To: Sports Desk

Press Release

Brian Lomax of the central Supporters' Direct unit at Birkbeck College has stated that in order to gain central backing "trusts must have democratic checks in place so that they cannot be hijacked by any one person or group." He added that in order to succeed "elected trust officers must be responsive to the needs of their club's supporters."

The working party are actively looking for individual and corporate members. Any firm or organisation that signs up for a £50 corporate membership will be entered onto the Trust's roll of honour which will be attached to all of its publicity material.

However, individual members are the lifeblood of the Trust. Individual membership costs are £10 for employed adults, £5 concessions and £20 for families. There is also a £30 life membership rate. Phil Sturgess of the working party commented that "whilst the Trust has the backing of Walsall Council and its MPs, it is a membership organisation that will stand or fall on its ability to work with its members."

The immediate aim of the Trust working party is to gain a credible membership that can elect officers at next month's AGM. At that point the Trust will be able to begin its negotiations with the Board of Directors and the shareholders of Walsall FC about the fans' direct involvement in the club's future.

The Trust is attempting to forge a community of fans of all ages, which can work to promote an inclusive approach at Walsall FC. The working party are creating the foundations for elected officers to move the Trust and the community of Walsall forward in their relationship with the football club.