The Honest Men Trust - Ayr United Community Initiative

What is The Honest Men Trust? The Honest Men Trust is a democratic, mutual, not-for-profit organisation, committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision making processes at Ayr United Football Club, and strengthening the links between the club, the local community and Ayr United supporters, wherever they may be.

So what is The Ayr United Community Initiative? The Ayr United Community Initiative is the ‘trading name’ of The Honest Men Trust. The Trust is registered as an Industrial & Provident Society, therefore technically it is not a Trust, which has a different legal status. The ‘trading name’ was designed to enhance our community aims as well as those of Ayr United and it’s supporters. However to all intent and purposes it is a Supporters Trust.

How many Supporters Trusts are there? In Scotland there are over 20 Supporters Trusts now established. They were set up for a variety of different reasons and have many different aims. Because of the backing and involvement of Supporters Direct in Scotland, this number is ever increasing.

Who are Supporters Direct, and what is their role? Supporters Direct is a Scottish Executive backed and funded scheme aimed at helping supporters and the local community take a more active role in the running of their football club. Supporters Direct has helped fans form Trusts by offering them advice on what form their Trust should take, how to get it off the ground, and how to ensure that as many people get involved as possible, advising fans on what works and what doesn't, giving examples of good ideas from other Trusts. They also assist with the costs involved in setting up Supporters Trusts, such as advertising, printing, and room hire.

What is the difference between The Honest Men Trust and a supporters club? The main difference between a Trust and a Supporters Club are twofold - attitudinal and organisational. Organisationally, The Honest Men Trust is set up as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) which offers the best way forward for fans groups. Its’ legal assets can be owned 'corporately' rather than being vested in individuals; members have limited liability (and so do the elected officers). It's also a democratic, mutual and not-for-profit. Finally, The Honest Men Trust constitution states clearly and boldly that a key aim is the securing of representation and strengthening the links between club and community. As the Trust can own shares or property, it is a vehicle that can ultimately own the football club, or at the very least, own a significant shareholding. This course of action would be in line with our Trust objectives. Contracts can be signed between the club and the Trust for shares received and set the terms of the deal - whereas a Supporters Club is an unincorporated body and is on much shakier ground in that regard. Ultimately The Honest Men Trust can therefore ultimately 'be' a football club, and in some cases in England, this has been achieved. The powers exist to employ staff, contract pensions and manage people within a democratic structure. An IPS can be many things, and there are businesses that are an IPS that are much bigger than fan groups and football clubs, so it covers the growth very well. Finally, the people who get involved in a Trust as members know that their money is protected - it can't be spent on anything other than what the constitution says, so anyone who does can be chased through the Courts and you can get the money back. And, as a legal entity, the trust members are only liable for 1 if anything goes wrong – e.g. the trust being sued. Where the attitudinal side come in is that it's about putting a professional face to the club and saying 'we're not a bunch of moaning fans' rather that we're capable, skilled people with something constructive to offer the club. That doesn't mean that you're unable to criticise or are beholden to the club - as a democratic organisation, the members determine the policy and stance towards the club - but an IPS imposes certain disciplines on a group that we think can only be a good thing - democracy, accountability and transparency - and this can only reinforce the points you make.

Do you have to be a shareholder in Ayr United Football Club to join The Honest Men Trust? No. The beauty of The Honest Men Trust is that you can get the best of both worlds. Fans who have a small number of shares can proxy them to the Trust so they are voted en bloc and make a bigger difference. Any shares given to the Trust for proxy voting, would still belong to their owner. Fans who aren't shareholders can just join, and any shares bought or acquired by the Trust are owned collectively by all its’ members. You bring together the fans with shares and the fans without shares, and pool the power of both groups to everyone's benefit.

What are the aims of The Honest Men Trust? The Honest Men Trust has 4 main objectives:

• Strengthen the bonds between the local community, Ayr United and its’ supporters
• Benefit present and future members of the community by promoting, encouraging and furthering the game of football as a recreational facility, sporting activity and focus for community involvement
• Encourage the Club to take proper account of the interests of its supporters and the community in its decision making
• Encourage the principle of supporter representation on the Board of the Club
Another aim of the Trust is to raise as much money as possible to help achieve these objectives. There are a number of projects being looked at which will further the aims of the trust.

Why is The Honest Men Trust so concerned about links with the local community? It is clear that over the past few decades, as football clubs become more entrenched in the business world that the community roots of a club in some places have been lost. Clubs seems to care more about money, or sponsors, than the fans. You may consider that this has or has not been the case with Ayr United but there is a growing generation of people who do not support their local football club and travel further a field. We believe that Ayr United Football Club should represent the very best of the community, and can act as a symbol of that community for everyone to support. Trusts are about making that really happen. It's usually the fans who care most about these things - they live in the community or used to live there, and they want to see the kids in the town centre on a Saturday wearing the local club shirt rather than that of a club 40 miles away or even further. It is the intention of The Honest Men Trust to involve the local people of Ayr and the wider Ayrshire community in a way that Ayr United Football Club has never done.

What if a shareholding is not an immediate possibility? Things change quickly in football and a Trust covers all the bases. While it would a guaranteed way of ensuring that the views of the Trust’ members influence the decision making process of Ayr United, we aim to work closely with Ayr United Football Club to achieve our mutual goals. However if the opportunity to purchase shares becomes available, as a Trust we will be in place to respond.

How many Trusts have a significant running in their club? At least 5 clubs in Scotland, Aberdeen, Falkirk, Partick Thistle, Morton and Berwick Rangers currently have supporters representation on the board of directors at their clubs. We also now have our Trust Chairman, John Dalton, as a board member at Ayr United.

How much does it cost to join? The cost of membership is £10 per annum. For this, you will have a voice in the decision making process of the Trust, entitling you to a vote on any Trust issue provided you are over 16. As a Trust member you will also be entitled to stand for election to the Trust board. You can download a membership application from the main page index or by clicking below this article.

Can I pay more than the initial joining cost? Absolutely! The more money that is given to the Trust, the more say in Ayr United Football Club and the local community The Honest Men Trust will have. the Trust actively encourages large donations and financial support from both members and corporate bodies.

If someone pays more money than me, do they have more shares? No. Everybody over the age of 16 who joins The Honest Men Trust is entitled to one share and one vote. The only requirement is that the minimum joining fee is paid. One member, one vote.

Must members be over 16 to vote in elections or meetings? Because the Trust is a legal entity (under company law, it's classed as a company, but it's a company that only allows one share per person and is not-for-profit), minors aren't allowed to be full, voting members.

Do I have to be an Ayr United supporter to be a member? Not at all. The aim of The Honest Men Trust is to help all aspects of the local community. It aims to bring community spirit back to the club and the local surrounding areas.

So how can I get involved? By reading this, you have started already! Fill in a membership form, you can download a application form by clicking below this article and send it off to The Honest Men Trust at the address given complete with joining fee and any possible donation, and help get involved in the local community, and the running of Ayr United Football Club.

Click here to download an Application Form to join The Honest Men Trust

Once you have completed the application form, you can hand it in with cash or cheque to the Trust Kiosk or beside the Food Stall under the covered terracing at the Somerset Road End at any home match. If you wish you can also post it to us on the address on the form.