[Kitto]

I'm not saying its even possible for us, but Exeter is a fan owned club, same population as Gloucester with a better rugby team than us.

[Si Robin]

AFC Wimbledon are also fan owned.

Wrexham were until the Hollywood buyout and came close to promotion on more than one occasion before the takeover.

[HeathBrewer]

Seems to me, there is a bunch of minutiae requiring attending constantly running a football club. It is a business.

I'm not opposed to the Trust occasionally helping out with player finding in certain circumstances like last year's playoff push. I know my opinion is minimal as a foreigner with limited time following and supporting the Club.

[Oldie]

In times gone by the Trust came to my house to discuss how they can protect the interests of its membership. Those coming at the time included Pete Chase, Mike Dunstan and Phil Warren.

Trying to operate a football club by fans probably causes more issues than it solves, so don’t go there.

By all means seek a place on the Club Bosrd if it is feasible, practical and a necessity. It is unfortunately often a poisoned chalice to the individual who takes that role. So beware.

The name of the organisation is a pointer for its purpose. It’s there to support. Not just the Club but it’s own membership - whatever its size.

A primary function will always be to raise funds and be supportive. But as I clearly explained those funds must be strictly controlled and should be protected by a set of policies as part of the Trust rules.

Importantly, it should never handover money to the Club on some unevidenced request. It’s members money and should be properly accredited. My proposal was the Trust funds should only go to ground or capital based projects. I know it’s difficult, but simply handing over valued donations towards players, sadly you cannot guarantee where it is used.

The Trust can be its own Master of that, and doesn’t it look good if a supplier is evidencing its work by the invoice being paid by the Trust. I gave lots of examples.

Bearing in mind Patrick said within a few weeks of taking over he discovered debts which had not been identified to him on his so called ‘try and buy’ one wonders how much of Trust money disappeared into ‘black holes’, if it did then the time spent in my house a few years ago were all in vain.

Let the Club run how it can. Life is full of ideologists alongside egotists. Two dangerous types who need very very careful controls in place. Watch and by all means ask questions but above all else have strict financial policies in place.It’s YOUR MEMBERS funds.

Rather reinforces my question. Is it a case that there are questions to be asked of the Trust as well?

[Tigermatty 2.0]

Rather reinforces my question. Is it a case that there are questions to be asked of the Trust as well?

To my knowledge the Trust don’t hand over money unless it’s for something or is part of a standing agreement for something ongoing. That may change going forward. In the past there has been a lack of transparency so it’s not always possible to know whether it was used for what it was meant to be used for. I know for a fact that some money raised for a very specific purpose last season was rather disappointingly not used for that. The truth will come out soon I expect.

[Oldie]

To my knowledge the Trust don’t hand over money unless it’s for something or is part of a standing agreement for something ongoing. That may change going forward. In the past there has been a lack of transparency so it’s not always possible to know whether it was used for what it was meant to be used for. I know for a fact that some money raised for a very specific purpose last season was rather disappointingly not used for that. The truth will come out soon I expect.

Emmm
Well I noted that in a response the Trust was quoted as "Limited"
Was that limited liability by Share Capital or Guarantee?
Important only because either way the Trust should be governed by Articles of Association or a written Constitution under company house regs, the Charities Commission or the FCA. 
Those rules will set out the conditions under which members funds are utilised. If they are not utilised according to those conditions then the directors/trustees could potentially find themselves in hot water.
What is more likely is that the constitution of the Trust was so poorly written and subsequent governance poor as a direct result.

Was this Trust set up under the old Supporters Direct guidance?

[Tigermatty 2.0]

Emmm
Well I noted that in a response the Trust was quoted as "Limited"
Was that limited liability by Share Capital or Guarantee?
Important only because either way the Trust should be governed by Articles of Association or a written Constitution under company house regs, the Charities Commission or the FCA. 
Those rules will set out the conditions under which members funds are utilised. If they are not utilised according to those conditions then the directors/trustees could potentially find themselves in hot water.
What is more likely is that the constitution of the Trust was so poorly written and subsequent governance poor as a direct result.

Was this Trust set up under the old Supporters Direct guidance?

It was yes, in fact it we are looking for a new Secretary and to be honest you sound like the perfect candidate?

[Kitto]

Emmm
Well I noted that in a response the Trust was quoted as "Limited"
Was that limited liability by Share Capital or Guarantee?
Important only because either way the Trust should be governed by Articles of Association or a written Constitution under company house regs, the Charities Commission or the FCA. 
Those rules will set out the conditions under which members funds are utilised. If they are not utilised according to those conditions then the directors/trustees could potentially find themselves in hot water.
What is more likely is that the constitution of the Trust was so poorly written and subsequent governance poor as a direct result.

Was this Trust set up under the old Supporters Direct guidance?

The Supporters' Trust is a Community Benefit Society regulated by the FCA and also a member of the Football Supporters Association.

If you take a read of the following link, it should answer your questions:
https://gcafcsupporters.co.uk/who-we-are/

[Oldie]

The Supporters' Trust is a Community Benefit Society regulated by the FCA and also a member of the Football Supporters Association.

If you take a read of the following link, it should answer your questions:
https://gcafcsupporters.co.uk/who-we-are/

Yes
That's what thought. Thanks for the link. I see you are authorised own shares in other companies. Have you purchased shares in the football club?

[HeathBrewer]

Yes
That's what thought. Thanks for the link. I see you are authorised own shares in other companies. Have you purchased shares in the football club?

I thought that was a thing of the past. I remember a whole thread about people having shares in the Club.