Thursday night will see an open meeting at Glanford Park which a group of Scunthorpe United fans hope will be the first step on the way to forming a supporters' trust.

The group believe the Iron Trust would offer fans a greater say in how the club operates and be a positive move for both parties.

The trust would be a democratic not-for-profit organisation seeking to build up a shareholding in the club to ensure supporters' input at shareholder meetings and, potentially, in the decision making process.

The model has already proved effective at clubs such as AFC Wimbledon and Exeter, which are owned by fans through their trusts, as well as Swansea City.

"We have met with Steve Wharton (Scunthorpe chairman) to outline our ideas and feel that we can provide great benefit to the club," said Luke Thornhill, a member of the working group behind Thursday's meeting.

"At Exeter, for instance, their trust not only runs the club but directly raises more than £100,000 a year.

"A trust would be different from groups like the Official Supporters' Club as our main aim is a dialogue with the club at board level, and to build up a shareholding allowing us to represent fans."

The meeting will take place in the executive area from 7pm.

The group will explain a bit about the concept of a supporters' trust and are looking for a mandate, in the form of a show of hands, to create the trust.

Anyone considering becoming a member will be able to record their interest and the group are also looking for volunteers to help with the process.