CUSG Meeting Summary
Remote meeting via Zoom, 09.12.2024
Attendance – John Kukuc (Chair), Simon Clarkson (SLO), Alastair Woodcock, Dan MacLennan (CUFC Supporters’ Trust), John Bowman (London Branch), Keith Ward (Scottish Supporter), Andrew George (South Cumbria Supporters’ Club), Nataly Mason (Womens’ Rep), David Gale (EDI Rep), Sonny Kirkwood (Warwick Road Enders), Nigel Clibbens, Peter Dunn (CUFC)
Apologies – Dave Brown (London Branch), Teresa Mulholland (EDI Rep), Keith Elliott (CUSAT)
Simon introduced the meeting in John's absence. John joined after a few minutes.
John during the meeting paid tribute to Alastair who is standing down from note taking duties and production/editing of meeting summaries, as part of his retirement from the secretary role at the supporters’ trust.
1. Club update
This had been circulated amongst the group in advance of the meeting and is included as a separate download.
To read the full club update, click HERE!
Nigel said the date of the next fans’ forum was being finalised. This was set post-meeting for Tuesday January 7. This would be an all-embracing forum featuring the owners, CEO, head coach and new sporting director. The venue was expected to be the Cumbria Lounge (100 person capacity) with on-line streaming on CUTV.
Sustainability initiatives at the club are under way. Peter Dunn explained that self-assessment had been completed for the EFL, with the club now awaiting feedback. CUFC are working towards accreditation which comes via bronze, silver and gold levels. The club are aiming for the bronze level initially, while targeting silver in the medium to longer term. The club lead for sustainability is Peter. The project will look at a lot of areas including energy consumption and waste. The club are working with the community sports trust on this initiative. Simon will attend sustainability meetings. The club needs to calculate its carbon footprint. One initiative being looked at is the installation at the ground of EV charging points. The club will also look to ensure all its energy is sourced from ‘green’ providers. There will be a ‘green football’ weekend in January promoting the benefits to the club and environment. Companies are visiting to talk about their sustainability and meet fans. The club are seeking input from the fanbase and would welcome new sustainability reps to join CUSG (contact SLO or Pete). Nigel said that net biodiversity enhancements were needed for the Sheepmount development.
Keith Ward suggested that urinals at the ground were flushing for an excess time. He said water could be saved if they were modified. Nigel agreed to look into ways of improving use of them. There had been some comments about the new LED advertising boards affecting fans’ visibility of the game. Nigel said he has spoken to the LED board supplier about turning down of brightness. The LED boards do not use much electricity, he said. LED lights also use less power.
Nigel said the brightness of the ground floodlights has not changed since last year, this is confirmed following the annual independent Lux test at the end of November, which achieved the EFL L2 standard. A new floodlight upgrade project had begun aimed at improving the floodlighting.
Dan commented on the price of tickets for the Crewe away game on New Year’s Day which he and others thought was excessive at £28 for adults. He asked about reciprocal pricing. Nigel explained that reciprocation, whilst being discussed, had never been adopted although clubs in League Two often benchmark each other on prices. Discount offers for CUFC home games are always extended to away fans, he said.
2. 74-75 anniversary event
Tickets were still on sale for this event which takes place on Friday evening. Nigel said he expected it to be a very good night out for supporters. Simon added that there would be a good turnout of former players from that season. He had some success in tracking down players. Peter Carr will be attending from the USA. Eddie Prudham is travelling up from the Isle of Wight. Mike Zeller is hosting. Memorabilia will be on display. Tours of the ground are being offered to the ex-players.
Peter Dunn paid tribute to Simon for his role in contacting players.
3. Backing the Blues
The exhibition at Tullie concluded on 10 November, having had almost 9000 visitors.
In addition, 14,000 visitors attended a programme of engagement events during the same period. These events included weekly player appearances, community events organised by the Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, personal talks and special showings of the cinefilms. The culmination was a Festival of Football that saw visitors at Brunton Park and then a full squad meet and greet finale event at the museum. Many fans even enjoyed a ride on the team coach between the two venues. Over 1500 people attended the event alone.
Volunteers known as the Carlisle United Collective are now taking some of the items on a community tour to visit places around the city and then setting about on the huge task of archiving all the material before then working towards establishing a museum at Brunton Park. The Collective are also undergoing archive training sessions.
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 Carlisle United Collective to support various aspects of this project, please contact archives@carlisleunited.co.uk
4. Memory Garden
The aim in spring is to expand the garden. Memorial plaques have been added and more space is likely to be needed. Feedback has been positive. Further plaques that were ordered by fans have been received by the supporters’ trust. These will be added to the garden. General plaques will be available soon. We need to identify a place to display them at the ground.
5. Finances
Balance is £5268.31 - £3500 ring-fenced for memorabilia. £72.40 for prediction competition.
Disabled group bank account to be closed and £350 from it to be moved into the CUSG account, as agreed by Dave Gale and Theresa. Some has already been allocated to acquisition of sensory packs.
6. EDI update
Sensory bags are being launched tomorrow. A video launch covering autism is planned for Boxing Day. A foodbank collection in conjunction with the supporters’ trust is taking place on Saturday. The ‘United in memories’ group met in Foxy's last month. Next meeting is on December 20 in the East Stand lounges.
The club are providing £200 to help towards the acquisition of the sensory bags.
7. SLO update
The success of the Fan Zone has really changed the matchday experience and it means that more fans arrive much earlier than before. As a result, the SLO team have changed where we base ourselves. 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).
A new additional and extremely rewarding new offering for our away fans is the provision of an away mascot where we have reciprocal agreement with the opposition. The demand for this was phenomenal with all games being allocated within a few hours and we support this by arranging a London Branch funded goody bag to be handed over on the day.
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 liaise with the home staff and we host visiting SLO’s who attend games at Brunton Park.
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.
8. Upcoming events
The 74-75 anniversary event is taking place on Friday. The latest foodbank collection is happening on Saturday in the study centre at the ground.
Dan has pencilled in the home game at Easter for the next retro shirt day. Poster ideas to promote it are already in hand. This will be further discussed at the supporters’ trust’s board meeting on Wednesday.
9. Group updates
CUFC Supporters’ Trust
2024 AGM held last week. 3 Board Members voted back on (Dan MacLennan, Billy Atkinson & Kieron Bulman) plus one new Member (Riegan Thompson). Board Meeting this Weds (11th Dec) where all usual appointments will be made etc.
Main item from AGM was beginning of our new Fan Engagement policy. Want to commit to some form of Meeting each month, spread across different outlets - In person, using Teams and via Socials. Work ongoing to finalise calendar of these. Also, looking to push on in the New Year with our presence in the Fan Zone, something several fans have asked us about. Hoping to get sorted quickly.
Foodbank Collection this coming Saturday, in association with Community Trust. Study Centre is drop off point, would appreciate if all Groups can share the further socials later in the week when go out.
Would like to wish all other groups and fellow fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and here's to climbing up the League!
Defibrilator appeal is to be launched soon. Commitment to put money up for first defibrilator from the Trust. Planning to raise money for 3 others. Nigel happy to provide playing staff to support this initiative.
London Branch
New Committee Members
At our December meeting last week, we welcomed new committee members Graeme Harker and Anna Jensen and confirmed that Steve Batey has volunteered to take over from Andrew Dobinson as Treasurer next season.
Information Team
Graeme and Anna have started work with Andy Hall to transform the area of branch communications and recruitment. Andy is finalising our committee social media policy and the team are creating a coherent information strategy for the branch.
Sky games
Branch members meet at the Civil Service Club in Whitehall to watch the Blues when we are on Sky.
74-75 shirts
Dave Brown will be in Carlisle later this week, running a stall at the 74-75 Legends night at Brunton Park on Friday, to sell the 74/75 T-shirts, which are currently available in the Blues Store. It would be great if other CUSG groups promoted the shirts in their communications to members, noting that each shirt sold generates a donation of £2.50 to the Carlisle United Community Sports Trust.
Hit the Bar!
HTB! 335 was published recently and sold at the Bromley match. It features our 50th Anniversary event in Sutton on 12th October, which was a great night, despite the result at AFC Wimbledon that evening.
CUSAT
Hi everyone unfortunately I'll not make meeting due to another commitment so my apologies. We will be running 2 coaches too port vale and 3 too Crewe, we will continue to leave from Jesmond St and that will probably continue all season . Happy Xmas everyone when it arrives, and hopefully plenty of wins for us over the holiday period cheers Keith.
South Cumbria Supporters’ Club
Membership:
- Total Memberships: 74
- 51 Adults
- 21 Family Memberships
- 2 Under 16s
- 51 Adults
- Growth: +1 Adult Member since the last meeting
Coach Travel:
- Last Trip: Salford City (25 members)
- Upcoming: Morecambe (Home, 26th December) - SOLD OUT (Strong demand due to lack of train services on Boxing Day)
- Future: Fleetwood Away (25th January) .
- Cancellations: Port Vale and Crewe away trips cancelled due to insufficient numbers.
Car Sharing:
- Successfully implemented a car-sharing system to facilitate travel to away games where coach travel isn't feasible.
- Current car shares organised for:
- Port Vale
- Crewe
- Tranmere
- Port Vale
Planned Initiatives:
- Increased Local Exposure (January 2025): Aiming to re-engage lapsed fans and reach out to potential new supporters in the South Cumbria area.
- Social Events (2025): Planning various social events throughout the year to foster sociability and strengthen the supporters club community.
- Supporters Club Team: Exploring the possibility of forming a supporters club team to compete against other supporters clubs. This initiative could generate further interest and engagement.
Warwick Rd Enders
We have lost one 8x8ft and one 3x3ft flag after we left them in the east stand family zone to them being returned to the WRE so they should hopefully be somewhere in BP?
- The aim now for big flags is to have the two big ones (when the other is found, three) waved before the game / as players walk out then bring them back out for full time. The big 8x8s are too much to have someone wave during the whole game. The 3x3s are working well on the front row of terracing (adding a few more of those along the middle and behind will look great.
- New WhatsApp group has been made for ST holders in the Warwick who want to give up some time to get new ideas etc for initiatives and help with generating an atmosphere. (15 new members + our original groupchat with around 20 people)
- Drum plans on going to Port Vale, Crewe and Tranmere.
- Emailed Nigel about some EDL graffiti on the terracing - sorted.
10. Any Other Business
Keith Ward asked about a potential visit to schools in South West Scotland by CUFC players and staff, given they had visited schools in Cumbria already. He said he would be willing to help arrange it. Nigel agreed to discuss further with James Tose of CUFC Community Sports Trust.
11. Next meeting
Monday January 20
