January 2012 - Blues Trust - Putting The Fans First | Blues Trust

Blues Trust reaction to Accounts Delay

Posted on Jan 31, 2012

A group of Blues fans in the formative stages of establishing a Supporters Trust have today reacted with dismay at the news that Birmingham International Holdings have again delayed the publication of their accounts.

This is the third time BIH, the major shareholder of Birmingham City, have postponed the accounts and with Carson Yeung still waiting trial on money laundering charges, once again there is considerable uncertainty over the financial state of the club.

A group spokesperson said, ‘as Blues fans, we want nothing more than to see our club succeed. After all, it’s the fans that turn out week in week out to support the club and with Chris Hughton in charge, it’s more exciting than it has been for years.

‘But today’s announcement is yet another example of the uncertainty that surrounds the finances of the club and the lack of communication between the board and fans. Yet again, Blues fans are being kept in the dark, meaning that rumour and speculation will be again be rife. This can only further disrupt the relation between the club and supporters.

‘We do not expect to be party to sensitive financial information. Nor do we seek to interfere in the day to day running of the club. All we ask is for greater clarity and transparency, better communications and assurances that the club remains a viable, going concern.

‘Supporters Trusts have a good track record in acting as a bridge between clubs and fans, so we call on Blues fans who share our aims to join us. Further information can be found at www.bluestrust.org’

Supporters Direct endorses UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations

Posted on Jan 27, 2012

"In a club these days, everything changes – players, coaches, owners, directors, managers – but the fans and the link with the society remains the same. And this is what we need to protect. And when we look at the financial figures in particular, we have to be worried about the trend and we need to tackle that. We need to establish a safe and healthy environment for European club football to continue to develop and prosper."

Siobhain McDonagh MP backs “historic opportunity for change in football”

Posted on Jan 25, 2012

At 6pm this Thursday, AFC Wimbledon supporter Siobhain McDonagh MP will have a 30 minute Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on: “Government policy on football governance and the case of AFC Wimbledon”.

The debate is relevant at a time of historic opportunity for change in football. The authorities have in front of them the chance to adopt changes that could make shameful episodes like that of the franchising of Wimbledon FC’s league place, and the current crises engulfing Darlington and Portsmouth and over fifty other clubs since 1992, a thing of the past.

The MP for Mitcham and Morden in the London Borough of Merton, former home of Wimbledon FC, will urge the Government to ensure that any changes to the rules of football currently under consideration by the football authorities will ensure that clubs can’t just ignore the communities they are supported by.

She will also back calls being made by organisation Supporters Direct through its own licensing proposals that to enable this, communities be represented formally in the governance of clubs as part of licence conditions.

Supporters Direct Statement – Darlington Supporters Trust

Posted on Jan 23, 2012

"Supporters Direct promotes sustainable spectator sports clubs based on supporters' involvement & community ownership. This is fundamental to the work of the Darlington Supporters Trust who subscribe wholeheartedly to this mission statement and who we, at Supporters Direct, have implicit faith in.

"Supporters Direct would like to make clear that Darlington Supporters’ Trust has worked tirelessly to support the club over the years, and specifically to raise and protect a fighting fund in case the club ever re-entered a period of crisis. They have always stated they would release these funds if - and when - a sustainable recovery plan was produced.

"It is with this in mind that the Darlington Supporters’ Trust acknowledges the efforts of Supporters Direct to attempt to identify a community based solution to secure both the short and long term future of football in Darlington.”

Call for tender for project EAC-2011-0457

Posted on Jan 23, 2012

“Improving Football Governance through Supporter Involvement and Community Ownership”

Supporters Direct’s project has been selected by the European Commission, under the PREPARATORY ACTION IN THE FIELD OF SPORT (EAC/18/2011), for receipt of a grant.

The project has specified outputs/outcomes (included in scope of work) that must be delivered to meet the funding conditions. SD envisages delivering these in partnership with a suitably qualified and experienced consultant, which is the purpose of this invitation to tender.