Stockport County Supporters Trust
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Click on one of the questions below to go straight to the answer or scroll down the page to read all of the frequently asked questions and answers.

What is the Stockport County Trust?
The Stockport County Trust is one of four Trust organisations that own a controlling stake in their Football League club, the others being Brentford, Notts County and Exeter City in the football league. Other clubs are part owned by their trusts (like Swansea City and Lincoln City) and in non-league football there are many other trust-owned clubs.

Stockport County are currently the highest placed league football club to be owned by their fans.

What is a Supporters Trust?
A democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves. Registration as an Industrial and Provident Society ensures that the organisation has a proper constitution, and set rules govern the way it operates. Copies of the rules are available by clicking here....

How did the Stockport County Trust evolve?
A letter outlining the aims of Supporters Direct was sent to the club via the Football League. This was passed on to HISC who sent two officials to London to talk to Supporters Direct about starting a Trust. After that meeting with Supporters Direct a general supporters meeting was called at the Britannia Hotel in Offerton to judge whether setting up a Trust would be popular. It was and the wheels were set in motion and the Stockport County Supporters' Society Ltd was formed in 2002.

In 2005 the Stockport County Supporters' Society Ltd purchased 98.6% of the shares in Stockport County Football Club from the then owner Cheshire Sports Promotions Limited.

Why did the Trust buy Stockport County FC?
The Trust believed that the long term ambitions of Stockport County FC would be better served by having County owned by the people that love the club the most - the fans. At the time Stockport County FC was for sale, options for private ownership were also few and far between. The Trust made sure that the deal it negotiated with Cheshire Sports was designed to give the club the opportunity to be run prudently and successfully, and included an option for County to re-acquire Edgeley Park either within 10 years or if Cheshire Sports was looking to leave the ground.

What are the aims of the Trust?
The Trust will only work to the objectives voted on by its members, the full list of aims can be found by clicking here....

How is the Trust different to HISC and other supporters groups\clubs?
The main differences are:

  • Our vision is more long-term than supporters groups\clubs
  • We are properly constituted, accountable and democratic
  • The Trust is run by a board
  • Members must pay an annual subscription
  • The Trust is owned by its members
  • The Trust is the major shareholder of Stockport County FC

Who runs the Trust?
The Trust is run by a board, and the permanent positions within it are voted for by the Trust membership, in accordance with the IPS regulations. Up to five Trust Board members can be co-opted to the Trust Board by the Trust Board members should a need arise. There is provision within the constitution for board members (and indeed ordinary members) to be removed in certain circumstances.

How many people are on the Trust Board?
There are currently 15 members of the Trust Board, 10 are elected members and 5 are co-opted members.

Why do the Trust Board Co-Opt Trust Board members?
Like the manager of the football club, the Trust want to have the strongest team of skills, experience and knowledge available on the Trust Board to help drive the Trust and ultimatley Stockport County forwards. Should the Trust Board feel certain skills are lacking on the Trust Board, they can appeal to the Trust Membership for members with the required skills, knowledge and experience to come forwards. The rule to co-opt members is not used just to boost Trust Board numbers.

How long do Trust Board members serve on the Trust Board?
Elected members can serve up to 3 years before either standing down or putting themselves up for re-election. Co-opted members serve a period of 1 year before standing down or putting themselves forward for election to the Trust Board at the annual elections. This co-opted guideline is new for 2008.

Does the Trust Board run Stockport County FC?
No, the Stockport County Club Board with the Chairman, Managing Director and hard working staff run Stockport County FC.

Are Trust Board members paid or rewarded for the work they do?
No, All time given by Trust Board members is completely voluntarily. None of the Trust Board members are paid or rewarded for the time and effort they give to the Trust. All Trust Board members purchase their own season tickets or match tickets.

Who are the current Trust Board members?
You can view all the current Trust Board members by clicking here....

Do Trust Board members have specific tasks and goals?
Yes, all Trust Board members are tasked with specific jobs and goals. These generally fall into one of four categories:

  • Club Relations
  • PR & Communications
  • Fund Raising
  • Membership

More details on the above can be found by clicking here....

Does the Trust have representation at Club Board meetings?
Yes, the Trust Chairman and Secretary attend Club Board meetings along with two Club Board members who are also Trust Board members.

Does the Club have representation at Trust Board meetings?
Yes, two Trust Board members are also Club Board members. The Trust Board can also invite Club Board members to Trust Board meetings if and when required.

Are Club Directors members of the Trust?
Yes, all Club Directors are members of the Trust apart from the Financial Director who who is barred by FSA rules from doing so as he is the Trust auditor.

Who are the current Club Directors?
You can find a current list of Club Directors by clicking here....

Why should I become a member of the Trust?
There are many reasons why we think being a member of the Stockport County Trust is a good thing for you, the Trust and Stockport County. You can read all about the benefits of being a Trust Member by clicking here....

How much does it cost to become a member?

  • £12 per year for Full Members
  • £1 for Under-16's (lasting until their 16th Birthday)
  • £250 one off payment for Life Membership

What's in it for me?
You will, of course, receive a share certificate that shows that you are the owner of a single, non-transferable share in the Stockport County Trust which can be framed and displayed on your wall at home or work. But more importantly you can have your say on key decisions that affect Stockport County! You, along with the other Trust Members will be consulted on any major decisions that need to be made so you can hear the pro's and con's, ask questions and vote to determine the outcome.

How many supporters of other football clubs can say that they have an influence over the future of the Club they support and love? There are only four clubs in the Football League that are owned by Supporters Trusts and Stockport County is currently thr most successful. This means supporters of the other 88 football clubs in the English football league have no say and little access to key people such as the Chairman and Board of Directors.

Can under-16's become a member of the Trust?
Absolutely, although members must be 16 or over to have a vote. Our Associate Members has been set up to bring out the next generation of leaders for the Trust - the people who may be running it in 10-20 years time.

What decisions will the Trust Members be consulted on?
Trust Members will be consulted on any major decisions that will affect the long term development of the Trust and Club such as accepting substantial outside investment, selling large amounts of shares in the football club and determining where home matches are played.

Why are the Trust Members not involved in all decisions?
The day to day running of the Trust is the responsibility of the Trust Board members. They are constrained by their obligations to follow the Trust objectives, and to adhere to the members’ wishes. On major issues, the Trust should always consult with members. On more day to day issues it is not practical to engage with every Trust Member to get opinion, thoughts and suggestions as this would be far to time consuming.

Does the Trust have a Communications Policy?
Yes, the Trust Board and Club Boards have a policy that governs incoming and outgoing communications. At present this is not publicly available but we are working hard to provide a version that can be shared with Trust Members and fans so that expectations on what will and will not be communicated by the Trust and Club are set correctly.

Where does the money go to that the Trust raises?
Any money raised by the Trust ALWAYS finds it's way to the Club to help the Club finances as well as for ongoing projects such as Manor Farm.

The Trust itself needs minimal funds to keep running so there is no need to raise money for the Trust. Everything that is raised via goal sponsorship, on-line shopping, donations, membership, raffles, auction, bonds etc goes into a fund raising account and is then passed to SCFC at an appropriate time.

Will the Trust accept investment from private individuals\consortiums?
The Trust will always look at all options presented to the Trust from private investors, if and should any offers ever be made. The Trust will investigate and research any offer of investment and if it significantly affects the ownership of the Club and is thought to be in the best interest of the Trust and Stockport County to accept the offer and also if practical, an SGM (Special General Meeting) of current Trust Members only will be called to discuss and vote on whether to accept the investment or not.

To date, the Trust have had no offers of private investment.

How can I get more involved with the Trust?
The Trust Board are always looking for help from Trust Members and the easiest way to get involved is by becoming a Trust Board Associate. You can read more about Trust Board Associates by clicking here....

If I have a question who should I send it to?
If your question is releated to the Trust, please email your question to info@stockportcountytrust.com or complete the form on the Q&A Forum of this website.

If your question is related to the Club, please email your question to fans@stockportcounty.com

You can also contact both the Trust and Club via post but please add to the adress whether it is for the Trust or Club:

Stockport County Trust or Stockport County Football Club,
Edgeley Park,
Hardcastle Road,
Edgeley,
Stockport, Cheshire,
SK3 9DD.

 

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© 2008 Stockport County Supporters' Society Ltd.