TOPIC: Fan Representative - Bruce Vander

It's now public and I' m proud and flattered to be chosen as one of the four candidates for the public vote.

It's my aim, if elected, to ensure that not only can the match day experience be improved upon with better fan facilities and greater choice and quality of food and drink – all with value for money in mind. I also want to ensure that communication with the club and fans is improved and for example ticket pricing is made simpler, properly planned and communicated. We as supporters are the long-term custodians for future fans and I want to make sure that we build a distinctive fan experience and fan base for the future. Carlisle is in a unique part of the country, away from other league clubs, and we should use our location to our advantage to build a community identity different to other clubs.

Please contact me if you have any questions or issues you would like to raise here on the forum, on Twitter @BruceVander , Facebook (Bruce Vander) or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We have a great club and a special kind of supporter who travels anywhere and everywhere to support the team. Let's build a better future by giving fans a strong voice in the boardroom.

Please take time to read about the candidates and please vote at:
www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/vo...ntative-2650699.aspx

You can vote by text VANDER{SURNAME}{POSTCODE} to 07786209191

Send VANDER in the subject box to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pop down to Brunton Park to register in person.

or by post to Fan Representative, Brunton Park, Warwick Road, Carlisle CA1 1LL

Best of luck to all 4 on the shortlist. Obviously decent candidates to get to this stage, with the best interests of the club at heart. Don't think it really matters too much which of the 4 get the nod. That said, I think it'll be a complete waste of time, be surprised if the 'Fan Rep' still holds the position this time next year, due to constantly having to p1ss into the wind and bang their heads against a brick wall.

Best of luck to all 4.

Bruce, cheers for the prompt response to the email.

I have voted accordingly.

Bump

While you are the fans rep do you intend going to all games home and away?

Whilst it's vital that the younger generation are involved, if you look round at the moment, The present fanbase is of the older variety.

Time and again I hear from fans, that they didn't know about something and time and again the reason they haven't heard about some thing is "Oh we don't bother with that internet thing" So how are you going to bring the people who don't bother with social media into the loop?

Our fanbase has been in decline for a few years and it also seem to be very split, with loads of different factions. We just have to read the posts on here to see the dislike of various groups by some posters and the reverse.

Do You feel you can communicate and bring together the various groups to make one strong supporters group, or do you feel that is not part of your remit?

That's three questions for you all to answer. I really haven't made a final decision yet, so there may be more questions to come

Bumble many thanks for the questions.

1) Will I continue to attend games: Absolutely. I am a supporter and fan. Being fan rep would not stop me going to games and commenting on them every Monday in the News & Star. The great thing about being at 40+ home and away games is that I can meet the full range of supporters and have a proper chat with them about their concerns, issues, hopes etc. For interest, I will not be sitting with the Directors but will get about the ground before games - in the bars, Foxy's (on occasion) - and will be sitting in The East Stand for the match in my normal seat with other ST holders.

2) Communication with all of our fan base: You're absolutely correct. The demographics for most teams, particularly in the lower divisions, is older rather than younger. It's important that we communicate offers, match details and other opportunities for fans to get involved with the club in as many forms of media as possible including the local newspapers and local radio. It's vital that those not online. don't lose out. One of the most important things is that such offers and details (like ad hoc season ticket draws) are properly planned and appropriate notice given.

3) It's very important that the fan rep. represents all supporters. This is especially true with regard the different and, at times disparate, supporters groups. We have already started moving fans in a positive direction with the CUSG, an umbrella organisation of all fan groups, but we need to get things working better and I would make it part of my role to help drive the positives of the CUSG forward. Personally, I believe that for the club to flourish we need to find a distinctiveness that makes us different from other clubs. Something that resonates with fans and draws them to the club whether we win, lose or draw. Fans have to have an enjoyable experience and feel they are part of something which identifies them as United fans form Carlisle and Cumbria. A rallying point.

I hope these answers help you make a decision on who to vote for.

Wazza if you are reading this topic you replied to my response on where I got ideas and suggestions re. improving fan interaction.

You said:
"The mentality of German Football Fans to English ones is incredible like, as is the way they are treated. Personally I think it will take a very long time to change it to the point where fans can stand with no trouble and have a beer in full view of the match as well as having a say so in Club matters etc... but it is something the Sport in England should be aiming towards. The biggest issue at Carlisle seems to be ticketing to me, seems to be one error after the next - not really sure that those working in the Ticket Office have any experience of being fans themselves in all honesty. That about the identity can also relate to the players, from Bundesliga to Oberliga the players will stay behind after the match and applaud the fans and get barracked or applauded themselves, in England they are off - no relationship between players and fans at so many Clubs."

I agree that there is a different attitude in Germany between fans and Club, and the players. However, it's something that we should try and understand and, where possible, tap into. It starts with better communication and fan representation at the top of the club. It also means a change in mentality for club staff, management and players. They have to buy into an ethos that the club is for the fans and that is who THEY represent. As to players being respectful and involved with fans at the end of a game, I must say that Keith Curle has got them to be more involved. At Plymouth, given the poor result, the players after a moments hesitation came over to the fans and exchanged handshakes and hugs with supporters. The same could have happened at QPR but the stewards were a bit nervous.

With regard to the ticketing problems, that would be first on my list. I believe there is a new express method of purchasing tickets from 2:15 on match days ie. you don't have to give a postcode, but this is not the sole answer. No fan should have to leave a queue and walk away because they can't get in or get a ticket within a reasonable time.

To fans going to the match tomorrow, I'll be there and will be happy to answer any question you may have about me or my thoughts about the fan representative role.

I will also welcome any suggestions you have or concerns you want to raise based on your own experiences of dealing with the club.

As to the match itself... #COYB

I have a couple of issues Bruce, and you being a person with a few years experience in Customer Relations like myself, will understand that the things I am talking about really need to be addressed - they concern re-Sponsoring a Player whom we sponsored last season, and being disappointed due to the fact that the Club`s Website in one crucial area has not been updated. I will be contacting the Club AGAIN on this, as after 2 emails are now "Blanking" me but this is one issue which falls under the " Communication" banner which needs attention if only to apologise.

Do you envisage taking such beefs to the board or to put it another way, do you think the Board will be interested in such niggles.

Seesaw50 thanks for the note.

We are player sponsors and have noticed that the website can be very slow at updating, sometimes not for ages!! It would be one of the first things I would want the club to address. I cannot understand why the website would not be updated regularly, given the fact that companies or individual supporters or supporter groups have shown considerable commitment in providing additional funding for the club. As to not replying to you!! There is no excuse. If it would be of any help in the meantime tweet Phil King, it worked for us when we had a problem with our sponsored player.

Communicating with fans should be writ in the club staffs DNA. A priority for the Fan Rep.

Not on twitter, but had considered dropping him an old fashioned type letter actually.

As you say if they can`t look after fans willing to put a bit into the club via sponsorship no wonder we get brassed off.

Cheers and good luck - you have my vote btw.

Many thanks Seesaw50. I hope contacting Phil will sort it out. If not let me know and I will get in touch with Phil, whatever happens this week.

Recognised your name Bruce, but couldn't put my finger on it, until you mentioned the N&S; predictions!

Great profile, and responses on here. Tough decision for all voters - best of luck, and hope whatever happens, you and the other 3 still have a part to play. The commitment is clear to see for all.

On the bus back from hartlepool today we got bruce vander flyers and what i read was quite interesting, not too sure if i will vote yet but your case is strong

Willcufc glad you found it interesting. Fans need to be represented and their views need to heard at the highest level. Improving communication with the club and fans, and looking at the match day experience (ticketing, facilities, food and drink) are priorities.

I know that there is a lack of trust between the club's management and supporters, but this is an opportunity to change that. I have been in boardrooms and know how discussions can be turned and minds changed with strong well articulated argument. I will be proactive. I am a fan first and want this club to thrive.

I'm not trying to force you to vote, that's your choice, but it's a chance for changing the supporters relationship with the club.

All the best.

For the purposes of consistency I am copying a reply I gave to Rsblue when asked: "I would like to know what the 4 reps think of yesterday's trouble and how would you handle this with the media and those involve?"

Rsblue I was at the match just to the left of the goal, near the front in the middle of the second row. I didn’t see any trouble as such except one lad who ran onto the pitch after Miller’s goal. However, I did notice (it was hard not to) that the police were concentrating their numbers at the far end of the stand nearest the Hartlepool fans
.
Games against our ‘local’ rivals for example Hartlepool and Preston, will always see large numbers of fans travel, especially on a Saturday. For most of us these are special occasions ones where we can gather in large numbers, meet home fans we don’t often see at away games and, hopefully, get a result that eases the journey home. Sadly, when we travel to these games there is always an element of supporters who go for more than the football. Happily this rarely happens outside of one or two games. For instance at QPR, 450 Carlisle supporters had a great night singing their hearts out, chanting and cheering madly when we won. I heard of no trouble with stewards or the QPR fans.

As Fan Representative I would want to ensure that match day experiences are, as far as is possible given the constraints on what you can and can’t do, value for money and, above all, safe for all supporters. As I don’t know the details of any specific trouble, it would be wrong to make comment on yesterday’s match, and I promise I’m not trying to duck the issue. I remember going to football in the 70s – the running battles during and after games weren’t fun for most of us! I don’t want those days to return. I want fans to enjoy themselves, but not to the detriment of others. Anyone who encroaches on the pitch, throws things on the pitch, abuses other fans, the police or stewards are not true fans, and they’ll only bring unnecessary negativity and harsher treatment of our fans at away grounds (just ask the stewards at QPR what they thought of Cardiff City fans).

What I would say is that if I was Fan Representative I would want to see any reports on trouble at matches and would ask for any comments from fans who had poor experiences at any game to contact me or the club. I would then raise any themes or issues that came from this feedback, plus any other observations and comments from, say, the police and the away club, and discuss this with the club and our supporters’ groups, as well as on the forum, to review how tickets are allocated, perhaps having, for example, a family section and area for the older fans.

These are just initial thoughts – help me get the fan representative role first and we can discuss it more after that!

Just to let anyone going to Port Vale tomorrow that I will be there as well. All four candidates are booked to appear on the Sports Hour on Radio Cumbria between 6-7. Following that I will be in the supporters lounge at the ground. I'll be happy to answer any questions or listen to issues/ concerns about the club.

COYB

BaggersBlue wrote:
OK, I'll bite - given that only two people can possibly change the relationship between club management and supporters and they are not going to do that I seriously doubt even Deep Thought could do what you've just said.

Could you expand on your 10 word answer with the next 10 words - how are you going to do it? JN stuck two fingers up to the entire support last week; how exactly are you going to get him to change his mind; admit he made the billionaire up and revert back to the AL deal (or any other real investment)....whilst staying within the law obviously!!!!

Oldhamblue, the strong voice and change of views I was referring to was in the areas that a Fan Rep can change. The board membership is for the operations board. Up for discussion will be ticketing (prices/process), concessions (food and drink), maximisation of marketing and commercial opportunities, communication to the supporters with offers, the website reach, the Community Team's engagement with the communities of Carlisle and Cumbria and the day to day engagement with fans in written and spoken communication.

Sadly, the elephant in the room ie. ownership, is not on the table. That, of course, does not mean it can't be referred to. What I meant in the post is that I will put supporters concerns forward with strong compelling arguments for better more honest communications on the areas I can have input in. The club have failed to fully explain the debacle of the introduction of the ticket system. The lack of apology for confusion and delays on match day is an example of how they are taking fans for granted or fear criticism. That has to change. The club has to review its relationship and become more inclusive, sharing information and ideas it has for improving the fans experience on match days and in its general communication of events, offers and news.

You're right as the Fan Rep I can't change how they go about the ownership issue, but I am not going into this election wanting to be a sop to how they have treated fans. I will make it clear, having been involved in Customer Relations for 22 years at the BBC, that this 'model' of sharing information on a 'need to know' and not involving supporters in discussions has to change if they want to create better, honest and more trusting relations and see the fan base strengthen and grow. I will be doing my best to change this attitude from discussions with the management at the club and I will, if elected, share how change is happening. I will request that actions are agreed and a timetable set for change and will share that with supporters. I want a strong thriving club and getting a voice that can pitch evidenced argument at the senior figures has to be a way forward.

BaggersBlue wrote:
Thanks for the answer - and having the stones to give it as well btw......I didn't descend to the earth in the last shower either, and it's obvious that the club's model of customer relations is a) appalling but b) AJ/JN don't give a t___s.

You make valid points; however to use an analogy from my field of history - it's a bit like making sure the final supper on the Titanic is good and the waiting staff are all doing their jobs and the band is really on it.....as the ship sinks. Yes; you can make a difference on the final supper front (and I'm sure all 3 candidates would try), but the captain is still steering the boat towards the iceberg - and has locked the steering wheel...