|
|
 |
|
Dale Trust representative attends Supporters Direct 2008 conference
Dale Supporters Trust treasurer Michael Shepherd travelled to London for last week's Annual Supporters Direct National Conference, sponsored by Virgin mobile.
As in previous years Michael’s mission was to find out what life was like for fans around the country. Michael returned north in the knowledge that, although money's tight at Spotland, it could be far worse.
Supporters Direct was set-up in 2000 after a report by the Government-appointed Football Taskforce which recommended fans taking a stake hold in their clubs. Supporters Direct have now assisted in setting up over 140 supporters' trusts in England, Wales and Scotland. SD is also moving into other sports notably ruby union and rugby league.
This year’s conference was hosted at the impressive Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre which is in the shadows of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Copies of the actual running order and photos and speeches are available on the Supporters Direct Website (www.supporters-direct.org)
The day-long event began with a welcome address from Hugh Robertson MP, Conservative Shadow Sports and Olympics Minister, who confirmed if elected the Conservatives, would continue to support the Supporters Direct work.
The conference included a host of morning/afternoon workshops covering topics such as Trust representation on football Club Boards, Trusts and their Members, The Value of football Regulations, The Customers Really Matter Membership database and results on the fans survey
The closing plenary contained speeches by the following and an open session of questions to the panel ensued.
David Goldblatt, Broadcaster and Author, The Ball is Round
Oliver Scheel, Elected Director, Hamburg SV
Lord Triesman, Independent Chairman, The FA
There was also time to chat to members of trust from all parts of the country. "It was amazing to hear their stories", said Michael. We really don't realise how lucky we are at Rochdale to have the current board of directors.
"Some of the stories took some believing, as did the dedication of ordinary fans to save their club and or keep them running when others had put its survival at stake.
"That was the main thing I brought away with me from the day". he added. "Without this dedication we simply would not have 92 league clubs and lets not forget the many non-league clubs that rely on Trust members to keep going.
Football is still the people’s game
|
 |
|
|
|
CAPITAL GAINS FROM TRIP TO LONDON
Dale Supporters Trust Chairman Scott Goulding (pictured) had a capital plan, when he travelled to London for last week's Annual Supporters Direct National Conference, sponsored by ntl-Telewest-Virgin mobile.
Scott's mission was to find out what life was like for fans around the country. The Dale Trust chair returned north in the knowledge that, although money's tight at Spotland, it could be far worse.
Supporters Direct was set-up in 2000 after a report by the Government-appointed Football Taskforce which recommended fans taking a stakehold in their clubs. Supporters Direct have now assisted in setting up over 140 supporters' trusts in England, Wales and Scotland. With a combined membership of over 115,000 people, supporters' trusts have now put over £11 million into football and own or control 14 football clubs.
This years conference was hosted for the third time, at the impressive surroundings of The British Libraray and gave Scott the golden opportunity to see what life was like around the leagues.
He said, "The event was not just a jolly for trust representatives to get together and network. Serious issues were discussed which many fans will not be aware of".
The day-long event began with an exciting announcement from the Sports Minister.
The Minister for Sport, the Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, welcomed a new three year funding deal from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) for Supporters Direct (SD) starting from 2007/08.
The new deal, worth just under £1.8 million pounds, is testament to the enormous growth and success of the organisation which boasts over 140 trusts in England, Scotland and Wales and 14 clubs in trust ownership or control. Sports Minister Richard Caborn said: "It is the loyal supporters on the terraces who will always be the beating heart of sports clubs. I am delighted that this new funding deal will help extend the influence of football Trusts in local communities while increasing and developing their role across all sports.
"This is a tremendous vote of confidence to Supporters Direct and the vital work sport fans have achieved through SD over the past five years." The increase in funding will enable SD to provide a significantly enhanced level of support to supporters' trusts, to help them build their capacity and help them deliver an improved level of governance and financial control within their clubs.
The increase will also enable many trusts to work in partnership to develop a fundamental change in approach to the running of some football clubs, by delivering a new community ownership structure enabling them to relocate and deliver core local services from
stadiums.
SD's Chief Executive, Phil French, commented: "This is tremendous news for the trust movement and for the game as a whole. We are equally indebted to the Minister for Sport for helping to deliver this increase in funding and to Trustees of the FSIF for supporting
our work.
"It is a great testament to the achievements of the trust movement that we have been able to deliver this increase, to ensure our member trusts can continue to provide clubs with an increased level of financial stability, effective governance and accountability with more of a community focus."
Other guest speakers included William Galliard (UEFA Director of Communications & Public Affairs) & a spokeman from The Football Associaton. The topics offered food for thought on some of the game's pressing concerns, including financial penalties, transfer windows and wage capping.
The conference included a host of morning/afternoon workshops covering topics such as Treasurers Board Training, The Bigger Issues - Democracy, Research into Practice - Football's Finances, Social Enterprise - Community Clubs and Social Enterprise, Secretaires Board Training, The Bigger Issues - Membership & Recruitment, Research into Practice - ID your Community & Social Enterprise - Community Interest Companies (CIC's)
There was also time to chat to members of trust from all parts of the country. "It was amazing to hear their stories", said Scott. We really don't realise how lucky we are at Rochdale to have the current board of directors
.
Dale Trust were highly acknowledged by various delegates throughout the day, including Phil French (Supporters Direct Chief Executive) regarding our working relationship with the Dale board of Directors. Also various Supporters Trusts' representatives where curious/envious of our recent grant funding successes & the "Bring A Kid" initiative.
"Some of the stories took some believing, as did the dedication of ordinary fans to save their club when others had put its survival at stake.
"That was the main thing I brought away with me from the day". he added. "Without this dedication we simply would not have 92 league clubs anymore.
"I also have no doubt that, should the need arise at Rochdale for the trust to step in and save the club, the trust board we have would fight and succeed. Let's hope we never have to contemplate such a scenario".
|
|
|
|
|
Supporters Direct Magazine now available to Download
Issue 31 of the Supporters Direct's national magazine is out now and is available to download on
http://www.supporters-direct.org/downloads/pdfs/magazines/Issue%2031.pdf
or by picking up a free copy from the Trust Desk in Studd's Bar on matchdays. This month's issue highlights includes an acknowledgemetn from the SD chief executive Philip French, regarding Rochale Supporters Trust community development & there is also a small feature on DaleTrust grant funding successes. For more information about Supporters Direct – national Trust's governing body, please visit www.supporters-direct.org
|
|
|
|
|
| Supporters Direct - 2006 North West Conference
|
|
Saturday 20th May saw the 2nd Supporters Direct North West Conference, hosted by Lancashire County Cricket Club at the impressive surroundings of Old Trafford.
The conference sponsored by the Co-operative Group & Rochdale based United Co-operatives, was attended by many football supporters trusts throughout the North West from as far as non-league Gravesend & Northfleet (Fleet Trust) to premiership Manchester United (MUST). Also three rugby league supporters trust where represented Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings and , Salford Reds.
Click Here for more details
|
|
|
|
|
| Rochdale gain national recognition
|
|
|
The new Issue of the Supporters Direct magazine is out now and this month it includes a full page feature on DALE TRUST.
Supporters Direct wanted a feature on successful slow burn Trusts and the decided to choose Rochdale. A slow burn Trust is a club which is not launched off the back of a crisis and as such it is accepted are harder to become established.
The Magazine also features articles on Brentford and Raith Rovers who are the latest two clubs to gain control of their respective clubs
Click here to download your copy. A copy of the magazine is also available in Studds
|
|
|
|
|
| Issue 20 Out Now
|
|
|
Issue 20 of the Supporters Direct magazine is out now and is available to down load by clicking on the picture.
This months issue highlights how the work of supporters Trust is helping football clubs rejuvenate the local community. There is also a feature from Alex Phillips the Head of Professional Football Services at UEFA on their view of Supporter involvement in the game.
Click here for PDF Copy
|
|
|
|
|
| Supporters Direct National Conference 2005
|
|
|
Supporters Direct. recentley held its National conference at the National Library in London. Amongst the speakers was FA Premeriship Cheif Executive Richdard Scudamore.
The Rochdale Supporters trust decided to send down three delegates to this year’s national conference, Warren Brieley, Guy Courtney and Dave Coupe.
|
|
|
|
|
| Supporters Direct Elections
|
|
|
Supporters Direct the organision who where set up to offer help and to support to the fans wanting to take an intrest in their clubs, recently held its annual elections
|
|
|
|
|
Previous News
Rochdale gain National Recognition
Issue 20 Out Now
Supporters Direct National Conference
Supporters Direct Elections
Issue 19 Out Now
North West Trust Meeting - Chorley
Gurdian Article 6/8/05
North West Conference
|
|
|
|
|
