Kevin Rye - Supporters Direct
Kevin began by explaining the background to Supporters Direct, the Government funded organisation that oversees the Supporters Trust movement. A total of 138 Supporters Trusts have now been formed in total. In the last couple of years the focus has moved from being about gaining a voice for fans, more towards helping fans to take greater ownership and control of their clubs.
Supporters Direct receives funding from Sport England for its work in England and Wales, and from the Scottish executive for its work north of the border. In the recent past they have offered help and advice to Trusts at various clubs such as Wrexham, Bradford, Chesterfield. Because of their funding, Supporters Direct are able to employ people full time to help out Supporters Trusts rather than trying to fit it around another job.
Supporters Trusts have brought a total of around £11 million into the game, a figure which is regarded as a conservative estimate. Various clubs now have fans on the board and a few are actually run by Trusts. These on the whole tend to be run better, and produce better financial results. They tend to make profits or at least only small losses. Examples are Chesterfield, Brentford, Rushden and Diamonds, and Stockport. Lincoln are not run by the Trust but do have two fans on elected to the club board. Swansea also have a fans rep on the club board.
Kevin went on to say he expects more and more clubs to go down the route of Supporters taking a more active role in the ownership and control of their clubs, especially with clubs outside the Premiership. It is not a panacea, but a "better model within which to make mistakes". There is more accountability.
Football clubs like Swindon are held in awe by the fans but in reality are small businesses much like any other. There are differences but as has been shown at other clubs, it is perfectly possible for fans to run their club successfully. The growing band of Trust run clubs help each other with ideas and advice.
Regarding the more specific situation at Swindon, Kevin made the point that councils have to be accountable and clubs never seem to understand this point when seeking help from their local council. Regarding a possible relocation of the club outside of the borough, the Football League rules were tightened up after the Milton Keynes move and it is now much harder to gain Football League approval for such a move.
The next meeting will be on Monday March 6th in the Winners Bar at the County Ground. This meeting will also incorporate an auction in aid of the RAF fund. Items to include a days training with the squad. It is expected that Iffy Onuora will be there along with a couple of players.
Leaflets to publicise the meeting and auction will be produced to be handed out at the Rotherham game on February 18th. Hopefully these can be handed out by the turnstyles.
A sub group will also be formed to look into the possibility of an alternative redevelopment plan for the County Ground in the event that the club and the council are unable to reach an agreement based on the clubs existing proposals.
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