What is the Trust?
The Crystal Palace Supporters' Trust was set up by a group of fans during the 1999-2000 season, when the club was in administration. It aims to provide ways in which the fans can help Crystal Palace Football Club to prosper. The Trust is owned by its members, who elect a Board to run it.
The official name of the Trust is the Crystal Palace Supporters' Society Limited, which is an Industrial and Provident Society. In line with the Government-backed 'Supporters Direct' movement, our organisation is known as the Crystal Palace Supporters' Trust . This form of legal entity is owned by its members in equal shares of a nominal amount and exists for the benefit of the community.
The objects of the Trust are defined in its Rules as:
- to strengthen the bonds between Crystal Palace Football Club and the local community in Croydon and the surrounding area and to represent the interests of the local community in the running of Crystal Palace Football Club;
- to benefit present and future members of the community in Croydon and the surrounding area by promoting, encouraging and furthering the game of football as a recreational facility, sporting activity and focus for community involvement;
- to provide and maintain facilities for the enjoyment of professional football;
- to promote coaching schemes to develop the football skills of young people and to widen interest in football regardless of the sex or ethnic origin of those involved;
- to further the development of the game of football nationally and internationally and the upholding of its rules.
Membership of the Trust is open to all supporters of Crystal Palace Football Club. Unfortunately laws governing Industrial and Provident Societies do not permit us to admit members under the age of 16. When the Trust was set up, the initial annual membership fee was set at £20.
The Trust Board subsequently decided to charge no membership fees for the years to 31 March 2002, to 31 March 2003 and to 31 March 2004. Since then the annual membership fee has been set at £5
In paying their original £20 membership fee, each Trust member purchased a nominal £1 share in the Trust. Under our rules, no member of the Trust may hold more than one share. The £1 shares may not be transferred or withdrawn. If a member ceases to become a member, the share is cancelled and the amount subscribed for the share becomes the property of the Trust. Shares do not carry any right to interest, dividend or bonus. Any profits or surpluses of the Trust will not be distributed in any way amongst the members of the Trust, but will be used either to maintain prudent reserves or on expenditure to achieve the Trust's objects.
The Trust Board
The Trust is run by a Board of directors. Under our rules, the members can elect up to 15 members of the Trust Board. The Board can also co-opt up to six more members on to the Board.
The current elected members of the Board are John Finn, Alan Lewis, Alan Palmer, Lesley Palmer, Mervyn Pierce and Sean Stevenson.
There are also 2 co-opted members, Roland Ellison and Nathan Lambert.
Honorary Vice Presidents
The Trust has three Honorary Vice Presidents, Paul Newman, Richard House and Jim Piddock. They founded the Crystal Palace Supporters’ Trust in 1999 and served as Directors of the Trust up to 2007. In view of this and in recognition of their service to the Board, we invited them to accept roles as Honorary Vice Presidents.
