Supporters Direct Media Briefing (21st Oct)
Supporters Direct (of which the Trust is a member) issues media briefings on a fortnightly basis, gathering news of Trusts throughout the country, and wider football issues. You can read any of these articles by clicking on the links.
Government responds to DCMS inquiry into Football Governance
A glance at many Trust websites in the last week has shown that the level of interest in the Government’s response to the DCMS inquiry into Football Governance is high. SD has welcomed the response, and would encourage all our members to continue to publicise the recent developments to both their membership. SD, and the wider Trust movement, are well placed to play a key role in the debate that is to be had in the coming months. We have so far met with key officials from the Premier League and the FA, as well those from the DCMS.
We hope to produce some key papers relating to the recommendations in the Select Committee’s report in the coming months.
Commercial Partnership Manager Vacancy
Supporters Direct are looking to recruit a new Commercial Partnership Manager. For more information, visit our website.
KTP Associate/Research Analyst Vacancy
An exciting opportunity is available for a highly motivated and resourceful graduate to be involved in developing an innovative model for community sports stadia. The person appointed will work with Brentford Football Club, Bees United (the Brentford FC Supporters Trust), Supporters Direct and other key stakeholders to develop a new, community focused operational stadia model for professional football clubs. This post will be funded by the University of Westminster and the Economic and Social Research Council. For more information, visit the Supporters Direct website.
Regional Meetings and Development events
They’re back! The regional meetings will be making a comeback this season, kicking off with the North West on Thursday 27th October at Spotland Stadium (Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DR Tel: 01706 648004) where the supporters’ trusts and clubs in the North West region will be the guests of Rochdale Hornets Rugby Football League Club. There will be food available from 7.00 p.m. for a 7.30p.m. start. If you are a trust in the North West, please contact Vicki Goodfellow via email or on 020 7273 1592 to confirm your attendance.
The meetings will then run around the country, dates to be agreed – watch the events section of the website. We’ll be in Yorkshire & the North East, London, West Midlands, South West, East Midlands and the East of England. These will be complemented by regional development events in the same seven regions alternating between Board Membership and Secretary’s events.
Please make sure that your trust or club sends a representative along to your local regional events to get the most out of your membership of Supporters Direct. For more information, please contact Vicki Goodfellow.
Co-ops go free to FCUM’s Big Coat Day, December 26th
All staff from Co-operatives North West co-operatives are invited to attend FC United’s home fixture against Ashton on Boxing Day free of charge. As well as the game, FCUM are holding their annual Big Coat Day collection, which last year raised 5.5 tons of good quality clothing for Manchester’s homeless population.
For more information, email office@fc-utd.co.uk.
BBC Non-League show faces axe as part of funding cuts
As a result of the recent Delivering Quality First report, the BBC Non-League show is, along with a range of local sports programming, facing removal from BBC London 94.9 FM. Many of you will be aware of the show and the platform that it has provided the Trust movement over the years. To register your views on the proposals, click here.
Dons Trust and AFC Wimbledon Volunteers receive award
The Dons Trust and AFC Wimbledon club volunteers have recently received an award from Team London, which recognises their “outstanding contribution to improving London and the quality of life for Londoners. The volunteers were nominated by a fan, and have become the first group to receive such an award, which is generally awarded to inviduals. Congratulations to all concerned.
LOFT welcomes Olympic stadium rethink
The Leyton Orient Fans’ Trust received some positive news recently with the announcement that the Olympic Park Legacy Company has ended negotiations with West Ham United over the future use of the Olympic stadium. To read their statement, click here.
Model Rules update
A reminder to all that the new model rules and side policies have been approved by the Financial Services Authority. The first group of supporters’ trusts and member clubs are now adopting them in full or amending their existing rules with new powers such as Community Shares. Any Trust or member Club wishing to update their rules should contact Jacqui Forster.
FA to incorporate additional non-executive directors
The Football Association’s shareholders have voted overwhelmingly (97% in favour) to increase board membership to 14 with the introduction of two non-executive directors, who will take up their posts in the new year. It is hoped that this will be the first step in an extensive reform process, which should be dictated by the response of Minister for Sport & Olympics Hugh Robertson’s respone to the recent DCMS enquiry into football governance. It is surely encouraging that the change has been voted in favour of, almost exactly a year after a motion from FSF Chairman Malcolm Clarke’s motion received the support of just over 1% of Council members.
Fans Reunited
Saturday September 24th saw fans from an estimated 19 clubs make their way down to Devon to show their support for Plymouth Argyle, in a reviving of the Fans United days from many years back. The home side picked up their first win since April, and a good time was had by all. The Argyle Fans’ Trust are continuing to work tirelessly to save their club, to find out how you can help visit their website.
Hillsborough files closer to release
Following a debate in the House of Commons, MPs have agreed that all government documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster should be released. To read more, click here.
Independent examinations
A reminder that SD now offers an independent examination service to member Trusts. The cost depends on the time it will take our Company Acccountant to prepare or carry out the examination. For more information, click here.
SD Fans’ Weekend raises £1758 for Homeless Football Association
Those of you who attended this year’s Fans’ Weekend in Chester will remember that SD donated £1 from every ticket sold over the weekend to the Homeless Football Association. We can now reveal that the total amount raised was £1758.47. As the designated national partner of the Homeless World Cup, the HFA will select and manage the English side, using football to empower and engage the most vulnerable members of our society.
SD Funding Update
After a long period of uncertainty over the funding process, we are now in the final straight with our applications to the Fans Fund. The key issue for SD now is the need to agree a stable, long term funding regime to take us beyond the summer of 2013.
News from Europe
Supporters Direct project selected for EC grant
The European Commission, under the PREPARATORY ACTION IN THE FIELD OF SPORT (EAC/18/2011), has selected Supporters Direct’s project in the area of good governance, Improving Football Governance through Supporter Involvement and Community Ownership, for receipt of a grant. To read more about the project, click here.
First supporter liaison officer workshop held in Berlin
SD’s Antonia Hagemann and Stuart Dykes were chairing workshops at the recent supporter liaison officer workshop in Berlin, ahead of the launch of the guidance handbook for the project. SD has been working in cooperation with UEFA on the introduction of SLO’s at every club that applies for a UEFA Licence, from the 2012/13 season. To read more about the workshop, click here.
New Trust established in Italy
Supporters of Alma Juventus Fano of the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (fourth tier) have this week set up a supporters’ trust, with the advice and assistance of Supporters Direct. The trust has been set up with the aim of helping the club, and increasing supporter involvement. To read more, click here.
Brondby’s ‘economic reality’
The New Brondby, who are campaigning for long term supporter ownership of the famous Danish club, have published an analysis of the club’s financial situation on their website. To read a Google-Translated version, click here.
SK Beveren celebrate their first victory
After supporters of KSK Beveren saw their club franchised and merged at the behest of local business and property interests, they formed a new team. SK Beveren celebrated their first victory recently, and in fine style. To read more about the story of SK Beveren, click here.
Play the Game Conference 2011
SD’s Head of European Development Antonia Hagemann chaired a workshop at this year’s Play the Game Conference in Cologne, “Financial Fair Play, or Football’s Foolish Plan?” Joining Antonia on the panel were Sefton Perry (UEFA), Christian Müller (formerly of the DFL), John Beech (Coventry University), and Stefan Szymanski (University of Michigan). To read more about PTG 2011, click here.
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Trust News
SCSC welcome movement’s youngest chairman
Stockport County Supporters’ Co- operative have recently elected a new Chairman in Ashley Simpson, who becomes the youngest person heading up a UK Trust. Congratulations and best of luck to Ashley.
Exeter membership increase
Following their glamour Carling Cup tie against Liverpool, the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust has seen a near-30% increse in membership numbers, an outstanding number. To read more, and to keep up with the latest news from the Trust, click here.
Tranmere trust pass £100,000 fundraising mark
The Tranmere Supporters’ Trust confirmed on September 29th that they have passed the £100,000 mark in their quest to raise £300,000, with a view to an eventual takeover. To find out more, visit their website. Keep up the good work!
New President for Leeds United Supporters’ Trust
Former Leeds and England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has been presented as the new president of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust. He should be a safe pair of hands…
Rochdale Hornets back on even financial footing
Although they missed out on promotion, it has still been a good month for Rochdale Hornets, with Chairman Mark Wynn announcing at their AGM that since becoming supporter owned, the club has turned a £100,000 loss around and broken even in their latest accounts – a fantastic achievement.
Runcorn Linnets donate programmes to local school
Runcorn Linnets have lent their backing to a new literacy programme at a local school, donating match day programmes. To read more, click here.
Support the Killie Trust in their bid for RBS Community Force award
The Killie Trust are applying for an award from the RBS Community Force, and need as many votes as they can get. Show your support by clicking here.
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