A supporters’ trust designed to give Nottingham Forest fans a greater voice is said to be ‘days’ away from finally becoming official.
The Trust, established in April, has faced delays on obtaining registered status to allow it to legally become a community benefit society.
This means it is officially an organisation where profits are not distributed among members or shareholders but returned to the community.
But representatives said on Wednesday checks by the Financial Conduct Authority are almost complete and the process is now ‘days’ from completion.
A statement from the Trust said: “As a group, we are conscious that, before we can fully realise our ultimate desired role as the established and legitimate voice of the fans, this essential preparatory work has to be given priority.”
The group also explained their focus remains on taking applications for membership as soon as registration is confirmed, followed by board elections at the end of the season.
Trust founders said they were aware of “frustration” among some fans at the delay in official registration – which comes as a hold-up on a planned sale of the club to a Greek consortium rumbles on.
Richard Antcliff, a founding member of the Trust, told Notts TV News: “We are confident full registration will be confirmed in a matter of days rather than weeks.”
Mr Antcliff explained the process involved was necessary to allow the group to speak with authority and act as a conduit between the club and supporters.
He added: “This will allow us to begin the process of democratically electing board members as we work towards our aim of helping to make the club sustainable for years to come.”
Several football clubs have set up supporters’ trusts over the last ten years, with Leicester City’s Foxes Trust among the most prominent and influential.
