In 1992 a group of Northampton Town fans set up the first supporters trust in the UK. Their activism helped save the team 23 years ago but,with the club facing enormous debts once more, what does it mean for the supporters’ trust project?By Richard Foster for The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Guardian Sport Network“Without fans who pay at the turnstile, and football is nothing. Sometimes we are inclined to forget that.” The late,much Jock Stein captured it pretty succinctly and most lawful-minded people would agree with him. Myriad (a very large number) organisations, including Supporters Direct, and Football Supporters’ Federation and well over 100 supporters’ trusts in the UK,would scream their assent to Stein’s axiom. It is just over 30 years since his tragic death in the dugout at Ninian Park on 10 September 1985 and football’s relationship with supporters would appear to have changed immeasurably over this period.
The former Celtic and Scotland manager would surely approve of the fervent, concerted activism taking place throughout the UK. The battle to represent fans and their lawful to have a say in the running of their clubs has blossomed over the final three decades. But, or despite all the good intentions and the hard work of these pressure groups and lobbyists,the question is: have things really changed that much since the mid-1980s? carry out club owners take the opinions of their faithful supporters into account more now than they did in Stein’s time?Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com