BHA Supporters' Trust

[The Large One]

Assuming - and it is a massive assumption - that Prescott gives us the go ahead for Falmer, and that it is ultimately all systems go, are there plans afoot to set up a Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters' Trust with a view to investing in the club?

This has been mentioned at many occasions in the past, and I don't know if anything has been done, or if anyone is looking into how these things are set up, and what it is to run one of these things?

I am not a financial guru, and I have no idea how a Supporters' Trust is started or run, but I would be keen to put some money in if I thought I could get a little slice of my own stake in the Albion. (I am keen to put money in if I don't get a say, but obviously I would be minded to put more in if I though I could have an influence - however small.)

Perhaps I am jumping the gun, or perhaps someone already has done this and I am shooting my mouth off ahead of an announcement, but I would be keen to know if there is the support on this messageboard, or if people think that there is the support across the broad spectrum of Albion fans to do something about this.

Seriously - and this may be a very important issue, so no frivolity in your responses, please - what do we think about setting up a Brighton & Hove Albions Supporters' Trust?

 

[Wardy]

Think it would be a good idea. Even if we do not have a vote on the board, it would be good to have a represenitive within the club that can put the views of us the paying public accross.

 

[Bob!]

Yeah, I think we should have a BHA Supporters Trust.

This Site Supporters Direct can probably help

 

[BensGrandad]

The idea is brilliant but as I have said elsewhere the problem is getting:

a. someone to sell you some of their shares.
b. having sufficient overall that an elected voice for the trust would have sufficient say to ensure that he cannot be steamrollered over.

I would give an obscure example of the supporters trust holding 1% of the shares and Maradonna and Ardiles between them holding 99%. The 1% would be a complete waste.


My old friend, as you so often describe him, Greg Stanley approached Brian Bedson to put me on the board to speak for the fans and was told ' Where is his money how many shares does he hold' I am sure that there are many like Brian Bedson out there once we become an attractive target for investment.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Brilliant idea, much needed.


















Just don't let Ernest anywhere near it

 

[Biscuit]

DK is in favour of the idea, however he isn't exactly self promoting it. I can understand why, more hassel for him!

Supporters Direct can provide financial backing should we deceide to start one. However, as TLO rightly says, we need to know about Falmer first.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

It's not the size of the shareholding that determines the influence of a Supporters' Trust.

It's the size of the Supporters' Trust Movement and its influence on the management of football.

There is almost universal agreement that something needs to be done to ensure that the people's game is better regulated. The government is listening to complaints (as is the EU). The distorting effects of TV money are first in line for action. I believe that the Supporters' Trust Movement will have a significant impact on the outcome.

Albion supporters can bring something very real to this debate (and others). Ownership issues are getting more and more complex. And the uselessness of the FA is a very live topic.

Our experience is already acknowledged:-

The last two decades have seen
people coming into the game, not
just for football reasons, but for
profit opportunities and the stripping
of assets at clubs. It is essential that
the voice of supporters come
together to prevent the loss of clubs
who have played a vital part in the
fabric of football’s history. The very
success of Brighton and Hove Albion
Football Club illustrates the effect
that supporters’ involvement can
have.

- Gordon Taylor, PFA Chief Executive,
writing in Supporters Direct,
journal of the Supporters' Trust movement

We need to be more involved, both nationally and locally - particularly now that the Albion are moving into a new phase in our resurgence.

Now is the time to make a move.

 

[The Large One]

Now is the time to make a move.

So what do we do next?

 

[clapham_gull]

I've been thinking the same thing coming home tonight on the tube looking at people reading the back page of the Standard. I would like to have said "oi, thats my club.." well only a tiny bit of it.

 

[Yorkie]

Exactly. Directors, Managers and players all move on but the fans are the club.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Needs to be proper full-on shares issued tho, with full voting rights

 

[Biscuit]

So what do we do next?

We wait.

Issues of funding can't be sorted until Falmer is given the green light.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The Supporters' Direct Handbook - available on their website - shows the way. They have advice (and funds) available to assist in the establishment of a new Trust.

http://www.supporters-direct.org/en...es/handbook.htm

The Supporters' Direct website also lists the Albion as one of the "Clubs to have approached us".

http://www.supporters-direct.org/englandwales/query.asp

 

[dougdeep]

I think you'll find that Tim Carder knows a fair bit about this subject.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I think you'll find that Tim Carder knows a fair bit about this subject.

I think you're right.

 

[Beach Hut]

Probably the best time to do it as a new era dawns.

I would back it.

 

[Hiney]

Probably the best time to do it as a new era dawns.

I would back it.

What Beachy said

 

[CHAPPERS]

I'll head it if you want, I like footie.

 

[scotjem]

I think you're right.

And if you join the Supporters Club, you'll find out more as well.

 

[Brovion]

It must happen. The club's current idea of raising funds from supporters is just to rattle a tin under our noses whilst warning us of the dire consequences if we don't contribute (the dire 'Alive and Kicking' campaign). The people like Norman Cook who have put the most in have all got 'worthless' bits of paper but at least their contributions are acknowledged - the great unwashed have nothing to show for their investment.