Trust meeting rally fans' support
By Adam Summers

Saturday 27th January 2007

THE formation of a Weymouth Football Club Supporters' Trust is continuing to gather pace.

Since it was announced that the Wessex Stadium outfit is in financial disarray fans have been in constant
dialogue about how they can help secure the future of their beloved team and Terras' chairman Martyn Harrison is welcoming their ideas.

In a recent plea on the Terras' internet forum, Harrison said: "I need as much help as I can get from you all to get us through this.

"I am in touch with Stephen Bosley (who is currently co-ordinating the possible formation of a WFC
Supporters' Trust) and I am doing everything I can to support the formation of the trust that could help secure the long-term future of the club.

"What I have done is reckless and stupid and I know I have no given right to ask for anything in return but
now, more than ever, this club needs all of our loyal support."

Echosport received a statement from Weymouth Supporters' Club chairman Nigel Beckett outlining the purposes behind the formation of a Weymouth Football Club Supporters' Trust.

It reads: "Supporters' Trusts are democratic, not for profit organisations, registered as Industrial & Provident Societies under the auspices of Supporters Direct, a national Government initiative who have recently been awarded a substantial grant to continue their work for a further three years. They offer help, advice and some funding to help sup-porters set up a trust at their club.

"More than 130 supporters' trusts have been formed with the help of Supporters' Direct since 2000. Different trusts have different aims, but more than 40 can now boast boardroom representation at their clubs and over 60 hold shares in the clubs. Some clubs are even owned by their supporters' trust with Exeter City FC being one."

Bosley adds: "While the news about the financial situation at Weymouth Football Club is frightening this is not just a knee-jerk reaction to that.

"It is about giving Weymouth fans the opportunity to become a real and meaningful stakeholder in the club and it most certainly isn't about becoming a funder of a loss making business.

"This is just one part of what will make the club stable in the long-term, and all egos and personalities need to be put aside for the good of the club. "It's the fans and communitv that made and sustained this club. and they need to be brought in. meaningfully and respected

"I have been amazed at the level of interest in the trust in such a short space of time and that is what has convinced me to take the idea further. So far I have had a lot of contact with Supporters Direct and been in touch with other supporters' trusts all of whom have been a great help.'*

An open meeting, which will discuss the merits of a supporters' trust, will be held in the Wessex Lounge at the Wessex Stadium on Friday, March 9 and all supporters are urged to attend.

It will start at 7.30pm and representatives from already established supporters' trusts and Supporters Direct will be in attendance to speak and give people all the information they require so an informed decision can be reached.

Bosley is currently putting updates on the situation on the Terras' Internet forum but he hopes to have a separate supporters website up and running soon.

If anyone would like further information or can offer any help, Bosley can be contacted on (07305) 812562 or 07747058199. You can also e-mail him at sbos@fsmail.net