Why Join Us?

CF10 Supporters Trust: An Independent Voice For All Supporters!

Many fans that support Cardiff rugby believe that the voice of supporters isn't properly represented at board level and feel disconnected from our club as a result. When big decisions are being made about our club, as they are now, we believe that your voice, the independent voice of the supporters, must be heard. We believe the creation of a supporters’ trust is the most effective way for this to happen.

So what is a supporters’ trust?

Supporters’ trusts are recognised nationally and internationally as an effective vehicle for strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision making process at a club and improving the links between that club and the community it serves.

Many are formed in crises, such as when a club is about to go under financially, its ground is being sold, or when a new owner is seeking to ditch the heritage of the club and perhaps change its colours (from Bluebird Blue to Tan Red, for example).

Trusts act as a club’s critical friend and seek to place supporter views at the centre of decision making; they really get behind the club they love, but are not afraid to tackle the difficult issues and act as a campaigning, political force when circumstances demand.

What we want to do

Provide a brand new, positively charged, fully democratic and forward looking body designed to be a voice for everyone with an interest and passion in Cardiff rugby. Our aim is to work with and influence the Board at Cardiff Blues Ltd. to help Cardiff regain its place in Welsh, British, European and world rugby - so we're not short on ambition! We also believe that it’s important to preserve the history of the club while fully recognising and supporting its wider regional responsibilities; evolution is good, but our history and heritage are key to defining who we are.

We believe that by organising ourselves into an efficient, effective and representative force, we can gain considerable influence on what happens at Cardiff - it would be a very odd and unhealthy organisation that did not want to take note of what its supporters think! We therefore intend to win the respect of the club in a number of ways. 

• We will act as a forum for identifying and bringing together the issues that are concerning supporters
• We will conduct member surveys on critical issues (see, for example, our current one on the future Cardiff Arms Park) and feed this back in a constructive fashion to the Blues Board.
• We will provide practical support (as we’re currently doing in support of the heritage museum idea).
• We will provide a forum for organising and maximising the power of existing small shareholders in Cardiff Blues Limited. (Have a look at our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section on our website for more information about how this might work).
• As a long-term aim, seek representation on the board of the company

Why is this important now?

Though its sometimes a difficult relationship, there are a number of ‘brakes’ on what the Cardiff Blues do at present. One is the members of Cardiff Athletic Club, another is its shareholders. Though the details are yet to be provided to either, one possible scenario is that neither will retain this influence under the new arrangements that will fund a redeveloped Arms Park. That makes the need a powerful, independent supporter body even more crucial.

The Trust is not yet another Supporter’s Club

If you want to enjoy well-organised trips to away games, vote for the player of the month, help raise money for Stay Strong for Ows, and occasionally get to meet the management team at Cardiff Blues, then you should join the Cardiff Blues Supporters Club- it will only cost you £11 per year. Many of our working party are members and pleased to support the great work that CBSC does. The trust won’t do any of the above however - so if you join expecting that it will, you’re going to be disappointed! Crucially, CBSC has repeatedly stated that it’s not a political or campaigning organisation - so it’s not designed to take on those more difficult issues that frequently occupy the hearts and minds of fans. That is what the trust is here to do.

Will this work?

We’ve done everything we can to get to the position where the trust is ready to go. Whether is works or not is not up to us - but up to you. The more supporters sign up, the more this is likely to be the case. So don’t delay become a founder member and play your part in making this great club even greater.