{"id":6,"date":"2006-11-21T13:14:59","date_gmt":"2006-11-21T13:14:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/raithtrust.org.uk\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2022-12-02T17:15:03","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T17:15:03","slug":"the-trust-movement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.raithtrust.org.uk\/?page_id=6","title":{"rendered":"The Trust Movement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

History of the Trust Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Supporters’ Trust is a formal, democratic and not-for-profit organisation of fans who attempt to strengthen their influence over the running of the club they support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporters Direct was established, with Government-funding, to encourage the formation of supporters trusts to promote democratic supporter ownership. Supporters Direct encourages the formation of supporters’ trusts as Industrial and Provident Societies (IPSs), and to assist with their formation, legal and running costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are over a hundred supporters’ trusts across England, Wales and Scotland and the majority of these are affiliated to football clubs, however trusts also exist for Rugby League and Rugby Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporters’ trusts are often founded in response to a financial crisis which threatens the future of a team, as was the case at Chesterfield, Lincoln and York. Supporters’ trust involvement has reportedly ensured the survival of 13 different clubs entering into administration. The first trust established was at Northampton Town in January 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporters Direct Scotland<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Supporters Direct have been active in Scotland since 2002, helping to establish over 30 Supporters Trusts and groups. Of these, 7 have majority ownership of their club, and a further 7 have a degree of representation within the governance of their club. In 2017, Supporters Direct Scotland<\/a> incorporated locally as a democratic Community Benefit Society, founded on cooperative principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their objectives as an organisation are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n