From Beacon to Bystander: The Rise and Decline of the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust

[swansnews]

From Beacon to Bystander: The Rise and Decline of the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust

There was a time when Swansea City stood as a beacon of supporter-led governance in British football. A time when the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust wasn’t just a footnote in club affairs—it was a co-owner, a conscience, and a community anchor. Today, that legacy feels distant. The Trust, once hailed as a model for others to follow, now risks being seen as little more than a glorified supporters’ club—tea, biscuits, and a club lanyard thrown in for good measure. This is a story of pride, betraya

jackarmy.net

 

[Darran]

Great article.

 

[KillayJack]

Excellent piece Phil

 

[Witneyjack]

Spot on Phil, I resigned my membership when they reneged on the civil case. I haven't re-joined and don't ever see a time when I would.

 

[Vetchonian]

Great article Phil and points out we had two.lots of sell outs.
YOU were there and know what happened and its a tragedy that the Trust has become what it now is

 

[Longlostjack]

Spot on Phil, I resigned my membership when they reneged on the civil case. I haven't re-joined and don't ever see a time when I would.

Same here. When they reneged on legal action despite having a clear mandate from Trust members and a strong case I couldn’t believe it. I still don’t get it. Shame on them.

 

[J_B]

Same here. When they reneged on legal action despite having a clear mandate from Trust members and a strong case I couldn’t believe it. I still don’t get it. Shame on them.

Same for me. That ended my membership at a stroke.
They were elected to serve the membership and they did the opposite and ignored the members' mandate. A disgusting way to treat people.

 

[CygnusX1]

Same for me. That ended my membership at a stroke.
They were elected to serve the membership and they did the opposite and ignored the members' mandate. A disgusting way to treat people.

Same here.
Good article Phil. Surprised you didn't mention that the Trust went against it's membership, as that was the death nail for the Trust for myself and many others.
Would be interesting to see the membership numbers now.

 

[Casual Gentleman]

I truly believe some on the trust were told / asked to turn their heads away when Jenkins & co sold out.

 

[NeathJack]

Spot on Phil, I resigned my membership when they reneged on the civil case. I haven't re-joined and don't ever see a time when I would.

Same.

 

[jacabertawe]

Same.

Ditto

 

[PSumbler]

I truly believe some on the trust were told / asked to turn their heads away when Jenkins & co sold out.

Who would that be then ?

 

[Paul E]

A good article Phil and critique of the current Trust Board. The real big betrayal was the decision by the Trust Board to drop the legal action, without any reference back to the trust members who gave the Board the mandate to pursue legal action in the first place. We had a number of meetings attended by the legal representative from Goodmans solicitors and we were assured we had a strong case and even secured insurance cover in the event of our case failing in court. The decision by the Board to unilaterally withdraw the case, after large sums of our money had already been spent on legal fees preparing the case, without any reference to the members, was a complete betrayal and kick in the teeth for members. I resigned from the trust in disgust.
Time softens the blow and I have now rejoined the trust, despite it's failings. Unfortunately, the only conduit we have to the Board and the clubs owners, however inadequate at the moment is the supporters trust. We can protest outside the ground, we can complain amongst our friends and fellow fans but this will achieve nothing. If the Trust is to be changed. made more responsive, open and transparent, this can only be achieved by members from within. As the old saying goes, 'better to be pissing inside the tent. than missing outside of it'.

 

[J_B]

A good article Phil and critique of the current Trust Board. The real big betrayal was the decision by the Trust Board to drop the legal action, without any reference back to the trust members who gave the Board the mandate to pursue legal action in the first place. We had a number of meetings attended by the legal representative from Goodmans solicitors and we were assured we had a strong case and even secured insurance cover in the event of our case failing in court. The decision by the Board to unilaterally withdraw the case, after large sums of our money had already been spent on legal fees preparing the case, without any reference to the members, was a complete betrayal and kick in the teeth for members. I resigned from the trust in disgust.
Time softens the blow and I have now rejoined the trust, despite it's failings. Unfortunately, the only conduit we have to the Board and the clubs owners, however inadequate at the moment is the supporters trust. We can protest outside the ground, we can complain amongst our friends and fellow fans but this will achieve nothing. If the Trust is to be changed. made more responsive, open and transparent, this can only be achieved by members from within. As the old saying goes, 'better to be pissing inside the tent. than missing outside of it'.

Time doesn't soften the blow for me.
The Trust took my money, called a vote which was overwhelmingly for legal action and then, as a so-called democratic organisation, ignored the vote.
As far as I'm concerned they took my money fraudulently.
Never again.

 

[waynekerr55]

From Beacon to Bystander: The Rise and Decline of the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust

There was a time when Swansea City stood as a beacon of supporter-led governance in British football. A time when the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust wasn’t just a footnote in club affairs—it was a co-owner, a conscience, and a community anchor. Today, that legacy feels distant. The Trust, once hailed as a model for others to follow, now risks being seen as little more than a glorified supporters’ club—tea, biscuits, and a club lanyard thrown in for good measure. This is a story of pride, betraya

jackarmy.net

'They didn’t settle because it was right. They settled because they were scared. Scared of losing boardroom privileges. Scared of standing up to the club. Scared of delivering on the legacies of those who had gone before them—those who fought, built, and believed in something far bigger than a seat at the table. The Trust was meant to challenge power, not cower before it."

Spot on, Phil.