"What is a club in any case? Not the building or the Directors or the people who are paid to represent it. It's not the television contracts, get out clauses or the marketing departments or the Executive boxes. It's the noise , the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city" - Sir Bobby Robson
The launch of Newcastle United Supporters Trust is a milestone for Newcastle United Supporters but it is set against the backdrop of sadness. Not over the situation at the club but something far more personal - the passing of Sir Bobby Robson.
The city, region and people mourn his passing especially so at this uncertain time in the clubs history. The Trust has at its heart, the principles that defined Sir Bobby, honesty, integrity and above all aspiration.
Sir Bobby was a supporter first and foremost, the Trust is made up of thousands of supporters who recognise that by working together we can achieve great things. Whilst the Trust seeks to strengthen the bonds between club and supporters, and encourage community involvement there is one simple founding principle at the heart of the Trust. We seek supporters representation, not tokenistic, no supporters panels or fans forums, but a seat at the table.
We don't expect to be given this automatically and that is why the ‘raison d'etre' behind the Trust is to buy an ever-increasing stake in the club. Our challenge to future owners of our club is to match that ambition, work with the fans, create a unique bond that will mean that the current situation will, in time, become a bedside story to frighten your children. The time that our club was nearly flattened by a stupid giant.
The Trust is now the fastest growing in the country, it reflects the uniqueness of our spirit, it is emboldened by the passion of its members and above all, it positively embraces change as the natural order of things.
We want change at the club, who wouldn't, but we are part of a ‘new deal for supporters' and a new deal for the club. One does not exist without the other and we are forever entwined because of our love of Newcastle United.
Football Supporters have long been taken for granted but there is a new mood typified by national fans organisation Supporters Direct who act as an advisory group to help fledgling Trusts to attain legal standing, set up a constitution and truly democratise supporters movements. In this day and age, the Trust is a potential bridge between the supporters and the club. It can provide stability in an uncertain world, it can provide trusted communication between the parties and square the circle.
We can all agree that every company or business will at some stage need to communicate with its customers/supporters The Trust is that avenue. It becomes a critical friend that makes good business sense for any potential owner, it can represent the views and frustrations, ideas and innovations of supporters.
Newcastle United Supporters Trust is the largest Trust in the region. We hope that other clubs supporters look at this, say, yes we can do that, and take the plunge. We are walking now after crawling from our formation as a perceived protest group-Newcastle United Supporters Club.
We want to walk with the club on an exciting journey that will take NUFC back to a time when it was fun to go to the match. Many people equate success with that feeling of fun but it is much wider than that, it is a feeling of togetherness, solidarity and all pulling in the same direction.
