I was fortunate enough to be able to attend yesterdays meeting that was organised by Trust Everton. The meeting was relatively well attended with fans from across a broad cross section of our fan base.
Not to sure if individuals attended as representatives of fan groups or as individuals The Blue Union, KEIOC (remember them?) Everton Shareholders Association, Everton Heritage Society, ESCLA, Rainbow Toffees, Everton Football Club and a delegation from Friends of Walton Hall Park. Apologies to anyone who I may of omitted.
Apologies were also received from Andy Burham who had agreed to be in attendance but had to pull out late in the day due to other commitments. He was keen to express his support of Supporters Trusts, expressed his delight at the initiative and pledged to get involved.
The meeting was opened by John Blain from ESA who introduced Tony I'Anson who went on to give an update on the activities of Trust Everton, he explained the they wouldn't be pursuing Supporters Trust status, that they would never fit the criteria but believed in the concept of Supporters Trusts. He went on to explain that Trust Everton would continue their endeavours but would be dropping the "Trust" from their branding.
They anticipated that they would be in a position to make an announcement at some stage within the next week or so. From a personal point of view I would wish them well for the future in their endeavours
Kevin Rye, from Supporters Direct then gave an insight into who and what Supporters Trusts are that was really informative. He went on to explain the process for becoming a Supporters Trusts and explained that currently their are 117 Trusts, right the way throughout the whole pyramid, from non-league to Premier League.
His presentation was supplemented by Sean Bones from Manchester United Supporters Trust, who incredibly have 200,500 members, and Keith Culvin from Spirit of Shankly who both gave examples of the campaigns that they have been involved in, their successes and their failures.
Friends of Walton Hall Park also addressed the meeting and talked about their campaign, they explained that it wasn't an anti-Everton campaign, that the wished Everton and Evertonians well for .the future. They explained that they opposed the use of public green spaces for developments and that they would fight to protect their park
The meeting was then thrown open to a Q&A session, with many and varied questions. The meeting was upbeat and positive and a vote was moved, seconded and voted upon. It was agreed unanimously that a steering group would be set up to investigate Everton having its own supporters trust.
I would urge anyone with a love of the Blues to get involved and to give Evertonians a real voice.
1 Posted 14/11/2014 at 22:05:18