The Raith Supporters Trust recently held a “fan focus group” to explore the views of supporters. We had a great response to the fan survey last season and it raised a lot of issues about the future direction of the club so we decided  to hear direct from supporters in more depth how they felt about all things Rovers. The session was held in the Abbey Hotel was attended by a good representation of fans from the various supporter groups. It was great that so many fans came along to give their views and it was a really positive session. It highlighted that while the club is definitely heading in the right direction and there is much to be upbeat about, the club still faces many challenges to secure a strong and secure future.

We are still keen to hear the views of every fan so if you couldn’t manage to attend the fan focus group but want to have your say then please feel free to email us or add your comments on any of the topics raised in the forum below.

Download the full report here

Following on from the Trust survey, the Raith Trust are holding a get together to discuss the future of the club further.

It will be held next Wednesday 2nd June at 7.30pm in the Abbey Hotel on Milton Road

It’ll just be a chance to have a chat about whats wrong and what’s right with the Rovers – on and off the field. We will be taking the views of back to the Board so it is a real opportunity to have your say and to let them know what you think.

It should only last about an hour and we will even buy you a pint or non alcoholic beverage of your choice for the non-drinkers…so come along and have your say over a pint with fellow fans! The more Rovers fans we get along the better and all are welcome – Trust members are welcome as well as folk from the various fan groups or those who may only take in a few games a season.

If anyone wants to find our more feel free to email me at steven@redcircle.org.uk but hopefully see you next Wednesday

We are delighted to share with you the findings from the first stage of our fan survey conducted late last year. Opinion was surveyed at the Dunfermline game in November and online through this website. We received a total of 321 responses from fans – an increase of 16% on the last time the survey was run in 2003 – making it the biggest ever survey of Raith fans.
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Kirkcaldy MSP Marilyn Livingston has become the latest high profile recruit for the Raith Rovers Trust.

Speaking as she became the latest member to join the Trust, the local MSP said “I am delighted to give my support to the Raith Rovers Trust.  I have been impressed by the part the Trust played in the Reclaim the Rovers campaign and the work the Trust has done to give ordinary supporters a greater say in the running of the club. It is great for the town that we have a strong and successful football club on our doorstep and we all saw the excitement around the town when the Rovers won promotion last season.  I want to do everything I can to ensure that the club remains strong in the future and that is why I am joining the Trust.”

Chairman Alan Russell welcomed the latest recruit and is keen to persuade even more Rovers fans to join.  He said “We are delighted that Marilyn has given her backing to the Raith Trust. The Trust is about giving supporters a voice and the more fans who get involved the stronger our voice. It is great that our local MSP has become our newest member”.

The Raith Rovers Fan Survey has now been completed and we are pleased to report has been a great success. 

We received responses from 321 Raith fans – an increase of 16% on the last time the survey was run in 2003. We also managed to almost double the number of responses from Trust members so a big thank you to all who completed a survey at the Dunfermline game or online.

The questionnaires are now being analysed in detail and results will be made available as soon as possible.  The findings will give us a tremendous insight into how fans feel about the club as well as giving us important feedback on the future work of the Trust.

All Trust members will be receiving notification shortly of our next AGM. This will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 25th November in the Raith Suite at Starks Park. This AGM will present the 2008/09 Trust accounts for your review, and will be followed by a more informal session to discuss a number of fundraising initiatives.

The formal business of the AGM will commence at 7pm, with the following agenda:

• Introductions
• Treasurer’s report, and Independent Examiner’s Report
• Membership statement
• Election of Trust Board
• AOB

As normally happens at our AGMs, two of our board members will be standing down on rotation. Both have indicated their willingness to be considered for re-election, alongside any member who wishes to stand for election. Fresh blood on the Trust board is always welcomed, and I would encourage anyone with an interest in becoming more involved in the Trust to come forward.

We hope to see as many of our members as possible on the 25th November.

The Raith Trust are set to conduct the biggest ever survey of Rovers fans this Saturday. Trust members will be handing out questionnaires at the Fife Derby against Dunfermline and every Rovers fan will have the opportunity to say how exactly how they feel about their club.

Chairman Alan Russell said “This is the most wide ranging survey the Trust has ever conducted. We will be asking fans their views on everything from the match day experience on a Saturday to the long term future of Raith Rovers. It is important that every fan has the chance to have their say. The Trust is about giving supporters a greater say in the running of their club and this survey is an excellent way to make sure that the voice of ordinary Rovers fans is heard. I hope that as many fans as possible fill in the short questionnaire on Saturday”.

Questionnaires will be handed out before the game on Saturday and at half time by Trust members. The findings from the survey will help inform the work of the Trust over the coming years.

The Raith Trust is kicking off the new season with a major recruitment drive. Trust members will be out and about around Kirkcaldy this Saturday in an effort to persuade more Rovers fans to make their voices heard in the running of their football club by joining the Trust.

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We’d like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2009 – and hope that the Rovers are in the same position in May as they are right now!!!

The Trust recently had a meeting with board of Raith Rovers. One of the topics discussed was the possibility of identifying items in the club’s budget where the Trust could contribute by running fund-raising campaigns. It was agreed by the Trust and the Board that the Youth Development Initiative would benefit from an input of additional funding. To that end the Trust has committed itself to raising £15,000 towards the Youth Development Initiative this season, and the Trust will receive shares in return for its investment.

The other supporters groups do a great job of organising social events to raise funds for the club, and our intention is not to dilute their efforts by organising our own versions of these events. Instead, we plan to invest some of the Trust’s existing money in projects that will generate profits for this great cause. To start this process we will be holding our first “Rovers Den” (just like Dragon’s Den on TV!) on Sunday 21st September at 7.00pm in the Raith Suite at Starks Park, where we will invite anybody who has a good idea but needs some initial start-up money to make it happen to come along and discuss possible financial support. Any idea will be considered – and as well as possibly providing money we will also endeavour to offer whatever non-financial support we can to make sure these projects are successful.

In the meantime, if you would like to talk to someone at the Trust about an idea you might like to bring to the “Rovers Den”, send us an email (fundraising@raithtrust.org.uk), leave us a phone message on 0870 432 1987 or come along to the Trust table in the South Stand at any home match.