What is The Stockport County Trust?
The Stockport County Trust is a formal, democratic and not-for-profit organisation of fans. Over recent years, led by the government funded Supporters Direct, Trusts have been established at a number of clubs to allow the fans to have greater input into their clubs.
The Stockport County Trust is one of a number of Trust organisations in the Football League, the others include 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.
The full aims and objectives of the Trust can be found on this website here. In summary though, it exists to ensure that Stockport County remains owned by its fans, is run properly with a view to its financial security and longterm wellbeing, looks after the interests of fans and takes a responsible role with regard to the community of Stockport.
How does the Trust Board differ to the Football Club Board?
The Board of Stockport County Football Club are in place to keep the football club going on a day to day basis - finances, marketing, staff, development etc. They are like the board of any normal company - their responsibility is to make the football club successful.
The membership of the Trust votes to elect candidates to the Trust Board, Members can stand for election onto the Trust Board, which acts on behalf of the membership at all times. The elections normally take place just before the Trust AGM, which is where the results of these elections are announced.
Where does my membership money go that I pay each year?
The nominal £12 membership fee is used for administration, promotion and legal fees incured by the Trust. The Trust runs on a very small budget and doesn't have a great deal of outgoings, but moneys from membership, sponsorship and donations is used to keep the Trust running smoothly as well as promote the Trust and Stockport County Football Club. Without this money the Trust would not be able to, for example:
- communicate news and information via this website
- pay legal fees
- provide free match day newsletters three times a year
- provide and send out certificates to new members
- pay for an accountant
- arrange social events for members
Any surplus money raised by the Trust is put into a Rainy Day Fund (RDF) that can be used by either the Trust or the Football Club if required. Any request to borrow money from the RDF would have to be approved by the RDF custodians.
Members of the Trust Board are not paid for their time, efforts or service.
Why should I join the Trust?
Click here to visit our membership section of the website and read why you should join the Trust....