TRUSTS are the new vogue in football.

Supporters Direct - a Government backed organisation which devised the initiative - has helped set up 38 of the 42 in operation at various levels across the country.

Supporters' Trusts need to be democratic in structure and the way they run their affairs.

They need to be open to all fans to join at an affordable cost.

They need to be broadly representative of all supporters, or seeking to be.

The first stage of forming a Trust begins with a public meeting to launch the idea. Monday's meeting is that first stage.

At that meeting, it is hoped there will be sufficient interest to establish a mandate to proceed further.

Questions will be answered and potential benefits of a Trust will be outlined.

A working party will also be formed to take the initiative on to the next stage.

The working party will formulate the proposals, examine the possibilities and make recommendations for the next step.

It may decide the fans' interest and commitment is sufficient for any Supporters' Trust to launch its take-over bid entirely independently.

However, it may also recommend seeking out investment from companies and outside bodies to launch a joint bid.

The third and final stage will see a launch meeting of the Trust, where the working party proposals are examined and questioned.

It will be followed by an AGM and elections.

Once up and running Supporters Direct can help with legal advice on drawing up a constitution, banking and grants to cover set-up costs.

When the sale announcement was made on Thursday, December 20, a deadline was imposed on interested parties to make contact with the club.

Any individual or group with a serious interest in taking over the club have to contact the club by noon, Thursday, January 17.

It is believed a deadline was set so City know exactly who they will be talking to from the outset to avoid a scenario of holding protracted talks and then finding another group were interested.