Fan zone named after pioneering supporter opens

Brian Lomax is remembered as a pioneer of the supporters' trust movement

A League One football club has officially opened its new fan zone, named in honour of a pioneering supporter credited with inspiring the football supporters' trust movement.

Northampton Town opened the Brian Lomax Fan Zone at Sixfields Stadium ahead of Saturday's fixture with Cardiff City.

Mr Lomax, who died in 2015, founded the Northampton Town Supporters' Trust in 1992 - the first organisation of its kind.

His wife Catherine unveiled a plaque in his memory and recognition of his work.

Mr Lomax's wife Catherine attended the official opening of the new fan zone at Sixfields

The zone provides a new covered area outside the existing home supporters' bar that includes new furniture, an outside bar, lighting and a DJ booth.

The project was created in partnership between the club and its fan advisory board.

Tom Cliffe, the chairman of the advisory board, said: "The area is a wonderful tribute to Brian and his pioneering work to ensure that supporters are properly represented in the running of their football clubs, something we hold very dear here at Northampton Town."

The new fan zone is a covered area adjoined to the existing home supporters' bar at Sixfields

Who was Brian Lomax?

After founding the Northampton Town Supporters' Trust, Mr Lomax went on to help found Supporters Direct - an umbrella organisation that represented other trusts run by fans.

Mr Lomax was the first managing director of Supporters Direct and stepped down as its chairman in 2009. He was awarded an OBE for his work.

He also served as a Liberal Democrat councillor on Daventry District Council.

In 2018, Supporters Direct merged with the Football Supporters' Federation, prompting the creation of what is now known as the Football Supporters' Association.