Supporter Forum Voting Survey

North Stand Representative

Brian Levin

I have been a representative for the North Stand for a number of years. I enjoy working with the other representatives and the club to make the supporter experience much better and be a voice for the supporters.
It's been a tough few years with Covid, but I feel we have helped the club get a better understanding of what it means to be a supporter and why we love coming to watch and support the club.

It's been a learning curve for all of us since the inception of the forum and I feel now we can take the experience we have gained and use that to make the supporter's experience even better.

Mark Simpson

I've been a Season Ticket Holder since the club moved to the new ground and Ive only missed one home Premiership/European match in ten years.

I've travelled home & away following the team and I feel that I would be an ideal candidate to represent the North Stand.

I've previously held representative roles within the football world in addition to the above and Ive been involved in the Sales/Marketing Business for over 30 years so I have a vast amount of commercial experience which I think will be an asset to the Saracens Supporters Forum.

Anthony Gorman

I am a passionate season ticket holder and want to help ensure the club moves forward through fan engagement, being world class on and off the pitch. I want to help provide the best possible experience for my fellow Saracen fans and visiting fans. Whilst I am fairly new to rugby and the Saracens family, following on from the 2015 world cup, I have found a home within the Saracens family, feeling welcome and enjoy the experience at both the Mens and Womens game. A feeling I have not felt at other sporting events and believe this is a strong core aspect of the rugby values and would like to help build on this.

I have been to a number of sporting events in different stadiums both in the UK and abroad, having both good and poor fan experiences. Throughout my professional career I have worked in a number of positions and various companies within in Hospitality, Food Manufacturing, Sales Consultant, Fresh Produce Supply and Logistic which has given me a wealth of experience. I understand the importance to listen to people's needs and concerns, drilling down to the root cause and being able to develop possible solutions. During the 2015 World Athletic Championships I was a Games Maker and this brought home how important it is for supporters to enjoy an experience as their engagement helps generate an enjoyable environment and positive atmosphere.

South Stand Representative

Peter Edwards

I have been a Saracens supporter for many years and have seen the development from the Vicarage Road days to the modern and vibrant stadium we have today. The developments that have occurred in the last couple of years have moved the fan experience forward tremendously and the stadium and therefore the club are in a much better place than a few years ago. However, there is still much to do, with the experience we see at many other clubs both within the premiership and elsewhere in Europe, showing that many improvements could and should be made.

In the difficult financial circumstances that all premiership clubs are facing, many of the physical changes are, to put it mildly, difficult to afford, but this does not mean that we cannot plan for the future as well as tweek what we have already.

My professional background is dealing with community engagement and I am very experienced in both participating and chairing meetings around difficult and challenging issues within a diverse range of communities. I have also been involved with community rugby for many years and understand the pressures that exist at all clubs as well as the importance of the link between the community and Saracens. I feel I have an experienced and knowledgeable voice, which would contribute positively to the fans forum and I am very committed to the Saracens family and I am keen to help improve the fan experience by actively participating. I have wide experience in community engagement as a senior Police officer in Neighbourhood policing, as well experience within junior clubs of managing junior players and parent groups.

David Dodds

As a rugby enthusiast, I spent my youth playing at Harpenden Rugby Club. One of the highlights of my playing career was when we won the league and had the opportunity to watch Saracens play at Twickenham. It was an experience that left a lasting impression on me, and ever since then, I have been a devoted fan of the club.

For the past three years, I have been a season ticket holder of the South Stand, where I have built a strong relationship with the supporters around me. The camaraderie and passion that we share for the game and the club are infectious, and I believe that being part of the Saracens Supporters Forum would enable me to deepen my involvement with this community.

Moreover, I am genuinely excited about the direction that the club is heading in, with its focus on building a strong academy, developing homegrown talent, and nurturing a culture of excellence. As a fan, I would love to be part of this journey and contribute to the club's success in any way I can.

In summary, I am eager to join the Saracens Supporters Forum because of my longstanding love for the club, my positive experiences as a season member in the South Stand, and my enthusiasm for the club's future prospects. I am confident that this forum would provide me with a platform to engage with like-minded fans and make a meaningful contribution to the club's success.

As an engineer, I have a breadth of practical and problem solving skills that I can use to support the Forum. I also previously worked as a management consultant at Deloitte, and have been trained in frameworks to identify, define and deliver effective strategies. I can bring this knowledge to the table and work collaboratively with the forum to identify strengths, areas for improvement and develop strategies to achieve the club's goals.

Growing up in Harpenden native and now living in North London, I am part of a strong network of local rugby fans who I can tap into for advice and support. This in addition to the relationships I have built in the South Stand will provide valuable insights to share with the Club. By leveraging these connections, I believe we can build a stronger community around the Saracens Supporters Forum and work together to achieve our shared goals.

Overall I am confident that my professional experience, combined with my roots in the rugby community, would make me a valuable addition to the Saracens Supporters Forum. I am passionate about the club's success and eager to contribute my skills and expertise to help the forum achieve its objectives.

East Stand Representative

Steve Cummins

I would like to.continue to give something back to the club and to carry forward the views of fellow east stand members. I was part of the initial intake and would.love to carry on our work!

Having served since inception I feel i'd like to carry on. As an active supporter of the club and its fans i want to continue to help shape the future.

Colin Garrett

I have sat in the same east stand seat since the stadium was built. Over the years I have built up friendships with people around me, with other people in the stand and many others around the ground. We often spoke about various things happening on and off the field including the stadium. As a good communicator I can bring some of these to the table and give good feedback. This I believe will bring the club closer to my fellow supporters.

I have been a supporter of Saracens since 2004, Vicarage Road, when days were not as good as they are today. I have traveled to all Premiership grounds, and by the end of the year I will have been to all Premier 15s grounds. This has given me quite an insight into what other clubs are doing that could benefit Saracens as a club. My partner and I often stay over, living 1.25hrs drive away from the ground, especially when there's games on a Saturday and Sunday. We make use of local transport links and often use the shuttle bus to and from the ground. I have various Social Media accounts,Facebook,Twitter, Whatsapp, etc. promoting and following various clubs and innovations.

Alun Morgan

Having been a Season Ticket Holder since Vicarage Road and an East Stand STH since day 1 at Stonex I feel as a previous member of SSA committee I am regularly recognised and approached by East Stand STH with their concerns and whilst I currently redirect them I feel confident that as an elected forum member I could provide a direct link required between the Club and its STH raising their concerns and providing feedback.

Having had a break from representing supporters via the SSA I feel ready to make a full commitment to this role.

During my over 10 years with the SSA Committee I forged many relationships with both staff and supporters and having previously been the SSA forum representative I regularly brought issues to the attention of the Club and provided feedback.

I consider myself to be an effective communicator for example establishing the SSA Newsletter, the SSA lockdown quizzes and much more.

I have represented the supporters on Away Trips and with visiting supporters establishing contacts and ties that remain to this day.

All this has made a familiar and trusted face especially in the East Stand.

I am now ready to fully represent the East Stand as an independent elected forum member.

Stephen Elliott

I have been actively supporting Saracens for 20+ years and have extensive user experience of the two major recent club venues namely Vicarage Road and Stonex. It has always been my aim to try and give back as much as I take out of community organisations and this would be an ideal opportunity to & give something back to the Saracens Family.

Having coached youth Rugby for six years I have had grassroots exposure to the rugby community and understand the values and rivalries which exist at most levels. Working in the IT sector for most of my adult life I have good experience of seeing both sides of an argument and applying pragmatism to anything arising. I like to get things done, and through experience understand that there are invariably many different routes that can be found to any given objective.

1876 Stand Representative

Michael Downes

I would like to be part of the supporters forum to understand and provide feedback on how the club improve the match day experience. I am passionate about rugby and have been a season ticket holder with my partner since I retired from playing. We have loved our watching Saracens and enjoy bringing our friends & family to Stone X. I am proud of the impact the club has in the community and want to understand how this operates and provide feedback.

I have played rugby and watched rugby across the UK and internationally since the age of 5. I think I can bring ideas and inspiration from other teams and match day experiences but also on how Saracens can attract more supporters to a great day out.

Denis Collen

I am an exisiting fans forum member and have been involved in driving the fans forum over the 2 years of covid and the move to meeting online for the forum. Over that time i have supported the work on the EDI approach that the club has adapted as part of the fans charter. As a fan who has been involved in the old west stand and the transition to the new 1876 stand over the time I have been a forum member, i have kept a group of 25 fans together through the process and worked and supported the club on the transition for these committed fans when communication through covid with fans was challenging. As a family we support the womens and foundation work of the club and have promoted both these areas of the club to our wider network to support growth of the game. As the current ethnics Minorities forum member there is an amazing opportunity to drive our sport into hard to reach groups who dont connect with rugby at a very difficult time for the sport. Over the last 12 months I have supported the forum as the interim Chair to support the forum elections and robust process of tracking and minutes of meetings to support the Saracens team.

Advisor with North West London NHS diabetes strategy CCG board, Consulting back ground and support from our team of post graduates who have supported the Forum SLT when resources are still returning post covid impacts. Foundation Patron and supporter of the education and values of the Saracens High School. As we run an independent film production company that has an ambition to champions the rights of Black and Asian films makers and push up the voice of foster parents and children in care we closely connect with a number of children and social worker networkers that we can engage for future generations to champion sport and education. As a part of the work we have committed to over the last 3 years we have a group of 13 season ticket holders who are sponsors of Manu Vunipola and we are supporting his network when he is ready. We bring our friends and customers to many home games and have generated a large group of non rugby friends to attend the Showdown 3 event and many have asked for tickets for next years game. Our family network is made up of 4 women ST's who are passionate about the values of sport for life changing skills and activity promote Women and LGBTQ+ networks. Thank you for considering me for nomination for the forum. Denis

Women & Girls Representative

Barbara Buxton

I would like to be involved in helping to shape future developements at the club that I have supported since 1997 and a season ticket holder for most of that time. I am a passionate supporter and want to help to achieve the best for the club. Women make up a good number of supporters and would be grateful for the opportunity to represent their views on the forum. Although I have sat in the same seat since moving to the Stonex, I know women who sit all around the ground, some of whom are local and others that travel some distance.

I have been watching Saracens regularly since 1997 initially attending on my own, subsequently bringing a friend and later my partner. The early years were not as successful for the club compared with now and at a different ground so remember how it felt like to attend a ground that didn't belong to the club. I attend most home matches for both the men and womens games. I also travel to several mens away matches each season having been to all the Premiership rugby grounds over the years. I also go to most of the womens away matches having been to all bar one of the women's grounds (but for a change of venue this year would have been to all of them). This gives me an insight as to the experiences provided by other clubs for both the mens and womens games. As a member of the SSA for many years and attending lots of functions I have got to know a lot of Saracens supporters and include many of them as friends now whether personally or via Facebook. I am on the committee of the Seaxe Club (the supporters club of Middlesex CCC undertaking a variety of roles including membership and website administration as well as minute taker on occasions) so have experience of how another club works (albeit a different sport). I use the on-site car park but also public transport / shuttle bus on occasions too.

Ethnic Minorities Supporters’ Representative

Kevin Mak

I have supported the club since the 1990s. I am a friend of the incumbents of both roles that I am seeking election. Its a shame Denis cant continue as the Ethnic Minority representative, as he too is passionate about the club. He trusts me in offering the support to the club and fellow supporters in the same way as he did over the last several years.

I run the Sarries Fans Forum group on Facebook since its inception six years ago, which has over 5,000 members. I hear of concerns about how the club is run, the management of the match day experience and other issues affecting fellow supporters. I want to impart their concerns to the club and provide useful information back to all our supporters.

Disabled Supporters’ Representative

Mark Vernon

Principally because as a disabled supporter, I am earnest about access, representation and forward planning being fully inclusive. Too often the disabled supporter is only thought about retrospectively, leading to uncomfortable and poorly thought out access and viewing positions.

As a former project manager, I am now retired, I can bring people together to ensure all opinions are considered and no one feels left out.

Glenn Holmes Tasker

I believe that it is hugely important that anyone with any disability or challenging condition should be able to access a full life. That includes pleasure and sporting events as both participant or audience member. Saracens through the foundation recognises this and I want to add my enthusiasm and determination to represent those who, like me have challenges on a daily basis. I understand what it is to be denied access to a lift and told to climb stairs as I do not look disabled and would want to expand thought on issues that the greater % thankfully do not experience.

I have a long term and progressive pulmonary condition that is debilitating to various degrees, plus associated issues.

I have had a blue badge for an inordinate amount of time and life is a challenge, however this does not stop me it merely increases my determination to carry on.

I was the instigator of the fundraiser for Ed Slater and would not be deterred as will I in anything.

I am not an evangelist, I merely want to help and do my bit for this extraordinary club that means so much to so many.
Thank you.

Simon Meredith

I have for a long time, wanted to become more involved with the club and to put something back into something which has given me an enormous amount, has given me so, much and because I am blind, I think I can be an advocate for people who have disabilities and who are Saracens fans. I am passionate about the club, but also passionate about the need for people with disabilities to have equal access to whatever is on offer for anybody else. My experience of the club as a disabled person has been unfailingly and incredibly positive but there may be others who have not had such an experience and as a professional lawyer, I think I can advocate well on their behalf. I am a good listener, believe that I am empathetic, Im used to dealing with people in many different situations and have served and do serve on committees currently. I think my professional and life experience would play a valuable part in contributing to the role. Finally, I would feel very privileged to do it.

Chris Swinson

There is much about Saracens which commands respect such as the breadth of the club's vision (e.g. the involvement in other sports, the academy development, the commitment to building community links) quite apart from the rugby. All of these help build the club's name and one's keenness to support the effort.

There remain things that could be improved. Non-responsiveness can occasionally be a problem - which presents as a technology weakness and a question about the numbers of staff available at times of peak pressure. Maintaining a realistic commitment to constant improvement within reasonable resource constraints also seems worthy of support.

My mobility is challenged - in other words, I cannot and do not walk well or far and cannot do stairs. The result is that I need help - and know what it is like to be intimidated by a crowd which does not appreciate my infirmity - I also have experience of help being provided well (i.e. unobtrusively without fuss) and badly (i.e. ungraciously).

By trade, I am a chartered accountant and conscious of the need for the club to be commercially prudent.

LGBTQ+ Supporters’ Representative

Alex Francis

I have been a follower of Saracens since 2006, travelling in with my local Cub Scouts group, and ever since we moved to the StoneX, me and my father have been season ticket holders. Rugby has always been an open and honest sport, and as a gay man, Ive always felt welcomed and supported. Saracens have always made it clear that whatever your background, you are welcome to come and enjoy the sensational rugby with the other fans.

However; there is so much left to do for LGBTQ+ representation in high level English Rugby. Whilst Im proud of recent campaigns, such as the rainbow laces, our Transgender, Intersex and Asexual fans (to name a few) are often left unrepresented. This is something I would wish to change as a the Saracens Supporters Forum LGBTQ+ representative.

Over 65’s Representative

Tim Bonnett

Having been a Saracens supporter and a volunteer in grassroots rugby for many years (currently President of Hertfordshire RFU), I am interested in informing the Supporters Forum from a broad knowledge base of rugby. I have coached including within the Saracens Developing Player programme and still deliver safeguarding training for the RFU. I feel I can be an informed and experienced voice on the forum. Having supported Saracens at all their grounds with my family, I feel I can help give a knowledgeable voice to the forum.

Former Saracens DPP coach and manager
Long standing member of Hertfordshire RFU (currently President)
Expert on safeguarding in sport
Previous career as a senior police officer, including command of sporting and other major events
Inclusion and diversity lead for Hertfordshire RFU

Tony Bond

I have been a season ticket holder for over 20 years and travelled in Europe for Heineken games over that time. Saracens are my sports team. I have engaged with the club on a number of issues over the years, from the move to Hendon to ticketing and queuing for catering. I stood in the election a few year back, and expressed my doubts that it would return a useful cross-section of supporters - I may have been wrong, of course....

I am an accountant by trade with a long career advising small businesses in Advertising and marketing. I am a member of a junior club, Amersham & Chiltern, and been involved in club management there. My sons played there from minis to County level. I am pretty opinionated - which may be a downside for you...

Under 25’s Representative

Aeryn Newman

As a 19 year old (20 at the end of April) woman with an invisible disability I want to be able to make these areas more inclusive and consider things that will positively benefit these areas. I want to ensure that the thoughts and needs of younger fans and those with disabilities are met as well as providing the extra support for these minorities. In regards with women's and girls representatives I want to consider more elaborate ideas to include the females into the game and getting more girls to come to the ground. Overall, I want to make the Sarries game more inclusive to all.

As a Business Management and Entrepreneurship student, I am developing more skills that can be included into this role. I can use my marketing and digital marketing knowledge on updating fans on any ideas given as well as the transferable skills needed to help with the meetings, these skills include but are not limited to creativity, crucial and analytical thinking, communication and team management skills.

Olly Wallace

For a long time now it has been one of my biggest goals to improve the rugby world in as many ways as is possible and Saracens' Supporters Forum continues to be the perfect platform for this. In evaluating the best interests of the supporters, the Club are able to make changes to enhance the experience of fans on matchdays, as well as for those supporting from afar. I believe that I can continue to offer valuable contributions to the Forum which ensure that the needs of Saracens' younger fans are met whilst still paying close attention to the needs of the supporter base as a whole. I have been an avid supporter of Saracens for a huge part of my life and the opportunity to make meaningful, positive change is one that I am keen to continue pursuing.

Having sat in this role since 2019 I have an excellent relationship with the existing Forum members as well as the Club. I've also confidently and regularly made contributions, suggestions and recommendations to the Club on ways to improve communication and our online presence, many of which have been actioned. I have a huge amount of additional contributions to make and see a great benefit in utilising the preexisting networks that the Forum has cultivated so far.

Community Rugby Club Representative

Kieran Kelly

As a player myself and with a young family (who are regular match goers and training camp attendees) I would cherish the opportunity to promote Saracens rugby club within its supporters/community framework.
As a Management Consultant in my professional life I would confidently bring a seasoned set of skills and attributes to engage the target audience, and maintain a good level off organisation in delivering my duties to represent the Club in the context of the desired position.

It would be rewarding for me to give something back, for a club that continues to have a very positive influence on my children in their development. Thank you for taking the time to read my application and I very much look forward to hearing back. Regards Kieren Kelly

David Wheatly

Hi, Been involved in the community department at Saracens (part time) each and every year/season for 13 years (I work at a college also). Always willing to help out when I can and give back. I will always give 100 percent commitment!

Saracens Supporters Association Representative

Nige Eaton

I like to make a positive difference. I like to make sure every voice is heard. Fellow fans come up to me with issues, concerns, suggestions etc and I will happily take these to the club and give feedback, where permitted, to the fans.

I'm easy to find and approach on match days. I listen well. I attend both men's and women's fixtures ( when they are not played at the same time) so am accessible to a wider group of fans. I understand both sides of issues which means I can explain the feedback/responses.

Local Supporters’ Representative (living within 2 miles of StoneX Stadium)

Andrew Segal

Its a role that I believe in. Feel I can give it the time and effort needed. Most of all love the club and what it stands for. Have been in a similar roll for the CST in the past. Worked for the UN for many years.

Duncan Reid

I have been watching Saracens since the Enfield days and was beside myself when the club moved to a ten minute walk from my house. Ive followed the club at away matches both in the U.K. and Europe and have fully lived the rollercoaster journey that is our history.

I am extremely proud of the work the club does, not just at Stonex which is a major resource for Barnet, but also in the local community through the High School and elsewhere.

Im passionate about growing Saracens presence in Mill Hill and surrounding areas, both in schools and the general community, and would welcome the opportunity to help.

I have run a Premier League football club and completely understand the complex financial and marketing challenges professional sports businesses face.

I also have a long career in live entertainment, particularly on the finance side, but also have knowledge of ticketing, promotion and operations in that field.

Family Representative (supporter who brings children to matches)

Jon Wood

We have been following Saracens on TV since my son was born, and we have started to bring him to watch matches in person now that he has turned one. Since doing so I have realised that we now have very different needs than we used to, and I am sure many parents have a similar experience. The StoneX Stadium is more family-friendly than some, with good baby-changing facilities and even a playground. I think there are ways, however, that it could better meet the needs of parents and their children, and I hope to help the club with this. For example, I think that the club would benefit from parent and child onsite parking, secure buggy storage, and better communication via the website.

My primary qualifications for the role are that I am a Saracens fan and a parent who would like to bring his family to the StoneX stadium. Beyond this, if it were to be useful, my knowledge and experience are in entrepreneurship, social enterprise, research, sustainable architecture, and environmental health. I am currently doing a doctorate at Cambridge.

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