NI. Is there an index somewhere that lists them all ?