Supporters' Trust Meeting with Jason Levien & Jake Silverstein
Yesterday afternoon the Supporters’ Trust issued a statement on the January Transfer Window, which expressed concerns shared by the fanbase about the squad depth and lack of activity during the window.
In our statement we set out four questions that we sought to ask to the majority ownership group, and informed fans of an urgent meeting that had been set up. Last night, a group from the Trust Board met with Jason Levien and Jake Silverstein to discuss the January Transfer Window, sought answers to the four questions posed and discussed several other areas of concern picked up from fans.
The conversation was frank and candid, with both Jason and Jake taking accountability for the failure to strengthen the squad during the window. We are grateful to them for the time and the nature with which they held this discussion. We don’t believe that attributing blame is productive and instead focussed on what went on and how things can be fixed or improved going forward.
As part of the conversation, we encouraged them to adopt a different approach to communication with fans around this window, and share what they could about the events and decisions between November 2022 – January 2023, and provide clarity on their vision for the club. We are very pleased that both Jason and Jake agreed to a Q&A, hosted by the Trust, which can be viewed in the video below or HERE
The role of the Trust
We recognise that there are different views on the work of the Trust Board. Please be in no doubt that the Trust Board is wholly committed to the club and its fans, aiming to ensure good governance exists and working tirelessly to build a bridge between the club, it’s members & the wider Jack Army. We are actively involved in the club at all levels but do not generally get specifically involved in transfer decisions. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t updated on these matters regularly. As you will hear from the above, things were expected to happen late in the window and we had no reason to believe that they wouldn’t. The club employs highly skilled people to run the football department, and we trust those individuals to do their jobs. We do not seek to interfere, only to govern and provide input or ask important questions when required.
By contrast, several Supporters Trusts across the UK have issued open letters to the boards and ownership groups of their clubs over the past few days with strong criticism and a call to action. Sadly for the fans of those clubs, many of those pleas will be ignored and questions will go unanswered.
The Swansea City Supporters’ Trust, by nature of our shareholding and the productive relationships we have with the club’s board and majority owners means that those questions have been asked directly, and answered for all fans to see. Things like that don’t happen as easily if we are seen to be openly attacking our fellow owners at every opportunity. We must always find the balance between accountability and coordination, which is not easy to do at times.
The Trust is a democratic organisation, which means any member can stand and be elected to the Board each summer. We always welcome new faces with fresh ideas. If you feel you want to get involved, please get in touch with us at info@swanstrust.co.uk
The Swans Trust Board
2nd February 2023
