A united voice for Rooks fans

At a meeting held at the John Harvey Tavern, supporters voted almost unanimously to dissolve the existing supporters club and set up a trust that would give fans better recognition in law.

Those present at the meeting heard how the trust would operate under a democratic one member one vote policy, and how the majority of the 150 trusts already set up had led to a fans' representative ending up on their club's board of directors '“ and even buying shares in their club.

Steve Watts, the chairman of the existing supporters club '“ which will be dissolved on August 1, to be replaced by the trust in the middle of that month '“ admitted that the Lewes FC board of directors was not obliged to invite a representative onto the board '“ or even recognise the trust's existance at all '“ but insisted the organisation could still do things to help the club nevertheless.

And he said the aim of the trust was to "complement, not compete, with the football club".

James Mathie, of Supporters Direct '“ the body that helps fans set up supporters trusts '“ and Chris Stewart, former chairman of AFC Wimbledon '“ home of probably the most famous supporters trust in the country '“ spoke at the meeting to tell fans why setting up a trust was so beneficial.

Mr Mathie said, "Why criticise (your club) when you can have an input? Use your skills and help take the club forward."

He admitted that most trusts were formed during "times of crisis" at the respective clubs, but added, "There's no reason why you can't have a positive impact at your football club.

Mr Watts added, "I don't want to put the supporters club down.

"The supporters club has done brilliant work and has raised a lot of money in the past.

"But perhaps it's time to have a more proactive stance and hopefully get ourselves represented on the board.

"This is not a rebranding of the organisation, it's a new start completely."

Mr Watts spoke of the democratic nature of the proposed trust, which will in essence be a co-operative.

He said, "Its one member one vote, regardless of how much money they put into the organisation. It's not for profit, but one of the main aims is that you can possibly have the opportunity to buy shares in the football club.

"It's not an easy transition to make but it's a very positive leap."

Mr Watts revealed how the new trust would be significantly cheaper to join than the old supporters club.

"It's available to everyone at a very minimal cost," he said.

"At the moment it costs 60 per year to join the supporters club. That will be dramatically reduced. It will probably be the equivalent to one adult's admission to a home game '“ between 12 and 15. We're making it as accessible to everyone as we possibly can."

He said the new trust, which, like the present supporters club would be totally independent of the football club itself, would receive advice, and even funding, from Supporters Direct.

"We have got the help of these guys nationally. We can make ourselves a professional body that people will respect '“ a united voice and a democratic voice.

"The board own the club. If they want to work with us, fantastic. If they don't it's up to them.

"The club does not have to recognise the trust. But we will be complementing, not competing with, the football club."

Mr Stewart said to fans, "It's your football club. It's a fact of football life that there are people looking after it for you.

"But it's not wacky that us who pay for at the turnstyle and drink at the bar have a say in decisions made at the club.

LibDem councillor Michael Chartier, who was also at the meeting, said, "Your legal position would be far stronger, as a trust, if you wanted to approach the town, district or county council for decisions."

The meeting was told how conference national teams Cambridge United, Crawley, Ebbsfleet, Forest Green, Kettering, Kidderminster, Mansfield, Northwich Victoria, Oxford United, Torquay, Weymouth, Wrexham and York all had supporters trusts.

Names are to be considered for a steering group for the new trust.

The meeting also heard how there was "more than a 50 per cent chance" that Halifax "wouldn't have had a football club in the town next year if they hadn't had a football supporters trust."

If you would like to join the new trust, or would like more information on the subject, call Steve Watts on 07906 491099.

A spokesman for the board of directors said, "Anything that is a positive step for the supporters an that will be of help to the football club as a whole is to be welcome."

n Apologies. We were unable to contact Lewes manager Kevin Keehan at the time of going to press yesterday.