02 April - Annual General Meeting news

The Devils Trust held its first AGM at Southgate West Community Centre on Thursday 29 March.

The trust named its first board, with Mark Ogbourne, who had been interim chairman, becoming the first chairman and Colin Lowes chosen as vice-chairman.

Interim treasurer David Morley is the trust treasurer, with the other three members of the six-strong committee being Phil Agius, John Hooper and Jeff Thaddeus.

The Devils Trust board with trust member Laura Moffatt MP. Left to Right: Phil Agius, Jeff Thaddeus, Mark Ogbourne, Laura Moffatt MP, Colin Lowes, David Morley, John Hooper.

The meeting, held a year after ten Crawley Town fans first met to discuss the possible formation of a supporters trust for the Red Devils, was well attended, with Crawley MP Laura Moffatt among the trust members at the AGM.

In his interim chairman's report Mark Ogbourne said: “It's been a turbulent year and the interim Trust board have never wavered from the belief that under the current regime the football club is in unsafe hands. Maybe the regime is capable of changing and the Trust has given them every opportunity to show that it has. They have however, unfortunately, failed to deliver on a number of key pledges made directly to the Trust.

“It is not thanks to the Majeeds that the club still operates. It is thanks to those creditors who have shown patience beyond what any reasonable person should be asked to do. The other major contributor is the fans. For this will always be the fans' club and no one can ever take that away.

“Despite what you may read or hear the Trust is supporting the football club as best as it can at this time. It is us, as supporters, who make football clubs special, that give it the feeling of community and that will continue to support it no matter what is thrown at it now or in the future.”

A full copy of his report is available to read here.

Mark reported that the trust had made donations to a number of worthy causes but was reserving the majority of its funds for future use given the unsettled outlook at the football club.

Trust committee member and press officer Phil Agius said: “It was great to see such a healthy turnout at the meeting. It is clear that there are enough people who want the trust and the football club to thrive and survive to make both a long-term success.

“The board would like to thank the many dedicated people whose hard work and contributions have helped us get this far. We are proud of what we have achieved to this point, both in getting the trust off the ground and in events like the fantastic trust launch day in October.

“We will be actively looking to increase the membership this year in order to provide a strong voice for all fans of Crawley Town to everyone's benefit.”