The independent chair of the Leeds United Supporters Advisory Board, Jane Dowson, has provided the update below as her SAB Annual Report for the 2025/26 season:
Over the past year, the Leeds United Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) has continued to grow as an important link between supporters and the club’s leadership. This review reflects a year of real progress in supporter engagement and stadium planning, alongside some ongoing challenges that matter to fans.
The first thing I would like to do is thank all the members of the SAB. Those nominated through supporter groups: Josh Cawthorne from the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, formerly Paul McManus and now John Mann from the Leeds United Supporters Club, Dean Pearson from the Leeds United Supporters Network, Maz Ferguson from Marching Out Together, Anders Palm from Leeds United Supporters Club of Scandinavia, and Michelle Draper from the Disability Advisory Group. I would also like to thank the independent members, who are there to cover a variety of supporter demographics: Katie Watkin, Jay Bhatt, Ken McArthur, Rachael Grimes, Umair Meer, Lliam Brocksom and Nikki Allan.
We meet monthly with club representatives in lively, open and constructive discussions, where any issue can be raised if it affects fans, including merchandise, podcasts, LUTV and heritage, to name just a few.
One of the biggest positives this year has been strengthening the link between supporters and senior leadership. With Managing Director Robbie Evans and key operational staff regularly in attendance, supporter concerns are now heard directly by those making decisions. This has helped build a more open, transparent, and constructive relationship between fans and the club. Crucially, this has led to real outcomes.
An important success this year has been the SAB’s influence on the affordability of supporter engagement, particularly in relation to Membership pricing. Through constructive challenge and dialogue, the SAB helped secure a price freeze on Memberships, recognising the ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing supporters. This outcome has provided reassurance and financial stability for fans, while also illustrating the SAB’s ability to deliver tangible benefits for the wider supporter base through effective representation.
The SAB has also delivered tangible outcomes in supporter safety and welfare. One of the most notable examples is the installation of publicly accessible defibrillators at Elland Road, available 24/7 and integrated with emergency services. We also discussed the training and conduct of the stewarding team, amongst other issues of concern that impact supporters.
In addition, the SAB has driven progress on sustainability and social responsibility. While Leeds United already had environmentally conscious practices in place, the SAB successfully pressed for greater transparency through a formal sustainability policy. This reflects a broader shift towards aligning the club with modern expectations around environmental standards and accountability.
The SAB has been particularly influential in shaping discussions around the future redevelopment of Elland Road. Over the year, members have engaged with plans to expand and modernise the stadium, ensuring that supporter priorities, such as atmosphere, accessibility, and seating balance, are considered and remain central to decision making. The SAB also successfully pressed for the retention of home supporters behind the goal in the South Stand, a key decision and one Leeds United Supporters highlighted as a priority. Several members attended the Council Plans Panel, where it was clear that a letter of support from the SAB for the planning application and supporter input had made a real difference. The final approval is a significant step forward and brings much-needed investment to the stadium.
The Board has also contributed to wider infrastructure discussions, including Wi-Fi improvements, crowd safety, and even smaller details like the relocation of the clock on the big screen. No issue has been too big or too small if it affects supporters. Further progress has been made in enhancing the matchday experience. SAB feedback has contributed to improvements in ticketing processes, digital access, and aspects of stadium facilities, including improved accessibility for disabled supporters and refined operational processes such as audio commentary provision.
The SAB continues to support a more inclusive club. This includes promoting Leeds United Women, taking part in a Premier League women’s supporter focus group, and backing initiatives such as the White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. The SAB were asked to provide valued feedback on a number of the club’s key statements over the season; notable is the SAB's support for the statement asking for respect to be shown for the players breaking fast for Ramadan in March.
Despite these achievements, several recurring challenges have emerged throughout the year. The review highlights ongoing challenges around ticketing and infrastructure. One of the most pressing issues is ticketing and access to matches. Demand for Season Tickets continues to far exceed supply, leading to long waiting lists and ongoing concerns about fairness and transparency in allocation. The need for clearer communication and system improvements has been a consistent theme in SAB discussions.
The scale and complexity of stadium redevelopment also present significant challenges. While plans for expansion are widely supported, balancing commercial opportunities, such as hospitality, with preserving the traditional matchday atmosphere remains a delicate issue, but one we will not shy away from.
On a more operational level, matchday experience issues persist. Throughout the year, there have been ongoing concerns about facilities, including maintenance of toilets, stadium infrastructure, and technical systems such as audio and connectivity. While gradual improvements are being made, these issues highlight the difficulty of maintaining high standards in an ageing stadium environment.
Overall, the past year has demonstrated the growing importance of the SAB as a mechanism for structured supporter engagement. The Board has achieved measurable progress in areas such as safety, sustainability, affordability, and stadium planning, while fostering improved communication with senior leadership.
Looking forward, the SAB will focus on strengthening direct engagement with supporters through the launch of a dedicated SAB page on the club’s website, alongside a fan forum, a contact us function, and regular surveys. These initiatives will provide clearer communication and create more opportunities for supporters to share their views, ensuring their voices are directly reflected in the SAB’s work and future priorities.
As Leeds United’s SAB continues to evolve, we will work to make sure it remains a vital forum for ensuring that supporter voices are not only heard but play a meaningful role in shaping the club’s future direction, demonstrating the Board’s dual function as both a critical friend and a supportive partner.
Jane Dowson
Independent Chair of the Leeds United Supporter Advisory Board
