SD Fans’ Weekend
- Annual Conference
- SD Cup
- Evening of comedy
The Supporters Direct Fans’ Weekend will take place in Chester, on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th July.
As well as our annual conference, and the launching of two policy papers (‘Financing Community Ownership & Supporter Involvement’ and ‘Business Advantages of Supporter & Community Ownership’), Friday evening and Saturday will have a smorgasbord of supporter-related entertainment on offer.
After the opening sessions, workshops, and AGM, Friday will conclude with an evening of comedy, headlined by BBC Fighting Talk regular Bob Mills. Any regular listeners will be familiar with Bob’s razor-sharp wit and unashamed love for Leyton Orient, and his set promises to be a memorable one. He will be supported by Jeremy O’Donnell. The event gets underway at the Queen Hotel in Chester at 8pm, tickets are just £12.
This week we have finalised arrangements for a 5-a-side tournament, and are now asking the Trust movement to provide us with some teams! Kicking off at 10.30am on the Saturday, the eight-team tournament guarantees close to an hour of play for each team that enters, with the final to be played on the hallowed turf of Chester F.C’s Exacta Stadium, during half-time in the Supporters Direct Cup. If you would like to find out more or register a team, please email ben.shave@supporters-direct.coop.
Also on the Saturday, our marquee will host keynote speeches from David Conn (The Guardian), Andy Walsh (F.C United) and Chris Pilsbury (Chester F.C), among others. We will also have stands from a variety of companies and organisations which we think will be of interest, including: Keta Sandlanders F.C – Africa’s most exciting emerging football club!
Given that it’s your day we’d like the stands to reflect the diversity of the Trust Movement, so if you’re interested in getting involved with a stand or some material promoting what you are up to please email ben.shave@supporters-direct.coop.
Registration for the weekend is open now, visit: http://s.coop/14he
Policy Paper Launch: May 11th
On Wednesday May 11th, we’ll be launching two policy papers:
‘Developing Public Policy to Encourage Community Ownership in Football’, and
‘Developing Football Regulation to Encourage greater Supporter Involvement & Community Ownership.’
Prepared in collaboration with Substance, these will form part of our blueprint for a more sustainable game. This helps build the momentum following the fantastic efforts of the Trust Movement already to the DCMS Football Governance Review.
We’ve already sent out invitations to our primary contacts from England and Wales via InTouch, and would love to see a big turn out at the event. Obviously the more MPs we can get along the better, which is why we’re asking you to remind your local MP about the event, and ask them to make their way to the Wilson Room at Portcullis House at 2pm on Wednesday 11th. For more information on the event, and if you’d like to attend, contact Ben Shave at ben.shave@supporters-direct.coop.
Other news from SD
Funding Update – England and Wales
We have submitted our full funding applications, which consisted of six separate projects, to the new Fans Fund that has recently been established by the Premier League and the Football Foundation. A positive decision for all six projects will enable SD to build on its current provision to supporters’ trusts including with a project called ‘Enabling Fan Investment’ that will help with Community Share Offers and look to establish ‘share save’ schemes as well.
A decision will be made in Mid May. Fingers crossed!
We are also working with the Co-operative Group, and in particular their Enterprise Hub which we hope will provide us with funding for establishing and developing Co-operatives – which of course Supporters Trust are!
More details to follow in the coming weeks and months.
IPS Changes
Secretaries at all Supporters Trusts will have received an update about IPS legislation that is about to come into force and more changes that are planned (and long overdue!). More info or contact Jacqui Forster
News from the SD website
University of Chemnitz survey on UEFA Financial Fair Play
UEFA’s soon-to-be implemented Financial Fair Play legislation has been the subject of numerous column inches and verbal debates in recent times. Now, a group of researchers at the University of Chemnitz are canvassing opinions of fans across Europe on the proposals.
The findings will be sent to UEFA, and will hopefully provide a comprehensive picture of how the proposals are viewed amongst football’s key stakeholders. To complete the survey, click here. Even better can you forward it to your own members to widen the pool of responses.
A.F.C Telford to conduct unique stakeholder review
After nearly seven years, Telford continue to look to the future with a wide-ranging review.
Greens pledge £1m ‘land reform’ fund for Scottish fans
Scottish Greens make a positive start to Parliamentary election campaign.
Ancona win the Coppa Italia di Eccellenza
Good news from Europe as Sosteniamolancona (the Ancona Supporters’ Trust) and their club triumph in this regional cup competition.
Other Trust News
Arsenal fans do not want to sell shares
Read the Arsenal Supporters’ Trusts’ response to Stan Kroenke’s takeover of the club.
F.C United have recently launched a new fundraising initiative as they prepare to build their own stadium.
Orient to launch High Court action over Olympic Stadium
Club to apply for judicial review of West Ham United’s proposed relocation.
Finally congratualtions to Telford Tigers, the first fan owned ice hockey team in the UK who completed their first season after an emotional first season back in the EPL