FAN power has been big news in football since the Big Six's attempted formation of a European Super League.

At most clubs any sort of supporter involvement is a distant dream. But not at Crewe where the Railwaymen Supporters Society (RSS) played its part in last year's buy-out of the major shareholder, with over 400 fans purchasing community shares to raise £250,000 in little over four months.

Project 250 saw the RSS's chairman, Mark Beavan, installed as a director on the club's new board.

In a question and answer session with Crewe Nub News Mark looks back at his first year of directorship and how Alex fans are beginning to shape some of the operations of the club and strengthen its community ties.

Today the Alex released season ticket details for the 2021/22 campaign and they include freezing ticket prices for loyal supporters renewing before June 6.

Nub News: At a time when the whole issue of supporter involvement at football clubs has been highlighted by the attempt to form the ESL how important do you think it was for Crewe Alex to get fans more involved in the running of the club?

Mark: I believe that supporters are the heart and soul of any football club. It would be great if shareholder groups could obtain significant shareholdings, as we have, and be more involved in the running of the club. But even the Big 6 have realised that you can't just ignore the fans.

Looking back more than a year did you think when the Railwaymen Supporters Society launched Project 250 that change was needed off the pitch? A 12 per cent limit has been placed on shareholdings in the club. How important was that to prevent stagnation under a major shareholder such as Norman Hassall or someone who does not have the club's interests at heart? Or could it prevent future investment in the club that might be beneficial?

I didn't fully understand the history of how Norman Hassall gained control of the club at the time we launched Project 250, but I now know it shouldn't have been allowed. Maybe if a supporter/director had been on the board at the time, he wouldn't have got away with it? Looking forward, the new structure and limitations on the number of shares any one person can own, will protect everyone.

The "new" shareholders are all involved for the right reasons, and it's certainly not to make any money. It's now up to us to build a sustainable model which includes investment in all areas and keep any predators at bay.

The buy-out went through last February and you joined the board as a fan-elected director, but within a month Covid hit. What impact did that have on your involvement and the supporters' club?

It wasn't in the plan, that's for sure. Initially there was so much uncertainty about whether the season would be able to continue or if we would be promoted, but the real concern was for everybody's health.

We have continued to hold monthly board meetings for both Crewe Alex and The RSS but I'm disappointed that I've not been able to meet our members face to face. The club's directors, old and new, have used the time to analyse different aspects of the club. Recommendations have been made and implemented where possible, and this will continue throughout the close season and into next.

Since then what have you been able to do to push the interests of the supporters? What matters have members brought to the table for the club to discuss?

The very first thing the RSS did was ask members to complete a survey on the match day experience so the new directors could see where it was possible to make any immediate improvements.

As a direct result of that, the club have installed new TVs on the concourse and main lounge, streamlined and improved the refreshments on offer, invested in new tills and put in an extra bar to speed up waiting times.

There will be additional and improved match day hospitality packages available to suit all budgets which includes reopening the area at the Railway End. These will all be announced shortly.

Also we have purchased the digital scoreboard which we are really excited about and it will be in situ in time for the new season. I daren't ask for anything else at the moment, but if anyone has any requests?

The RSS were active on the community side organising foodbanks outside the ground on matchdays. How important will this type of work be?

The club is a community and why I got involved in the first place. Playing sport, being part of a team, watching and supporting as a collective, meeting friends and family. There are so many benefits on being part of the football community, both mental and physical.

For some, it's the only social contact they have. The foodbank is a way of sharing the goodwill of our community with others less fortunate and has been a great success, but I'm looking forward to expanding the community aspect of our club. We have a unique platform to engage in areas such a mental health, fitness and well-being, loneliness, poverty and homelessness.

You are involved in the commercial committee of the board. What other schemes and revenue raising ideas might be looked at going forward?

The first thing we need to do is get to see the supporters again. Some have just had the opportunity to play on the Gresty Road pitch (fundraising matches for The Christie and Academy keeper Ashton Hulme) which has been a great success. There will be a family fun day, hopefully a meet-the-squad event, and friendlies all lined up to take place in July. I can't wait.

With Covid hitting the finances of all clubs in the lower leagues how important is it for Crewe and their supporters to be realistic going forward at what can be achieved?

One thing we are at Crewe, is realistic. The supporters, board, manager, staff all accept us for who we are and appreciate the financial constraints we work within. We just need to keep working on trying to improve what we've got in a sustainable manner. But make no mistake about it, the board is ambitious.

It has been hard for supporters watching games online. How do you think they found the experience?

Overall I think it's been okay. The match day routine has been different, and there have been a few technical issues, but the feedback has been positive for those you could watch it. However, we do feel for those who don't have the technical capabilities or even desire to use iFollow.

Fans were very generous in not in the main asking for refunds on season tickets last year. Are this year's refunds fair and should the club be offering season ticket holders something extra in the 2021/22 season ticket offer?

The supporters have been amazing. I keep telling the Alex board that they want to help, they appreciate that finances are tight. But we can never take them for granted and not everyone is lucky enough to be able to not request a refund. Hopefully we came up with a mechanism to recognise that in the season ticket sales for next season whether they claimed a refund or not. We also have a few other things in the pipeline to recognize how grateful we are.

On the pitch it has been a super season under Dave Artell, which makes it even sadder that games have been behind closed doors. How do you assess it, and as the manager strives for an even better finish is that possible with Crewe's resources?

It has been a great season. Some wonderful football from some very talented players. A few hiccups along the way, which without, who knows we might be playing Championship football next year. Dave will work within the budget to improve the squad for nextseason. We're under no illusion that it's going to be tough, losing so many players, but that's life at Crewe Alex. Dave understands that and he'll be getting our full support.

What does being involved so directly with the club mean for yourself as a fan? Do you feel you have sufficient power to influence things?

The hardest thing for me personally, is wearing two hats. But it's also the best thing because I get to see everything from different points of view. To be chairman of the RSS and a director of Crewe Alex is an absolute privilege and I'm trying to do my best for both which ultimately is best for Crewe Alex.

It might take a while to get the supporters point of view across sometimes, but I get there in the end. So, yes I do think I have sufficient power to influence things. Everyone at the club has been very supportive of the RSS and the role we play and I can't thank my fellow directors enough for the way they have embraced our involvement.

Media coverage of lower league clubs has dipped with big news companies cutting back. Along with fans, the media played its part in the recent revolt against the ESL. How important do you think local news coverage is for Crewe Alex? Would you like to see a dedicated reporter covering the Alex?

Local coverage of football is vital, in my view. But now with so many different ways of getting news and gossip, it needs to be different. News becomes old news very quickly, but we need coverage that is accessible to all, independent and… different.