Dunstable Town FC are pleased to announce that the Club’s application to become a Community Benefit Society (CBS) has been accepted by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Club becomes the 46th club in the United Kingdom to adopt this model of Community, Fan/Owner governance.
The Club would like to thank Richard Irving from the Football Supporters’ Association who has supported and guided it through the application process and Stuart Fuller and Ralph Burditt the respective Chairmen of Lewes FC & AFC Rushden & Diamonds for their encouragement and advice.
The transition to CBS status will see the Club develop a social enterprise model of working with key partners to improve the mental and physical health of the local population.
CBS allows the Club’s fans to become owners of the Club by buying a single share in the Club. No person is ever allowed to own more than one share and in so doing the Club will remain owned by its fans.
Dunstable Town FC Chairman Andrew Madaras said:
“CBS is the natural progression for the Club as we seek to establish a long-term sustainable future for the Club. Our aim is to provide a high level of quality football for our supporters to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon and during the week to work with community groups, statutory services, and individuals to help improve physical and mental well-being and reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
This re-structure has come about thanks to the devoted attention to detail and sheer hard work of my committee colleagues and our group of volunteers. My thanks also to James Slack and his team at Creasey Park for their support and to my predecessors, Alex Alexandrou and Neil Barker who laid the foundations for this process by keeping the Club alive between 2017 and 2020”
The Football Supporters’ Association Network Manager for Community Owned Clubs, Richard Irving said:
“The Football Supporters’ Association congratulates Dunstable Town on its formation as a community owned club and welcomes the Club to its network of approaching fifty supporter owned clubs nationwide. The fantastic work that our community owned clubs do in their communities cannot be underestimated and the establishment of so many such clubs is testament to the value of the community owned model in football. It’s been a privilege to work with such dedicated individuals as Andrew, Lee, Julian, Matt & their team and we wish the Club every success in this exciting new phase of their history."
For details on purchasing membership visit www.dunstabletownfc.co.uk/membership
For information, please contact Andrew Madaras (chair.dunstabletownfc@gmail.com)