Knight time at Exeter City

Recently, much has been mooted about the impact of the Financial Fair Play Regulations currently being implemented throughout the footballing landscape. Most notably, from a Grecian perspective, was the apparent need for the Trust to convert it’s Club funding from loans to donations.  Not surprisingly, this caused many a grumble to rumble along the Big Bank.

However, salted away in a dusty corner of Article 35 of the new UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, is the requirement that  Clubs must now also appoint a ‘Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO), with the aim of ensuring better communication between club and fans, from the start of the 2012/13 season.’

Or, as Antonia Hagemann, Head of European Development at Supporters Direct, succinctly put it “They need to be able to communicate what really p****s off fans”. So, sounds like they’ll have their work cut out there then. In an interview with The Football Supporters Federation, Antonia further defines the role as, amongst other things, building bridges between Clubs and fans; being  involved with security and police meetings; to be on hand at matches; monitor fans arriving and leaving, intervening should a problem arise; have credibility with everyone concerned; not someone seen as representative of the Club. In essence, then, the SLO is the voice and champion of the fanbase parachuted directly  into the heart of the Club.

For ECFC, step forward Richard Knight, Head of Customer Relations, PA to the CEO and serial volunteer.  He says “It was seen as appropriate as I am a season ticket holder and have been a volunteer behind the scenes for nearly 48 years. The belief is that this should ensure I empathise with both sides of the ‘fence.’ It was felt especially appropriate as the role impinges hugely on my principal activity of Customer Relations. As far as The Football League is concerned, the role of the SLO is not only to act as a point of contact for supporters but also to deliver the Club’s policy with regards to its stakeholders insofar as that policy concerns supporters and to liaise with the Club’s management with regard to supporter issues. The SLO will also have an active input in creating the Customer Charter with the Trust and Supporters.”

Laurence Overend, Trust Chairman, endorsed the appointment stating “Richard would appear to be the ideal candidate. It’s specifically not a job which should be carried out by a member of the Club or Trust Board. There is also a degree more integrity and impartiality with the role being filled by a volunteer than a paid member of staff.”

Exeweb would like to take this opportunity to wish Richard all the best in what should become, for the fans, a most pivotal role. He can be contacted at [email protected]

Antonia’s interview with The Football Supporters Federation can be found here.