The minutes from the latest Albion Assembly meeting can be found below.
Albion Assembly (AA) Meeting - The Hawthorns.
Thursday, February 12, 2026 - 7pm.
The following minutes are a general summary of the meeting and contain no direct quotations.
Club staff in attendance: Mark Miles (Executive Director), Ian Skidmore (Director of Communications & Fan Engagement), Rob Lake (Director, The Albion Foundation), Chris Harris (Director of Operations & SHE (Safety, Health & Environment)), Cindy Groen (Supporter Liaison Officer), Rachel Rankin (Head of Marketing) and Sean Watts (Head of Media Relations).
Apologies: Alan Webb, Sandra Hughes and Avinash Patel.
Resignations: Clare Sidaway and Kevin Candon.
INTRODUCTIONS, APOLOGIES & RESIGNATIONS
Ian Skidmore (IS) opened the meeting by reading out apologies from those who could not attend, alongside the two individuals who had resigned since the group’s last gathering. He also noted the high turnout on the night, saying it demonstrated member commitment following a recent review of attendance levels.
MARK MILES
IS then re-introduced Mark Miles (MM) to the Assembly. MM explained his initial departure from the football club in September was mutual, citing the need for a break after what was a particularly challenging period. Mark said he always intended a return to work in 2026, and although he did not expect it to be at The Hawthorns under the current circumstances, he was positive about being back.
He emphasised that he was not taking up his previous role as Managing Director, but instead had become an Executive Director. This involves operating between the board and the football club. He’ll split his time between the stadium and training ground, as well as external meetings, conferences and public engagements.
Lastly, MM said togetherness and the fans’ support was more important than ever, and emphasised the critical role of the AA to help fuel that.
THE FUTURE OF THE ALBION ASSEMBLY
IS handed over to Rebecca Collings (RC), who presented the findings from a separate meeting on the group’s future that members had held since the last AA. She proposed various ideas they would like to implement going forward. This included:
- Introducing a co-chair to work alongside IS, and help the AA share ownership of itself with the club.
- Aligning their meetings with Fan Advisory Board (FAB) meetings, so they can link-in to - and follow up on - their discussions.
- Find a way to monitor attendance more closely among members.
- Create a WhatsApp group for AA-related matters, so members can raise smaller issues between meetings and have a continuous way of communicating among themselves.
These were all discussed in further detail. IS was pleased with the proposals and explained how the co-chair system works on the FAB. He also suggested the AA produces a constitution containing a terms of reference and structured regulations, which will dictate term lengths, attendance rules, new member recruitment processes, and other ideas discussed. He said the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) have a template that can be used as a starting point. The idea of a Junior Assembly that can feed into the main AA was also considered.
Some members then put themselves forward to be part of a working group that will create the constitution and enact the above ideas before the next AA meeting.
TICKETING & TRAVEL
IS began the next agenda item by addressing an error in the release of Oxford away tickets. He said the club took full responsibility for it, and rectified the issue as soon as it was flagged, limiting any problems.
A discussion was held on the remaining away matches, especially regarding allocations and coach travel - with members asking whether the latter could be subsidised. IS said the coaches currently run not-for-profit. He also confirmed the club would request the full allocation for all remaining fixtures on the road - and they were open to any other ideas that would help the team.
This prompted a chat where messaging campaigns, flags, clappers, big screen videos, involvement from sponsors, and other suggestions were raised by members. Rob Lake (RL) and IS asked the AA to formulate the ideas in their newly-created WhatsApp group, ensuring they are realistic, and submit a list to the club that they could work through. RC was tasked with leading this.
Members did then follow up with a question about whether the players understand the supporters’ frustration, and if there will be a message from Shilen Patel in the near future. IS said the squad are aware of the fans’ commitment and that their backing positively impacts them. He added that Shilen has communicated publicly recently - for example in the announcement of MM’s return - and that a wider strategic update would likely follow when the season finishes.
FACILITIES
Chris Harris (CH) opened the facilities section by saying feedback on Safe Standing has generally been positive, and the minor issues which were identified are being addressed. CH suggested the natural next step was to question if supporters wanted more of it, and where they would want it installed inside the stadium. He said they would engage with the FAB and potentially the AA on the matter. Members asked if this could be part of a larger fan survey to provide a wider-ranging opinion.
CH gave an update on the PA System, too. He explained how the club had continued making progress, having now selected a preferred supplier, who need to do surveys at the stadium. He reiterated the project is significant in terms of cost and infrastructure, but said they were excited by it.
Lastly, IS asked for feedback on the self-pour beer units that were used in the Birmingham Road End at a recent home fixture - explaining how they had received a positive reaction so far. Members agreed and said that it reduced queues. They asked if there would be more across the whole ground, which IS said they were looking into - though did cite logistical issues in certain areas where space is already limited. Members brought up potential mobile sellers as well, with IS clarifying the existing focus was on self-pour, but all options were under consideration.
MATCHDAY ATMOSPHERE
Rachel Rankin (RR) updated the group on an internal club matchday atmosphere working group, which features staff from a variety of departments. She described how they meet 2-3 times per week, with topics including music, bringing the concourse atmosphere to the terraces, the 15-minute build-up before kick-off, the PA system, flags, live/tunnel cameras, and Hawthorns Helpers. She mentioned they were looking at pyrotechnics to be used on an appropriate occasion. IS said a survey will go out to supporters on this subject - alongside one specifically for AA members - sooner rather than later.
Members followed up with questions about pre-match music, a potential club song to be played before matches, half-time entertainment, the fan zone, and mascots. They also thanked the club for their ongoing efforts to improve the matchday atmosphere.
AOB
Members asked if the club was doing anything else to mark The Hawthorns’ 125th-year anniversary. IS said the Derby game, and the open house, were the intended big celebratory events, but that they would listen to any other ideas from supporters and the AA for the remainder of the season.
A member asked how the club has voted on the EFL Play-Offs expanding - with MM saying it hasn’t happened yet. The release of the club accounts, and confirmation of the AGM, was queried as well. IS said the accounts would be published before the end of March, and the AGM date was currently TBC, but would be contained within the accounts letter sent to shareholders of Group.
A member also asked the club about a potential memorial garden expansion. IS said he would be happy to meet with them on the subject. And he said the club would consider the idea of an Albion Market at the end of the season, which was another idea shared.
Members also questioned whether moving to the Alexander Stadium had improved women’s attendances. RL said it had increased five-fold compared to what they used to get at Redditch.
Furthermore, IS confirmed Club Historian Dave Bowler was still looking at doing a digital archive after returning to the club, after a member had asked.
The club’s commercial revenue was discussed, as was the potential for recruitment at board level. IS said they were hopeful a non-executive director would be appointed to the football club’s board in the coming weeks.
Date of next meeting: Thursday, April 30, 2026.
