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FC United backs Supporters Direct statement on fan ownership

FC United has added its backing to a Supporters Direct statement from all cooperatively-owned/controlled football clubs across the UK and Europe highlighting the importance of supporter ownership to the future of football.

Supporters Direct drafted the statement to celebrate the official launch of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives. The year runs throughout 2012 and will highlight the important work that cooperatives do around the world.

The statement, which can be viewed on the Supporters Direct website, http://www.supporters-direct.org/news/item.asp?n=14393&cat=sd_eng has been circulated to all supporter-owned clubs across Europe - including FC Barcelona and a number of German Bundesliga clubs. It reiterates the importance of the supporters trust movement to the game and reminds everyone that supporter ownership is as strong as ever.

FC United general manager Andy Walsh said: "FC United is proud to be linking up with other fan-owned co-operative clubs to highlight the important role supporters can have in shaping a better future for football. Greater Manchester is recognised worldwide as one of the historic birthplaces of the co-operative movement and home to the Rochdale Pioneers.

"Our club asserts similar principles to the Rochdale Pioneers. We were established as a result of the exploitation of football fans. In a year that is celebrating the benefits of the co-operative approach, we thought that it would be a great idea to highlight the important role that fan ownership can play in football, so we approached Supporters Direct with a suggestion of how we might celebrate and promote it.

"We are proud to sign this statement of intent and to be part of a growing movement that is demonstrating a democratic, cooperative alternative to the way football is currently owned and run."



First Posted ~ 13:53 Thu 12 Jan 2012
News ID ~ 3988
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021