| The Supporter Trust movement is funded and | | | | were formed after Wimbledon FC were franchised to |
| supported by the Labour Government through | | | | Milton Keynes to form MK Dons. The club were only |
| Supporters Direct. Amongst the aims are to give | | | | formed in 2002 and have impressively climbed to the |
| supporters the right and the power to protect the clubs | | | | Conference South, just two leagues away from the |
| they love from unscrupulous owners who do not care | | | | Football League. |
| for the interests of the club and who wish to exploit | | | | The other example is FC United of Manchester. The |
| their assets for profit. Supporters Direct help to advise | | | | club was formed in a reaction to the takeover of |
| and establish supporters' trusts, aiming to deliver | | | | Manchester United by the Glazier family, who saddled |
| responsible, democratic representation at football clubs | | | | the club with millions of pounds of debt. Formed in |
| to help promote the highest standards of governance, | | | | 2005, FC United won promotion in their first three |
| financial accountability and community re-orientation. | | | | seasons and are currently one step below AFC |
| Supporters Direct provides advice to supporters' trusts | | | | Wimbledon. |
| on how to organise and acquire a collective | | | | At a time when the Premier league has become a |
| shareholding in their football club. They offer guidance | | | | billionaire's playground, it seems that fans are starting to |
| on governance and financial accountability to its | | | | take control of lower league clubs. The most recent |
| members and to play a valued and responsible role in | | | | example is an interactive website in Kent, run by Get |
| the running of their clubs, improving communication and | | | | Kent United Supporters Association, that is attempting |
| building a better relationship with the local community. | | | | to create an online community to takeover a |
| Supporters' trusts have now been established at over | | | | non-league team, arguing that the club would be truly |
| 140 clubs, with a total of over 120,000 members. | | | | representative of the community that it serves. |
| Thirteen clubs are owned by supporters' trusts, | | | | It seems that community-run clubs offer stability and |
| including the World's oldest professional club, Notts | | | | openness that seems to be missing from the top flight |
| County. At least 100 supporters' trusts have a | | | | of english football. It could be argued that Premier |
| shareholding in their club. | | | | League clubs have been taking advantage of their |
| There have been two high profile examples of | | | | fans loyalty. Disillusioned fans will certainly find mainly |
| supporter-owned clubs that have been formed from | | | | well-run clubs, where they can play an active role and |
| scratch as a result of problems at the club they used | | | | where their voice is heard, in the lower leagues. |
| to follow. The first example is AFC Wimbledon, who | | | | |