Supporters Direct Press Release
Stockport County's victory in the League Two play-off on Bank Holiday Monday made them the fourth fan-owned club celebrating promotion by the end of season play-offs.
In addition to County, Exeter City won promotion from to the Football League from the Conference. AFC Wimbledon won the Ryman Premier Division play-off to go into Blue Square South, whilst FC United of Manchester will play in the Unibond Premier Division next year following their First Division North success.
Commenting on the clubs' successes, SD Chief Executive Dave Boyle said:
"It's fantastic to see well-run clubs achieving on the field as well as off it. They have all built their success on sustainable finances and it's important that clubs getting the sums right off the pitch get success on it."
"There's another way to getting ahead in football than having a debt-funded spending spree which might not get any success at all, but will leave a headache for the club in the future.
"With 40 out of 72 Football League clubs having been insolvent in the last 15 years, supporters' trust involvement is an important way to get some common sense and longer-term thinking into the game.