Frequently Asked Questions
To ask the Supporters' Co-op a question, visit the contact us page or fill out a webform.
What are the differences between YTYT and the Co-op?
The campaign banner which has been adopted is a refreshed appeal under a
“Your Town Your Team” (YTYT) initiative.
It's unfortunate that some people, have chosen to differentiate, and
refer to "YTYT" and "the Co-op" as contrasted entities. Because, in
reality, the Co-op is one such group which helped launch YTYT and is
very much part of its’ decision-making along with primarily: Help The
Hatters and some other proactive supporters, many from social chat
forums such as Yellow Board. The inspiration for YTYT in its relaunch
came from our AGM which heralded the desire amongst various fan groups
to work together and unify under one banner – in “County’s" time of
need.
The main difference is that we are the only group amongst YTYT with
formal membership and under regulatory disciplines. Our Chairman, Ashley
Simpson represents the Co-op at meetings concerning YTYT. The Co-op has
coherent principles as would be expected from a body of its statute.
Other parties have more freedom to allow individual motives and bring
other qualities. The emphasis is on everyone working together, as
working independently will be far less effective.
We are involved with YTYT because it represents a fantastic opportunity
to pursue our stated Vision, Objectives & Priorities.
Who will primarily drive the club forward, YTYT or the Co-op?
As per the earlier response. The Club Board drives the Club, but YTYT
(which involves the Co-op) will have a greater ability to understand
challenges and opportunities and exert greater influence on Club’s
affairs in the future through the YTYT Club Board Directors.
YTYT have a couple of people on the board now, does the Co-op want the
same?
One of our current principal objectives is "to have a Supporter-Director
on the Board of the Club, democratically elected by all supporters" –
the emphasis on elected, not appointed.
Obviously we welcome the appointment of John Fitzpatrick, a long serving
and committed fan, who has led activities of Help The Hatters with some
successes. If there are more seats offered to YTYT, we would endorse
those being filled, and would put forward a case to YTYT to use one of
those to represent the Co-operative specifically, which we would use as
a base from which to work for elected representation. We must stress
with the Co-op, we are totally transparent with no hidden agenda.
What do you say to sceptical County fans who won't entertain the
Co-op idea because of what happened with the Trust?
What we've been saying for the last three years. Some supporters may ask
why the need still for a supporters’ co-operative? The simple reason is
the fundamental principle that a football club is better off if there is
a healthy, balanced and constructive relationship with its’ supporters
and the community it serves. Supporters-Direct have recently said in
stressing the importance of regrouping and changing to respond to future
needs, that the Co-op is “from the fans, those who understand most of
all what matters about their football clubs, owners, players and
managers come and go but the fans are constant is a truism”.
Why is the Co-op important in the future of Stockport County?
Under the stewardship of the out-going Chairman, Graham Privett, the
initial goal had to be survival and ensuring that the concept of
supporters’ governance was not cast into the past – but instead grasped
as to a model that can bring significant benefits to the Club. The
Vision, Objectives & Priorities of the Co-op are reviewed annually and
are currently:
VISION:
To be the democratic and representative voice of the supporters of
Stockport County Football Club, and to strengthen the bonds between the
Club and the community which it serves.
OBJECTIVES:
To obtain a stake in Stockport County Football Club.
To have a Supporter-Director on the Board of the Club, democratically
elected by all supporters
To hold the owners to account, and try to ensure that the Club is run
sustainably and with mutual benefit to the local community.
PRIORITIES:
To be fully prepared to take action towards these objectives should any
opportunity arise
To take forward our social goals and community development
To be ready to set up and run a “phoenix” club if needed.
These all pre-date YTYT, so if YTYT really takes off, all of the above
may need to be reviewed sooner rather than later, as YTYT has the clear
potential to completely redefine how County supporters organise
themselves and work together in providing direct practical support to
the Club.
The Supporters’ Co-op will have a significant role to play, as there are
things we can provide that other participants in YTYT are unable to.
At this juncture, the Co-op has football industry practitioners from
within and from its wider football fraternity including Supporters
Direct that means there is resources which are additional and indeed
supplementary to those from within the Club itself with its’ lean
structure. We refer to such as: regulatory, compliance, secretariat,
fundraising and commercial marketing.
Can YTYT/the Co-op still help without major investment from
somewhere else?
In the democratic processes, a communication ‘team’ from YTYT will
answer the campaign’s stance on investment. For the Co-op we have an
unrivalled ability to address such as funding for sports and leisure
developments, community shares and punk finances to name but a few. We
now have a former Lottery assessor on the Board that has worked on
schemes to in excess of £80M. Furthermore, the volunteering programme in
which we are a proactive body will have a natural outcome on increased
revenue generation.
What is the Co-op's view on staying at EP or moving?
We know that many fans - including members of the Co-op Board - want to
stay at EP - indeed are passionate about this. We therefore support
staying at EP if at all possible. If it really is true that the only way
for the Club to survive is to move - and that has not been proven or
clearly illustrated to date, we would rather have a football club based
elsewhere than have no football club at all, but with sorrow.
Examples of other fans co-ops who have achieved good things?
There are good examples from within the supporters movement as a whole –
and the Co-op has instant access to such knowledge share. Board Members
have been collaborating recently in both consultancy and in the Minithon
towards local fundraising with FC United of Manchester. In the launch of
YTYT we have worked with Exeter, Wrexham and Tranmere etc.
Why do you think things didn't work under the Trust, and how
will it be different under the Co-op?
This is strictly our opinion, and only part of the story: the Trust was
given too much too soon - many people agree on this. Other Trusts which
have been more successful in ownership or part-ownership of their clubs
have worked towards it over several years, gradually building up a
shareholding and a level of influence, and getting used to what that
calls for. The Co-op is more in the position of such
supporters-governance like some of the clubs we’ve recently worked and
consulted with.
Another aspect is that the Trust were unable to tap into the collective
resource of supporters and to move the Club towards a Community Club
model. The volunteering programme is clear evidence of how working with
YTYT will be very different from the Trust.
