There are over 100 Supporters' Trusts across England, Wales and Scotland. 61 of these hold equity within their football clubs and 39 football clubs have supporter representation on the board.
Supporters either own or control four football league clubs (Brentford, Chesterfield, Rushden & Diamonds and Stockport County) and supporters own outright eight non-league clubs (York City, Exeter City, AFC Wimbledon, AFC Telford, Newport (IoW), Enfield Town, FC United of Manchester and Clydebank).
Supporters' Trusts have been involved in saving 13 clubs.
Supporters' Trusts have brought around £10m of investment into the game on the basis of £750K over 3 years to support the work of Supporters Direct - over a 5-fold increase on that initial funding.
Over 95,000 people have joined democratic, not-for-profit organisations dedicated to fostering enhanced relationships between clubs and their communities and providing direct experience of the importance of citizen activism and democratic involvement in the delivery of key local services.
Supporters Direct has been in intense liaison with the Trusts at York City, Lincoln City, Chesterfield, Exeter City, Notts County, Bury to name but a few. In all these instances, the club has to-date survived the process of administration and in all of them, the Supporters' Trust has been a crucial feature of that survival.
In some, they have provided significant funds towards the reconstruction of the business. In others, they have mobilised the supporters and the local community and generated interest in the club that has convinced local businesses and individuals to come forward.
Without our efforts of Supporters Direct, there would not now be 92 professional clubs in England and Wales.It's been said that if one club were to be liquidated, it would start a domino effect - a major reason why this has not yet happened is through the efforts of many Supporters' Trusts advised by Supporters Direct.
Taken from the Supporters Direct Website