Women’s Fans Forum Minutes
CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB WOMEN FORUM
2024-25, 3rd MEETING MINUTES
Meeting held in Millennium Suite 8 at Stamford Bridge at 6.30pm on Tuesday 1st April 2025
Attendees Club title/ group represented
Andrews, Faye Kingsmeadow season ticket (“ST”) holder
Baker, Chris Club, Head of Matchday Safety
Bates, Chester Chelsea Women Supporters Group
Bromfield, Gillian Chelsea Supporters Trust
Brown, Tracy Fan Advisory Board
Clarkson, Megan Club, Senior Supporter Services Manager
Collis, Becky DSA
Cornall, Mike Club, Head of Supporter Relations
Curteis, Sam Club, Supporter Liaison Officer
Evans, Kerry Chelsea Supporters Club
Formosa, Lawrence Overseas
Greenfield, Michelle Chelsea Supporters Group
Kingsman, Simon Kingsmeadow Supporters Group
MacKay, Holly 16-21 year old
Mandhar, Aki Club, Chelsea Women Chief Executive Officer
Mazzia, Guilia Club, Commercial Director (Women’s)
Metzger, Cashel Ethnically and culturally diverse
Quinlan, Jacqueline Away ticket
Regan, Andy Forum Chair
Rodrigues, Stan WSL Stamford Bridge package
Shahrestani, Nadia Club, Chelsea Women Head of Stadium Revenue
Sokeyo, Naomi Family
Stephens, Ed Club, Chelsea Women Marketing Lead
Travers, Hannah Club, Disability Access Officer
West, Darren Club Chelsea
Apologies for absence
Daine, Nav Club, Regional Manager for Retail Operations at Levy
Davis, Marriane Co-opted
Harrington, Abbie Access
Hayyez, Nick 65 or over
Knox, Saffra Female
Rattigan, Linda Chelsea Pride
Smith, Graham Club, Head of Ticketing
Weymes-McElderry, Sophie LGBTQI+
(Action points are underlined.)
The Chair requested representatives only speak one at a time to assist the recordings.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
There were no changes to the last minutes. Action points were as follows:
Health adverts in the Kingsmeadow toilets
The Club said this will be held over until next season.
Health and safety re banner clips at Kingsmeadow
The Club commented that the facilities team have cords that can be used, and the Club will update separately.
Merchandise proposals
Only one set of proposals has been received by the Club, but representatives are welcome to send in more.
Kingsmeadow products sold at Stamford Bridge
The Club’s merchandise team has looked into this but there are many issues to consider before such products are introduced at Stamford Bridge. A click and collect service cannot currently be facilitated at Kingsmeadow.
ST waiting list for seating
The Club is considering all ticketing proposals for next season’s policy.
Fans denied early bird food and drink offers
The Club said no issues were reported for the Arsenal match. To clarify, there is an offer for all general admission areas at women’s matches here up to 60 minutes before kick-off. The Tea Bar and Westview are not included. A representative said that a complaint had been lodged in a different area. The Club will look into this separately.
Local advertising for Kingsmeadow matches at Chelsea-friendly businesses
The Club’s Residents Relations Officer will have similar involvement at Kingsmeadow as he has at Stamford Bridge.
AGENDA ITEMS
WPLL discussion on proposed structural changes
A representative asked if, following an FSA network meeting yesterday, there will be consultation on this. The Club said there are many initiatives being discussed but we have no data yet regarding the format or regulation for them. The Club cannot comment further therefore at present. Any initiatives would not be implemented for next season.
Women-only supporters’ group
It was raised by a representative that such a group to look at the men’s and women’s games could be considered. The Club said it’s been discussed and is hesitant to have a group’s membership based on a single demographic and would rather have a group for all fans to promote the women’s team.
A representative said a closed-door policy would not help the women’s game grow. The Club said perhaps the conversation should be how to encourage female fans to feel comfortable at matches. The Club considers itself an inclusive club and encourages this through initiatives such as working with Her Game Too on their First Time Fans initiative at the Ipswich men’s match, being a signatory on Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s ‘Night Safety Charter’ and partnering with the White Ribbon Project. The aim is for the Club to be a safe space, and all staff have had women and girls’ safety training. We aim to highlight this issue increasingly.
The Club is grateful for the proposal and wants to hear new ideas.
The Club said it wants to work on the general attitude of all fans to be welcoming. The Club detailed its White Ribbon Partnership, which alongside two other PL clubs plus the league looks to oppose violence against women and girls, with four supporters involved as ambassadors. It wants this to be supporter-led including a safe space for those who’ve had bad experiences, and for men to confront their behaviour if relevant. There is also a business element and it has reached out for ambassadors from local businesses, including pubs.
Another representative said they have a women’s only Facebook group, which the club prefers as it represents organic growth. There is close to a 50-50 split in male-to-female support for matches at Stamford Bridge, and female-led initiatives, like the ‘Lonely Girl Club’ have run activations at home matches.
The Club asked for views on whether we should have a separate Women Supporters Group and Kingsmeadow Supporters Group. Another club had different groups and amalgamated them, with positive results. Three representatives added that having separate groups can lead to confusion amongst fans and streamlining would assist. It was suggested that someone from the Club could assist with the process. The Club responded that there would be a different dynamic if a group came under the Club’s control and our supporters’ groups have rules and officer positions, for instance. This is how it could run a combined women’s team group.
Another representative added that one is a formal group, and the other is independent so merging may not be possible. One commented that the two work differently but having more groups would make things difficult. The Club said this is just for those formally working with the Club.
The Club added that it works with a wide variety of stakeholders and aligning the groups would be beneficial. Also, if it’s independent, like the Trust, they could work together and can constructively comment on the Club. A representative stated that we have the Trust, CSC and CSG so the two women’s game groups could work together behind the scenes. We could tell fans there are two women’s groups available to join. The Club responded that the women’s game is in a different position, as the men’s game is already much larger and longer established. For the women’s game, half of those attending at Stamford Bridge are coming for the first time and having one organisation is easier to point fans towards so we have a central message. Eventually fans can hopefully keep returning as they feel increasingly involved.
A representative asked if the two groups could merge but stay independent. Another added that the Club has relaunched the DSA and, in the same way, could introduce a structure for one women’s group with perhaps subcommittees focusing on different venues. The DSA relaunch involved the Club facilitating fans who were interested. The Club added it could set up a memorandum of understanding and help with the structure whilst not getting involved in running it. A representative said the Kingsmeadow group was appropriate at the time but merging the groups could now be beneficial.
Atmosphere
It was suggested that as well as the singing section, having the “Blue Flag ’92” initiative has worked well. Another representative said we have an atmosphere group for the men’s game and it would be useful to have that for the women’s game.
The Club said the singing section is being trialled at UEFA Conference League fixtures. Aligning the objectives between the groups, as discussed earlier, would be useful to identify those who want to work on improving atmosphere for the women’s game.
A representative suggested that drumming, as well as singing at matches, would help with the atmosphere. The Club said it’s considered a singing stand and a drumming stand, for instance. A representative said that more organised chants may be beneficial, with various ideas, such as simpler songs, clappers, or an online songbook all being discussed. The ‘ultras’ model of having one or more fans at the front directing singing can work well. We’ve seen it overseas in particular so in effect they act as cheerleaders.
The Club confirms it encourages families to sit in the East Lower.
It was suggested that playing songs that chants are based on would help to encourage singing. It’s great when some keep singing at matches and the sound is now spreading from the West Stand.
Instead of individual flags, it was suggested we provide bar scarves, as happened at men’s matches a few years ago.
It was raised that having away fans amongst our fans in home areas doesn’t help. The Club said it’s aware of the issue for our forthcoming match against Barcelona and it was suggested their fans must be official members of their supporters’ club to obtain away tickets. We like the fact there are neutrals amongst the crowd so it’s more akin to rugby in not having aggressive divides but, having said that, we don’t want Barcelona fans in home areas. Some Manchester City fans on Thursday didn’t know they should have been in the away end, so the culture is new to many. We encourage all away fans to sit in the away end. Away sections for European matches often don’t sell out and we are assisting Barcelona with this. A representative said we sold Stamford Bridge away tickets here a few years ago.
It was mentioned that giveaways don’t reach all parts of the ground.
A representative suggested we need an anthem for the women’s team. The song at Arsenal works for their fans and helps boost the atmosphere. The Club said their song was played at matches and then adopted by fans after that. A representative said it should be made clear in some sections that you will be in an area where standing is likely.
As regards having drums, the Club said they’re prohibited at present. Several clubs don’t allow them.
The Club will consider all the atmosphere issues suggested. Representatives were requested to send in any further ideas.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Player of the year awards
It was raised that the date is not ideal given that the men’s and women’s teams are playing that day. The Club responded there is only a small window for player availability given international duty, fixtures in London and holidays. It had to book a suitable venue early so from the Club perspective the timing is not ideal but it’s just an unfortunate clash.
Digital ticketing
A representative asked how the system would work for children having access, given many don’t have smart phones. The Club said it’s working on the proposals in detail including this aspect.
The Club confirmed it will provide full instructions along with possible workshops to assist fans. There will be a huge roll out of communication on this.
Timing of meetings
In response to a request to have a meeting on a match day the Club commented that not all representatives attend all matches and fans have different pre- and post-match routines. Scheduling of matches can be relatively late. Also, staff have a lot of match day duties.
Kingsmeadow stewards
A representative stated that on two separate occasions at Kingsmeadow, they have noticed issues with stewarding.
The Club said it works well if fans report incidents immediately by email or other media. Fans can message about matchday safety at the time to 88777 or 07894 937793. After the event, supporter.services@chelseafc.com can be used. The quicker an issue is reported, the easier it is for the Club to investigate immediately.
Goal of the month
It was raised that only once has a women’s team goal won Goal of the Month. We could have separate men’s first team, women’s first team and academy competitions, then a Goal of the Season for each category. The Club is reviewing this
Manchester City CL coach
The Club said we only provide coaches when there is enough demand and vehicle sizes could not be changed so close to the match. The representative said that, with a single supporter group, the Club could request declarations of interest before travel is decided on. The Club said that usual travel arrangements provided by club partners do not apply for Champions League matches.
Change of representatives
The Chair said it has decided not to replace any Forum representatives at the end of this season as no one has completed two whole seasons. It’s likely half will be replaced in a year and the other half a year later.
All were wished a great summer.
The meeting finished at 8.10pm.
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