In the football industry, the terms Club Community Organisation (CCO) and Club refer to two distinct entities that serve different purposes, although they are often closely linked.

A football club is the core sporting organisation. It manages the professional teams, players, coaching staff, matchday operations, and commercial activities. The Club’s main objective is sporting success, such as winning matches, trophies, and competing at the highest level. It also generates revenue through ticket sales, broadcasting rights, merchandise, and sponsorships.

In contrast, a CCO (Club Community Organisation) is the charitable or not-for-profit arm of a football club. Its purpose is to use the power of football to deliver social impact within the community. CCOs run programs focused on education, health, inclusion, employability, and youth engagement. While they often carry the branding of the football club and benefit from its popularity, CCOs operate independently, with separate governance, funding, and staff structures.

For example, in England, organisations like the Accrington Stanley Community Trust is a CCO that deliver programs benefiting thousands of people, regardless of whether they support the club.

In summary, while the football club competes on the pitch, the CCO works off the pitch to change lives in the community. Their missions are different but complementary, united by a shared identity and passion for football.

Accrington Stanley Community Trust plays a crucial role in enriching lives across Hyndburn, providing sports, education, and community development initiatives that bring people together (read our Impact Report here). But behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers —our trustees—ensure the Trust remains strong, effective and true to its mission.

What Does a Trustee Do?

A trustee is a key figure in any community organisation. They are responsible for overseeing the charity’s activities, ensuring legal compliance, and safeguarding its long-term success.  At Accrington Stanley Community Trust, trustees act as guardians of our organisation’s vision, helping shape its direction and ensure it delivers real benefits to local people.

Their role isn’t about managing day-to-day operations—that’s the job of our talented staff team who you can meet here. Instead, trustees provide strategic guidance, financial oversight, and governance support. They make sure the charity stays on track, operates transparently, and maximises its impact.

The Benefits a Trustee Brings to the Trust

Trustees bring a wealth of experience, skills, and passion to the organisation, strengthening our ability to serve the community effectively.  Their contributions benefit the Trust in several key ways:

1. Strategic Vision

Trustees help shape the Trust’s long-term strategy, ensuring it aligns with the needs of local people. They set priorities, assess opportunities, and provide leadership that keeps the organisation focused and forward-thinking. This ensures projects and initiatives are meaningful and sustainable.

2. Financial Stewardship

Managing finances is essential for any charity, and trustees play a vital role in keeping things in check. They oversee budgets, funding applications, and resource allocation, ensuring that every pound spent delivers maximum benefit to the community. Their input helps the Trust remain financially secure and able to grow.

3. Accountability and Transparency

As a registered charity, Accrington Stanley Community Trust has a responsibility to operate transparently and ethically. Trustees ensure that policies and procedures meet legal and regulatory standards. They uphold good governance practices, ensuring the Trust remains accountable to its supporters, funders, and the wider community.

4. Advocacy and Promotion

Trustees play a significant role in championing the work of the Trust. They help spread the message about its positive impact, advocating for community needs, and raising awareness of the life-changing opportunities the Trust provides. Their support helps attract new participants, funding and engagement.

Why Trustees Matter

Accrington Stanley Community Trust wouldn’t be the same without its trustees. They work behind the scenes to ensure the charity is well-run, well-resourced, and well-positioned to support people across Hyndburn. By offering their time and expertise, trustees make a lasting difference, ensuring the Trust remains an inspiring force for positive change.  So why not meet our trustees here or if you would like to speak to them about our community impact, this can be arranged through the Trust’s CEO Martin Fearon.

Accrington Stanley Community Trust (ASCT) has been making a significant impact in East Lancashire, supporting local communities through sport, education, and health initiatives since 2007.  While many know about our football-related activities and links to Accrington Stanley Football Club, the charity’s broader contributions often go unnoticed. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about ASCT.

1. We’ve Helped Thousands Improve Their Fitness and Wellbeing

ASCT isn’t just about football—it’s about overall community wellbeing. Through initiatives like walking football, our Champions Programme, and disability-inclusive programmes, the Trust has encouraged thousands of people to lead healthier, more active lifestyles. Our health-focused projects aim to reduce social isolation, boost mental health, and promote physical activity across all age groups.

2. Our Work Extends Beyond Sports

While the Accrington Stanley name is synonymous with football, ASCT operates several educational and employment programmes that help people beyond the pitch. We provide accredited qualifications in sports coaching and business, helping young people gain skills that lead to meaningful careers. Our partnership with local schools ensures that students have access to tailored learning experiences that enrich their academic journeys.

3. We  Were Visited By The Prime Minister in 2024

​In January 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Accrington Stanley Community Trust to attend a PM Connect event, engaging with local business leaders and community members. Overall, the Prime Minister’s visit highlighted ongoing governmental support for Accrington’s growth and the enhancement of local infrastructure and community services.​

4. We’ve Invested Over £4 Million in Local Facilities

To provide long-term benefits to the community, ASCT has been actively investing in infrastructure. We’ve raised and reinvested over £4 million into local sports and education facilities, ensuring that residents have access to high-quality venues for recreation and learning.  Our state-of-the-art Sports Hub has become a focal point for community engagement, offering everything from grassroots football training to exercise classes.

5. Our Impact Goes Beyond Hyndburn

Although ASCT is based in Accrington, our reach extends beyond the borough. The Trust works closely with neighbouring areas to support community-led initiatives, expanding its impact across East Lancashire. Whether it’s delivering mental health workshops or organising youth development schemes, ASCT is helping communities beyond its immediate borders.

Accrington Stanley Community Trust is more than just an organisation with football roots —it’s a pillar of community development. From education to wellbeing and infrastructure investment, our work has transformed countless lives. If you haven’t explored our initiatives, now might be the perfect time to see how we could benefit you!

As the official charity of Accrington Stanley Football Club, ASCT has spent nearly two decades transforming lives across Hyndburn and the surrounding areas through sport, education, health, and social inclusion.

The journey of the Trust began in 2007 under the name “Football in the Community,” an initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the club and its local fanbase. By 2010, the organisation had grown into an independent registered charity with a clear mission: to use the power of sport to improve the lives of those in Hyndburn through involvement in community programmes and initiatives

Over the years, ASCT has expanded its reach significantly, becoming a central figure in community development across Hyndburn.

Today, ASCT delivers a wide range of programs across four key areas:

• Sports Participation: From holiday football camps and grassroots coaching to walking football and disability sports, the Trust provides inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get active.
• Education: In 2023 alone, 89 students enrolled in the Trust’s educational programs. These include college and university-level courses that combine academic study with football training, giving young people a unique pathway into sport, fitness, or further education.
• Health & Wellbeing: ASCT promotes physical and mental health through a variety of initiatives — including mental health awareness campaigns, and activities designed for the elderly or those facing social isolation.
• Social Inclusion: The Trust works tirelessly to ensure no one is left behind, offering support and engagement to underrepresented and vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, seniors, and at-risk youth.

In 2024, ASCT reached over 21,000 individuals, ran 37 community projects, and even distributed 1,239 Accrington Stanley shirts to local schoolchildren as part of its youth engagement efforts.

In 2020, ASCT opened the doors to the Stanley Sports Hub, a £4 million state-of-the-art facility located on Thorneyholme Road. The Hub is equipped with a floodlit 3G pitch, classrooms, meeting spaces, and community areas — becoming a bustling centre for both sport and learning.

In 2024, the Trust was received a grant from Skybet to further develop the Hub with a 3G cage. This funding will enhance grassroots sports offerings and allow even more community organizations to benefit from the facility.

ASCT is governed by a diverse Volunteer Board of Trustees, chaired by local leader Purves Ali. Their collective expertise ensures the Trust remains aligned with both the community’s evolving needs and the football club’s core values.

Whether it’s helping someone take their first steps onto a football pitch, guiding a teenager into higher education, or supporting a senior through a health program, ASCT is there — embedded in the heart of Accrington, making a real difference.