Clarets Supporters Trust Open Meeting

By The Longside
April 15 2004

The Supporters Trust was given a unanimous Yes vote to go ahead on Sunday 4th April. We look back at the day in more detail as promised, with thoughts on the day from the Steering Committee behind making the day possible.

Make a note of last Sunday’s date, "04/04/04", because it is hoped that in time it will go down as yet another milestone in the distinguished history of Burnley Football Club in the eyes of its supporters.

For this was the day that an audience of expectant fans gathered in the James Hargreaves Suite at Turf Moor to attend an open meeting regarding the establishment of a Supporters' Trust. The meeting was to inform fans about the aims of a Trust, and ultimately to decide whether or not give the go-ahead to the venture.

Just some of the Guests in attendance

Tony Scholes and Dave Roberts were attending as Clarets fans themselves, but were also there to represent the small planning committee of Burnley supporters that has enabled the venture to reach this stage. They were ably supported by Kevin Rye, from the government backed Supporters Direct organisation, who offered experience from his involvement with some of the 108 Trusts that are already in existence at other football clubs.

Left to Right: Tony Jo, Warren Brierley, Kevin Rye, Tony Scholes, Dave Roberts

Further citations were provided by Warren Brierley from Rochdale FC's 'Dale Trust', which has already been able to make a number of positive steps to further the ways in which their fans communicate with their club. The proceedings were expertly chaired by local comedian and Clarets supporter Tony Jo, who had also kindly offered his services to the planning committee that had organised the meeting.

After the initial presentations and a thorough question and answer session, the proposal was put to the vote, and every man woman and child in the room raised their hand to show their backing for the establishment of a Supporters' Trust for fans of Burnley Football Club.

This positive vote represents a clear mandate from those present and will now enable wider involvement from supporters to set up the organisation. In time, the Trust will enable supporters to have a more powerful voice for future communication with the football club on a number of different levels.

Of the 132 in attendance, over forty people left their details with a view to getting involved in the Trust. The next steps will include the establishment of a working party, leading up to an official launch, probably towards the beginning of next season.

There will also be a drive to encourage membership of the Trust, which will have the interests of all Burnley fans at heart. Once the working group can be set up, there will be further updates leading up to the formal launch event.

A selection of the Top Table and guests.
Left to Right: Kevin Rye, Ben Golby, Tony Scholes and Dave Roberts

If you would like details on how you could help, please e-mail claretstrust@ntlworld.com.

Speaking recently the Planning Group told The Longside,

"The open meeting on 4th April proved to be a great success in every way. There was a healthy attendance, a positive response to a good meeting and most importantly a unanimous yes vote to go ahead and start a Supporters’ Trust at Burnley.

We have received a lot of positive feedback about the meeting, those present were impressed with both Kevin Rye from Supporters Direct and Warren Brierley from Dale Trust at Rochdale. Not only that I think we have become the first group of supporters to have an open meeting chaired by a Grumbleweed in Tony Jo.

Many Clarets have volunteered their help since the meeting ended and we will be involving most of them just as soon as possible as we plan to set up the trust and have it ready for launch by the start of next season. There is much to be done but of course you can always rely on Clarets to rally round.

We, the Planning Group, were looking for a positive response and there is no doubt we have received it. It has made the effort so far very much worthwhile. Now though, the real work starts."

For more information please visit our Supporters Trust Portal or the Supporters Trust section on Clarets Mad.