The document summarizes a presentation given by Graham Privett from the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative on how they got various Stockport County supporters groups to work together more effectively. There were initially several fragmented supporters groups that did not collaborate well. The Co-operative took the lead in facilitating regular meetings between the groups to discuss collaborating on events, avoiding clashes, and generally working in partnership with each other and the club. Through respecting each groups' roles, focusing on collaborative projects, and being patient, the Co-operative helped the supporters alliance make progress on several joint initiatives. However, challenges remain in maintaining cooperation between all the groups.

1. Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative
Friday 15th July 2011 (15:15 - 16:15) Queen Hotel, Chester
Working with other Fan Groups (15 minute presentation required)
Trains from Piccadilly 12:50 (a 13:53); 13:17 (a 14:45); 13:50 (a14:53)
The session will take a look at the role of Supporters Trusts and how they can work effectively with
other Supporters Groups on a local level. It will include case studies from different approaches from
Trusts that have been successful in developing strong working relationships with other groups or
working towards their aims.
The session will be about different fans groups at a club coming together to improve the situation for
all fans at a particular club and putting aside former disputes or rivalries and uniting the fan base.
 Jacqui Forster chairing
 2 x 15 minute presentations (Chester & Stockport) followed by 30 minute forum / Q&A
Presentation
Introduction (1 min)
 Hello. My name is Graham Privett & I’m addicted to Supporters Trusts.
 Seriously, I’m from the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative.
 I’m approaching the end of my 2nd year on the Board, which I currently Chair.
 I helped to set up the Stockport County Supporters Trust in 2001 & have been fairly active behind the
scenes ever since.
 Apparently, I’m here to explain how we recently succeeded in getting County supporters working together,
in the hope that this informs your forum shortly.
Brief History Lesson (1 min)
 Stockport County entered Administration June 2009, which effectively ended the relationship between fans
& the Club, which was now being run by the Administrator.
 The Supporters Trust were widely blamed for the Club’s demise, but I’m not here to talk about that.
 However, it was interesting to note (distressing) that the Trust was so undermined, that it could no longer
effectively represent supporters, & it was left to others to hold the Administrator, Council etc. to account,
which they did - largely.
 A new Supporters Trust Board was formed in November 2009, with just 5 members, all new members
were elected uncontested.
 We agreed our mission, beliefs & priorities (mostly sorting out legacy issues; finance; RDF; disgruntled
members etc.), but also recognised that we needed to get supporters working effectively together & with
the new owners when they emerged.
 Let me quickly tell you about the array of Stockport County supporters groups, most of whom now work

2. together. I must emphasise that it is very early days though.
The Various Supporters Groups (3 mins)
 Supporters Club - formed by the Club in the wake of wanting nothing further to do with the Hatters
Independent Supporters Club (HISC) after they set up a Supporters Trust - one of the most entertaining
periods in the Club’s history (off the pitch). Focus is on facilitating fan’s forums & having a supporters bar
on match day. Non-political.
 HISC - formed mid-90s in the wake if the Club presenting a fund-raising target to the Supporters Club
(which was immediately disbanded). Focus is on arranging player-attended events away from EP. Not
currently represented, but still copied in on actions / minutes etc.
 Help the Hatters - formed 3 years ago by small group of activists. Typically college-aged members, but
key roles undertaken by grown-ups. Focus is raising money required to maintain training facility &
spending it. Raise in region of £25k a year. Car boots etc. Non political (so they claim).
 Disabled Supporters Club - away travel & County-related social events. Provide advice to other groups.
I’m really pleased to say that they are represented by a blind supporter. Local radio coverage of County
games was a big issue, & is to continue. Also provided advice re venue for Charity Cricket Match.
 Peels of Wheels & Fingerpost - pure away travel, typically by coach. Non political. Choose not to attend.
 County Juniors - away travel, mascot exchanges, family lounge on match days, face painting, tuck shop
& monthly social events attended by players.
 Stockport County Supporters Co-operative - striving to get supporters & Club working in partnership,
acquire a community stake in the Club, get the Club to appoint a supporter-Director, social goals
programme & ensuring plans are in place for a phoenix club should Stockport County be liquidated.
How Did We End Up Taking The Lead? (2 mins)
 So, given our pariah status, how did we get these groups working together?
 Whilst the Club was in Administration, we ensured that we kept details of key group representatives up to
date, inc. what the purpose of each group was.
 This was used to try & present a professional front to the Administrator in the event that any potential
bidder was minded to engage directly with key supporter representatives - this never happened though.
 When a consortium called 2015 took over, we quickly ensured that this information was provided to them,
together with evidence of the successes of the past via regular liaison meetings with a Club
representative.
 When the Club came out of Administration, it appointed a Supporter Liaison Officer & liaison meetings
were re-instigated. The SLO was well known to all of us, so this went reasonably well, albeit slightly
ineffective.
 The SLO was dismissed by the Club, for unknown reasons (not supporter related?) & replaced by another,
with an entirely different agenda. The SLO took over the meetings, set the agenda & “explained” why
there should only be one supporters’ group, even going as far as inferring that the Club would only deal
with one group going forward & on its own terms.
 There was no appetite from any group to merge with others, people didn’t like the way they were being
spoken to & meetings deteriorated into talking shops where nothing was achieved. Reps stopped coming.
 The Club even had the audacity to cancel one of our meetings at short notice, leaving me boozing on an
evening in Stockport when I had better things to do!

3.  Then, this latest SLO fell out with the Club & left the role - perhaps the Club listened to us?
 Are you all keeping up?
 Well good, I’m about to get to the point.
How Did We Get Supporters Groups Working Together Again? (2 mins)
 At this point, the Supporters’ Co-op took the bull by the horns &, after speaking with all of the key players,
proceeded to facilitate meetings going forward.
 The first thing we did was to agree what the meetings were for, namely “to facilitate supporters working
together, in partnership with the Club, to benefit the Club”.
 We also agreed to a collective name - the Supporters Alliance - & started to publish progress reports. We
even have our own logo.
 We now have an excellent SLO, who not only accepts the various supporters groups for what they are, but
who also plays an active part in the doing.
 In addition, the Club send a Director or the CEO along if there are key messages, or at our request.
 It’s important to remember that these are supporters’ meetings, not Club meetings - they are our guest.
 The agenda is largely fixed & ensures that all groups get equal air-time.
 The focus is on; ensuring groups events to not duplicate / clash; taking opportunities to work together -
particularly where there is common ground - e.g. Juniors; collaborating on big projects.
 By respecting the traditional territory of each group (even if we think we could do a better job), e.g.
wouldn’t dream of doing a calendar as the Supporters Club have been doing for years.
Lessons Learned (1 min)
 Some got confused - who the hell are the Supporters’ Alliance - we needed to continually spell out the
reason - “to facilitate supporters working together, in partnership with the Club, to benefit the Club”.
 Also need to spell out to the wider population what isn’t going on, i.e. secret meetings involving the Club or
some sort of opportunity to find things out that no-one else knows.
 Stick to agenda (90 mins max) - people can always chat afterwards.
 People prefer doing to meeting & increase understanding in the process.
 Celebrate success.
What Worked (2 mins)
 Lots of relationship management / influencing & badgering outside of meetings.
 Feeding people at meets - most come straight from day jobs.
 Meetings every 2 or 3 weeks with structured agenda - but not too formal.
 Focussed on ambitious events / initiatives that required collaboration to deliver.
 Patience.

4.  Thinking long term - seeing the bigger picture.
 Taking care never to judge - biting lip - everyone has other pressures in their life.
 Empowering supporters.
 Pushing - some people have surprised me (& themselves?).
 Focussing on things have power / influence to achieve.
Successes (1 min)
 Re-launching the Juniors
 Charity Cricket Match last Sunday
 Away Travel Guide - this was all Co-op really, but it will be published under the Alliance banner & also
showcase the various groups
 Edgeley Park Echo - 40,000 newspapers being delivered across the Borough during week prior to the
start of the season
 Club endorsed Volunteering Scheme - although this seems to have stalled & is next on my list
Current status (1 min)
 Creaking at the seams a little in wake of Cricket Match? - exposed how ineffective / non-existent some
groups are?
 Co-op will be ready to move on - brand new Board November - need maximum credibility given current
reality - ironic really
Benefits to Supporters’ Co-op (1 min)
 Great way to engage with the wider population of the fan-base, which is vital
 Has played part in starting to restore the Supporters’ Co-op’s credibility - we haven’t given up yet
 Provided the opportunity to spread the word about what the Co-op is about (& what it isn’t about) - stick to
principles
 May spot prospective new Board members
 Opportunity to challenge other groups to do more
That’s all from me. Thank you for listening.
After Session Ends
 16:45 - Closing Plenary
 18:00 SD AGM (if allowed entry)
 18:49; 19:07; 19:50 train back