- Everton Stakeholder Steering Group (ESSG) launch process to elect members of the Club’s Fan Advisory Board
- Fan Advisory Board will comprise 11 members, representing key supporter groups and reflect the diversity of the Club’s global fanbase
- Applications open today (Monday 9 May) and close at 11.59pm on Thursday 19 May
- Once established, the Advisory Board will meet regularly with Everton’s hierarchy and be consulted on long-term strategic issues
The process to elect members to Everton’s independent Fan Advisory Board (FAB) has launched, with the final make-up of the panel set to represent key supporter groups and the diversity of the Club’s global fanbase.
Once established, the FAB will be consulted on long-term strategic issues and will meet regularly with the Club’s hierarchy, including members of the Board of Directors.
Following collaboration between the Football Club and the Everton Stakeholder Steering Group (ESSG), and consultation with a wide range of fan and stakeholder groups, it has been determined that the FAB will comprise 11 members – seven of whom will be elected representatives democratically nominated by groups making up the ESSG (‘reserved’ positions) and four of whom will be determined by an open fan vote (‘unreserved’ positions).
The seven reserved positions will be for a three-year term and will be occupied by one member each of the Everton Disabled Supporters’ Association (ESDA), the Everton Fans’ Forum, the Everton Supporters’ Club Committee, the Everton Heritage Society, the Everton Women Supporters’ Club, a member from a group associated to the Football Supporters’ Association, and a representative of Everton’s International Supporters’ Club network.
The remaining four unreserved positions will be appointed by an open and independently-verified vote but will include at least one Everton shareholder and at least one supporter representing a group with a protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act of 2010. To allow for an annual election process, two of the four elected unreserved positions will be for three-year terms, with the other two positions being for one-year terms.
Evertonians, aged 18 or over, wishing to put themselves forward for one of the four unreserved positions can apply online here. Applicants will need to have had an Everton supporter number as of 1 May 2022 and will need to be nominated by a proposer and a seconder, both of whom must also have had an Everton supporter number as of 1 May 2022. The application process will remain open until 11:59pm on Thursday 19 May and requires entrants to provide information about themselves, an image and a video submission explaining what makes them a suitable candidate to represent the Everton fanbase.
A panel comprising independent members and representatives of both the Club and ESSG will determine a final shortlist of 12, with a public vote to begin later in May. Supporters eligible to represent a group with a reserved position will be contacted by the relevant group independently but will not be precluded from applying for the open election for unreserved positions.
Everton confirmed in December last year that it was committed to collaborating with the ESSG to determine how meaningful fan representation at Board level on strategic matters at the Club could be developed following the findings of the Government's fan-led review of football.
The ESSG, a coalition of independent supporters' groups which represents more than 20,000 Blues, was established as Everton sought to inform its own responses to the Government's review. The group helped shape a fan survey that attracted responses from more than 10,000 Evertonians and which indicated overwhelming support (91 per cent) for the creation of a supporter committee or custodian group.
Working with the Club, the ESSG has since devised the Terms of Reference, informed by consultation with stakeholder groups and a fan survey, that outline the FAB's mission, objectives and composition. Once active, the FAB will be consulted on matters including the Club's strategic vision, plans for broader supporter engagement, the relocation to a new stadium and the subsequent Goodison Legacy Project, finance and revenue generation, and any proposals relating to club heritage.
Any supporters unable to complete the online application form can contact the ESSG (ESSG1878@gmail.com), who will be able to provide further assistance.
To read FAQs that outline the shortlisting and election process in more detail, click here.
