What is a Fan Advisory Board (FAB)?
A Fan Advisory Board is a formal consultative body made up of supporters who meet regularly with senior club representatives. Their purpose is to provide structured, meaningful dialogue on fan-facing issues, ensuring supporter perspectives are heard at the highest levels of their respective football clubs.
This model is part of the Premier League Fan Engagement Standard (FES), which every club must follow.
Why do FABs exist?
FABs strengthen the relationship between the club and its supporters.
They exist to:
- Represent a broad cross-section of Aston Villa fans
- Provide feedback and challenge on key issues
- Ensure transparency around decisions affecting fans
- Preserve heritage assets and support long-term planning
- Support continuous improvement in fan engagement, as required by the FES
Specifically, the AVFC FAB has the following aims:
- Listening to the club and all supporters
- Engaging with wider fan groups across our diverse fan base
- Challenging the club respectfully when we feel decisions or actions are to the detriment of fans.
- Supporting the club in its ambitions …for the good of everyone and to keep our great club moving forward.
How is the FAB different from a traditional supporters’ group?
Supporters’ groups campaign on behalf of their members. The FAB is not a campaigning or lobbying body.
It is a formal advisory panel, recognised by the club, with:
- Direct and regular access to senior leadership
- A clear Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct
- Governance requirements
- Defined working groups
- A mandate to discuss fan-facing matters in a structured way
Supporters’ groups remain essential, and the FAB will engage with them regularly.
What topics does the FAB discuss?
Under the Premier League Standard, FABs are expected to discuss:
- Club strategy, priorities, and long-term vision
- Major fan-facing decisions
- Matchday experience and operational issues
- Ticketing, pricing, away allocations, membership
- Stadium and infrastructure planning
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Heritage assets (badge, colours, name)
- Community and outreach activities
- Supporter engagement plans
What are “heritage assets”?
Heritage assets are identity symbols that define the club, such as:
- The club name
- The club badge
- Home colours
Any significant proposed change must involve fan consultation before decisions are made, as required by the FES.
How often does the FAB meet?
FAB are required to meet at least twice per season, with additional meetings scheduled as needed.
However, Aston Villa FC have indicated they would like to hold between six and eight meetings per season. Working Groups meet more frequently and report back into the main FAB.
Who sits on the FAB?
The FAB includes:
- Fan members, selected through an open process
- A club-nominated Board-level official (required by the FES)
- Other club representatives for specific agenda items
Membership is intended to be broad, fair, and representative, reflecting the club’s equality, diversity, and inclusion commitments.
How were FAB members selected?
Supporters apply through an open recruitment process. Members are chosen based on:
- Ability to represent a wide supporter base
- Relevant experience
- Understanding of fan issues
- Willingness to collaborate constructively
- Commitment to confidentiality and governance standards
How long is a FAB member’s term?
Terms are time-limited, in line with the Premier League guidance. Rotation ensures renewal and prevents dominance by any individual or group. Independent members serve 3-year terms; affiliated members serve 2-year terms.
Internally, the AVFC FAB elect a Chair and Vice Chair, who serve for a period of 12 months, with elections held each summer.
How is the FAB governed?
The FAB has a Terms of Reference, setting out:
- Purpose and scope
- Structure and membership
- Election of Chair and Vice Chair
- Meeting frequency
- Code of Conduct
- Confidentiality obligations
- Reporting and publication requirements
Some discussions are confidential because they involve commercially sensitive or strategic matters.
What are the FAB Working Groups?
To manage specialist topics, the FAB has five Working Groups:
- Culture
- Women
- Fan Engagement
- Accessibility
- Ticketing
Each works on specific issues throughout the year and helps shape the agenda for full FAB meetings.
How do I raise an issue with the FAB?
Supporters can contact us via the FAB website using the published email addresses for each Working Group.
You may also attend engagement events, respond to surveys, or contact recognised supporters’ groups who feed issues into FAB discussions.
Will I receive a reply to my email?
Yes. The FAB aims to respond within a reasonable timeframe.
Some matters may be referred to the club if operational or customer-service related.
Are FAB meetings public?
No. Meetings themselves are not public because they often involve sensitive operational or commercial information.
However, the FAB publishes:
- Meeting minutes
- High-level meeting summaries
- Updates from Working Groups
- Other updates as required by the PL Fan Engagement Standard.
Can I observe or attend a Working Group meeting?
Working Group meetings are not public, but there will be periodic opportunities for fan input through surveys, in-person events, and focused consultations.
How does the FAB ensure transparency?
We commit to:
- Publishing meeting summaries
- Providing updates on the website
- Sharing non-confidential outputs from Working Groups
- Explaining the rationale behind key decisions
- Publishing an annual summary of activities
Transparency standards are aligned with the Premier League requirements.
How does the FAB work with Aston Villa Football Club?
The FAB works collaboratively with the club.
Senior club representatives attend meetings, and the club provides information, responses, and clarification on key topics.
The club’s CEO, Chair, or ownership attends at least one FAB meeting per year, as required by the FES.
Does the FAB have decision-making power?
No. The FAB is advisory, not executive. It provides structured challenge, insight, and feedback to influence decision-making.
The club retains final responsibility for decisions.
How is the FAB held accountable?
Accountability mechanisms include:
- Annual effectiveness assessment (reported in the club’s Annual Report)
- Mandatory rotation of members
- Code of Conduct
- Publication of activity and meeting summaries
- Oversight from the club’s Nominated Board-level Official
How does the FAB involve the broader supporter base?
The FAB uses a range of channels to gather supporter input:
- Working Group consultations
- Surveys
- Open questions submitted online
- Fan forums and events
- Engagement with supporters’ groups
- Collaboration with organisations such as the FSA, Level Playing Field, and Kick It Out
What is the FSA’s role?
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA):
- Supports FABs nationally
- Provides guidance on fan engagement
- Advocates for meaningful supporter involvement
- Shares best practice with FABs and clubs
The FAB works with the FSA where appropriate.
How do I get involved in future FAB elections?
Calls for new members will be published on:
- The AVFC FAB website
- Club channels
- Supporters’ groups
- Social media
Elections or selection processes will follow the governance requirements in the Terms of Reference.
How can I stay informed about FAB activity?
Updates will be posted on:
- The FAB website’s News page
- Individual Working Group pages
- Periodic newsletters (if introduced)
- Meeting summaries
- Social updates where available