NUFC Fan Advisory Board EXPLAINED After USA Appointment Receives Abuse

Newcastle United has a global fan base of around 250,000. 49K of those attend St James' Park on match day. Our whole fan base is NOT made up purely of white, relatively fit and healthy, heterosexual Geordie MEN. We have a diverse fan base just like every club in the country. Our fan base is made up of women, children, those from other parts of the UK, ethnic minority backgrounds, from the LGBTQ+ community and those with physical and psychological disabilities in addition to fans from overseas. EVERY fan deserves to have equal opportunities and not to be excluded, marginalised, or receive abuse when they support their clubs. So every fan must feel comfortable that they have a voice and can enjoy the match day experience to the maximum. Newcastle United have set up a Fan Advisory Board as a requirement of a government led review that requires clubs to raise their standards in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). But also to put fans at the heart of decision making for their particular clubs. Those elected to the FAB need to be able to articulate and present ideas and initiatives with key decision makers at NUFC, in a boardroom setting. They need to be able to discuss and help implement the clubs strategic objectives, business operations, the match day experience and community activities. This automatically narrows the field down considerably. The individuals selected will clearly be leaders and of management material in their own fields but MUST also reflect the fan base that was described above in order to be effective. It will of course also reflect the average season ticket holder! As an extreme example, would we expect a Fan Advisory Board to be made up of 9 passionate long standing, Newcastle fans who are white heterosexual men from the local area? I have a learning disability called Autism (ASD). Would I be confident that this FAB would be able to effectively reflect my (or others who are autistic) potentially complex needs? Would 9 white heterosexual men effectively represent those who are from a ethnically, or sexually diverse background? Would this FAB be able to effectively represent the needs of a growing overseas fan base? Of course not. So, the FAB IS NOT a process to select and reward those who may be arguably more passionate, or long standing fans either. Neither is it a process to simply appoint those who are 'best at doing the job'. I've just explained above why that wouldn't work... So, the Fan Advisory Board must be (in law) and by way of effectiveness, be reflective of the fan base it serves. For that reason, the 9 selected are exactly that, a mix of individual that is diverse in nature. That is not woke marxism, it's forward and progressive thinking, compassionate and effective management. This video focuses on the appointment of Natalie Noyes of New York, who has been selected to represent the 'International Fan Base'. Natalie has been chosen as an ideal candidate to help the club facilitate the strategic objective of growing the international fan base, help facilitate overseas business opportunities and providing a voice to ensure overseas fans feel part of the Newcastle United community, amongst other responsibilities. Natalie began supporting the club after the takeover and has quickly become gripped by the passion and excitement of the Newcastle United revolution. She also fulfils all the requirements and calibre needed to act effectively on the FAB. In fact, I have spent time in her company and I would describe her as being an individual of exceptional ability. Unfortunately, due to a lack of understanding of the process by many Newcastle fans and a fake facebook post being produced and circulated claiming she was a Man Utd fan, this has resulted in Natalie being bombarded with personal abuse, misogynistic comments and criticism. It has been appalling. This has affected Natalie significantly and has also concerned club representatives. This video aims to put the record straight and to raise the understanding of what the FAB is (and isn't).