It’s not a new way of thinking as such, but more and more Non-League clubs are exploring this hands-on approach to control and ownership of their club. Perhaps your club is thinking the same?
So, what does it mean and what’s it all about? Richard Irving, the Football Supporters’ Association’s Network Manager for community owned clubs, explains all...
AT the FSA, we use the terms fan ownership, supporter ownership and community ownership interchangeably but feel the latter gives a much better sense of what it’s all about.
As history goes, the roots of community ownership can be found in the Football Task Force report all the way back in 1999. Within that report was the recommendation that an organisation be set up to oversee the establishment of supporters’ trusts at clubs across the country and, where needed, supporter owned clubs.
That need became apparent almost immediately when, following the creation of the organisation Supporters Direct under the leadership of Brian Lomax, the first community owned club was set up at Enfield Town.
Brian had been responsible for the establishment of the first supporters’ trust in English football, at Northampton Town back in 1992, and it was through his vision and that of the Labour government of the day that Supporters Direct was quickly able to demonstrate its influence on the game.
The community ownership model encompasses clubs that have been launched as phoenix revivals after a disastrous period of private ownership has caused a club to go out of business, through to clubs that make the conscious decision to be run more transparently as a community enterprise. This model includes clubs that have been described as ‘protest clubs’.
Denne historien er fra May 19, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 19, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.