Supporters Direct are the umbrella organisation of all trusts, and they provide support, assistance and services to support those trusts. They also represent the views of trusts and their members across the wider game. TUST are a member of Supporters Direct.

Supporters Direct are funded by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund – the partner organisation of the Football Foundation – and in Scotland by the Scottish Government. Their aim is to help people "who wish to play a responsible part in the life of the football club they support."

Supporters Direct exists to: "Promote and support the concept of democratic supporter ownership and representation through mutual, not-for-profit structures, to promote football clubs as civic and community institutions and work to preserve the competitive values of league football in the United Kingdom and promoting the health of the game as a whole."

Supporters trusts have been established at over 140 clubs across Britain and over 120,000 people are members of trusts.

Trusts are now being established in other sporting codes, including rugby union and rugby league.

13 clubs are in full ownership of supporters trusts, including the world's oldest professional club, Notts County. 43 supporters trusts have directors at their clubs. Forty per cent of these are directly elected by the membership of the trust.

UEFA have been studying the model that is being used by trusts in Britain, and there is a possibility that this model will be rolled out across Europe. Supporters Direct and UEFA have appointed a project manager who is specifically detailed to carry out a feasibility study across a select number of countries in Europe.