By the Fans, for the Fans

Bulletin No. 1

Issued by the Working Group for the Inception of a BUFC Supporters’ Trust - 14/11/05

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YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE BUFC SUPPORTERS’ TRUST OPEN MEETING ON MONDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2005 AT 8PM AT THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS, MARKET PLACE, BOSTON.

Guest Speakers at the meeting will include Mr. Phil Tooley (Chesterfield Football Supporters Society and Supporters Direct board member) and Mr. Rick Keracher (Lincoln City Supporters Trsut)

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What exactly is "the Working Group for the Inception of a BUFC Supporters’ Trust"?

We are a group of Boston United fans. We joined forces last summer because we had a number of serious and valid concerns for the future of our football club, including its long term financial viability and indeed its continued existence. We meet in Boston before every home game. We have a website providing more information and an email contact address (details of which can be found at the foot of the page).

What do you hope to achieve?

Our aim is to establish a Supporters’ Trust, so that eventually the club can be owned by the fans, for the fans. A Supporters’ Trust is a not-for-profit organisation and strict rules are already in place regarding the way Trusts can be run. Democracy, transparency, and openness in the way their business affairs are carried out are of particular importance, and it should be emphasized that any fan can stand for election to the Trust Board. We already have links with other fans at Football League clubs where Supporters’ Trusts have now become established, and some of these Trusts have now reached the stage where the fans actually own and run the football clubs themselves.

The club may relocate. What are your views on this?

Any proposed changes with regard to where the club plays must be formulated on the basis that the move must leave the club debt-free, playing in the Football League, and controlling its own destiny through the ownership of its own football ground. We have been extremely fortunate in that the club has benefited from Mr. Pat Malkinson’s goodwill and generosity over many years, but circumstances can sometimes change, and we need to ensure that all necessary safeguards to maintain the club’s existence are in place.

How do we form a Supporters’ Trust at Boston United?

There are several essential steps that need to take place if we are to succeed in establishing a Trust which is eligible for funding from Supporters’ Direct (our parent body). The first is to hold an Open Meeting, which all supporters, club staff and officials, and local councillors are invited to attend. Details of the Open Meeting have been published in the local press recently, and there is more information both on our website and at the end of this bulletin.

I love my club but I do not have time to be involved with the running of a Supporters’ Trust. So what else can I do to help?

You can do a lot!

By attending the forthcoming Open Meeting, and giving us your support and your vote, you will be providing us with a mandate to move forward and establish the Trust. And if you spare some of your time, we are looking to swell our ranks of volunteers, and we shall be actively recruiting new members at the Open Meeting!

All this sounds fine – but how do I keep in touch?

You can contact the Working Group for the Inception of a Boston United Supporters’ Trust at www.bufcst.co.uk or email members@bufcst.co.uk