As we approach the end of the Trust's ownership, I thought it would be interesting to see how the other clubs in the National League have fared during our time under Trust ownership.
Believe it or not, out of the 24 clubs in the division since the trust took over (2011/12), we're the only one who hasn't been promoted and/or relegated since.
- One is in the Championship (Luton).
- Three are in League One (Newport, Lincoln, Fleetwood).
- Five are in League Two (Mansfield, Cambridge, Forest Green, Grimsby, Barrow).
- One is in the National League (Stockport) but spent six seasons in the National League North.
- Eleven are in the National League North/South (Kidderminster, Telford, Southport, Ebbsfleet, Gateshead, Darlington, Alfreton, York City, Bath City, Braintree, Kettering).
- Two are in the Southern Football League (Tamworth, Hayes and Yeading).
Of the nine who have been promoted, at least four have had very significant cash injections (Newport, Fleetwood, Forest Green, Barrow). Cambridge sold their stadium for £3.5m. Two other clubs had smaller cash injections (Lincoln, Mansfield).
The standout, for me, is Luton Town. True, they had the advantage of large attendances and a strong heritage in the higher divisions. But they won promotion as a part-community-owned club, and generally did things the right way. Sadly, they're the exception, not the rule. There are VERY few of these clubs who have been successful on the pitch and off it – which proves what a difficult job we had to get out of this league.