Progress is an often overused word, particularly where lobbying and campaigning organisations are concerned.

This is also a particular truism where such an organisation operates in a sphere like football, a sport with a global reach and a fan loyalty beyond most; whether you’re faced with convincing billionaires or the local entrepreneur, it’s not an easy place to ply your trade.

In the intervening 12-year period since Supporters Direct was established by Chris Smith, secretary of state for culture, media and sport in 2000, despite some people thinking we wouldn’t last, much progress has been made.

Although there have been threats to SD’s existence over that time – and thanks to the support of people in politics, sport and other fields out there we have remained part of the landscape – we have seen progress in our breadth as well as depth: our scope – we now operate in over 20 European countries, and can count UEFA and the EC as funding partners, and the EU as a supporter of our work; we have more supporters’ trusts pressing for a role in their clubs – 170 in the UK; we work in four sports, not just one; we have brought more clubs under community ownership – now 30; there are more with a shareholding in their clubs – 106 ; more with a seat at the table – 72 – on the board being a partner in ownership, with the opportunity to provide a much needed critical friend to create better decision-making. That in itself is only progress towards a goal; getting the right to representation means that this responsibility must be exercised properly. Football itself has also changed – in part, without doubt because of role the trust movement has played; though there is more – much more – to do.

When it come to public profile, the final two of our barometers of success are two of the often more neglected areas of our work. While those who support the trust movement rightly trumpet the Wimbledons, Exeters, Wycombes, Wrexhams (or indeed Telford Tigers Ice Hockey Club, or Bramley Buffalos RL) of this world, it is also vital that we work as hard to ensure that the vital function of representing the fans at the table is not neglected. Indeed far from it: this has been a key driver in the development of the much talked-about Swansea City in the Premier League. Though often pointed at by the cynics as a model that had its genesis in crisis, what that fails to recognise is that it’s results that count, and it thus has had much to say about how success can be achieved without betting the house on promotion, like other clubs have done and still do. And it is firmly rooted in ownership; the trust own 1/5 of the club as well.

It is this type of ‘structured relationship’ that we don’t just want to encourage, but are actively seeking to institute across football as part of a progressive regime of licensing, to ensure that fans are at the table, being part of decision-making, providing that important critical friend, that different voice, that representation of what we almost universally acknowledge is football’s greatest asset.

This isn’t a ‘one size fits all model’ of ownership; it’s an explicit acknowledgement that there needs to be a way for the relationship we have with our clubs to be expressed, and that, based on 12 years of experience, of research this is the most appropriate way.

Progress, as I said at the start of this piece, takes many forms, but we’re not here merely to justify our existence year-on-year by playing safe and standing still. Our mission, the thing that makes us all keep pressing, arguing, convincing people, is to ensure that the efforts that fans and communities make in support of their clubs is not simply ditched when the next owner walks through the door. Instead, that this loyalty and relationship is embedded for future generations. Not just because it’s right to represent that relationship, but because it works.

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Kevin Rye is network development and communications manager at Supporters Direct

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Rights and responsibilities: Is it time for football fans to take a seat at the table?

This event at Labour party conference will deal with the very live issues of if and how supporters’ need to be involved in the governance of football clubs. What support is required to make supporters capable of providing value to a club’s decision making processes? Is a progressive pathway of increasing engagement the best model?

Tom Greatrex MP Shadow energy minister and founder, Fulham Football Supporters’ Trust
David Lampitt Chief executive, Supporters Direct
Gordon Taylor, Professional Footballers’ Association
Alison McGovern MP (chair) Wirral South

Supporters Direct is a community benefit society, owned by its members, and represents more than 170 supporters’ trusts across British sport which have a combined membership of more than 300,000 people. Supporters Direct aims to create the conditions in which supporters can secure influence and ownership of sports clubs.

The event will take place at Progress’ main conference venue this year, Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN on Tuesday 2 October, between 7.30pm and 8.45pm. The venue is located just outside the secure zone, so guests do not need a conference pass to attend this event.

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Photo: Mark Botham