Supporters’ Trusts in English Football
Leamington fans in the Harbury Lane End at the launch of the Brakes Trust in 2010
Supporters’ trusts emerged in the early 1990s as fans responded to financial instability, poor management and limited influence over their clubs. Northampton Town established the first recognised trust in January 1992, creating a democratic, non-profit organisation through which supporters could invest in the club and gain board representation. Its one-member, one-vote structure soon inspired similar organisations elsewhere.
This movement developed alongside growing fan activism following the Hillsborough disaster and the Taylor Report. Supporters increasingly argued that football clubs were important community institutions, not merely commercial businesses. In 1997, the Labour government created the Football Task Force to examine football ownership and fan representation. Its recommendations led to Supporters Direct, launched publicly in 2000, which provided legal advice, governance templates and funding to help establish trusts across the country.
By the mid-2000s, more than 150 trusts had formed across England, Scotland and Wales. Some acquired shares in existing clubs, while others created new, supporter-owned teams. AFC Wimbledon was established in 2002 after Wimbledon FC relocated to Milton Keynes and is owned by The Dons Trust. Exeter City’s supporters took control in 2003 when the club faced financial collapse. FC United of Manchester was founded by fans in 2005 in opposition to the Glazer takeover at Manchester United.
Clubs such as AFC Wimbledon, Exeter City and FC United of Manchester are owned or controlled by supporters’ trusts.
Other clubs, including AFC Telford United, Bath City, Lewes, Banbury United and Aylesbury United, have also used supporters’ trusts or community benefit societies to secure ownership or effective control. Clubs such as Swansea City and Newport County have significant but minority trust shareholdings.
The benefits of supporters’ trusts extend beyond ownership. They improve accountability, provide formal channels for fan representation and have secured supporter-elected directors at dozens of clubs. Trusts have also raised substantial funds through community shares, rescued clubs from financial crisis and supplied valuable volunteer labour.
Most importantly, they strengthen clubs’ links with their communities. Trusts support projects involving education, health, social inclusion, anti-racism and youth development, while encouraging volunteering and civic participation. Since Supporters Direct merged with the Football Supporters’ Federation in 2018 to form the Football Supporters’ Association, trusts have continued campaigning for stronger fan representation and more sustainable football governance.
Of course Brakes supporters can boost the Trust’s shareholding in Leamington FC via our ‘Share in Our Club‘ scheme.
For more background information please see the PDF article Supporters’ Trust in English Football.
