The Aston Villa Fan Advisory board is made up of 10 passionate Aston Villa Fans from across our fan base all committed to making a difference to the experience of the fans of the best club in the world! The board went through a rigorous and transparent selection process and represent our diverse fan base, many of our supporter’s groups, and have wide ranging experience that can be bought together for the good of all fans
Karl Bowater (Chair)
“I’m a Black Country Boy Born and Bred and have been supporting Aston Villa my whole life. With my stepfather playing for Aston Villa and England School boys there was only ever going to be one club for me! Originally a Holte End season ticket holder from 1984 for a number of years, before pursuing a semi-professional playing career restricted my match going for several years. But seeing those two league cup finals at Wembley in 1994 and 1996 will live long in the memory.
I have been back in Lower Holte since 2012 and following both club and country Home and Away ever since. I have been involved with AVST (Aston Villa Supporters Trust) since 2017 and have been the liaison between the club and the FSA (Football Supporters Association) and recently following our European adventures with the FSE (Football Supporters Europe). Career wise have worked in Account Management and Sales in the Telecoms sector for the past 30 years. Currently work for an Infrastructure Deployment Business (Virtua UK Ltd) deploying Telecom Solutions across all markets as an Account Director
I am passionate about my club and hope that we can bridge the communication channels between our amazing fan base and our wonderful football club. Every Week We Follow……..
Nick Hoskins (Vice Chair)
A lifelong Aston Villa supporter and proud servant of both club and country, I bring passion, dedication, and a spirit of service to the role of Vice Chairman of the Fan Advisory Board. With 22 years of distinguished service in the Royal Navy, I understand the values of commitment, leadership, and teamwork – principles I carry into every aspect of fan representation.
As the FAB representative for all Aston Villa Lions Clubs worldwide, I work to ensure that the voices of Villans everywhere are heard, respected, and reflected in the club’s decision making. I also serve as Chairman of the Official Hampshire Lions Aston Villa Supporters Club, fostering community and connection…among fans across the region. At 43, I blend experience, humour, and a genuine love for Aston Villa into everything I do. It’s not just about football for me. It’s about service, pride, and the shared bond of the Claret and Blue family. UTV.
Joanne Mckibbens (Accessibility Group Lead)
“I am a lifelong Aston Villa supporter and Chair of the Aston Villa Disabled Supporters Association (AVDSA), where I work to ensure disabled fans have a strong, respected voice within our club. As a disabled support myself, I understand the challenges my fellow supporters face, so I’m passionate about improving accessibility, dignity, and the overall matchday experience for everyone.
Since taking on the role, I’ve worked closely with the club’s Access Team, AVFC Police, and organisations such as Level Playing Field, FSE and CAFE to deliver real improvements. These include new accessible toilets, better wheelchair platforms, safer travel arrangements for away and European fixtures, and the development of sensory spaces. I also regularly support disabled supporters at matches and provide detailed accessibility reports to help drive change. My goal is to make Aston Villa a truly inclusive club—one where every disabled fan feels welcomed, supported, and able to enjoy following the team we love”
Craig Hamilton (Culture Group Lead)
“It’s a huge honour to serve on the Fan Advisory Board – especially now that my chances of being Villa’s first choice left back really do seem to be fading fast. My first year as a Villa season ticket holder was 1981/82, aged 8, in the old Witton Lane Stand, attending with my Granddad (he’d be so very proud of me for taking this role). Seeing us win the European Cup in my first season has sadly never been topped but – with the possible exception of Ron Atkinson’s terrific early ’90s side – this present team under King Unai is easily the best we’ve had since. Through good times and sometimes very bad, I’ve been a season ticket holder on and off since 1981, moving to the North Stand with my Granddad in the late ’80s, then for a good while in the late 90s/early 2000s in the Lower Holte, and now in the Lower Doug Ellis along with my sons – the 4th generation of the family with claret and blue blood.
Outside of B6 I have a professional background in the creative industries and academia, and hold a PhD in media and cultural studies. My research explored the role of digital, data and internet technologies in the media industries, and harnessed my expertise in data analytics. I am currently working at Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK, helping to deliver Ofcom’s Data Strategy. The heritage, history and story of Aston Villa FC is something we should all be rightly proud of, so I’m really excited to be leading on the Culture strand as we write the next chapters together.”
Andy Carlill (Fan Engagement & Communication Group Lead)
“Born, raised and live in Sutton Coldfield (went to Secondary School in Handsworth a couple of miles away from Villa Park). I’m a Lifelong Aston Villa fan, who’s family lived in Aston for over 150 years! So, it’s literally in my blood! Season ticket holder in total for over 20 years. Sit in the North Stand with my 12 year old son and a number of friends and their kids.
Career wise …I am a Masters Degree level Marketeer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, with over 25 years experience in hospitality roles, predominantly in the pub industry across Marketing and Operations. The last 10 years I have been in Executive roles leading large teams and have vast experience in strategy creation, brand, culture and guest experiences, large scale food and drink management, P&L ownership and PR, marketing & communication across all channels. I have also loved coaching junior football for over 7 years so have a great understanding of the game and have previously been involved with a Birmingham based charity that fuelled my passion for our city. I hope I can bring this experience and my passion for our club to the role to help our fans have a clear and strong voice and an ever improving experience.”
Sue O’Brien (Ticketing Group Lead)
“I was born in 1957 – need I say more? Generations of my family lived in Aston. My first games at Villa Park were Central League matches in the late 60s until Dad decided we were old enough to go to first team games. Villa has always been part of my life – in the 70s I moved to London to study, joined the London Lions and was a Holte End season ticket holder going home and away until children arrived. I met my husband on the boat train to Anderlecht for the European Cup semi final (and of course I was in Rotterdam). In the 90s I was Chair of the London Lions for nine years.
I’ve been lucky to have a career connected to the game: at The Football Trust in the 90s, where I ran the programme that funded stadia development post Taylor, was part of the management team that set up the Football Foundation in the 2000s, and since 2010 have managed the charity that develops community programmes at clubs in the National League. We moved back to the Midlands in 2017 and now live in Stourbridge. I’ve been a Member since then, patiently moving up the season ticket waiting list! We usually get tickets in the Lower Doug, and have to deal with the stress of trying to secure match tickets on a regular basis. I’m interested in bridging the gap between the club hierarchy and supporters – communicating how simple things can have a big impact on fans is an important role for FAB. We’re in a great position to make a real difference.”
Sarah Breslin (Womens Group Lead)
“I am a lifelong Aston Villa fan, following in the footsteps of my grandparents and parents. With a season ticket for the men’s team throughout my youth, football has always been a constant love – from playing in the garden and playground to living in Villa gear. I am a STH for Aston Villa Women, travel to away games, and am a member for the men’s team. Staying up late to watch England’s Lionesses during the 2015 World Cup in Canada cemented my interest in women’s football. Although I missed out on playing opportunities myself, contributing to the game in other ways has been incredibly rewarding.
I’m passionate about equality in football and committed to ensuring the game is inclusive and diverse for everyone. I am the founder of Villa Bellas, the Official AVFC Women’s and Non-binary Supporters’ Network, to empower women and girls in football. I’m also the Her Game Too ambassador for Villa Women and am a member of Villa & Proud. I work collaboratively with other diversity groups to promote positive representation and change. With 25 years’ experience in Further Education, I’m equally dedicated to helping people achieve their dreams.”
Min Grimshaw
“I became a Villa fan nearly twenty years ago after moving from Essex, persuaded by a co-worker to choose Villa over other Midlands teams—and I’ve never looked back. I’ve kept my Season Ticket through the highs and lows, starting in the Trinity family corner before moving to the Lower Doug Ellis with my husband. I’ve been to a few away games during the Championship days.
I’m an accountant with experience in major UK infrastructure organisations across regulatory, finance, and strategy roles, and I also serve as a Trustee of the National Trust. Since moving from Hampton-in-Arden to near Ludlow in 2022, I’ve joined the many fans based further afield and now appreciate the effort it takes to get to Villa Park. I represent the (slightly) older fan living outside Birmingham: professional, female, in a mixed-race marriage, passionate about the Villa, a home-game regular who wants to enjoy every matchday and get to and from VP safely.”
Jagdish Singh Kalaar
“My passion / support for AVFC stretches back to 1977 when Villa played the epic league cup final against Everton and eventually came out winners 3-2 after that worldie goal from Chris Nicholl! From that point I became a “Villan” and have ever since followed villa through all the ups / down and sideway times! I’ve been a member and season ticket holder and sit in the Lower Trinity and my claim to fame is I am often on the media platforms since my seat is right next to the opposition bench!
I am a member of the Punjabi Villans Lions Fans Group and part of both the Culture and Fan Engagement working groups.
Outside all things AVFC I work in the Commercial Healthcare sector and have held various roles and I am married with 3 grown up children! My aim is to help the club and fans have a great enjoyable experience, especially on match days at Villa Park!’
Grant Adams
“I have followed the Villa since 1967, but my first game was 1969 when my older brother Martin took me to a second division game against Hull City coming back from 2 nil down to win 3 2 and yes, I was hooked . My days of the Third Division are amongst my happiest where the club built a togetherness that started the journey to Rotterdam for the big one , surreal to be there but shows what we can achieve if we all believe and are aligned. My banners especially the 82 one sit proudly on the Holte and Doug Ellis upper tier reflecting our passion and obsession for Aston Villa .
Like many of my age group started life in the Witton End progressing to the Holte End and then to Doug Ellis and Trinity Road stands when it became all seating . I am now fortunate to be in hospitality in the Villans lounge but prior to that have held hospitality season tickets in all the areas of the ground over the last 20 years . I have been on Match of the Day the year we got relegated and been interviewed numerous times by the media before podcasts about reactions to events . Villa are simply a huge part of my life, and people who know me as the CEO of the Sertec Group will probably will joke that I am more recognisable and respected as the mad Villa fan who works there.”