Supporters Trust

Swansea City Supporters Trust Public Meeting at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 7 July 2001

150 fans attended this meeting which was called to take the first step in setting up a Supporters Trust for the Swans. A wide range of age groups were represented, and there were many women fans present. Considering the time of year and the limited media coverage to date, this was considered a reasonable turn out. An inspirational 20 minute talk was given by Dave Boyle of the government led Supporters Direct. He detailed the increasing pace of development of Supporters Trusts in the Nationwide League, Premiership and lower leagues in the one year that Supporters Direct has been in existence. Many of the stories from other clubs drew parallels with the situation at Swansea City. There followed an active question and answer session where many good points and valid concerns were raised. The overall atmosphere was becoming increasingly positive as spontaneous applause broke out for a number of heart felt contributions from both members of the audience and from the panel of the steering group who had set up the public meeting. The vote when it came was overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal: " Should we move forward and set up a Swansea City Supporters Trust". There was only one vote against from a young man.

Attendees were asked to register their interest in becoming members of a Supporters Trust and of serving on the Working Party which will take the Trust forward to the next stage. A database of these entries is being compiled. It had been planned to hold the Working Party meeting at the Patti Pavilion on Saturday 21 July, but a member of the audience pointed out that a friendly has been scheduled at Carmarthen Town, so a rethink will be required. A date and venue will be arranged for this first Working Party meeting; volunteers will be informed and the arrangements posted on the web-sites and in the Evening Post.

Journalists from the Evening Post and Wales on Sunday were present. They were very supportive and indicated their willingness to cover further developments of the Trust. It was a pleasure to also see Anthony O'Connell of Swansea Sound, but he could not offer much coverage at present due to the absence of sports programmes in the summer schedule; however he seemed interested and positive.

M.L.Kent - 7 July 2001

 
Left: The Steering Group     Right: Dave Boyle - Supporters Direct

The audience

Port Talbot Jacks listen to the Q&A session