FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Supporters Trust?
- How are Trusts Organised?
- Who can join the Derry City Supporters Trust?
- Do members have to be season ticket holders or a shareholder at Derry City FC?
- How much will the annual membership cost?
- What will happen the money collected in membership fees?
- Can a member make extra donations to the Trust?
- Can a member donate to the Trust any existing shares they own in Derry City FC?
- Can a shareholder proxy their shares to the Trust?
- Who will own the shares purchased or given to the Trust?
- Will any individual make money from the Trust?
- How will members have a say in the running of Derry City FC, and who will represent the Trust at the club?
- Who decides what projects and initiatives the Trust will get involved in?
- How is this different from a Supporters Club?
- Can someone be a member of both the Supporters Trust and a Supporters Club?
The basic definition of a Trust is a democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves and strengthening the voice for supporters in the decision making process at a club.
Supporters Trusts are typically formed as an Industrial & Provident Society (IPS) fully regulated by the Industrial and Provident Societies Act and accountable for all its financial dealings and transactions.
An IPS belongs to its membership. Every member owns one share, worth £1, in the Trust. Those shares cannot be traded or transferred. The share entitles the member to a vote: one member - one vote.
Everything that the Trust does is guided and controlled by its constitution.
Supporters Trust's constitutions typically guarantee that:
- The Trust must operate for the benefit of the community that it serves.
- The Trust's members and officers will not profit from the Trust.
- The profits or surpluses of Trusts can only be used to maintain prudent reserves and on expenditure to achieve the Trust's objectives.
Membership will be open to everybody. However, for legal reasons, anyone aged under 16 cannot own a share or vote on Trust matters. An Associate/Youth membership will be made available for anyone under 16.
No, anybody who is interested in the future of Derry City Football Club, be they shareholders, season ticket holders, armchair supporters or even supporters living in other countries can become members of the Trust.
The initial membership fee will be decided by the Working Group tasked with drafting the initial Trust constitution. It is likely to cost £15 for full membership, with concessionary and family memberships also being made available. Subsequent annual membership fees will be decided by the Trust members.
A proportion of the sum will be used to meet the annual running costs of the Trust - although these will be kept to a minimum. Any surplus funds will be used to fund Trust projects or be invested in Derry City FC.
Yes, we hope that all City fans will support the Trust, and the more money we raise the quicker the Trust can start making a difference. To this end, we welcome all donations no matter how large or small.
Yes, should they wish to do so, any existing shareholder may donate their shareholding to the Supporters Trust.
Yes, members can retain ownership of shares but pass the voting rights of their shares to the Trust, the Trust can then act as a proxy and pool supporters' votes to create a significant block vote. Decisions on the use of this block vote will be made by members of the Trust in a general meeting prior to the Club's AGM.
All shares purchased or given to the Trust will not be owned by an individual person. They will be owned collectively by the Trust.
No, everybody involved in the formation and running of the Trust is a volunteer, and will receive no payment for their time and efforts. Any revenues generated will be ploughed straight back into the Trust.
The Trust will have a Board whose role is to manage the Trusts activities. The members of the Trust Board will be elected by members at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Trusts rules. Any member may put themselves forward for election to the Trust Board. The Board will represent the interests of members as conveyed to them at general meetings of the members, whether at the club AGM or in meetings with the board of Derry City FC. Any selection of individuals nominated to represent the Trust on the board of the Football Club, will be made in a democratic manner by the members.
The members of the Trust will decide what projects the Trust will be involved in. All members will be encouraged to put forward suggestions for community and fundraising projects and initiatives.
The Supporters Trust will not be an attempt to by-pass or replace the network of Supporters Clubs that Derry City are very lucky to have. They perform a valuable role in allowing supporters to meet together and organise activities,tickets and travel. Trusts are formal bodies with a robust constitution, and incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society. This means they can do things that supporters clubs may not be able to do, such as apply for public funding to support community projects or own property and shares.
Yes, there is no conflict. Many of the people behind the formation of the Supporters Trust are themselves members of supporters clubs. Many members of the Trust will be people who have no intention of belonging to a supporters club. Likewise not all members of the supporters clubs will want to be members of the Trust.