Nigel Pearce, part of the fans' parliament working group, provides another progress report:
The supporters that have expressed an interest in being part of the fans' parliament met at the Abbey, along with Godric Smith, on 28th February. They made a number of important decisions, detailed here.
As you know, from the word go, nobody has been particularly enamoured with the name "fans' parliament". It has been used as a working title for now, until such time as we could agree on a better alternative. At the meeting the fans present voted on a number of name options and settled on "THE CAMBRIDGE UNITED SUPPORTERS' PANEL", or "CUSP" as I'm sure it will be more commonly known. We particularly liked one other suggested name, "The 1912 Committee" but felt it was (like "parliament") a bit too political!
The CUSP constitution was agreed at the meeting, and can now be viewed on the official Club website by clicking here. Please take a look, it will tell you all you need to know about CUSP and how it will operate.
So, now we need some candidates to stand for election. There is still time for you to be part of United history. As per the constitution, any Cambridge United fan is eligible to stand for election to CUSP, as long as you are: 16 years old or over, not a director of the Club or full time paid member of staff (sorry, that one rules you out, Gary Deegan) and not currently subject to a football banning order.
To register as a candidate all you have to do is provide us with a few details: your name, a current photo, what part of the Abbey you normally watch United home games from, and (in a maximum of 100 words) some information about you and why your fellow U's fans should vote for you. These details should be emailed to cfuinbox@btinternet.com or posted to the Club for the attention of Tom Stewart. Emails and letters should be marked "CUSP". All registrations will be acknowledged on receipt.
The closing date to register to stand for election to the Cambridge United Supporters' Panel is midnight on 17th March.
The first members of CUSP will be elected by an online ballot, to be run during the first two weeks of April and over Easter (essentially around the Colchester and Swindon home games) to close on 22nd April. Information about all the candidates standing will be published on the Club website before and during the election, and in the programmes.
All being well the first Cambridge United Supporters' Panel will meet as a group before the end of the season, and will then get together with the Club in May – to discuss whatever you want them to.