The Supporters Direct (SD) Annual Conference and SD Cup will take place in Chester, on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th July 2011.
The Conference will be held at The Queen Hotel on the Friday, followed by a Comedy Night, and the SD Cup will form part of a Fans’ Day held on the Saturday at the Exacta Stadium, Chester FC.
Attractions for the Fans’ Day will include stands, a marquee that will host the speakers for the day, a BBQ and the SD Cup between Chester FC and FC United.
SD’s charity partner for this year’s conference will be the Homeless World Cup. This is a unique social enterprise, aiming to end homelessness around the world. £1 from every ticket sold for the Conference, Comedy Night and SD Cup will be donated to this great cause.
You can take part in the whole two-day event for just £37 at the early-bird rate for members of a Supporters’ Trust or £42 for non-members, or pick and choose the bits you want.
More details here.
Friday’s Conference
Two of SD’s five 2011 working papers – Financing Community Ownership & Supporter Involvement, and Business Advantages of Supporter & Community Ownership – will be launched at the opening plenary and followed by two practical workshops.
The strand will should provide both inspiration to all supporters’ trusts as well as individuals that want to see a transformation of ownership both at their clubs and across the game.
There will also be four other strands, each with either one or two sessions.
The day will finish with SD’s Annual General Meeting.
Admission starts from £15, which includes a meal. If you also pay for the Comedy Night, some food will be provided between the two events.
Friday’s Comedy Night
The Comedy Night will be headlined by Bob Mills, supported by Jeremy O’ Donnell.
It will begin at 8pm and finish at 11pm. It will also take place at The Queen Hotel. Tickets cost just £12.
Saturday’s Fans’ Day, including the SD Cup
Saturday sees the events move outside into the (hopefully) blazing July sun. The SD marquee will be the hub for the day’s events.
The SD Cup is a now-traditional friendly which will be contested between hosts Chester FC and FC United, two of the movement’s leading lights.
Prior to the game, there will be a rally in the marquee, with keynote speeches from David Conn (The Guardian), David Goldblatt (author of The Ball is Round), Andy Walsh (General Manager of FC United), Chris Pilsbury (Chester FC Chairman), and more to be confirmed. There will also be a barbecue on site. The event will be compered by Jeremy O Donnell. Also in the marquee will be various stalls and there should be a licensed bar.
Following the conclusion of the game, the man of the match will be presented in the marquee, bringing the curtain down on the weekend.
You can take part in the whole two-day event for just £37 at the early-bird rate for members of a Supporters’ Trust or £42 for non-members, or pick and choose the bits you want.
More details here.