The Foxes Trust received several replies from local Prospective Parliamentary Candidates within 24 hours of sending out the e-mail which asked the following two questions
· Do you support the principles of increased supporter engagement, influence and ownership at their football clubs within a system of better overall governance?
· Do you commit to working with your local supporters’ trust and Supporters Direct nationally to help achieve these objectives?
First to reply was Liberal Democrat's Prospective MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, Michael Mullaney who said:
“Thanks for getting in touch. I am happy to support both of the principles you have set out. Personally I have always thought it was unhealthy that a handful of very rich people have far too much power within football and that it seems to be run as a business when it should be a sport that brings local communities together.”
Michael Mullaney also supplied further contact details for the Trust to use for future dialogue. His response was quickly followed by 3 Labour Candidates.
Labour's Prospective MP for Charnwood, Eric Goodyer was the next to arrive in our inbox stating:
“Yes I can support both your objectives…..
Without a supporter base no club can survive financially – and what is the point of having a local club if no-one locally wants it? For too long 'businessmen' have chased the bright lights of major media deals, and have forgotten the roots of their industry.
Do I commit to working with your local supporters’ trust and Supporters Direct nationally to help achieve these objectives? Definitely!”
The first City based candidate was the next to reply, Labour's Candidate for Leicester West, Liz Kendall who said:
“Thanks so much for your email, I don't need to tell you that sport is a vital part of the fabric of our social and community life here in Leicester. I've always believed that sport has an important role to play in bringing people together and giving children an opportunity to develop and shine, as well as helping people get fit and healthy – and have a great time, of course!
As you say in your email, Labour wants to make sure professional clubs are accountable to their stakeholders and that there is greater involvement of local communities and greater supporter representation. One of the things we've committed to in our manifesto is developing proposals that enable registered Supporters Trusts to buy stakes in their club.
So, I'm very happy to sign up to your pledges. I look forward to meeting and working closely with you and other members of the Foxes Trust in the years ahead”
The final quick response e-mail came from Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Hinckley & Bosworth, Rory Palmer who replied:
“Thank you for your e-mail, the answer to your two questions is an enthusiastic yes.
I have long supported the supporters trust movement, I have previously called for a review of football club governance with the need for greater transparency, accountability to supporters and the formal engagement and involvement of trusts and supporters groups.
I am aware of the work of the Foxes Trust and if elected you can consider me to be supportive of the work of trusts and the supporters movement in Parliament and in the community.”
Further replies received will be published in subsequent website articles, those Prospective Parliamentary Candidates who fail to reply will receive no mention on the site.
The Foxes Trust as an organisation is not supporting any political party, these articles are published to allow members (and website readers) to be aware of candidates views on fan involvement in their clubs, it is up to individuals whether these views will influence their vote.