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Supporters Trust ?
- Thread starter Dandyman
- Start date
London Irish
Well-known member
Dandyman, it's excellent that this issue has been raised by you again again. I think there has been some preliminary work done on it and it's definitely in the planning/conceptual stages.
The supporters club received a commitment from the club that all A&K money would be converted into shares in the club for the supporters trust. So that's £320,000 of the club that the trust, sort of, already own.
Admittedly there has been little news of the progress of the initiative in recent months because of the reality that a share issue is costly and should not be done lightly. Around the time of the establishment of the Falmer stadium has been mooted as the appropriate time when the ownership of the club can undergo the necessary restructuring. It is then a supporters trust can be launched and come into its own.
It's a very exciting idea and one in which most fans surely will come behind.
The supporters club received a commitment from the club that all A&K money would be converted into shares in the club for the supporters trust. So that's £320,000 of the club that the trust, sort of, already own.
Admittedly there has been little news of the progress of the initiative in recent months because of the reality that a share issue is costly and should not be done lightly. Around the time of the establishment of the Falmer stadium has been mooted as the appropriate time when the ownership of the club can undergo the necessary restructuring. It is then a supporters trust can be launched and come into its own.
It's a very exciting idea and one in which most fans surely will come behind.
Brighton Breezy
New member
I agree with London Irish.
I think the main reason why this has perhaps not happened yet is that most fans are so greatful for what Knight et al have done for us that they see the idea of a trust as perhaps something distrusting of the board etc.
In reality it would be a great idea and one I would have thought this club especially would have had years ago.
I guess most of the hard working individuals who would be required to form such a thing are devoting all their time to Falmer.
I think the main reason why this has perhaps not happened yet is that most fans are so greatful for what Knight et al have done for us that they see the idea of a trust as perhaps something distrusting of the board etc.
In reality it would be a great idea and one I would have thought this club especially would have had years ago.
I guess most of the hard working individuals who would be required to form such a thing are devoting all their time to Falmer.
London Irish
Well-known member
Simster said:
Well, that means practically that there will be less shares given to the supporters trust initially. But of course you can do your bit when it's eventually set up
London Irish
Well-known member
Richie Morris said:
I think that's spot on. Once Falmer is given the green light, I would expect all those people who have led the Falmer campaign from the supporters side will turn their attention to the trust and make that a big issue.
Last edited:
London Irish
Well-known member
Dandyman, alas I've told you all I know, but I think a good person to email would be Paul Whelch on pwhelch.t21@btinternet.com - who I think was the guy the supporters club passed the baton to in making some consultations among supporters. If you hear anything new from him on the issue, I'm sure everyone would like to hear it 
Dandyman
In London village.
- Thread starter
- #29
London Irish said:Dandyman, alas I've told you all I know, but I think a good person to email would be Paul Whelch on pwhelch.t21@btinternet.com - who I think was the guy the supporters club passed the baton to in making some consultations among supporters. If you hear anything new from him on the issue, I'm sure everyone would like to hear it
LI, thanks. Possibly something for the upcoming Seagulls over London meeting...
Brighton Breezy
New member
Certainly a good idea.
This may sound a bit contravrsial as well but I think that a Supporters Trust would be an excellent chance to get some 'new blood' involved as well.
I am by no means unappreciative of the excellent job done by those involved with the Falmer campaign etc but I think for many fans it is hard to see where people stop being fans and start being club officials.
A trust would be a chance to get completely new people involved who clearly have no ties or relationships with any of the board.
This may sound a bit contravrsial as well but I think that a Supporters Trust would be an excellent chance to get some 'new blood' involved as well.
I am by no means unappreciative of the excellent job done by those involved with the Falmer campaign etc but I think for many fans it is hard to see where people stop being fans and start being club officials.
A trust would be a chance to get completely new people involved who clearly have no ties or relationships with any of the board.
Curious Orange
Punxsatawney Phil
I think that a Supporters Trust would be excellent for the club. While everyone considers it our club, in reality it isn't. A Supporters Trust will cement the relationship between the club and its fans.
You could just do what we did at Crewe (in the last 6 months). Set up a new supporters group that is not a trust as of yet but its objectives are very much the same. Then gain funding, support and membership (5k+ in bank, 200+ members and we only launched on Saturday). And, coincidentally, someone put 23% of the club up for sale last week which is, itself, an opportunity....
Despite all your hopes of an equal Marxist-esque group, you really need one person who is going to get everything started, knows enough people, prepared to put in the work etc. For us, it was/is a bloke called Jules Hornbrook who did the fanzine for 10 years, always involved with supporters group etc. You really need that one person to push it along as sentiments will only get you so far. If you can get 'in' with the club (our hierarchy already hold meetings with the chairman every week I think) then you're sorted. It's a lot of work for the people at the top though as people like me promise a lot and then do f*** all.
If you have no need to take over the club, then do what we are planning which is to try and help increase gates/revenue. Eg - running buses from local areas, free shirts to kids etc.
Despite all your hopes of an equal Marxist-esque group, you really need one person who is going to get everything started, knows enough people, prepared to put in the work etc. For us, it was/is a bloke called Jules Hornbrook who did the fanzine for 10 years, always involved with supporters group etc. You really need that one person to push it along as sentiments will only get you so far. If you can get 'in' with the club (our hierarchy already hold meetings with the chairman every week I think) then you're sorted. It's a lot of work for the people at the top though as people like me promise a lot and then do f*** all.
If you have no need to take over the club, then do what we are planning which is to try and help increase gates/revenue. Eg - running buses from local areas, free shirts to kids etc.