CUSG Meeting Summary - Remote meeting via Zoom, 14.05.2025 at 19:00
Attendance – John Kukuc (Chair), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Claire Winder (Supporters’ Trust), Dave Brown (London Branch), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporter), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters’ Club), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road Enders), Nigel Clibbens, Peter Dunn (CUFC), John Bowman (London Branch)
Apologies – Teresa Mulholland (EDI Rep), Keith Elliott (CUSAT), David Gale (EDI Rep)
John Kukuc opened the meeting and introduced John Bowman who took the minutes.
1. Club update
This had been circulated amongst the group in advance of the meeting and can be viewed HERE
The following questions were asked.
SC- Asked for more details about the replacement dug-outs.
NC – These will be located in the current position. Aim is to complete work before 25/26 season starts. Detailed planning underway with need to maintain spectator sightlines from the Paddock a key consideration.
SC – Asked if the WalkSafe App is being promoted widely.
NC – All club staff and matchday staff have been briefed. Information was in the Fan Zone at the Newport match. Posters will appear around the ground. All agreed it was an excellent initiative which all groups will promote.
SC – Asked how the pitch will be protected for the Carlisle Weekender event.
NC- The pitch will have a metal cover (as used previously). The stage will be close to the West stand tunnel facing the East Stand, enabling best use of East Stand seating and its facilities. Full line-up to be announced shortly.
SC – Asked if new stand banners could feature club legends
NC- Club is happy to work with CUSG to agree which players could feature. Aim to have c15 banners, so the Trust ‘all time’ IX currently being voted on plus 4 or 5 names from CUSG. Banners to stay in place through 25/26 season and then be refreshed for 26/27. CUSG to advise on player names.
AG – Asked if a club Hall of Fame could be created.
NC – This is actively being looked at as part of the museum/archive project.
AG – Noted that Cheltenham away is e-ticket only and that this impacts fans who don’t have ICT access.
NC – This is how Cheltenham sell their tickets, so we have to work with their method. The ticket office staff will issue printed tickets to any fans who are unable to purchase online.
NC –Reports had reached him that there had been crushing in the away section at Morecambe and asked if anyone in the meeting was aware of that.
AG and SC confirmed that this had occurred, possibly as a result of the layout of the stand entrances.
NC – CUFC will raise this with Morecambe FC.
SC – Will speak to the Morecambe SLO on the matter.
2. Equality, Diversity and Disability
EDI report was received and is HERE
Dave Gale had submitted a report in advance:
Car Parking at the East Stand – There has been a lot of complaints and comments regarding the disabled parking section in the East Stand. A particular issue was there was a perception that hospitality guests weren’t to park there. However, it has since been established that there is an agreement for those guests to park in that area too. This wasn’t communicated by the club very well. There will be new signage sorted to ensure people are more aware of this going forward. The club also aims to manage this parking area better than they have been. While hospitality guests parking here isn’t ideal the expectation is there wouldn’t be that many cars from these guests. Parking is likely to continue being a thorny issue due to the lack of parking capacity currently.
I had a query from a disabled supporter regarding the allocation of tickets for away games for wheelchair users. This supporter attends home games without a wheelchair and was wanting a wheelchair ticket for the Morecambe game. Due to not being known as a wheelchair user on the clubs ticketing system this couldn’t be allocated. This I believe was the correct action to take as our wheelchair user supporters should take priority for these tickets.
In May me and Teresa will be heading down to Deepdale the home of Preston Norh End for the Level Playing Field north forum (Level Playing field is the group for disabled football supporters for those who don’t know). This is where other disabled supporter groups and representatives meet from the North of England. This will be of great use, and we can learn about how other clubs work and build up some links.
Finally, regarding the social media policy, I agree with it all and its something that should have been in places ages ago. Me and Keith Ward are admins on the Scottish Supporters Facebook page, so this has been of great interest. Overall, our page while can be critical at times hasn’t crossed the line and me and Keith will keep on top of it.
There were no questions or issues arising
3. Calendar of events and Projects
SC – No events are taking place in the remaining weeks of the season.
4. Finance
SC - The bank balance is £5,549.23. There has been no financial activity since the March meeting.
5. CUFC – Supporter Social Media Policy
The draft CUFC Social Media Policy had been circulated in advance and was discussed.
PD asked CUSG members to provide feedback on the current draft. He highlighted the definitions in the Appendix for terms such as bullying and derogatory behaviour.
NC – Clarified that this policy applies only to official CUFC social media channels.
CW – Welcomed the policy and the definitions and asked how the policy will be implemented.
PD – The lead on the policy is CUFC Social Media Manager, Rob Elder. He is the first point of contact and take the lead if and when action or sanction is needed. He will monitor traffic on all CUFC official social media channels and take action if he identifies inappropriate behaviour or if such behaviour is brought to his attention
NC – The club already operates a complaints policy. This has a process whereby the policy lead is the first step in implementation, with escalation to the CEO and the board if needed. The social media policy will follow this model.
CW – Asked that sanctions are made as clear as possible
NC – Explained that the policy aims to provide clear boundaries for posts on CUFC social media, so that users are clear what is not acceptable and the sanctions that will apply if unacceptable posts are made. CUFC aim to have a ‘thick skin’ with regard to posts on its channels, but must take action if posts are untruthful or constitute personal attacks.
DB – Suggested that re-posting inappropriate material into CUFC channels should be identified as a breach of the policy.
NC/PD Agreed that this will be added to the draft
CW – Noted that the Supporters' Trust will discuss the draft this week and provide feedback
DB – London Branch Information Officer, Andy Hall has drafted a policy for the branch. We will look to adopt the same definitions of terms as in the CUFC policy.
6. SLO update
The SLO team of meeters and greeters provide a key supporting role to enhance the matchday experience for our visiting community groups. The popular Cumberland Building Society sponsored activity now sees a team of volunteers who provide a mini ground tour and answer questions from young and often first-time visitors.
With EDI reps in the fan zone, this allows the SLO team to expand our ground coverage on a matchday. We collate issues to raise with the club, so that they can be resolved (where possible). We are always on the lookout for more meeters and greeters, so please get in touch if you would like to join the team. As a thank you for helping you will receive a complimentary match ticket.
Key to providing excellent quality information for our fans travelling away is the development of strong relationships with other SLO’s and the Dedicated Football Officer. We always have an SLO present at our away games to consult with the home staff and have established resilience to ensure this by expanding the team. Thanks go to Claire Burgess and Terry McCarthy who have helped to ensure we have an away SLO present at every game.
The away mascot reciprocal agreement has been taken up by approximately two thirds of opposition teams and we support this by arranging a London Branch funded goody bag to be handed over on the day by the away SLO. This new venture has been successful and creates memories that last forever for the mascots.
Phase 2 of the Memory Garden started this month, to double the capacity which will allow more space for memorial plaques (contact info@cuosc.org.uk). Fan volunteers supplemented by the Cumberland Youth Justice, removed the turf and the sub base has been delivered by North West Recycling. Building materials will be donated by MKM Building Supplies and James Falder, a local builder will volunteer his time. We will again work in partnership with Capstick’s Garden Nursery for any fans wanting a shrub/plant in memory of a loved one. Please call Jonny on 01228 710926 to arrange.
7. Backing The Blues update
The Carlisle United Collective (CUC) volunteers took some of the items from the exhibition at Tullie on a community tour to visit places around the city and are now setting about on the huge task of archiving all the material before then working towards establishing a museum at Brunton Park.
At the Brunton Park ticket office, the former trophy cabinet from the west stand boardroom has been repurposed as a revolving exhibition space. This has been used for rotating displays to commemorate former players and anniversaries of key events. Items that have returned from the community tour, will if possible be displayed at the ground.
The CUC now regularly host families of former players. During their visits, families are shown items from the archive and given a tour of Brunton Park. The ground tours for fans last week hosted by the CUC were very well received and is a model that we will look to repeat at a regular frequency going forward.
We have received a huge amount of donations, but items can still be donated for the archive. If you would like to donate any items or join the CUC to support various aspects of this project, please contact archives@carlisleunited.co.uk
On 14 April CUC reps met with Newsquest staff to discuss the Cumberland News archive photographs. It has been agreed that the CUC will store the photos and use them with acknowledgement to Newsquest. It is planned to digitise the images to ensure their safe preservation.
8. Group updates
Scottish Supporters
No questions or issues were raised
Supporters’ Trust
CW – Asked what measure are in place to reduce the use of non-recyclable plastics at Brunton Park
PD – A range of measures are in place and new initiatives planned. Bio-degradable cups and glasses are used In the Fan Zone and colour-coded bins are being installed around the ground to improve re-cycling rates. Bins for re-cycling food waste from the catering team and Fan Zone are being introduced.
London Branch
Like all fans, we are desperately hoping that the miracle will happen and finally winning games back-to-back after 99 games gives us a little hope. Easter weekend will be critical especially the Accrington game.
We are delighted that our VC and Hit The Bar Editor, John Bowman, has fully recovered from his eye operation. This meant that the January Hit The Bar only went out last week delayed from January. Well done to Mike Kilner who had a mammoth Brunton Park Diary to complete for this issue. We have been providing information to Leeds Library who are doing a live and online exhibition on fanzines, and we have a healthy rivalry with the City Gent (Bradford City) who started a little earlier than us but disappeared for a year as to who is the longest continuous running fanzine in England.
The games that we watch in Central London together on Sky have gone from strength to strength. We have been delighted that non-members and Carlisle based fans have joined us for some of those games.
Hit the Bar! 336 was published last week and copies are in the Club Shop
No questions or issues were raised
Travel
In response to the question raised about the future of away travel, CUSAT advised that the plan is for bookings to be made as per the current arrangements via phone and if seats are available occasional travellers will be booked on .CUSAT are also in agreement with the social media policy and condemn online abuse , we will continue to monitor our FB page and deal should anything arise..
South Cumbria
- Membership: There has been no change in membership numbers this month
- Bromley Game Hospitality: 9 CUSCSC members attended the Bromley game in the Cumbria Lounge. The event was a great success, with excellent food and a victory for Carlisle. We will be making this a yearly event now
- An Evening With Chris Lumsdon: Our "Evening With Chris Lumsdon" event, scheduled for 16th May in Kendal, has sold out within a week. This event will coincide with the launch of CUSCSC's 2025/26 memberships
- Morecambe Away Trip: 35 CUSCSC members will attend/attended the away fixture against Morecambe
- Social Media Policy: The CUSCSC fully endorses the Social Media Policy, which is comprehensive and well-structured. Key points are included, such as the promotion of equality, unacceptable behaviour, actions by fans and the Club, the code of conduct, and support for parents
No questions or issues were raised
Warwick Road Enders
SK - Reported that the lights in the WRE are too bright during night matches and impair visibility.
NC - Club will review the lighting set up and make appropriate adjustments
SK – Asked if fans are permitted to watch first team training on the back pitch at Brunton Park.
NC – Club view is that this generally OK, but reserve the right to ask fans to leave when specific training ahead of a match is underway (e.g. on a Friday prior to a Saturday match.) One of the design aims at the Sheepmount is to enable fans to watch training by providing a perimeter path.
Meeting closed at 20:30
Date of next meeting 2 June 2025
