Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a trust anyway?      

A trust is a legally constituted, fully democratic and accountable organisation designed to represent supporter’s views to the club, engage with the club and help promote the club within the local and wider community. It is a fully inclusive and be open and welcoming to all supporters of the club and all other bona fide supporter’s groups. It can become an umbrella for them all and be representative of all who choose to join. Trusts are backed nationally by a group called Supporters Direct with a membership of over 140.  

 

Only small clubs in trouble have trusts don’t they?          

There are many large clubs that have trusts e.g. Arsenal, Man U, Leicester, Leeds, Rangers and Celtic. Not all of these have been in financial problems. In some cases, yes trusts have formed to successfully solve a problem and some actually own their club. For example Barcelona are owned by their fans and even the club President (Chairman) is democratically elected by the fans.

 

I’ve read that trusts aim to buy shares in their club; won’t the consortium see you as a group of agitators?            

Trusts can have any aims that are within the legal boundaries of trusts and agreed in their constitution; shares might one of them in the longer term. We will present ourselves to the club as a positive force. At this moment in time, shares are not an issue as they are unavailable and could only become available if the current board decide to make them available.       

 

What’s an IPS?

It means an Industrial and Provident Society. It is a legally constituted body with full financial and legal accountability

 

Why do we need to have a trust when we already have the supporter’s association?

Although we greatly respect the work done by the Supporters Association, we see this as an organisation which caters for current supporters of the club - we see a Supporters Trust as a body which can help the club reconnect itself with the wider community, and will have a great community focus, aiming to help grow support for the club and involve the community in that.

 

What can a trust do that the supporter’s association cannot?     

For example if a trust wanted to support local football teams with cash and this was agreed in its constitution it could. There are many examples of trusts supporting local community initiatives.

 

Have you spoken to the supporter’s association and how do they feel about you?

Yes we have attended meetings of the Liaison Group and we are developing a relationship. We have extended an invitation to join us at one of our meetings and have been invited back to their monthly meetings. It is possible that if a Supporters Trust is formed, many of the people involved in the current Liaison Group will also be active within the Supporters Trust.

 

Why do we need to pay a membership fee, the supporter’s association is free?

The money is used to help run the trust and pursue its aim and objectives.

 

What happens to the money?          

A trust is a not for profit organisation all money is used to run the trust and support its aims. No member will be in a position to benefit financially from membership other than through paid employment.

 

What would I get for my money?

Once you become a member you are entitled to vote at meetings and help make policy and select officers or indeed stand for election yourself ... there will also be other membership benefits, although it is not right or proper for the Steering Group to say what these may or may not be as this will be decided by the Working Group after a mandate from the fans has been attained to allow us to achieve Supporters Trust status.

 

Will you publish accounts?  

A trust is a legally constituted organisation and must by law publish properly audited accounts and hold AGM's which members will be invited to attend.

 

Who decides who runs the trust?   

You do. The members will have the opportunity to stand, nominate and vote for places on the the board at the AGM or possibly by a postal ballot - again, the detail will be for the Working party to focus upon. Democracy is a requirement of the Supporters Trust, not a wish.

 

Will you have regular meetings and can I come to them?

There will be regular open meetings, open to all, however only members (over the age of 16) will able to vote.

 

How can I contact the trust board if I want to raise an issue?     

It is planned to have a postal address and telephone numbers as well as a web site and email facilities.

 

In what way will you represent my views to the club?     

The club at this moment in time is keen to engage with the supporters, so if we attain a mandate from the fans, we are sure they will provide us with a forum although the detail cannot be expressly stated at this moment in time.

 

How can I get involved?      

Send us an email giving us your name and contact details and we will get in touch with further information about coming aboard.   info@sunderlandsupporterstrust.co.uk