Dear Colleagues

I am writing to inform you that I am standing aside as Chair of Spirit of Shankly with effect from 06.06.2023, though I will remain on the Management Committee.

Being Chair of SOS has been an enormous honour and privilege. In particular, serving under the name of Shankly and doing my best for our membership and LFC (and indeed all football supporters) has been incredibly rewarding and inspiring.

As Chair I have led our union on many successful local and national campaigns, holding LFC to account whilst building and maintaining constructive relationships to the benefit of our members and collective cause.

Colleagues I have decided that now is the right time for me to step down in order to focus my efforts as Chair of the LFC Supporters Board.

Reflecting on my 4 years as Chair, I look at how the reputation of our union has grown in LFC, football, politics and the international arena.

When I took on the role we almost immediately ran into conflict with LFC as they sought to trademark the name ‘Liverpool’ – something which many of us simply could not accept. As fans we stood in solidarity with local traders and the city council in resolute opposition to what could only be described as capitalist greed. Following strong campaigning, LFC dropped its attempts to trademark.

Less than six months later, the world was hit by Covid-19 and football was hit hard.

Indeed, literally from day one of the outbreak, we were challenging the Government and UEFA over their folly to allow fans from Madrid to travel to Liverpool when they could not even watch football in their own stadium due to the virus. As we now know, our fears were well-founded as numerous fans who attended that match in March 2020 did indeed fall victim to the virus.

Then we saw the ridiculous situation of a multi-billion pound business attempting to take advantage of a Government scheme set up to help at-risk businesses in order to furlough its staff – and again we rose to the challenge, highlighting its inappropriateness. Sure enough the club listened and LFC dropped its claim.

Despite these badly thought out ideas, working relationships with LFC remained good and together we were able to spread the necessary public health messages to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and eventually see a safe and managed return of supporters into Anfield.

Not long after this, the proposed Super League came along. Rather than dwell on it as a badly thought out concept, I led our negotiations with LFC to an agreement which increased our influence but retained our independence. I have also led our affiliates to a position where all have been fully constituted and have democratically elected their Supporters Board representative.

Working with the FSA, I was also able to participate in the Government’s Fan-Led Review, which has recommended a similar model based on this work. I am proud that the FSA continues to contact me for advice and guidance as they prepare other trusts for full fan engagement.

Then came the debacle of the Champions League Final in Paris last May. What should have been a celebration of football turned into a living nightmare for so many. We know what happened and we know who was to blame, but the fingers of blame immediately turned to us, the supporters.

However within 26 days, following my appearance at the French Senate, the narrative changed, and it was confirmed that Liverpool fans were not to blame. Alongside other colleagues I represented fans at the UEFA Independent Inquiry which, as we now know, completely exonerated Liverpool supporters.

Following further discussions with UEFA, we have seen refunds given to LFC supporters and our fight continues to achieve lasting reforms.

We have also asked for all recommendations of the Independent Review to be implemented and a commitment given that no other fans ever have to experience what Liverpool fans did at Stade de France. And with an action plan now set out by UEFA and a commitment to implement and monitor it, there really is every chance that fans can go to a final in safety and comfort.

On behalf of all LFC fans we held UEFA to account and ensured that they addressed the issues raised with them regarding Paris. Now it is up to Football Supporters Europe (FSE) et al to hold them to account in future.

As the great Bill Shankly said: “I’ve drummed it into our players time and again that they are privileged to play for you.” And for me, it has been such a privilege to speak on behalf of, and up for, Liverpool fans everywhere.

I hope that during my time as SOS Chair I have led our union in a way that Shankly would approve of and that I leave a positive legacy for others to develop and grow.

SOS boasts a dynasty of strong leaders and I hope that I have honoured this by enhancing our reputation and working hard for our members and all Liverpool supporters.

Thank you for the faith you have placed in me personally during my time as Chair. I know that our fantastic union will continue to represent and stand up for us all as we go forward.

Joe Blott. YNWA

Spirit of Shankly are delighted to announce that Paul Khan will be Joe’s successor.

He’s away at the moment but will be speaking with members when he takes the reins next week.

We are also pleased to announce that Paul’s Vice Chair will be long standing committee member Peter Hooton.