West Brom's latest FAB meeting considered EFL relations, squad cost ratio and data-heavy recruitment

Albion will look to reset relations with the English Football League this summer after the recent profit and sustainability breach hearing.

Baggies chiefs met with the club’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) - a group of 10 elected supporter representatives - for the third time at the end of the bodies’ first season.

A summary of the meeting, held at The Hawthorns last week, confirmed talks took place on the controversial financial breach and two-point sanction that threatened the club’s position in the Championship.

Other topics included the second tier’s launch of a ‘squad cost ratio’ financial model, rather than profit and sustainability, as well general club performance on and off the pitch.

Representing the club were executive director Mark Miles, Bilkul’s chief marketing officer Ashish Patel and new chief business officer Sam Jeffrey, among other directors.

Six members of Albion’s FAB were present for the meeting, including vice-chair Richard Jefferson, and the club were pressed on issues involving the finance breach in late March.

Profit and sustainability breach

The board pushed for answers on the club’s decision not to appeal Albion’s two-point penalty, to which Miles reiterated that an appeal would have no sporting merit or bearing on Albion’s outcome and would come at a significant cost of time and resources.

It was raised as to whether Albion’s strong statements could damage relationships with the EFL, to which Miles revealed the club intended to meet with the governing body to reset relations this summer.

Switch to ‘squad cost ratio’ model

Albion recently voted in favour of a new squad cost ratio to govern the division’s finance and the notion was passed for 2026/27 with support of 20 of 24 clubs.

The system allows clubs to spend 85 per cent of revenue brought in, as well as a cash injection of £33million by owners rolling across three seasons - capped at £15m per season.

Miles revealed the Baggies had used a ‘shadow SCR’ in the 2025/26 season to help with the transition to the new model.

The club’s new business chief Jeffrey, appointed from Norwich in March 2026, explained how the club aim to deliver high-impact commercial projects capable of lifting revenues to help on-field results under the new squad cost ratio.

FAB review

Albion’s FAB assessed their first season since its launch last autumn and pointed to successes including the push for free coaches for the 7,000-strong away following at Blackburn in April and the application of loyalty points for ticket sales at Oxford in early March.

Progress on the often-maligned PA system at The Hawthorns was also delivered, as director of operations Chris Harris revealed its instillation was 40 to 45 per cent complete at the time of meeting - with new fittings to be in place by the end of May.

The board agreed they had hoped to improve communication channels via social media but a lack of progress had proven difficult.

An extraordinary meeting held in February with owner Shilen Patel, at a time of hardship on and off the field, was reflected on.

Both parties conceded that while the EGM was held with the club’s best interest at heart, the urgency of it meant a lack of recorded minutes for supporters to refer to. It was agreed future emergency meetings would be recorded formally per FAB constitution.

2025/26 on the field

Reflecting on a hugely disappointing season, which ultimately ended in narrow Championship survival via a miraculous run under new boss James Morrison, Miles once again branded the campaign “unacceptable.”

The FAB quizzed club bosses on poor decisions regarding head coach appointments and transfers.

Miles admitted there was an over-reliance on a data approach, installed by former club president Andrew Nestor, and that recruitment would now fall under a game model devised by Dominic Price, who moved to The Hawthorns this year as technical director.

It was added the return of former goal hero as a non-executive director to the club’s board will bring a football background to the leadership team.