FAQs
What is The Lions Trust?
The Lions Trust is the Supporters Trust formed by Millwall fans, with the prime objective of improving the communication between the Club and the fans, to ensure that the views of the supporters are taken into account. ‘The Lions Trust’ is the trading name of Millwall Supporters’ Society Limited, registration number 29562
What is a Supporters’ Trust?
A democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves. Registration as an Industrial and Provident Society ensures that the organisation has a proper constitution, and set rules govern the way it operates. Copies of our constitution are available on request.
When did The Lions Trust become active?
The Lions Trust was formally launched on 12th April 2003.
How is The Lions Trust different from MISA and MSC?
The main differences are:
- Our vision is more long-term that the other supporters groups, it’s not about this season.
- We are properly constituted, accountable, and democratic.
- The Lions Trust is run by an elected board.
- We are independent.
- Our members must pay a subscription.
- The Lions Trust is owned by its members.
- We OWN part of the Club.
Was The Lions Trust set up to try to get rid of the current Millwall FC board/ manager/chairman/players?
No. One of The Lions Trust’s objectives is to safeguard the future of the club, no matter who owns it. Chairman, managers and players will come and go but the fans will be there forever, they always have and always will be. That’s why the Trust believes the supporters should be included in the Club’s decision-making. The Lions Trust aims to achieve this in a democratic and responsible way. However, the Board of the Trust are obliged to carry out the wishes of its membership on all issues, from ticket pricing policy through to corporate governance.
Will The Lions Trust organise protests?
We are not a protest group, however if there is an issue which fans and The Lions Trust members feel strongly about, then it has a right to voice this protest. The Trust must carry out the wishes of its members.
At Swansea City, the Trust wanted to remove the owner of the club, and with the aid of a takeover consortium lobbied for his removal. At Wimbledon, the ISA organised protests, while the Dons' Trust concentrated on fund-raising and constitutional issues - a good example of how two supporters groups can work together.
Can The Lions Trust have a representative on the Millwall Board?
This is identified as one of our objectives. As the Club is run currently, the Trust would need to secure a large number of shares and voting rights to achieve this. However, there are already 25 clubs, including Brentford, Charlton, Aberdeen and Northampton, who have supporter representation on the Board. But we have to remember that each club is different and the situation that resulted in their place on the Board is unique to each Club.
A representative would benefit the club by having a properly regulated voice for the supporters. The supporters who will still be here when the Chairman, Manager and players have long gone.
Who would that representative be?
He or she would be elected by the members of The Lions Trust. Members would presumably vote for the person they thought had the most appropriate skills to do the job, rather than the loudest voice.
We took more than 40,000 fans to Wembley. In any large group of supporters, you'll find lawyers, accountants, media people, managers, company directors, councillors and so on, so the people able to do the job are out there already. A Trust representative would be a Millwall supporter obliged to put forward the views of the Trust membership.
Will The Lions Trust raise funds for Millwall?
Unlike many supporters trusts, The Lions Trust is not primarily about fundraising. The Lions Trust will, however, help the Club financially by buying shares, which also benefits the aims of the Trust.
What happens if the club goes into administration again? Will The Lions Trust members lose money?
Not at all. If the Club or the Trust folded, The Lions Trust constitution ensures that the maximum liability for each member is £1 - the price of their original share in the Trust they receive when joining. As a registered Industrial and Provident Society, the Trust members are protected from any personal liability beyond this amount.
Why should I join? I’m not a shareholder.
If you’re a shareholder, it will give you the chance to do something useful with your shares. But you don’t need to be a shareholder – members are just as valuable to the Trust as you allow us to buy shares collectively and the more members we have the stronger we are.
How do I join The Lions Trust?
You can join us in many ways:
Why is the organisation called “The Lions Trust"
Prior to being properly established, The Lions Trust was originally Millwall Supporters’ Trust. However the group setting up the Trust decided to change its name to make it clear that the Trust is independent and to avoid any confusion with Millwall Independent Supporters Association or Millwall Supporters Club. A competition was held to find a new name and “The Lions Trust” was the winner.
What will it cost to join? Is this a one-off payment or an annual subscription?
It’s an annual subscription. Supporters Direct recommend that it should cost no more than the price of a normal match ticket. We want The Lions Trust to be accessible to as many fans as possible and affordable. Therefore we’ve set an annual subscription of £10. We also offer concessionary rates and corporate rates.
What happens to the money?
We aim to invest 50% in shares of Millwall PLC. The remainder contributes to the activities of the Trust as it pursues its objectives. Obviously some of this will be administration – stationery, printing, postage, etc.
Do those that run The Lions Trust get paid?
No. All time given by The Lions Trust board is completely voluntarily. We do it for our love of Millwall and our desire to secure a voice for the supporters in the running of the Club. No individual can make personal profit from a supporters' trust, the IPS constitution regards this as fraud, an offence that carries a prison sentence.
Can children join?
Absolutely, although members must be 16 or over to have a vote. At Chesterfield, their trust has a young fans' section, set up to bring out the next generation of leaders for their club - the people who may be running it in 10-20 years time.
Who runs The Lions Trust? How long do they stay in office?
The Trust is run by a board, and the permanent positions within it are voted for by the Trust membership, in accordance with the IPS regulations. Each board member must retire every two years, although the membership may re-elect them. There is provision within the constitution for board members (and indeed ordinary members) to be removed in certain circumstances.
Are there any decisions that The Lions Trust board can take without the members voting?
Yes. The day to day running of the Trust is the responsibility of the board members voted in. They are constrained by their obligations to follow the Trust objectives, and to adhere to the members’ wishes. On major issues, the Trust should always consult with members.
I am already a Millwall shareholder, what can The Lions Trust do for me?
Unless you already use your voting rights, your shares are having NO impact at the Club. By pooling members’ shares and voting rights we can form a collective voice. If we can secure a significant proportion of the voting rights, that in itself will give us the right to, at least, be heard. Plus, of course, you will have the other benefits all members enjoy.
I am a Millwall shareholder. Can I join The Lions Trust but still keep my shares?
Yes. If you want to. You can keep all or some of your shares. But we will urge you to give us your voting rights, that way you can make a difference and expand the power of the Trust. We will provide the forms required for you to do so. Football shares in general and Millwall shares in particular are very poor performers financially. Turn what may be an emotional stakeholding (a.k.a. a bad investment) into something which can be effective and influential.
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