FC United of Manchester recently held their AGM. It's a club where supporter ownership seems to be working.
Exactly a third of the club’s 1,845 adult members took the opportunity to vote on a variety of issues, including electing four new volunteer Board members, maintaining the club’s ‘pay what you can afford’ season ticket scheme for the 15th consecutive year, and choosing the men and women’s teams’ kit designs for next season.
Members also voted to introduce an innovative new pricing policy that will reduce tickets for 18- to 21-year-olds to just £5 next season. Adult tickets are currently £13, concessions £9, and people under-18 pay just £3.
Community
Our democratic, community-focused football club has operated as a
‘one-member, one vote’ co-operative since it was formed in 2005. Online
voting was available at this year’s AGM for the first ever time and has
helped increase turnout with more than 600 members using the facility.
Passionate
Newly elected Chair of the Board, Nick Boom said: “The turnout is very
encouraging and demonstrates that, 18-years on, our members are still
just as passionate and committed to owning their own football club as
they were in 2005.
“Whilst the modern game is damaged by corporate greed, dubious owners, and breaches of financial fair play, we remain committed to our founding principles of providing affordable football whilst being an asset to our local community.
“We believe the supporter-ownership model of clubs represents the most inclusive, viable, and sustainable future for football in the UK and around the world. We always welcome new supporters and we’re keen to work with organisations that share our vision.”