Wolves fan groups issues the club with its manifesto for change asking for action and clarity

Wolves fan groups issues the club with its manifesto for change asking for action and clarity following protests and Jeff Shi’s interview.

The Wolves 1877 Trust, backed by the broader Wolves Fan Alliance (9 groups) have published an 10-page document outlining 23 points across five key areas.

It calls for a clear strategy, acknowledging of past mistakes and aiming for sustainable growth, a dedicated football CEO separate from Fosun Sports, greater football expertise on the board and senior levels, improved fan engagement, accountability, and scrutiny of executives, investment in stadium/training facilities and progression for Wolves Women toward full-time professional status.

There is also criticism of the high managerial turnover (8 since 2016), unstable football leadership, and weakening academy.

They want a partnership with local authorities/university for “Molineux Quarter”, and a formation of a fan-inclusive working group, a stable experienced leadership at board level, and the reinstatement of open Q&A sessions with football staff.

Trust chair Keith Bickley spoke of the low fan-club relations, describing Wolves as a “failing football club,” and warned future protests will escalate without meaningful responses. The fan groups also urge the club to engage point-by-point to rebuild trust.

Manifesto for Change – We have supported the @oldgoldpack and fan group led protests, we are also continuing to challenge the club through its fan engagement process: https://t.co/RM4GBnja7d pic.twitter.com/8XvsD2rzq7

— Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust (@Wolves1877T) December 13, 2025

Manifesto for Change ””football leadership needs to be established at main board level” https://t.co/RM4GBnja7d pic.twitter.com/mHltFGDZwN

— Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust (@Wolves1877T) December 14, 2025

In regards to Molineux and infrastructure, frustration has grown over stadium expansion plans and training facilities stalling.

Jeff Shi said in his interview that said the club ‘wanted’ and ‘needed’ more support from the council to bring plans to regenerate the Steve Bull stand, and claimed he had yet to see the council’s plans for the project.

But since then, Councillor Stephen Simkins, leader of Wolverhampton Council, has hit back, speaking of his disappointment at his comments, and revealed the reason behind the hold-up with the redevelopment plans has come from the club’s side, rather than the council’s.

Councillor Simkins said, per Express & Star: “We were disappointed by Mr Shi’s comments regarding a lack of support from the council for the football club’s plans. We have a long and proud history of supporting our football club – indeed, our crucial intervention in 1986 saved the club from collapse.

“In recent years we have worked with colleagues at the club on a number of joint projects aimed at transforming the area surrounding the stadium.”

Shi made claims about hosting music events at Molineux, saying the council ‘part-funded a review’ on how the stadium could be used for big music concerts, and that experts provided recommendations which the council hoped would be listened to.

But Simkins said: “Unfortunately, the club did not move forward with any of these plans, but we are ready and waiting to progress them when they are.”

The councillor said they would help the club out in the future, to continue maintaining “a constructive and positive relationship with the club.”

👇 pic.twitter.com/yXnT0Oshvp

— Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust (@Wolves1877T) December 17, 2025

Manifesto for Change ””Strengthen the football club’s board of directors to the extent that experienced and knowledgeable ‘football’ people are introduced” a dedicated CEO separate to the CEO role at Fosun Sports Group https://t.co/RM4GBnja7d pic.twitter.com/MD3uCqrQZn

— Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust (@Wolves1877T) December 16, 2025

STATEMENT:

Wolves independent supporters group, the Wolves 1877 Trust, has today sent the club a formal ‘manifesto for change’, asking for action and clarity across 23 points in five areas of the club. The publication of the manifesto is supported by the members of the broader Wolves Fan Alliance who will continue to press for change through visible action, like the 15-minute boycott seen at the Manchester United game this week.

Following a statement by club Chairman Jeff Shi that he is planning to ‘refresh the whole club’, the Trust has compiled a wide range of points of concern. They range from control of footballing decisions, through fan engagement, to the fabric of the stadium and the Trust strongly believes they should form part of any review.

The Trust, with its formal role as part of Premier League rules as a channel for fan consultation (Fan Engagement Standard), is asking that the club now examines the manifesto point by point and promptly provides meaningful and considered responses.

Keith Bickley, chair of the Trust, says that it is vital that the club engages with the document.

“Engagement between the club and fans is at a really low ebb. The protests we saw at the Manchester United game are the culmination of years of concern about decision-making at the club – and the results are on the field for all to see. It pains us to say it but Wolves is now a failing football club.

“Fans have been patient and protests have been a long time coming. But now that they’re here, they won’t go away until supporters see their concerns addressed. The club can’t simply bury its head in the ground but we need meaningful engagement.

“To help that, the Trust has put together a list of 23 points of concern. The club now needs to consider them and respond to fans, outlining what the future looks like for our club. Only by working together can we restore the connection between fans and the club.”

The manifesto (click here to see the full document) calls for action on a range of issues including:

A clearly stated strategy for how the club plans to restore stability then grow sustainably, which also acknowledges the shortcomings of the recent past

A dedicated football club CEO, separate to the CEO role at Fosun Sports Group

More football expertise at top levels, with a fully functioning club board made up of experienced football executives (Wolves current board consists of the Executive Chairman and two honorary non-execs)

More accountability and better engagement with fans, with senior football executives opening up to conversations and scrutiny from fans, and better visibility for the channels available for fan consultation (like fan focus groups)

A clear strategy for the stadium and training facilities which encourages sustainable growth and success on the field

A plan to move Wolves Women towards becoming full-time professionals.

The next step is for the club to consider the concerns of fans and respond with a formal statement.

Keith Bickley, the Trusts chair, says that a failure to engage will only damage the club’s health.

“For nearly 150 years, Wolves fans have wanted to turn up, meet friends and cheer on their team. We’re supporters, not protestors. But if Wolves execs can’t offer a clear path out of the trouble we find ourselves in, we won’t let our club sink without a trace. Protests led by members of the Wolves Fan Alliance are likely to get louder until supporters get the answers they want  – so it’s in everyone’s interests that we see meaningful engagement from the club. Fans want to go back to being fans again but that will only happen if we see a plan for progress.”