Everton Football Club would like to express its thanks and gratitude to Jazz Bal for his service after he confirmed he will be standing down as Chair of the Club’s Fan Advisory Board.
A former Fans' Forum chair, Jazz played an integral role in establishing Everton's Fan Advisory Board - the first independently elected panel of its kind in the Premier League - before being named its first ever chairperson in July 2022.
He was re-elected to the position earlier this summer but will step back from his duties with immediate effect to focus on home and work commitments.
The Fan Advisory Board has installed vice-chair Dave Kelly as interim chair and will confirm its plans to make a new appointment in due course.
A former serviceman, Jazz was voted to Everton's Fans' Forum in 2019 and, later that year, set up the Tri-Service Toffees, an officially affiliated Supporters' Club for fans serving in the UK Armed Forces.
He was elected Chair of the Forum in 2020 and, following the failure of a proposed European Super League in early 2021, worked with the Club after helping establish the Everton Stakeholder Steering Group (ESSG) - a coalition of fan groups representing more than 3,000 Evertonians.
Through his involvement in the ESSG, which he was also independently elected to Chair prior to standing for the FAB, Jazz helped to consult more than 10,000 Blues through focus groups and the Future of Football survey, the outcomes of which informed the Club's input to the government's fan-led review of football and led to the establishment of the inaugural FAB.
During his time on the Fans' Forum, Jazz was also a key voice in establishing the Club's formal support for Her Game Too, improving the matchday experience at Goodison Park, and ensuring meaningful supporter engagement continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Club is grateful for the dedication and determination Jazz has shown across the various roles he has held and acknowledges his contribution in driving forward numerous campaigns and initiatives, while always putting Evertonians and the interests of his fellow football supporters at the forefront of discussion.
