BIAS is an Independent Association of Supporters (it would have been an Independent Supporters Association, but the acronym wasn't as snappy).

BIAS was formed in the twilight of Dave Webb's reign at Griffin Park, in recognition of the need for fans to unite in order to protect the future of their club, and to register our anger when we see it mismanaged.

And that, more or less, is what we still do. We are an open, democratic, organisation; our members decide what we are, and what we do - through the annual election of a Committee to lead the Association for the coming year. We can be thought of as a Trades Union for Brentford fans; we aim to represent your views, air your grievances, and protect your interests.

Back in the 1990's Independent Supporters Associations were all the rage. Fans across the land felt increasingly alienated from those running the game they had supported for so long, and they wanted to make their frustration known. Now, in a new century, fans want more than a voice, they want power!

The emerging concept of Supporters Trusts, combined with a dramatic tilt in the financial 'playing-field' of football, presented a radical opportunity, and at club after club fans seized it. Why waste our efforts screaming and shouting at remote figureheads until they reluctantly act more wisely, or honestly, when the chance was there to take control of the situation and cut out the middle-man?

Some would argue that since the establishment of a Supporters Trust (Bees United) at Brentford, the role of an Independent Supporters Association has become redundant. Not surprisingly we don't agree. Supporters Trusts were conceived as wide-ranging community organisations, with a core aim of achieving financial stability and respectability at clubs where these qualities had been sadly lacking. There is, and must always be, a limit to what they can say, to what they can do. We can both represent the interests of fans, but we are well aware that we can best do it in different ways.

While there is a Brentford FC there should be a Brentford Independent Association of Supporters. The stronger the Association, the stronger the club. Our football club is something that brings us together; BIAS can help us use that bond to our advantage.