What's inside the Carlisle United supporters' trust CUOSC's new 'manifesto'?

The organisation that holds 25.4 per cent of voting rights in United’s holding company shared details at a recent members’ meeting.

They also included it in last week’s emailed briefing to members as they invited comments and suggestions.

But what does the draft document contain? Let’s take a look.

INTRODUCTION

CUOSC start the document by setting out their shareholding, board positions, and ‘mission statement.

The latter is a three-part bullet point list which says the trust aim to 1) ensure United remain a Football League club, 2) be a voice of the fans on the board and hold directors to account, and 3) to support or be ‘a critical friend’ to the club and its owners and directors.

The first page also makes it clear that any CUOSC member can stand for a [trust] board position or offer to help in any capacity.

“Please come along and get involved”.

The trust add that the more involvement from fans, the more CUOSC can do for them and the stronger their voice will be.

They say they welcome ideas – and add that the manifesto, inspired by the results of a 2021 questionnaire, aims to set out the “vision, core values and goals” of the trust.

“CUFC is at the heart of our community,” they say. “The 2021/22 season demonstrated both the fragile nature of league football and the passion of fans when we pull together.

“Both CUFC and the Trust need to improve. This manifesto forms the basis of how the Trust will improve and help build a stronger community club through better governance and wider engagement of the fan base.”

EIGHT AREAS

CUOSC set out eight points of focus in their manifesto.

They are as follows:

1 ‘The club’

Here, CUOSC say they will “work with Carlisle United in developing a sustainable, fit for purpose, community focused football league club.”

This includes helping to celebrate the “heritage and culture” of United and the local area; providing a “safe and welcoming” space for all to enjoy football, free from prejudice; maintain fair ticket pricing which also ensures “sufficient revenue for CUFC”, “maintain and develop Brunton Park” and consult with fans on any stadium plans, “ensure an entertaining and successful first team” and “ensure suitable training facilities fit for our squad.”

2 ‘Ownership’

Here, CUOSC say United “should be owned by people who believe in the club and can provide it with the success and passion it deserves”.

The Trust, they add, will try to ensure that current and future owners “always act in the best interests of CUFC”, “are sufficiently transparent in relation to important matters affecting the running of CUFC”, “engage with fans in a timely and appropriate manner”, “have a long-term vision and a sustainable plan in place that ensures long term stability of CUFC”, and “possess the necessary financial resources to support the successful running of CUFC both now and in the future.”

CUOSC have shared a draft manifesto with members (Image: CUOSC)

3 ‘Footballing matters’

CUOSC say that what happens on the pitch is the most important part of any football club, and to support this they will “participate where possible in the appointment of football staff and be critical where appropriate”, “express fans’ views to the CUFC board in relation to the performance of sporting staff and management”, “assist where possible in the development of a player recruitment system”, “try to ensure that the right people are held accountable for first team performances”,  “support the development of the CUFC academy including a pathway for the integration of players into the first team squad” and “support the development and fan following of the women’s team”

4 ‘Communication’

This area sees the trust highlight the need for “meaningful and regular dialogue” between club and fans, as a top priority.

They say CUOSC will try to ensure that United “communicate with fans in a meaningful way”, “upholds its responsibilities for fan forums, a minimum of twice per year”, attended by owners, directors and manager; “listen to fans’ views and take these into account when making boardroom decisions”, “issue regular updates from the boardroom and from the sporting side of the club”.

The Trust say they will also work with other supporter groups to help promote “coherence and collaboration” between as many fans and groups as possible.

5 ‘Representation’

CUOSC say “all fans should feel represented” and they will strive to achieve this.

“This means The Trust will hold regular members’ meetings, a minimum of three times per year, and encourage fans to interact and be heard; provide online access to members meetings where possible; circulate weekly emails to help keep members up to date with developments within the Trust and CUFC; listen to fans’ views and either act upon them or provide feedback as to why this is not possible; represent fans’ views in CUFC board meetings; have a clear route for fans to become directly involved in The Trust as a volunteer and join the board.”

“Through the above,” they add, “fans can have a meaningful influence in the boardroom and the running of CUFC.”

6 ‘Equality, diversity and inclusion’

In this area, CUOSC set out their aim to ensure United is “free from all forms of discrimination and is welcoming to everyone.”

“The Trust will work with CUFC, supporter groups and others to ensure Brunton Park is a safe space for all and encourage people from all communities to watch and support CUFC, promote respect between all involved with CUFC, try to eradicate any prejudice from Brunton Park, including racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other form of discrimination; support players’ decisions to demonstrate against forms of discrimination in whichever way they choose; advocate that CUFC appoint the best person for the job, irrespective of race, gender or sex; strongly advocate equal opportunities for all roles at CUFC and in wider society.”

7 ‘Finance’

In this key area, CUOSC say “solid financial foundations should be in place to ensure that the future of the club is not jeopardised.”

“The Trust will aim to ensure that CUFC is managed with financial stability in mind; request that CUFC have a long-term financial plan which is realistic in terms of potential income and expenditure; ensure CUFC continues to open and transparent in its financial reporting systems.

“The Trust will also continue to advocate via national forums for better distribution of funds, attempting to gain more appropriate income for CUFC in the form of distributions and solidarity payments.”

The trust's draft manifesto was shared with members last week

8 ‘Regulation’

This area – a hot topic in the game of late – sees CUOSC supportive of recent moves in this field.

They say the Trust supports the idea that football clubs are “community assets of cultural and historic significance, and should be managed in such a way”, and that “wider regulation in football needs to change, as has been highlighted by the recent Fan-Led Review”.

CUOSC say they will “do what it can in national forums to affect the changes proposed in the fan led review; support the introduction of an independent regulator; ensure the club continues to be part of the Fair Game association, a group that is lobbying for better distribution of income and better governance in football; and encourage a more robust and ongoing owners and directors test to ensure clubs are only owned by people who understand the rich culture and history that they represent.”

WHAT NOW?

CUOSC said they were inviting members to make comments and suggestions to the draft manifesto ahead of its official adoption.

In the briefing to members, sent out on May 15, they said they would like responses within a fortnight, so that any changes can be completed and a final version published before July’s annual general meeting.

READ MORE: Carlisle United's fans' trust CUOSC figure resigns over board member controversy