Welcome to the Argyle Fans’ Trust

The past year has been an extremely challenging one for everyone connected with Plymouth Argyle. After several months in administration, a rescue package was completed through James Brent’s purchase of the club. Without our incredible staff and players having agreed to repeated wage deferrals and waivers, the club would not exist today.

The Trust played a leading role in galvanising the fans behind the staff and players during the crisis, and in challenging the administrator to turn to Brent as it became increasingly clear that BIL were unable to complete. With the football club now out of administration the focus on the pitch turns to Football League survival, while the Trust looks to determine its own future role and priorities.

The Trust’s election filled the six places available on the Trust Board, and the first Board meeting was held on 19th February. Two issues are of immediate interest to the Board and the membership.

Firstly, James Brent has offered the Fans’ Trust the option to acquire a 20% stakeholding in the club. In principle the Trust Board welcomes this offer, which represents a historic opportunity for supporters to take a stake holding in the club.  The Board is hoping to report on the broad nature of the offer by the end of April, having a formal meeting arranged with James Brent this coming week, and in the meantime is consulting with various groups to get appropriate advice. The Trust membership will be consulted for a final decision on whether to take up the offer, which will need to be made before the end of September.

Secondly, the club has proposed the creation of a formal Supervisory Board, to be known as the Green Army Supervisory Board or GAS Board. Three of the Trust Board attended a stakeholders meeting on Saturday 25th February to find out more about the proposal, and a further meeting was held on March 31st. We expect recommendations for the GAS Board to be presented by Prof Wheeler of Plymouth University at a meeting in the city on April 21st.

Share certificates should now have been delivered to all members. Please let us know if you have not received yours. Many thanks to the volunteers who delivered certificates locally.

Finally, here’s to a successful 2012 for Plymouth Argyle!