Four new members have been chosen to join the Club’s Fans’ Forum after a supporters’ vote.
The Forum, which meets monthly, provides the Club with feedback and ideas from the wider fanbase and underwent a recruitment process following four current members completing their terms on the Forum. The Club invited supporters to apply and received a number of quality applications, with eight fans shortlisted for an online vote which was overseen independently by a local communications agency.
The successful four candidates are:, Annemarie Harper, Lewis Owen, Jeannette Salmon and Ruth Eardley (an existing member who returns for a second term).
The four new faces will join the existing members for their first meeting in January 2016 and will assist the Forum in taking the lead on a number of Club projects, including improving the matchday experience, ticketing and pricing, branding and signage around the stadium, Holy Trinity tribute, devising and delivering fan events and providing feedback for the Away Fan Initiative.
Fans’ Forum Chairman Nick Mernock said: “We look forward to welcoming the new members to the Forum in January. I’d like to thank all the fans who took part in the selection process and put on record that the Forum members were very impressed with the quality of applications. I hope those who were unsuccessful this time will apply again next year, along with new applicants, to ensure the forum continues to be driven for the benefit of the club and our supporters.”
To learn more about the new Fans' Forum members, read their biographies below:
Annemarie HarperWhy would you like to join the Fans’ Forum: I am keen to see how Everton as a Club involves its fans and want to be able to give my opinions and views on how things involve and affect the fanbase.
Annemarie Harper Why would you like to join the Fans’ Forum: I am keen to see how Everton as a Club involves its fans and want to be able to give my opinions and views on how things involve and affect the fanbase. What would you bring to the Fans’ Forum: I’m a female who enjoys going to the game, but as a 42-year-old female, I think the attitudes towards my gender at away grounds can sometimes be unacceptable. I want to work with the Forum to help raise issues women face as football fans.
Tell us something interesting about yourself: I’m a mum-of-three who breeds dogs and has named all of my pets after Everton players past and present. My partner, son and I have previously been named ‘Everton Fans of the Year’ by the Liverpool Echo which resulted in us being featured in the newspaper.
Lewis OwenWhy would you like to join the Fans’ Forum: I’d like to have a voice in Everton’s future. The Forum is the trusted guide to improved fan satisfaction. I want to help towards the ambition of connecting with existing supporters, inspiring new ones and balancing commercial with on-field success.
What would you bring to the Fans’ Forum: Passion, enthusiasm and youth in the same way Ross Barkley and John Stones bring it to the team! I have a journalistic background and have written for newspapers and appeared on local radio. I currently work as a Digital Marketing and Social Media manager. I’m confident in being able to offer a fresh voice within the social media and communications area. I’d like to help the Forum reach a younger demographic.
Tell us something interesting about yourself: During the early David Moyes era, I bagged an invite to Bellefield to watch training. I met all the players, including Wayne Rooney and Super Kevin Campbell. I somehow ended up in the canteen following the tour sharing a meal with the first-team squad!
Jeanette SalmonWhy would you like to join the Fans’ Forum: This is a fascinating opportunity to play a part in our Club. As a lifelong fan and Season Ticket holder I know the impact it can have when one feels part of something big.
This Club has the ability to inspire people and enhance lives.
What would you bring to the Fans’ Forum: I am very interested in our female Toffees, both younger girls and women. I want to understand what our female supporters want from our Club, not just on matchdays but in every aspect of supporting Everton.
In terms of my skillset I bring management experience as well as positive creativity and a pragmatic approach.
Tell us something interesting about yourself: I love a bobble hat and I have never been able to watch a penalty shootout (even at Wembley!).
Ruth EardleyWhy would you like to join the Fans’ Forum: As a current member of the Fans’ Forum I would like the opportunity to stay on and continue delivering on the various project groups I’m involved in. My key aim has always been to help Evertonians enjoy Everton.
What would you bring to the Fans’ Forum: I will continue to bring a female perspective to the Forum. I am passionate about women coming to football and the continuous improvement of the matchday experience for everyone.
Tell us something interesting about yourself: I have ran the Chester marathon in 2013 for Everton in the Community and I am running the London Marathon next year.
A poll was conducted the voting process and the percentage of voters who selected each candidate as one of their choices is as follows: