History

The Lions Trust was first thought about in March 2002 and about 15 interested fans met in a local pub, and subsequently a number of these people planned to hold a public meeting to gauge the feeling and level of interest amongst Millwall supporters.

This meeting was held in November 2002, and speakers from Supporters Direct, Shareholders United (the Manchester United Trust), Bradford City Supporters Trust, and Hannah Wells and Dave Auckland from the Millwall Supporters Trust addressed 64 fans. A unanimous vote was recorded to set up a working group to establish the Millwall Supporters’ Trust.

The 11 members of the working group, chaired by Bob Asprey, worked together to agree a constitution, with challenging but achievable objectives, and the Trust was formally launched under the name of The Lions Trust on 12 April 2003.

The Lions Trust was formed with the aim of uniting ALL fans with an interest and passion for Millwall FC, to seek to secure better representation and voice for the supporters on the issues that concern us. The Trust is intended to act as a sound and properly constituted platform for all concerned, so they have a vehicle to take the views of the majority to the Club. The greater the membership becomes, the more representative the Trust will be. One Trust member, one vote.

The Trust is open to everyone, would like to include the silent majority, and is unconnected with any previous Millwall supporters’ groups.

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE LIONS TRUST - 12th April, 2003
The official launch of The Lions Trust on Saturday 12th April was a great success. We were informed by Dave Boyle, of Supporters Direct, that we are the 83rd Supporters’ Trust to launch. Speakers at the launch were:

• Bob Asprey
  Acting Chairman of The Lions Trust. Bob got the ball rolling by outlining the objectives of the Trust, and how it will work at Millwall. Whether we are supporters, shareholders, or both, it is OUR club.
  
• Dave Boyle
  representing Supporters Direct, spoke about the Supporters Trust ‘movement’, and how Supporters Trusts are making a genuine impact, in various ways, at many, many football clubs up and down the country. Dave reminded us that we are not alone, Supporters Direct will continue to help us as The Lions Trust develops.
  
• Steve Bullock
  Mayor of Lewisham. Steve talked about how Millwall is an important local amenity, and how The Lions Trust is an excellent vehicle for bringing the supporters, the local community and the Club together. He recognised that many other Supporters’ Trusts have been particularly successful in pulling local people together. Steve offered the ongoing backing of himself and Lewisham Council.
  
• Steven Powell
  The Football Supporters Federation, and Arsenal Supporters Trust, entertained us with an introduction to the Football Supporters Federation and what it does, highlighting some of the current issues on its agenda, such as incessant changing of kick-off times.
  
• Jonathan Hunt
  Southwark Councillor, spoke about his representation of the Livesey Ward, home to many Millwall fans, on Southwark Council. He is particularly pleased to see the walkway to South Bermondsey Station, partly financed by the Council, under construction at last.

Steve Bullock, Jonathan Hunt and Joan Ruddock MP (Member of Parliament for Lewisham – Deptford) all signed up for an annual membership of the Trust.