A unified fans’ organisation

Dons Trust Board member Tim Hillyer is an elected member of the National Council of the Football Supporters’ Federation and a co-opted member of the Board of Supporters Direct. Here is his update on progress being made to set up a single representative body for English (and Welsh) football supporters.

Almost six months ago, I reported on the early stages of a move to set up a new body to incorporate both the campaigning ethos of the Football Supporters’ Federation..

A new national fans’ organisation?

Significant discussions are currently being held about whether the two best-known national supporter groups can continue with their separate identities or should combine forces under one banner, writes Dons Trust Board member Tim Hillyer.

In 1999, the government’s Football Task Force delivered its findings. The two fans’ bodies that existed at the time, the National Federation of Football Supporters’ Clubs and the Football Supporters’ Association, merged in 2002 to form the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF). That same period saw the..

Matt BreachLooking out for the fans

Dons Trust Board Chair Matthew Breach explains some of the “outward-facing” work that the Trust is involved with and why it is so important.

Most of the time that the Dons Trust Board (DTB) spends together (a regular monthly meeting plus a number of ad hoc meetings for specific issues) is devoted to the club, concentrating on implementing our strategic oversight of the Football Club Board (FCB) on issues such as football, finances, youth development, commercial operations and – particularly..

The Supporters Summit 2017

Board Member Jane Lonsdale reports on this year’s Supporters Summit, hosted jointly by Supporters Direct and the Football Supporters’ Federation and held at St George’s Park over the weekend of 1 and 2 July.

The annual two-day Supporters Summit is a great opportunity to learn more and to network with members of other supporters’ trusts. The sessions I attended included ones on clubs in crisis, preventing child abuse in football, and ticket pricing in the EFL.

Clubs in crisis  With..

MPs raise stakes in reforming national game (from Northampton matchday programme)

David Lampitt, Chief Executive of Supporters Direct, reports on the recent Parliamentary event and an ultimatum to the football authorities.

 “While some progress has been achieved, much greater reform in football is needed…If football cannot reform itself, the Government should introduce legislation as soon as practically possible.”  This ultimatum, delivered by John Whittingdale MP in the introduction to his Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s latest Football Governance follow-up report, summarises the state of play in the continuing efforts to..