Trust in Luton Press Release
PLEDGE ORGANISERS MEET WITH MINISTER FOR SPORT
Trust In Luton, now a newly established Industrial and Provident Society, today met with Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport.
After finalising the Trust registration last week, representatives from the Trust Working Party met the Minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, along with local MP Margaret Moran, and Brian Lomax, Managing Director of Supporters Direct.
The Trust representatives' main concerns were for the need for football clubs to be owned and run by open, accountable, fit and proper persons, and for clubs to be recognised as important community assets.
Mr Caborn stated that the Department are working with the FA, Football League and Supporters Direct to introduce regulations and discipline with regard to the management of the national sport, and expressed his worry and wish for the problems at Luton Town to come to a speedy resolution so that the club can fulfil its fixtures next season and for years to come, and continue its involvement in community life.
The Minister will be writing to John Gurney, Luton Town's Chief Executive (Designate), this week to express his concern at the current situation, and to advise him that there needs to be better communication between the Club, the fans , and government on a local and national level.
Brian Mugridge, Trust Secretary, said, "I'm pleased that we've secured Mr Caborn's backing; he is fully behind the Trust and its interim committee, as are Supporters Direct, and we hope to continue our dialogue with the Minister."
He added, "As the Football League deadline of July 10th approaches, we on the Interim Committee urge fans to stand firm, and refuse to give money to the Club until all these problems are solved. The Trust's Pledge Scheme is working brilliantly so far, we have well over £200,000 promised in payment for season tickets, commercial sponsorships and other expenditure. This is money that the Club will not be getting from the fans, their biggest single source of income, until matters are resolved."
Pledge forms are available from any one of the eight Luton Borough Libraries or from the Arndale Centre Information Point, or are downloadable from www.trustinluton.com, where there is also an e-mailable form.
The pledges are sent directly to an Independent Scrutineer, who is verifying the amounts promised, and is updating daily the running total on the Trust in Luton website.