TOWN Survival Trust are to explore ways of expanding their £60,000 cash reserve to help the club in future.

The full membership of 1,153 are to be canvassed on how best to use the money, with cash possibly being released for specific club projects while fundraising continues.

A McAlpine meeting of members last night was told the Trust have donated £68,500 to the club and have £60,266 in the bank.

While various schemes were suggested for potential support, the only decision taken - unanimously by the 48 people present - was that the Trust must look to strengthen itself financially, ensure its existence for years to come and offer appropriate assistance to the club when necessary.

That could be quite soon, as Academy director Gerry Murphy revealed more than £35,000 could be needed to cope with structural changes to the Academy programme next season.

It was also suggested the £45,500 shortfall in Academy funding for this year (up to May) could be covered by the Trust, even though club owner Ken Davy and his board have pledged to pay the deficit.

Mr Murphy explained far more money was being spent on the Academy by the current board than was publicly acknowledged - the Trust have raised over £141,000 since their inception - and he also congratulated manager Peter Jackson for giving youth its chance in the first team this season.

Options offered by the hard-working committee for use of their funds included simply handing it to the club - effectively ending the supporters' organisation - or setting up a Community Trust to help the cash grow through `match funding' from various companies. Use of grants from Landfill Tax was also mooted.

A `Shares Trust' was also suggested, whereby funds would be donated to buy shares in future, although it was indicated there was no immediate plan for a shares issue by Mr Davy and the board, who took control only last year.

"We believe our £60,000 has a key part to play in the future of Huddersfield Town because that's why it was given by supporters in the first place," said Trust chairman Robert Pepper.

"What we want to do is find the best possible way of using the money to secure that future.

"The Trust helped significantly during the crisis and we want to continue to help, but there is a feeling we need more information about specific projects to enable us to make the best decision."

Members were told the Trust have suggested to the club that 10% of all transfer fees involving players produced by the Academy should be ploughed straight back into the junior section, which this season has cost £460,000 to run.

The Trust has 293 life members (who paid £100) and 854 annual members (£10 per annum), of whom only 149 have taken out standing orders to renew their membership in June. A total of 331 members are accepting the Trust newsletter on e-mail, which saves postage.

"We do want to forge a close working relationship with the club and are supportive of what's being done, but we are also mindful that things change in football and, years down the line, we may be needed to help out again," added Mr Pepper.

"It is for that reason why indications are that members believe we should continue and strengthen, so that we have the power to act in future if necessary. For now, we will contact members and find out how they think we should progress."