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On Thursday February 2nd, a vote in the European Parliament was held on the so-called Fisas Report (named after Santiago Fisas MEP, the rapporteur of the report), which sets out the European Dimension in Sport. 

Supporters Direct today formally launched its proposals for football club licensing in an event held at Parliament, and hosted by Jessica Lee, Conservative MP for Erewash.

Attendees also heard from Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, MP for Old Southwark and Bermondsey, and Patron of fan-owned Fisher FC; and Labour Shadow Minister and former Fulham Supporters Trust Chair, Tom Greatrex, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West; and William Gaillard, Advisor to the President, UEFA.

The proposals particularly focus on integrating supporters' trusts into the governance of their clubs, and Lee talked about the "real momentum" behind the proposals and paying credit to the work of SD at her hometown club, Ilkeston FC.

Simon Hughes described the proposals as coming at a time of "A fantastic window of opportunity", when bankers bonuses and other such issues of openness and fairness are at the top of the political agenda. He also described the public as being in a "mood" for change, and vowed to keep "pushing the idea forward".

Tom Greatrex MP's speech also backed the idea as one transcending political boundaries, and added, "Nobody seriously doubts the ability of (fans) to contribute in a constructive way. It's right to recognise the role of fans in the new licensing arrangements as guarantors of the best interests of clubs and their communities."

William Gaillard talked about the journey UEFA have taken towards licensing, including the introduction of Financial Fairplay, part of the new UEFA licensing criteria.

At least 30 MPs from all parties attended, including other members of the Government, and shadow ministers. Also present were senior representatives from the football authorities.

On a day where the Government's Health and Social Care Bill was receiving another reading in Parliament, the attendance was all the more impressive.

Brian Burgess, Acting Chief Executive of SD, said "We have laid down what we consider to be sensible, considered proposals, that provide a formal route for supporters' trusts to earn the right to be involved in the governance of their clubs in a constructive fashion. Today is evidence that we have wide-scale, cross-party support for a set of proposals that will actively enhance the relationship between supporters' trusts, clubs and their communities."

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Supporters Direct campaigns for the wider recognition of the social, cultural and economic value of sports clubs

We are the UK's leading body working to ensure that clubs are run responsibly and are financially sustainable

Supporters Direct aims to create the conditions in which supporters can secure influence and ownership of sports clubs

We provide guidance and support to groups in more than 20 countries throughout Europe

Supporters Direct is a community benefit society, owned by its members

"In a club these days, everything changes – players, coaches, owners, directors, managers – but the fans and the link with the society remains the same. And this is what we need to protect. And when we look at the financial figures in particular, we have to be worried about the trend and we need to tackle that. We need to establish a safe and healthy environment for European club football to continue to develop and prosper."

At 6pm this Thursday, AFC Wimbledon supporter Siobhain McDonagh MP will have a 30 minute Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on: “Government policy on football governance and the case of AFC Wimbledon”.

The debate is relevant at a time of historic opportunity for change in football. The authorities have in front of them the chance to adopt changes that could make shameful episodes like that of the franchising of Wimbledon FC’s league place, and the current crises engulfing Darlington and Portsmouth and over fifty other clubs since 1992, a thing of the past.

The MP for Mitcham and Morden in the London Borough of Merton, former home of Wimbledon FC, will urge the Government to ensure that any changes to the rules of football currently under consideration by the football authorities will ensure that clubs can’t just ignore the communities they are supported by.

She will also back calls being made by organisation Supporters Direct through its own licensing proposals that to enable this, communities be represented formally in the governance of clubs as part of licence conditions.

"Supporters Direct promotes sustainable spectator sports clubs based on supporters' involvement & community ownership. This is fundamental to the work of the Darlington Supporters Trust who subscribe wholeheartedly to this mission statement and who we, at Supporters Direct, have implicit faith in.

"Supporters Direct would like to make clear that Darlington Supporters’ Trust has worked tirelessly to support the club over the years, and specifically to raise and protect a fighting fund in case the club ever re-entered a period of crisis. They have always stated they would release these funds if - and when - a sustainable recovery plan was produced.

"It is with this in mind that the Darlington Supporters’ Trust acknowledges the efforts of Supporters Direct to attempt to identify a community based solution to secure both the short and long term future of football in Darlington.”

“Improving Football Governance through Supporter Involvement and Community Ownership” 

Supporters Direct’s project has been selected by the European Commission, under the PREPARATORY ACTION IN THE FIELD OF SPORT (EAC/18/2011), for receipt of a grant.

The project has specified outputs/outcomes (included in scope of work) that must be delivered to meet the funding conditions. SD envisages delivering these in partnership with a suitably qualified and experienced consultant, which is the purpose of this invitation to tender.

Today sees the official launch of 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives, as designated by the United Nations. There are over 1.4 million Co-operatives across the globe, with over 1 billion members. Today will be marked with events in the UK, France, Portugal, China and Canada, kicking off a year of activity highlighting the work done by Co-operatives around the world. 

Nominations have now closed in the election to the Scotland Council of Supporters Direct.

Nominations have now closed in the election to the Rugby League Advisory Group of Supporters Direct. 

Nominations have now closed in the election to the England & Wales Football Council of Supporters Direct.

Below is the latest Supporters Direct media briefing, featuring a selection of news stories, opinion articles and blog posts, discussing some of the issues which have made the headlines over the last fortnight. 

Supporters Direct partner organisation Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has released a statement regarding the soon to be established FIFA Independent Governance Committee, and their decision not to accept an invitation from FIFA to join. The full statement can be viewed here. 

FC United have re-launched their landmark Community Share Scheme for the development of their stadium and community facilities in Moston, North Manchester.

Some of you will remember that last year Supporters Direct ran a survey on the future of Scottish football. Over a period of about a week this brought in almost 5000 respondents. The results are still being discussed by the media as they were in stark contrast to the proposals put forward by the SPL. In light of these responses we have been working on a Fans’ Plan to put forward our suggestions for Scottish football. Encouraged by last year’s fantastic response we would like you to complete a short survey which will help us to finalise the Plan which we hope to publish early in the New Year.

Below is the latest Supporters Direct media briefing, containing a selection of news stories, opinion articles and blog posts discussing some of the issues which have made the headlines recently. 

RESPONSIBALL, the first social responsibility platform for football clubs, was launched this month. With the motto 'football clubs are more than just businesses, they are cultural institutions', Responsiball is a free-to-use service for football clubs - of all sizes, and from all countries. 

Following approval from the Football Conference and Football Association, the Wrexham Supporters' Trust (WST) has confirmed that Wrexham AFC Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the WST, has now acquired the business of Wrexham Football Club. Wrexham FC is now therefore wholly owned by its supporters. 

As part of the United Nations' International Year of the Co-operative, Supporters Direct partner organisation Sandlanders Football will be organising the inaugural Sandlanders Cup, to be contested by co-operatively owned football clubs in Ghana. 

Following pre-season consultation with Leicester City, the Foxes Trust have begun a project which gives supporters a chance to own a piece of the club's history, whilst also raising money for ten local charities, as part of the Foxes Foundation' One In A Million campaign. 

Below is the latest Supporters Direct media briefing, rounding up all the news from the Trust movement and beyond during the last fortnight. 

At the end of October, a new football club was launched in the Italian town of Cava de' Tirreni. Named A.S.D Aquilotto Cavese, the club is a new entity, but has roots going back deep into the last century, and undoubtedly a community-based institution. 

Nominations are now being sought in the election to the Supporters Direct England & Wales Football Council, Scotland Council and Rugby League Advisory Group. 

Brøndby supporter’s group Det Nye Brøndby (‘the new Brøndby’), who have been working with Supporters Direct during 2011, initiated a campaign recently, named ‘En stemme til Alle’ (‘a voice for all’), with the aim of increasing transparency, accountability and democracy at the club. The campaign has been planned and launched in coalition with the official supporter’s club (Brøndby Support) and another supporter’s group, Alpha Brøndby.

The title was in the balance, with Shelbourne leading by two points going into the last match, and they made no mistake with a 2-1 away win.

Cork City, under fan ownership since reforming last year, have made it to the Premier Division of the Airtricity League following a 'winner takes all game' against rivals Shelbourne.

Kevin Rye, speaking on behalf of Supporters Direct said, "We're all absolutely delighted for all of those dedicated fans who refused to let football in Cork die two years ago. We met with the Board just a few weeks ago, and their dedication to the Club is unquestionable. What's great is that they know this means another step-up, not just in playing terms but organisationally, and it's something we've already started to work on together."

In the Republic of Ireland, SD is also working with the Galway United Supporters Trust, who are currently operating and restructuring Galway United FC, Gypsies Supporters' Trust and fans of Bohemians (Dublin) in their efforts to bring change to the Club, and fans of Dundalk FC.

Below is the latest Supporters Direct media brefing, containing a selection of news stories, opinion articles and blog posts discussing some of the issues that have made headlines over the last few weeks. 

Below is the Supporters Direct News Mail for October, featuring the latest news from both SD and the Supporters' Trust movement. This month we bring you a bumper update from Trusts up and down the country, plenty of good news from Europe, and much more besides. 

Supporter liaison was firmly on the agenda in Berlin on 13 and 14 October when a pioneering workshop was held for supporter liaison officer (SLO) project coordinators from across Europe, giving them a chance to familiarise themselves with the principles of the project and the role of the SLO at national and club levels.

Fano, 19 October 2011

Fano’s fans set up Cuore Granata, the supporters trust for Alma Juventus Fano

6 October 2011 is a historic day for the Fano football. It was the day of the expected incorporation of Cuore Granata (Garnet Heart), the supporters trust established by the Fano’s fans with the aim of supporting their Club, Alma Juventus Fano (an Italian professional football club, playing in fourth division).

The European Commission, under the PREPARATORY ACTION IN THE FIELD OF SPORT (EAC/18/2011), has selected Supporters Direct’s project in the area of good governance, Improving Football Governance through Supporter Involvement and Community Ownership, for receipt of a grant.

Supporters Direct welcomes Government response to the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee Report

Supporters Direct welcomed the Government’s response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry Report, which was published today.

A spokesperson commented:

"Together the Select Committee's report and the Government’s response to it appear to give a helpful framework for the football authorities to address the challenges facing football.

“We believe that well run supporters’ trusts can be part of the solution for many clubs.

“At Supporters Direct we look forward to working with the football authorities and the government to play our part. We particularly welcome the recognition that a long term funding solution for Supporters Direct is required to enable us to do this."

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The Government has today issued their response to the recent Football Governance inquiry, undertaken by the Select Committee for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. 

LOFT has long argued that the Olympic Stadium was unsuitable for any football club, and that remains our view. The collapse of the questionable plan to hand the stadium to West Ham is welcome but still leaves Orient's position threatened should West Ham, or Spurs, end up renting the stadium in 2014. This would still, in our view, contravene Premier League and Football League rules. It is also clear that large numbers of West Ham fans are sceptical about moving, and most Spurs fans certainly are. It's time for the football authorities and football clubs to listen and consult properly with their supporters.

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Below is the latest fortnightly media briefing, courtesy of Supporters Direct. You'll find a selection of news stories, opinion articles and blog posts discussing some of the issues which have made headlines in the last fourteen days which we think should interest people involved with the Trust movement. 

Funding awarded to develop engagement network and voice for fans

Supporters Direct Scotland (SDS) has agreed a £70,000 funding package with the Scottish Government through to March 2012 to help the organisation develop its role as a representative voice for Scottish football fans.

Background

Since March 2011 the Scottish Government has taken a greater interest in supporter behaviour at and around football matches. A Joint Action Group (JAG) consisting of representatives from the football authorities, Rangers and Celtic FC, Scottish Government officials and Ministers and policing authorities was convened in March and produced 41 proposals to act on. 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/sectarianism-action-1/football-violence/football-summit/JAG/supportingdocuments

Legislation

The Scottish Government have published the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill - hereon referred to as the OBB - and the Justice Committee has been scrutinising this proposed legislation over the past few months. Members of six supporters' trusts were invited to give oral evidence to the committee and SD Scotland, along with other supporters' trusts, have made a written submission. 

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OBFTCBill.htm

SD Scotland researched and wrote a short report, completed in May, to inform the Scottish Government on what supporters considered to be unacceptable and acceptable behaviour. This was also given to the JAG for their consideration and Alan Harris, Chairman of the SD Scottish Council, presented the main findings to a recent JAG meeting. This report pre-dated the proposed legislation and looked at behaviour in a wider context.

Joint Review Group

In September SD Scotland were invited to attend the Joint Review Group (JRG), which is chaired by SPL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster. The JRGs remit is to report on and discuss progress of the 41 proposals agreed at the earlier JAG meetings. Meetings of this group are scheduled to take place fortnightly until the end of 2011. SD Scotland have been invited to attend all meetings of the group.

Supporter Engagement

The Scottish Government have asked SD Scotland to put forward proposals for a guide to the new legislation (should it be passed) and to lead in developing a Code of Conduct for football supporters. At present both projects are being discussed with government officials and more details will be available if they are accepted.

UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER & BRENTFORD FOOTBALL CLUB

School of Law

KTP Associate/ Research Analyst

£ 18,000 -  £ 24,000 p.a. (incl LWA)

London

14 Months Fixed Term

Supporters Direct has been awarded a grant to run up to nine community shares action-based research projects with supporters' trusts and member community owned clubs. The project is to be funded by the Premier League Fans' Fund. 

Supporters Direct Press Release

Date: 27/09/2011

Supporters Direct welcomes Wrexham FC Supporters Trust takeover

Supporters Direct today welcomed the agreement by Wrexham Supporters Trust to take over Wrexham Football Club.

Final agreement was reached yesterday between the Club and Supporters’ Trust, which requires the final approval of the football authorities, amounting to a substantial £1/2 a million takeover of the Club.

A spokesman for Supporters Direct said, “The story of the takeover at Wrexham has had more twists and turns than an episode of Eastenders, but it is absolutely down to the willingness of the Trust to refuse to give up on their aim of taking the Club into supporter community ownership that this deal has finally been reached. SD agreed with the Trust some months ago to put significant amounts of our time, energy and resources into helping achieve this takeover, and words can’t express how pleased we are that this agreement is now in place” 

This follows many months of hard negotiations, during which the Trust has continued to receive significant support and advice from SD.

A spokesman added, “We view this takeover as not just a great result for the fans and community of Wrexham, but also for the trust movement as a whole. It proves that, with the right motivation, advice and support, takeovers by supporters' trusts can be achieved in more traditional circumstances."

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Below is the latest fortnightly media briefing, courtesy of Supporters Direct. You'll find a selection of news stories, opinion articles and blog posts discussing some of the issues which have made headlines in the last fourteen days which we think should interest people involved with the Trust movement. 

The goal of Supporters Direct (SD) is to promote sustainable spectator sports clubs based on supporters' involvement & community ownership.

We are looking to recruit a Commercial Partnership Manager to develop new diversified income streams, this will include the development and management of partnerships that increase revenue and/or reduce operating costs for SD from a range of sources. 

Beginning on October 12th and lasting until October 25th, the 2011 Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) action weeks are designed for supporter groups and community organisations to make a stand against racism, alongside professional clubs and leagues. 

Many of you out there will remember Fans United days from the past.

Starting with the original at the Goldstone Ground, then home of Brighton and Hove Albion, in 1997, these were viral campaigns when viral just meant the flu; they were word of mouth campaigns that resulted in celebrations of what it was to be a fan, but used to support fellow fans in trouble; essentially a demonstration of the unity of people working alongside those in need to ensure clubs didn't go out of business.

Whoever you were, you knew that it wasn't just about you. From Brighton, to Wimbledon, to York, to Wrexham and stops in between, those days left their mark. 

A Deutscher Fussball-Bund Tribunal has today ruled that the "50 + 1" ownership rule which states that German football clubs must be at least 51% owned by their supporters will remain in place, though the so-called "Lex Leverkusen und Wolfsburg" rule, which prevents certain sponsors from taking a majority stake has been abolished. 

Next Saturday (September 3rd) sees the return of Non League Day. With the Premier League and Championship absent due to the international break, hundreds of thousands of supporters will be left without anywhere to go at 3pm on Saturday. Rather than miss out on a live game, Non League Day encourages all football fans to watch their local non-league side play, providing both a boost to grass roots football and a new experience for fans used to the upper echelons of the game. 

The Supporters’ Trust at US Ancona 1905  S.r.l., Sosteniamolancona, have secured a 2% ownership stake in US Ancona 1905 SRL. Crucially, this stake will also be backed up by the presence of two democratically elected directors on the board of the club.

Below is the latest Supporters Direct newsletter, sent out to members earlier this month. From now on each edition will be posted right here on the SD website for all and sundry.

Hopefully this will highlight the great work being undertaken by supporters' trusts across the UK. This month, we focus on two themes: the long-awaited release of the Football Governance report from the Parliamentary Select Committee of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; and a round-up of the Supporters Direct Fans' Weekend in Chester. 

July 15th-16th 2011 saw over 170 delegates make their way to Chester for the Supporters Direct Fans' Weekend, with the annual Supporters Direct Cup forming the centrepiece of Saturday's Fans' Day. Photographer David Klein was on hand to document the occasion, and a selection of his photos can be viewed below.