Ipswich Town Ist have outlined their intention to propose a mechanism for the introduction of a supporter-elected representative on to the club's board at November's AGM.
Supporter-elected representatives now sit on the board of 38 clubs and the Trust hope to add Town to that list.
Trust AGM Proposal
Following the share issue in Ipswich Town plc earlier this year, over 3,000 supporters became new shareholders in Ipswich Town, including the Ipswich Town Independent Supporters' Trust.
Ipswich Town 1st was formed in July 2003 with one of its key objectives to obtain elected and accountable representation for supporters on the Board of Directors and a say in the way our club is run.
We recognise that each of the current Board are supporters in their own right, but we believe a dedicated supporter-elected member of the Board, representing the wider fanbase and whose job description includes improving communication between the club and all supporters, would be beneficial for everyone.
During our first year we have engaged in constructive dialogue with the football club and in particular with the Chairman, David Sheepshanks, and the Chief Executive, Derek Bowden, including regular monthly meetings with Derek.
We have also been invited to attend and present to three Board meetings on the role and the work of the Supporters' Trust. We believe these meetings have been positive and we have been warmly received by the club, who also meet regularly with representatives of the Supporters' Club.
The first Annual General Meeting of Ipswich Town plc is scheduled to be held in November, and the option exists for shareholders to propose a resolution to the meeting.
We intend to propose a resolution to this meeting to create a mechanism which would enable a supporter-elected representative to join the board. We would like to do this in association with the club to maintain the constructive relationship which has been established and to ensure that a suitable candidate is selected who understands the wide ranging responsibilities of being a Director of a public company.
To be able to propose a motion we need the confirmed support of 5% of the total shareholding of Ipswich Town plc. Whilst Trust membership currently represents over 7% of the shareholding, we are seeking further support from other shareholders.
We were very supportive of the share issue as it gave supporters an opportunity to own a part of their club, and now we urge shareholders to ensure that they use the vote that their investment gives them and not to just leave their certificate in a frame on the wall.
Individually it may appear that shareholders do not have much say in the management of their club but collectively they can have real influence. The Trust are constructive supporters who like all fans care passionately about their club and want to ensure that we never revisit administration and all its unpalatable consequences. We are seeking support from fellow shareholders to table the following resolution at the club's AGM (subject to final legal clarification):
"That the Board of Ipswich Town plc is requested to make available a new Board position for a supporter-elected representative, the mechanism for such election to be agreed between the Board and Ipswich Town 1st, and the position to be filled by 31st March 2005."
Ipswich Town 1st believes that supporter-elected representation and involvement is positive both for supporters and for the football club; constructive dialogue aids communication for both parties.
Deloitte and Touche's recent Annual Review of Football Finances said: "There is an increasing amount of supporter involvement in the ownership and operation of clubs, particularly below the Premiership.
"Primarily this has been driven by the supporters' trust movement... the principle, and achievements, of supporters' trust involvement has had a big impact. A strong relationship between club and community is also good for business."
Other bodies, such as the All-Party Parliamentary Football Group and the Independent Football Commission, have recommended that supporters' views should be represented at Board level.
The key message is that although the club is communicating well with its shareholders, it needs to continue building bridges with the wider supporter base. The Trust can help. There are 3,300 shareholders, but a further 20,000 regular fans, who will contribute more than £50,000,000 to the club in the next five years.
One of our members wrote the following statement in his Trust membership renewal letter: "I really do not have a problem with the Chairman or the Board itself. But I do believe that the time is right for fans to have a greater say in the way their clubs are run, and I do believe that it is right for fans to be represented on the Board of their club."
The Trust can be contacted through their website.