Articles 
VeneziaUNITED, the newly formed supporters' trust of FC Unione Venezia was officially launched on 30 June; with the evening being declared an overwhelming success. Over 200 fans from a variety of backgrounds made effective use of their democratic rights by approving the trusts manifesto, its constitution, and voting in the members of the first board of directors.
The trust aims to set up Italy's first community club, FC Unione Venezia, with its community playing the key role in long-term planning and development of the club.
Franco Vianello Moro, President of the trust, said: "Experience shows that modern football is heading towards a dangerous direction away from the local community. We believe that the active participation of supporters in the capital of their club is a guarantee for a sustainable future for our club. This is what Venice needs. Its social fabric is at risk of disintegration and needs a flag that knows how to represent the history, charm, cultural heritage, social complexity and the uniqueness of its territory. There is no alternative."
The event was supported by the Vice Mayor of Venice, the Councillor of Sport and the President of Coni Venezia, with all three fully behind the aims of the trust and in agreement that a community club is the best way for FC Unione Venezia to be run.
The ambition is to follow the model of English clubs FC United of Manchester and AFC Wimbledon, taking a partnership approach to involve all stakeholders: supporters, local businesses and governments, cultural institutions and everybody who loves the club, in an attempt to ensure a sustainable future for FC Unione Venezia and enhance and protect the social value it brings to its community.
VeneziaUNITED is supported by Supporters Direct and the launch was attended by SD's legal adviser in Italy, Diego Riva, who said: "The path taken by VeneziaUNITED since we first met in mid-May is impressive and looks very promising. We support the goal that football can only survive if fans are involved in the decision-making processes at their clubs and clubs are run more democratically. We wish our friends of VeneziaUNITED all the best for a secure future"
