The Trust was established in 2006 with the assistance of a grant from the National Lottery Awards for All office in Newcastle. Following the success of this and a further grant awarded in 2007, the Trust really moved on with a grant of £47,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2010 which saw the employment of Project Worker Sam Smith. The Trust continues to receive funding from County Durham Community Foundation.
In 2008 the Trust moved into offices which form part of the Locomotion Museum in Shildon. We are grateful for the efforts of Patrick Conway and Dr George Muirhead, the Manager of the Locomotion Rail Museum, along with Phil Ball of Sedgefield Borough Council. Early in 2011 the Trust received another grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and will soon be undertaking a new project linking with the region's schools and employing an Education Development Worker - watch this space for further details!
The current Trust line-up is as follows:
| Who | Role |
|---|---|
| Keith Belton | Trust chairman and avid Bishop Auckland fan. |
| Dick Longstaff | Executive Committee Secretary and Editor of the D.A.F.T. newsletter, Dick played for Bishop Auckland reserves and remains a passionate supporter. |
| John Phelan | Press and Publicity Secretary, John played for Crook Town and went on to become Chairman of Willington. |
| Tony Huntington | Involved in securing grant aid and funding for the Trust. Tony's father was a part of the famous Witton Park Durham Amateur Cup winning side. |
| Geoff Wood | Trust Treasurer and ex St Helen's Auckland player. |
| Bob Hull | The newest member of the team, Bob played for numerous Northern League sides including Willington and Bishop Auckland. |
| John Atkinson | Trust Vice-Chairman John, like Dick Longstaff, played for Bishop Auckland reserves. |
| Barbara Wood | Membership Secretary and involved in the administration of the Trust, Barbara was a successful amateur athlete and is interested in the social history side of the Trust's work. |
| Patrick Conway | Retired Director of Culture & Leisure for Durham County Council, Patrick remains an enthusiastic supporter of Sunderland A.F.C. |
| Sam Smith | Involved with setting up new projects, Sam is also Content Manager for the Trust's website. |
Trust members John Atkinson, Dick Longstaff, Tom Kelly, John Phelan and Keith Belton pose for a photograph after setting up an exhibition at Shildon Locomotion Museum in February 2009.
