Tanners announce plan to become Trust owned

In those days there was no legal structure that protects the actual ownership of our club and safeguards it for future generations. With this in mind, there have recently been some discussions between the club’s shareholders, the Tanners Supporters Club and the Football Supporters Association with a view to becoming a Supporters Trust by establishing a Community Benefit Society.

A Community Benefit Society will give you, the supporters, direct ownership of the club. Supporters’ Trusts operate on a one member, one vote principle and are governed by a strict set of rules or constitution. Supporters pay an annual club membership fee for which they get one share in the Community Benefit Society and a vote on important matters. Members elect a Trust board to act on their behalf, the Board is accountable to the membership and has to be re-elected (or otherwise) on a regular basis at the Club AGM.

It’s hugely important to stress that the day to day running and management of the club will not change, this is only a change to the ownership structure.

There is unanimous agreement to this from the parties mentioned above but this type of momentous change can and will only go ahead with a binding supporter vote.

When we close the members AGM on Tuesday 2nd August, we will then give a presentation to all our supporters to explain more about this exciting proposal, followed by vote seeking approval to proceed. This is one of the most important and positive changes to our club in generations. It will finally achieve that ambition from 2000, Leatherhead FC will become a true supporter-owned club.