In British sports, a supporters' trust is a formal, democratic and not-for-profit organisation of fans who attempt to strengthen their influence over the running of their team, often by raising money to buy shares in the club. A supporters trust is usually organised as an Industrial and Provident Society. Most are connected to football teams, but there are trusts for Rugby League and now Rugby Union teams as well.
Several supporters' trusts have outright or majority ownership of their clubs, Chesterfield F.C, Lincoln City F.C and York City F.C among them. Others have representatives on club boards or influential shareholdings. Supporters' trusts are often founded in response to a financial crisis which threatens the future of a team, as was the case at Chesterfield, Lincoln and York. The first trust established was at Northampton Town F.C in January 1992. The largest is The Foxes Trust, which owns a significant stake in Leicester City F.C.
A government-funded body called Supporters Direct advises supporters' trusts and helps cover their legal and running costs.
