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Clubs lead Communities 21/07/2006
Friday Night's Alright For Football 14/07/2006
Community Clubs
Football fans want their clubs to play an increasing role in the local community.
That’s according to the just-published Football League Supporters’ Survey 2006.
97 per cent believe the club should play an important role and Supporters Direct deputy chief executive Dave Boyle says this is an integral part of supporter ownership.
“By involving people who are locals in the running of the club it means that you have a greater spirit of engagement with that community. We feel trusts have got the ability to turn clubs into much more rounded community partners.
23 per cent of interviewees feel that their club falls short in its contribution to the local community.
Mr Boyle says supporters can identify phoney community clubs. “Most clubs describe themselves as community clubs these days. The difference is that trust-run clubs actually set the agenda and show there are innovative and creative things you can do.”
Rams Trust secretary Jim Wheeler hopes the new regime at Derby County will boost ties with the local area. “We have been anxious to look at new areas where we can work with the community. The Club’s the Hub scheme means the stadium could be a doctors’ surgery, a PC suite or a youth club on different days of the week.”
