Not a good sign that Gav has chucked it; if someone who has stepped up to improve communication between all stakeholders says there are fundamental issues communicating with both the club and a fans' trust, it doesn't bode well for the future.
On a related note, the new SLO handbook has just been published by UEFA / SD:
https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/026f-13cca3e5461b-a462a58818bb-1000/uefa_practical_guide_to_supporter_liaison.pdfI didn't realise that having an SLO is a UEFA licensing requirement so should not be seen as a bit of PR fluff by the club but rather a critical function.
If the club actually provided adequate resources for our SLO(s) and paid heed to the guidelines in the handbook (original version was published 10 years ago), there wouldn't be the gaping chasm between the club and fans we have now. Reading the handbook highlights that the role of the SLO is a tough gig and not for the faint-hearted, a point I believe the previous SLO made at the time of the 'election'.
The other thing that leapt out from reading the handbook is the violence prevention / police liaison role of an SLO. How can that be squared with Alan Radcliffe being on the committee?
I didn't cast a vote for either the committee or Sean in the 'election' as it wasn't a transparent and democratic process in my opinion; anyone could easily have rigged the vote if they had the inclination and the ability to set up multiple email accounts and imagine some pseudonyms. I have no objection to the ASA running elections for the role in the future but only once they have a membership and can legitamately be regarded as a voice of the fans and have an auditable one member, one vote election process. If other supporters groups rise in prominance, their members should also be able to vote in any election.
I'll stop there before I go off on another tangent.