Bees United looking after the future of Brentford FC by looking after its past

Bees United – or Brentford FC Supporters Trust –was established in 2001 to promote and protect the history and heritage of Brentford Football Club. Run by a group of volunteers including Bees United Secretary Don Tanswell, the organisation’s ethos is of a fan-centric, regulated, Community Benefit Society, whose passion is Brentford FC, its fans and the local community.

Bees United is unique as the only fan group in the Premier League with a seat on the main board of its club. Stuart Hatcher is the Chairman of Bees United and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Brentford FC. They also have a ‘special share’ to safeguard its long-term future. The organisation earned these rights by saving the club from financial disaster in 2006 and owned the club between 2006 and 2012, when it stabilised the club and brought in Matthew Benham, initially as a key investor but then ultimately as the current owner of the club. They are proud of their club and its progress to the Premier League and have seats on the Brentford Fan Advisory Board.

“We joined West London Chambers of Commerce recently because we are keen to establish an identity with the wider community,” said Bees United Secretary Don Tanswell.

“We have been made to feel very welcome at the Chamber and that was important to us. We have a lot of keen objectives and visions to let people know we exist.

“Our supporters are extraordinarily loyal, and we have always helped the fans feel that they are closer to running their club. “We’re well known for being a fan-centric club, which is terribly effective and nurturing. We’re also known for being a very strong family club.”

The club has transitioned through a series of phases in its long history since 1889 and Bees United has been there every step of the way since its formation in 2001.

“We have gone through a variety of phases in our development and we have a new Chairman this year,” added Don.

“Bees United are keen to showcase the club’s heritage and are the custodians of the club’s entire collection of memorabilia.

“We are now in the position of bringing it altogether and making it available for fans to see it.”

Telling fans’ stories of their individual and collective memories of Brentford FC is a passion of the organisation and they are painstakingly collating a collection for the whole community to be able to view and enjoy. They are the lawful custodians of the Brentford FC collection of programmes and memorabilia and are building new catalogues for all the items.

“Our explicit objective is to have a digital archive of our memorabilia that’s been in storerooms for years,” said Don.

“We have to tell their stories to encourage people’s interest in the club and the community. One of the people in our team is studying for a PHD in bringing football heritage alive.

“We firmly believe that the history is not just about the old match programmes but also what the women’s team did last week – and everything in between.

“Our Club and our hearts, live in Brentford and by being a member of the West London Chambers of Commerce, we can make more people aware of the heritage of Brentford FC.” The organisation, which has 3,500 members with over 10% based outside the UK, writes a popular monthly newsletter where keen fans can keep up to date on all club-related news. They also run online events for members. They will soon be announcing a new community fund based on 10% of its donation income being available to approved local causes The Bees United Community Fund has been established to support Bees United’s work in celebrating the history and heritage of the club and the local community.

Bees United is hoping to mount a plaque to commemorate the club’s foundation in 1889 and hold a special unveiling ceremony with the Mayor before Christmas. The plaque has been funded by member donations. Find out more about Bees United at www.beesunited.org.uk or email don.tanswell@beesunited.org.uk