At the 4th Annual Conference of Supporters Direct tomorrow (28th October),
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, will declare his
and the Government's backing for the past and future work of Supporters Direct
and their member supporters trusts.
In a speech to be relayed by video to
the conference at the British Library, he will praise the achievements of the
Trust Movement as being, "A beacon of success for others to follow", further
that they are, "Contributing to the development of a deep mutual understanding
across our game - that football clubs can be at the centre of communities, both
a unifying force for good, but also an inspiring force for young people in
particular, irrespective of the community in which they grow up."
In the
four years since Supporters Direct was established, over 120 supporters trusts
have now been been set up, bringing a financial injection of over £10 million to
the game, leading to 9 clubs being owned or controlled by their trusts, with
nearly 40 now having board representation and almost 60 with shareholdings at
their clubs.
He will also tell the audience that the government will
continue to "Play an active role in all that you do", further pledging to reveal
more in the November pre-Budget Report about the "Dedicated support and
advice the (Inland) Revenue will give to Football Supporters Trusts", referring
in particular to, "Helping you organise special charitable fund raising matches
and events without incurring unecessary tax liabilities."
The speech is
the first time that a Chancellor has spoken to football fans, and it will be
given to an audience including representatives from all governing bodies in the
game - including the FA, the FA Premier League and The Football League - as well
as representatives from the 121 strong membership of Supporters Direct,
including Shareholders United, who have most recently hit the headlines with
their campaign to safeguard the future of Manchester United.
The event is
also being supported by Random House, publishers of the sporting imprint 'Yellow
Jersey Press', administrators Grant Thornton, football magazine When Saturday
Comes, Cobbetts Solicitors of Manchester and the Co-op Bank.
Journalists
are welcome to attend for all or part of the day, and
requests for
accreditation can be made by contacting Supporters Direct, to be collected on
the day.
For further information, including logos, contact Kevin Rye,
Head of Press and Communications, on:
Direct line: 020 7608
7254
Mobile: 07932 067425
Email: kevin.rye@supporters-direct.org
Supporters
Direct is a government initiative, funded by public money, with offices in
London and Glasgow. Our aim is to help people "who wish to play a responsible
part in the life of the football club they support" and we offer support, advice
and information to groups of football supporters. Our work is based on
democratic, mutual and not-for-profit principles.
With a combined
membership of over 75,000 people, supporters trusts have now put over £10
million into football and own or control 9 football clubs in the UK.
We
are an Industrial and Provident Society registered with the
Financial
Services Authority (Registration Number: 29581R)
For more information on
Supporters Direct and Supporters' Trusts, visit www.supporters-direct.org
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