Secretary of State at SD Conference
Secretary of State and PFA Chief Executive to Address SD Annual Conference in Manchester
Supporters Direct have signed up of the leading figures in sports politics for its main set piece annual conference. The Rt Hon James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Gordon Taylor, the PFA Chief Executive, will be the keynote speakers at the sixth annual conference. Delegates will also hear an address from the leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Sir Richard Leese.
The high-profile event is to be held at the prestigious Manchester Central (formerly ‘G-Mex’) centre and in addition to the main speakers, it will look at governance of the game and the impact of democratic representation and accountability at sports clubs.
Chief Executive of SD, Phil French, said, “Having the Secretary of State and the Chief Executive of the PFA delivering key note addresses to our conference puts the seal on a year of consistent upward progress for Supporters Direct, and the trust movement as a whole: From our new funding deal with the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the development of our partnerships with the football authorities both domestically and internationally it has been a year of much progress. Added to that AFC Telford United’s groundbreaking sports and education partnership; the World’s oldest professional club, Notts County falling into trust ownership; and clubs such as Exeter City winning awards for running a truly community focused club there is much to be proud of. We are looking to the future with great confidence, and in the knowledge that we are, as a movement, in a position of growing strength.”
The breakout sessions at the conference will be as follows:
Community workshops showcasing trust’s successful community projects; changes in company law; reading club accounts; a session on trust directors at football clubs; Training for the following officers: secretaries, treasurers and media officers; what you want from Supporters Direct, as well as two forums, one for those in the non-league game, and another for trusts at bigger clubs.
Journalists are welcome to attend for all or part of the day, and further information can be found on the event by going to www.supporters-direct.org/englandwales/events.htm#UK or by contacting Kevin Rye at Supporters Direct on 020 7273 1595/07852 998542 or kevin.rye@supporters-direct.org