About membership

Why join SD? The more people join, the stronger we are. The trust movement is growing in influence, and a key part of that is through the ability to say that there are a multitude of organisations, working at different clubs with similar values, working to the same arrangements and pushing in the same direction, all under the umbrella of Supporters Direct.

What will Supporters Direct do for you as a member?

• Supporters Direct will influence policy and campaign on your behalf to ensure change that promotes and encourages:
  • supporter representation
  • community ownership
  • Spectator sports clubs that protect and enhance their social value
  • Better regulation to help achieve the above aims
• Supporters Direct will provide you with the tools you need to run an effective supporters' trust

And the more trusts that join, the more we can negotiate deals for member trusts which are better value than individual trusts acting alone can get. We can also commission specialist guidance on issues like director’s responsibilities, or the new Companies Act, and then make it available to trusts free of charge.

To check whether your trust is a member of Supporters Direct please contact James Mathie via email at james.mathie@supporters-direct.org. To become a full member your trust needs to complete and return a membership survey, send the latest set of audited accounts (or independent examination if that rule has been passed) as well as a cheque for £50.

As a reminder by being a member you get access to all of this…

• Access to a specialised Membership Management and communications system designed by trusts for trusts
• Access to a customised insurance package, with other similar bulk purchase schemes planned
• Access to specially commissioned legal and policy advice, tailored to the needs of trusts and only available to members
• Community Development: Advice on developing community projects, access to information on community activities already run by trusts and support in securing grants to fund projects
• Trust Development: Access to best practice guidance, how-to guides on running the Trust
• General support from Supporters Direct staff
• Programme of regionally-based and/or training seminars
• Quarterly magazine and monthly Supporters Direct news e-bulletin with the opportunity to purchase additional SD literature at cost price
• Eligibility for Supporters Direct grant funding (if not yet claimed)
• Eligibility to nominate candidates and vote in Supporters Direct Elections, and attend, propose, speak and vote at Supporters Direct’s AGM and influence the direction of the Trust movement and Supporters Direct