Cobblers supporters' trust asks fans how it should spend £37k raised during Sixfields crisis

The trust launched a crowdfunding campaign back in October when the Cobblers were facing a winding-up petition from the taxman and it looked unlikely a new owner would swoop in to save the club.

Staff and players had been working unpaid and with £166,000 owed to the HMRC, the League Two side stood on the brink of being liquidated.

The supporters’ trust launched the fund raising bid to “deliver a healthier voice for supporters in any club going forward.”

This may have meant negotiating with a new owner, administrators or the establishment of a phoenix club.

The remarkable effort saw more than £47,000 raised in just over a month.

But with former Oxford chairman kelvin Thomas stepping in to save the club in November, the trust has since said it will re-think how it spends the fund.

Some of the funds raised were immediately used, with a £10,000 loan given as a hardship fund for non-playing staff, which was given shortly before Mr Thomas completed his takeover.

But since then fans have been eager to find out what is happening with the money.

A spokesman for the trust said ideas discussed with the chairman recently include a new fans’ village and money towards a training ground.

But he added: “Having also taken on board the views of trust members and the wider fanbase, we believe it is only right to consider whether any funds should go towards community projects run by the football club and Football In The Community, or to Supporters Direct - or whether the funds should be set aside for future use if such an event happens again.

“The Trust is aware that not all fans will agree as to how the money is spent, as everyone has their own views on what it should be spent on.

“But feedback from fans can help guide the decision-making process for the trust board, and it is guidance that we welcome.”

Fans can either visit the online survey to submit their views by visiting the following link: here

Alternatively fans can email their thoughts to [email protected], along with their name and contact details.

Fans can choose to select more than one option if they wish, and the deadline for submission of views is at 10pm on Sunday, January 31.