FSA board member becomes fan rep at FA

FSA-board member Chris Paouros is the newest supporter representative to join the FA Council.

Chris attended her first FA Council meeting on behalf of fans this week, replacing FSA chair Malcolm Clarke who has stepped down from his role on the council after 14 years.

A season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur for 25 years, Chris brings a wealth of supporter and campaigning experience to the role on the council.

As well as being elected to the FSA board and National Council, Chris is a trustee at Kick It Out, co-founder of the Spurs LGBT+ supporters’ association the Proud Lilywhites and is part of the Fans for Diversity campaign’s guidance group.

“It’s a great responsibility and I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Chris said. “Football fans are a wide and diverse group – but we have so many things in common that unite us.

“The face of football supporters is changing and it’s really important that that is represented and reflected.”

Chris joins the other supporter representative on the FA Council, FSA vice-chair Tom Greatrex. Tom was appointed to the council back in 2018 on a three-year term.

“We’re not there just to make up the numbers,” Chris said. “We’re there to hold the game to account and seriously advocate on behalf of supporters.

“Advocating on everything from match-going issues right up to the wider issues of the game’s governance.”

Community representation from non-league expanded

Fans for Diversity campaign manager Anwar Uddin will also be taking up a seat on the FA Council as one of seven new ‘National Game’ community representatives on the body.

Anwar is the first former-south Asian player to be appointed to the council, and was given the role due to his extensive work in non-league football, most recently as assistant manager at Aldershot Town.

Both Anwar and Chris will serve initially for a term of three years.

Chris said: “The FA plays an important role in the game and it’s a crucial time, with the Fan-led Review proposing substantial change, for supporters to be represented within it.

“There are going to be some important decisions taken in the next 18 months so it’s vital supporters have a strong, consistent voice.”