Posted on 8th September 2025
Aylesbury United trust in trade mark dispute with club owner
Aylesbury United’s supporters’ trust, 21st Century Ducks (21CD), are in a dispute over the ownership of the club’s badge, which has been registered as a trade mark in the personal name of club chairman Graham Read, rather than being held by the club itself.
In a statement they claim the club’s chairman registered the trade mark without consultation with the club’s board or the supporters’ trust, who own 39% of the club’s shares. 21CD are an FSA-affiliate member group.
21CD say that they will no longer be able to sell any club merchandise as Read required “extensive monthly reporting to him'” and payment of a surcharge to the club on any items sold.
“This outcome is particularly regrettable given that all proceeds from Supporters’ Trust merchandise sales have historically been reinvested into supporting the football club including contributions toward matchday costs, fundraising efforts, and wider community initiatives,” said 21CD.
Graham Read told the FSA that he has not stopped the trust selling merchandise and that the 20% surcharge for items using the trade mark would go directly to the club and not to himself.
The trust say: “This raises important questions about how the emblem should be held to best protect the club’s long-term interests. 21CD firmly believe this registration should have been made in the club’s name, Aylesbury United FC Ltd, to safeguard the emblem as a community asset.
“This is vital to: ensure transparency and accountability in its use; prevent future commercial or legal restrictions on supporters, volunteers, or the trust; and preserve the identity of Aylesbury United for current and future fans.”
The trust have tried over the past few months to get Read to transfer the trade mark into the club’s name, but he has not agreed to do so.
The club currently play in the Southern League Division One Central, and have been ground-sharing at a number of clubs since they were evicted from their Buckingham Road stadium in Aylesbury in 2006.
