MOVES are afoot to give City fans a far bigger say in how the club is run with the establishment of a Supporters' Trust.

The idea simply involves greater input and access from those on the terraces of St George's Lane into the running and direction of the club.

It's about unlocking potential at the club via the support and skills of the fans that week in and week out turn up to follow the club.

It could be manning a turnstile, submitting grant applications or sponsoring a youth player - whatever it is, at the core is the Trust's aim to build bridges between the club and the terraces.

Clubs from as far afield as Celtic to Dover have already embraced the concept and City supporters are set to follow suit beginning with a public meeting on Friday, September 19 (8pm), at the St George's Lane social club.

It is here that the fans will be invited to attend and vote for a Trust to be formed. To add legitimacy as many supporters as possible are urged to attend and lend it their weight.

City's board is fully backing the proposals along with the existing supporters club while manager John Barton and captain Carl Heeley set to give the idea their blessing by being at the meeting.

The initiative has gained ground over the summer months with a working party of supporters and club directors meeting regularly.

Long-time City fans Jeremy Pitt and Andy Bullock have been heavily involved in the project and as Pitt explains it's about putting something back into a club they love.

"Successful non league clubs are the ones that get their fans involved in the club, that get them feeling they have an ownership and obligation to be involved in the club," said Pitt.

"The majority of fans want that. If they didn't the majority wouldn't be supporting them in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

"We love the club, and after years supporting them it's part of our lives and if we can give a little bit back that what it is all about."

If the Trust is successfully implemented it will have four aims - to provide an influential voice for supporters, promote the club within the community, encourage Trust members and wider community to donate their time and skills to the club and finally to help in a fund-raising capacity.

And as Pitt says: "Individually we can do a small amount for the club but collectively as a Trust we can do an awful lot more."

Make a date for Friday, September 19, 8pm at the Social Club to hear more.