Brakes Trust: supporting Leamington FC

What is a Supporters Trust?

A Supporters Trust is a democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice for supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves.

The Brakes Trust is the short and memorable name for Leamington Football Club Supporters’ Co-operative Limited, which was established in 2010.

The Trust is registered as a Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. It is a corporate body with limited liability and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Learn what a Registered Society is here (pdf), and see our registration details here (Registration Number: 30924R).

The Trust is owned by its members, each of whom own one equal share in the society.

How did the Brakes Trust start?

A public meeting held on 10 December 2009 heard speakers from Supporters Direct and the Merthyr Tydfil Supporters Trust and voted to form Brakes Trust. Volunteers stepped forward to create a steering group whose job is to work with Supporters Direct to properly establish and launch the Trust. We held a “Launch Night” on 12 June and the first members were signed up.

What is the Brakes Trust all about?

Brakes Trust is about three things: Supporters, Football Club and Community. An active and well run Trust will provide benefits for all three.

Supporters will see a clear, democratic structure that gets their voice heard. They benefit directly from Trust membership in the form of events, discounts and offers.

The Football Club benefits from funds and sponsorships raised by the Trust, and through a stronger and more coherent voice of the supporters. The Trust team are able to do some things the club might find hard simply through lack of resource.

The Leamington community benefits from projects undertaken on their behalf by the Trust and through the development of stronger networks and ties between the Trust, the Club and the community.

As a supporter we will value your input: your ideas, your help, your vote.

Is the Brakes Trust the same as a Supporters Club?

Yes and no!

Yes – it is comprised of members who are just regular supporters of Leamington FC. It does many of the things that supporters clubs usually do: arrange travel and events; raise money for the Football Club; provide benefits for its members.
No – it has a wider remit, is legally constituted, and is financially transparent. It also has an aim to increase the influence and voice of supporters in club matters by building up a stake in the Football Club. Additionally, because of the legal constitution and audited accounts, it has the ability to apply for funding (such as the minibus acquired through a government grant).

Management of the Trust

The Trust is managed by a Board, each member of which is elected by the members of the Trust at an Annual General Meeting or in some cases co-opted by the Board for specific skills or purposes.

The Trust board is currently made up of the following members:

Andrew Calcutt – Chairperson
Peter Davis
Nick Rogers
Alan Turrell (Fan/Club Liaison)
Benjamin Lane
Nigel Murray
Adrian Barton

Nick Hallworth is appointed as the Secretary (non-board position).

The specific objects of the Trust are:

i. to strengthen the bonds between Leamington Football Club and the community which it serves and to
represent the interests of the community in the running of the Club;

ii. to benefit present and future members of the community served by the Club by
promoting encouraging and furthering the game of football as a recreational facility, sporting activity and focus for community involvement;

iii. to further the development of the game of football nationally and internationally and the upholding of its rules;

iv. to encourage the Club to take proper account of the interests of its supporters and of the community it serves in its decisions;

v. to encourage and promote the principle of supporter representation on the board of any company owning or controlling the Club and ultimately to be the vehicle for democratic elections to the board;

vi. to promote, develop and respect the rights of members of the community served by the Club and people dealing with the Society as set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, having regard in particular to the need to provide information to members and conduct the affairs of the Society in accessible and appropriate ways.