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Supporters trusts have been formed at two clubs in the last week: Southampton, a relegated club where many fans are angry with club chairman Rupert Lowe and Charlton Athletic where fans have had a supporters' director on the board and a generally good relationship with well regarded chairman Richard Murray. The express aim of the Southampton trust, set up at a meeting of Southampton Independent Supporters Association, is to oust Lowe. Trust supporters estimate that fans already own 20 per of the club with Rupert Lowe believed to have a stake of only 6.3 per cent. If the trust can secure 9 per cent of the votes they can force an extraordinary general meeting and a vote of confidence in Lowe which he would no doubt survive. However, fans would like to question him about financial matters including the failure to re-invest incoming transfer fees. Quite what is going at Charlton is less clear, given that the Addicks finished a respectable 11th in the Premiership and have the reputation of being a well run club. Some reports link the formation of the trust to recent disputes over the relocation of a party forming part of the club's centenary celebrations to the club's main car park. The originators of the trust appear to be concerned about what might happen when Richard Murray steps down and the prospect of a takeover by a Glazer type figure, although that seems to be an unlikely scenario.
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