Tonight, Trust in Yellow launches a special charity fundraiser with Luke George and Diabetes UK.

At the start of last season, Luke joined Southport as a fresh-faced 20-year-old.

Since then, as well as establishing himself a firm fans’ favourite, Luke has grown a trademark beard, which has become a familiar part of the Southport team as it has got bigger and bushier.

Now, the Trust is giving fans the ultimate say on whether the beard should stay or go while also raising funds in the process.

The objective is simple: supporters are being asked make a donation based on whether they think the beard should be shaved or saved, and the one that raises the most money by the end of February will win.

The initiative will be launched ahead of tonight’s home match against Aldershot Town, so call in at the club shop before or after the game to cast your vote.

 Fans can make donations for as much or as little as they like, with every pound received being added to the total for the chosen option.

All of the funds raised will be split equally between the Trust and Diabetes UK, a charity chosen by Luke, as his sister, Holly, has suffered from diabetes since the age of 12.

It’s all a bit of fun, so please join in and give generously to help the total amount raised.

If fans vote for the beard to be shaved, it will removed at the first available home game in front of fans in the Grandstand Bar.

And if it is saved, Luke’s beard will remain a part of the Southport team for the rest of the season.

The issue of the beard has caused as much debate within Luke’s family as on the terraces, so every donation is sure to count.

The easiest way to have your say is by calling in at the club shop or Trust office of a matchday and donating to the yellow tin to shave it or the black tin to save it.

Alternatively, you can go to our homepage, click ‘donate’ and enter the word shave or save into the comments box, or visit justgiving.com/LukeGeorge.

The Trust would like to say a huge thanks to Luke for very kindly taking on this project. Thanks also to Colin Aindow and Julia Urwin for putting the initiative together.

With donations now being taken, fans have until the end of February to decide whether to shave it or save it.

November has been quite a month for Southport - and voting for the Trust in Yellow Player of the Month is now open.

Every month throughout the season, fans are asked to nominate their star performer from the Southport team and one supporter will be selected to make the presentation to the winning player.

You can vote using our online voting form HERE.

Through to the FA Cup second round for the first time in 12 years by beating Football League opposition in Dagenham & Redbridge, November has seen Southport continue their excellent form under the management of Gary Brabin.

With four goals in as many starts, including a crucial strike against Dagenham, John Marsden is the leading scorer this month, while Joe Connor, Danny Hattersley, Richard Brodie and Amadou Bakayoko have also found the target.

In goal, David Raya Martin has gone from strength to strength with a series of highly assured performances and October’s winner, Paul Rutherford, has once again been in sparkling form, creating two goals in the win at Nuneaton Town, including one which saw him run half the length of the pitch.

Or has another player caught your eye in November? There are sure to be plenty of contenders this month.

Voting is open until 8pm on Friday 5 December and the presentation will be made ahead of the FA Cup second round match against Eastleigh on Sunday 7 December.

You can submit your vote in any of the following ways:

- Use the online voting form HERE

- E-mail fans@trustinyellow.com

- Text POTM followed by the player’s name and your name to 07861416859

- Complete a voting slip at the Trust office (next to the club shop)

A polite reminder that all votes are vetted, so any multiple entries or ones submitted without a name or valid e-mail address will not be counted.

Since the award was introduced, the club's junior supporters have taken real delight in making the presentation to the winning player.

In a slight change to previous seasons, you can now nominate yourself, your child or any other friend or family member to present the award by contacting the Trust in the same ways you can vote above.

The Player of the Month award is one of several initiatives run by the Trust to promote greater supporter-involvement and strengthen the link between fans and players.

Find out more about the Trust and their activities by visiting www.trustinyellow.com.

1. Apologies for absence

Katrina, Noel

2. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

All were covered elsewhere on the agenda.

3. Treasurers report

The Trusts balance currently stands at £25,012. Of this £15,000 has been transferred to a 30 day notice savings account with Cambridge & Counties bank. This earns an interest rate of 1.5%, generating some £19 per month. The next match signs have cost £325 so far and a total of £1,400 has been raised from new memberships and membership renewals since the start of July.

4. Membership

Bill reported that the Trust currently has 208 members not including November renewals. Some memberships were renewed in response to the reminder e-mails which were sent out.

5. Cooperation with the club

In response to the club issuing a statement that work has commenced on the floodlights, the Trust will seek to contact the club with regards to the likely final costs and timescale of the project. Once the Trust is aware of its exact financial contribution to the floodlights project then other projects can be discussed and put into action.

6. Coach Travel

The coaches have run at a loss of £54 so far although some money is still owed to the Trust for the Dagenham trip. It was reported that Vision provided an excellent and reliable service. A special offer will be considered for the festive matches at Kidderminster and Wrexham. The arrangements for the weekend in Bristol were finalised with the cost being £97 for 2 nights accommodation and travel. Breakfast is available as an optional extra and coach travel to and from the ground will be included.

7. Liaising with local companies

These offers have proved to be popular with members especially the discounts available at Elite Positive Fitness. A Partners Page will soon be added to the Trust website which will allow for better publicity and easier navigation.

8. Fundraising

The Race Night will take place on Saturday 17th January after the Chester game. Gary Brabin will be asked to encourage the players to attend and race sponsors will be sought at £25 each. Luke George will be raising money for Diabetes UK by growing his beard between now and the end of the season. Those donating will have the chance to vote whether to save or shave the beard either online or by dropping money into specific boxes. The second Onion Bag book is being released in a couple of weeks time with all money raised from sales going to the Trust. An 04/05 players reunion is planned for next summer with a possible fans v players match and a quiz in the bar afterwards.

9. Other Trust events

The proposed meet the manager session has been put on hold due to a lack of home Saturday fixtures. The next possible date is Saturday 13th December but this is dependent on cup draws.

10. Membership of Trust Board

With James Treadwell offering his resignation there is now an opening on the Trust Board for anyone who wishes to join.

11. Any other business

None.

12. Dates of next meeting

Tuesday 16th December - Members

Paul Rutherford has been voted the Trust in Yellow Player of the Month for October.

In a month that brought a huge improvement for the Southport team under new manager Gary Brabin, Rutherford won a closely-run competition in which many players received nominations.

The winger came out on top by a single vote, edging out second-placed Luke Foster and several of his team-mates who were tied third in a well-supported poll.

Rutherford was presented with his award by Southport fan Jamie Hanlon ahead of Saturday’s match against Dover Athletic.

In many ways, Rutherford has epitomised the Sandgrounders’ revival under Brabin, turning in a series of tireless performances to show arguably his best form since joining from Barrow last summer.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

Supporters will have the chance to vote for November’s award at the end of the month.