Who We Are
Join RamsTrust today and have your voice heard by Derby County
Who we are: RamsTrust was founded in October 2002 and is a legally constituted, democratic, not-for-profit organisation committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision-making process at Derby County Football Club.
What we do: We work to widen and deepen supporter representation and influence at Derby County, ensuring the voice of the fans is listened to in the running of their club, and to create a positive and inclusive environment for all its supporters. RamsTrust works with its members, Derby County executives and Board, and other supporters’ groups and governing bodies to support initiatives that benefit the wider community and build the club’s reputation on and off the field.
We regard RamsTrust’s role to be that of “critical friend” of the club. When we believe they are not aligned with the expectations of fans we will respectfully challenge and offer constructive criticism of the approach and decisions of the executive and Board. But we will always seek to understand their point of view and to offer pragmatic alternative solutions that aim to balance conflicting priorities.
Consistent with this we accepted Derby County’s invitation to nominate a RamsTrust representative for membership of its Supporters’ Board, established in 2024. We believe this will strengthen the relationship between club and fans and give supporters real power in connection with critical decisions, such as the sale of Pride Park, moving the club away from its current home, and other important vetoes relating to the club’s culture and traditions.
Central to our core principles is a state of constant readiness to respond should Derby County ever again fall foul of unscrupulous owners or face existential threats to its survival, requiring supporter involvement to protect the club as a community asset. Derby County supporters have seen our club survive such circumstances, but it is our responsibility to do all we can to mitigate the risk of repetition and to show solidarity with supporters of other clubs who have not been as fortunate.
RamsTrust is an affiliate member of the Football Supporters Association (FSA) and we adhere to the principles and governance requirements that all registered trusts are expected to promote. The FSA is the national, democratic, representative body for football supporters in England and Wales and is the leading national advocate for supporter ownership, better fan engagement, cheaper ticket prices, the choice to stand at the match, protecting fan rights, good governance and diversity. RamsTrust’s position is broadly consistent with that of the FSA on these matters and we also support the proposals set out in the Football Governance Bill introduced to Parliament in October 2024. These proposals seek to provide legal backing to effective fan engagement, application of robust tests of suitability of new club owners and officers, fair distribution of broadcast revenues, maintenance of prudent financial management of clubs and protection of key features of the game’s heritage through the establishment of an independent regulator for football.
Meet the RamsTrust board
The RamsTrust board are a team of Rams-mad supporters who volunteer their time to ensure that the voice of the fans is heard in how Derby County Football Club is run.
| Hilary Leam Chair | Jim Coyle Vice-Chair & Community Lead |
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| Angie Kerry Secretary & Communications Team | Steve Kitson Communications Team |
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| Andy Allen Communications Team | David Watts Policy Lead & Communications Team |
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| Tim Gibbs Treasurer | Tom Bestwick Communications Team (Co-opted Board Member) |
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| James Laing Board member | John Banks Board Member |
Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon |
External Director – Stuart Webb
Honorary Life Patron of RamsTrust – Dame Margaret Beckett
Notable achievements
- In June 2024, RamsTrust Chair Hilary Leam was appointed to the new Derby County Supporters’ Board.
- Successfully campaigned to have Pride Park Stadium and the Moor Farm Training Facility listed by the local authority as Assets of Community Value (ACV).
- Contributed to the campaigns and funding for the Clough and Taylor, and Steve Bloomer statues at Pride Park Stadium.
- Independently investigated the ill-fated ‘Three Amigos’ regime that owned Derby County following the infamous £3 purchase in 2003. The owners were eventually forced to sell the club to local ownership in 2006 due in part to protests organised by the trust alongside the Rams Protest Group.
- Regular attendance and contributions towards the Derby County Supporters’ Charter Group meetings, which contribute to the activities and running of the club and keep supporters informed.
- Worked with other fans’ groups, politicians, administrators, FSA and English Football League (EFL) to help save Derby County during the period of administration in 2021-2022.
- Contributed to the fan-led review of Football Governance which is currently in the white paper stage of the legislative process.
You can view the RamsTrust rules and policies here.
RamsTrust is the trading name of Derby County Supporters’ Society Limited, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registration No. 29493R. Registered office: CJH Solicitors, Unit 11, Prime Parkway, Derby DE1 3QB.