Supporters were joined by Erin Cuthbert and Chelsea FC Women sporting director Phil Radley, as well as staff from across the club, for the discussion session at the Bridge, the stadium that from the coming season onwards is the home of Chelsea Women.

The Blueprint was launched earlier this year with the ambition of supporters providing a strategic input to ensure that supporter culture remains at the heart of CFCW. Selected from an overwhelming number of applications, the group represents a diverse range of fans, spanning different backgrounds, ages, genders and levels of fandom.

Among the topics discussed at this month’s initial meeting were various initiatives to enhance the atmosphere in the stadium, including music and pre-match activities. The visual impact and development of banners and displays were also covered.

With such a long-serving player as Cuthbert present at the event, there was the ideal opportunity for the fans to find out first-hand the squad’s viewpoint on how the team can be best supported and with this very much a two-way process, the Blueprint members shared ideas on what they would like to see the club incorporate for the upcoming season.

Speaking in the video from the evening which can be viewed above, Cuthbert said:

‘This gives the fans a voice and it shows it is not the club and the fans; we are all together and integrated as one. We all want the same thing, to win football matches and have a good experience.’

‘Chelsea has a very personal touch as a club and I feel we have never lost that,’ added Jenny Symmonds, one of the Blueprint members.

‘The support has grown so much. I feel the players still really want to engage with fans.’

With the Blueprint set to meet several times a season and continuing to work closely with the Fan Advisory Board, fan engagement will continue to grow stronger and stronger. Together – we’re never done.