Posted on 25th June 2019
The FSA reaffirms our clear and unequivocal opposition to racism and all forms of discrimination.
FSA affiliates to Co-op UK
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
Both our predecessor organisations the Football Supporters’ Federation and Supporters’ Direct were affiliated to Co-operatives UK and it was a straight forward decision for the newly-created Football Supporters’ Association to sign-up too.
Co-operatives UK is the umbrella body that works to develop and promote member-owned organisations and businesses. The network of organisations that Co-ops UK covers contributes £36 Billion to the UK economy.
Co-ops are basically member-owned and member-run organisations just like a supporters club, a trust or a community-owned football club.
Our predecessor organisations: the Football Supporters’ Federation and Supporters’ Direct were both committed to bringing together supporters across football to give football fans a national organisation that can provide a conduit for supporter views with the authorities in our game and with Government.
By coming together into one merged body and pooling the experience, knowledge, and expertise of all our members we believe that we now offer a strengthened representative voice for supporters.
By building on established relationships we have begun to develop new working arrangements within football and much wider. Affiliation to Co-operatives UK allows us to tap into a bigger pool of knowledge and expertise across a range of organisations. It was through working with Co-operatives UK that we helped develop our governance work as well as funding initiatives such as Community shares.
Co-operatives UK provides advice, access to funding, and training to members and we would encourage our affiliates to join Coops UK. If your organisation is democratically constituted and eligible for affiliation to the FSA then you are probably eligible to become a member of Co-ops UK, if you are in doubt just ask.
Those FSA affiliates that are supporter trusts or community-owned clubs can join and access support directly for themselves. If your club is thinking about becoming community owned or you want to set up a supporters’ trust then get in touch with us and we will help you access support from Co-op experts who can advise you on the development of your organisation including access to funding.
If you want more information or just want to talk about what additional benefit there is for your organisation get in touch with our office for an initial chat: [email protected]
This week is the start of Co-ops Fortnight when Coops across the UK showcase their work.
Co-op Fortnight runs from 24th June to July 7th and our members and affiliates are encouraged to get involved and keep an eye out for activities in your area.
Thanks to PA Images for the image used in this article.
