As I write this, I’m still enjoying the slightly warm fuzzy feeling that accompanies three very rare and well deserved points at Adams Park.  Although I wasn’t able to go to the match, comprehensive text updates kept me abreast of events and it was good to know that the improved performances of late have finally borne fruit.  There was glowing praise for the new chaps too, so let’s hope that we can have a profitable January points-wise.

All this optimism is a far cry from when we last played today’s visitors (incidentally also a midweek match – someone needs a geography lesson).  A dismal performance combined with some ‘interesting’ weather conditions resulted in a miserable evening for the Town supporters.  Dagenham & Redbridge are arguably the surprise package in League 2 this season, currently occupying a play off place (but with only 9 points separating 4^th from 12^th, that’s by no means guaranteed).

As we have seen with other clubs whose recent past has been spent out of the league, Dagenham & Redbridge don’t have a Supporters Trust, and for a club doing so well, the only independent website I found (http://www.fansfocus.net/dagenhamandredbridge/) seems to have run out of steam in recent months (the only updates I found being the results page and the obligatory messageboard).  For that reason, this week I’ve taken a trip through the ether to bring you a brief round up of what some of the Trusts representing other League 2 clubs are up to right now.

In Sept 2008, The Shots Trust published a limited edition book, ‘Aldershot ‘Til I Die’, written by and for fans. The book charts the moments of elation and of despair fans have experienced through a compilation of supporter stories, revealing the funny, the absurd, the peculiar and unbelievable that is part and parcel of following Aldershot. The stories are from supporters both young and old, from eight to 96, who attended a series of workshops to write their story.  600 copies have been donated to local primary and secondary schools - the remaining 900 being sold for £10 each with all proceeds contributing to reading materials for 2 local primary schools.

The Rochdale Supporters Trust has recently agreed to buy another 500 shares on behalf of its members as part of the club’s recent share issue.  The DaleTrust has now purchased 2000 shares under the latest issue, using funds that have been raised through a number of Trust projects, including a Trust Calendar.  The Dale Trust appears to have undergone a bit of a resurgence since of late, with membership numbers now approaching 500 and a number of fundraising events planned.

Following the success of a similar event held in March 2007, The Imps Trust have announced that their match with Darlington on 14th Deb will be a ‘Fans Day’.  The aim of the 'Fans Day' is to get the atmosphere back into Sincil Bank and really make it a fortress for the up and coming year ahead.  The Imps Trust will be working very closely with the Football Club to organise the event.

The Notts County Supporters Trust has announced plans for the third “Magpies Beer Festival”, to be held in Wheeler's (formerly the Meadow Club).  The Festival will run from 29th January to 1st February 2009 and will feature a wide range of great beers, live entertainment and a promise of ‘loads of fun’.

Stockport County Trust have in the last couple of weeks handed over a cheque for £5,000 to the Club to use to pay for building work carried out at the Manor Farm training ground.  The re-development of Manor Farm is key to the development of all County’s football squads, from juniors right the way up to the first team, and this money will go towards funding an extensive refurbishment project carried out by the landlord and charged to the Club!

Finally, the new year has seen a number of Supporters Trust holding their AGMs and associated board elections.  These include the Trusts that represent Brentford, Bradford, Chesterfield and Macclesfield (although I am sure this is not an exhaustive list).  We at GTST wish all new and existing Trust representatives success in their roles during their elected term.

Emma Blackbourn – GTST Board Member

www.gtst.net